American International School vs Christian Alliance International School
American International School and Christian Alliance International School are both in Hong Kong, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) programmes. American International School also offers American, and Christian Alliance International School also offers IB, Canadian and Christian. Published annual fees are HK$97,000 - 180,400 at American International School and HK$136,300 - 228,300 at Christian Alliance International School, which puts Christian Alliance International School roughly 31% higher. American International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Christian Alliance International School from 5 to 17. Christian Alliance International School is the larger school, with around 1,700 pupils to American International School 's 930.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
930
Pupils
1,700
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
—
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1986
Opened
1992
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
AIS is at 125 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, a short walk from Kowloon Tong MTR (Kwun Tong & East Rail lines) and served by multiple KMB bus routes and green minibuses. The site lists step-by-step public transport directions and notes on drop-off/pick-up.
Location
Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) is situated in Butterfly Valley, Lai Chi Kok on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. The campus is accessible via major public transport links, including nearby MTR stations and bus routes. The surrounding area is urban and well connected, with facilities that serve the local community.
Stages
Stages
AIS is a single-campus “through-train” school with four divisions: Early Childhood 1–Grade 1 Junior, Elementary (Grades 1–4), Middle School (Grades 5–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).
Stages
The school runs as a through-train programme from Preparatory (Kindergarten) through Grade 12. This structure includes Primary (Prep–G6) and Secondary (G7–G12), with students in Grades 11–12 able to pursue the Alberta Diploma, Advanced Placement (AP), or the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).
School type
School type
AIS operates as a day school.
School type
CAIS is a co-educational international day school with an enrollment of over 1,700 students. It does not provide boarding facilities, with all students commuting daily.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
AIS states it does not have support programs for English as a Second Language or for students with special learning needs; applicants are expected to learn in a regular English academic environment. Student wellbeing is supported by a counseling team in Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Additional learning support
The school provides support for students with mild to moderate learning needs through its Student Support Services team. Provision includes learning support teachers and assistants who collaborate with classroom staff and families to help students access the curriculum. CAIS is not a specialist SEN school.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Country affiliation
CAIS is accredited by Alberta Education, Canada, to deliver the Alberta curriculum, and also offers AP and IBDP pathways.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school is a Christian institution, founded by the Kowloon Tong Church of the Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance (KTAC).
School day structure
School day structure
Published hours: Elementary 8:00–15:30, Middle 8:00–15:30, High 8:00–15:40. Early Childhood 1 offers AM (8:00–12:00), PM (12:30–15:30) or full-day (8:00–15:30); Grade 1 Junior runs 8:00–15:00. Students may be dropped off from 7:30.
School day structure
School days begin at 7:55 am (Primary) and 8:05 am (Secondary). Regular dismissal is mid-afternoon, with Monday featuring an earlier finish (Primary at 2:05 pm, Secondary at 2:35 pm). Published bell schedules also note dedicated chapel/assembly sessions and advisory times.
Bus service details
Bus service details
AIS uses California Coach Limited (the school’s long-standing independent provider) with routes across Kowloon, the New Territories, and Hong Kong Island. Families book online via the school’s link; contact and coverage details are provided on the FAQ page, which also lists private options for areas not served.
Bus service details
The school operates a bus service, referenced in its bell schedules and dismissal notices. Buses depart after school dismissal, including an earlier departure on Mondays. While full provider details are not published, the service is part of daily logistics and coordinated with start and end times for Primary and Secondary.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fee
* HKD 1,500 (non-refundable, non-transferable).
Tuition (proposed 2025–2026)
* Early Childhood (half day): Per year HKD 97,000; Per installment (x4) HKD 24,250. * Early Childhood (whole day) – Grade 1 Junior: Per year HKD 146,800; Per installment HKD 36,700. * Grade 1 – Grade 4: Per year HKD 152,800; Per installment HKD 38,200. * Grade 5 – Grade 8: Per year HKD 164,400; Per installment HKD 41,100. * Grade 9 – Grade 12: Per year HKD 180,400; Per installment HKD 45,100.
Billing schedule & payment terms
* Annual fee due 1 Aug, or four installments due 1 Aug, 1 Nov, 1 Feb, 1 May. Fees are in HKD and subject to EDB approval. * Payments accepted by e-payment or telegraphic transfer (HSBC); include bank/wire charges, and email proof of payment with student details. * Parents (not employers) are liable for fees; late/returned payments may incur bank or school administration charges. If a place is accepted and the child does not attend, the fee deposit is forfeited.
Capital levy
* First child HKD 12,000; second child HKD 8,000; each additional child HKD 6,000. Payable in full; not refundable.
Other costs
* Uniforms, usage fees, activity fees, OELP trip fees, and field trips (amounts vary by grade) are required before registration is complete.
Refunds
* Partial tuition refund only with at least three months’ written notice; otherwise the shortfall is payable. * Waitlist: deposit credited to first tuition; refundable only if no opening arises within three months.
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time application fee is required for all new students. The fee is HKD 1,500 for Preparatory–Grade 3 and HKD 1,800 for Grades 4–12. This is non-refundable and must be paid by cheque at the time of application.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Fees are billed in 10 monthly installments across the academic year. The annual tuition fees for 2025–26 are as follows:
Capital Contributions Families must select one of the following options:
Individual Capital Note (ICN): HKD 560,000 (first child), reduced amounts for additional siblings. Refundable or transferable with administrative fees. Annual Capital Levy (ACL): HKD 30,000 per year, non-refundable. This applies if the student is not covered by an ICN or Corporate Capital Note (CCN). Corporate Capital Note (CCN): An option for companies to secure places for nominated students.
Sibling Discount
Second child: 10% Third child: 15% Fourth child and beyond: 20%
Additional Fees A reservation fee equal to one month’s tuition is payable upon acceptance and credited toward the first installment. Administrative fees apply for reissued invoices or mailed documents. Other costs such as uniforms, extracurricular activities, and learning materials are billed separately.
Refund Policy Tuition is non-refundable for any month in which a student attends, even partially. The Annual Capital Levy is also non-refundable. ICN refunds are subject to school policies and administration fees.
Payment Options Payments are accepted by cheque or bank transfer. Cash is not accepted.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
AIS follows a U.S. standards-based program from Early Childhood to Grade 12; in Early Childhood the play-based curriculum is delivered primarily in English with specialist lessons in Mandarin, music, art and PE, alongside the Second Step social-emotional program.
In Elementary (Grades 1–4), core subjects are English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, with specialist classes in PE, music, Mandarin and art.
Mandarin is compulsory from Early Childhood through Grade 8.
Middle School (Grades 5–8) uses American-based standards and offers core classes in Humanities (ELA/Social Studies), Math, Science, Mandarin and PE/Health, plus Visual Arts, Music, Performance, and Engineering & Design; learning features project-based units, an Intensives Project Period, and a required Outdoor Education & Leadership “adventure week.”
High School (Grades 9–12) is credit-based (24–28 credits) across English, math, science, humanities/social studies, world languages, PE/health, visual & performing arts, and computer science & technology, with electives; a minimum of five Grade 12 or AP course credits is required for the diploma.
High School offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and requires community service (10/10/20/20 hours from Grades 9–12); OELP includes a week-long “Service in Action” trip for every high school student.
Curriculum details
Christian Alliance International School follows the Alberta (Canada) curriculum from Preparatory through Grade 12, which provides the framework for core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, alongside specialist subjects such as Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, and Design Technology. In the upper grades, students can pursue Advanced Placement (AP) courses and examinations in selected subjects, allowing them to gain additional university recognition. For Grades 11–12, CAIS also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as an alternative pathway, with subjects across all six IB groups, including English A, Chinese A, Economics, Sciences, Mathematics, and Visual Arts. Chinese language learning is part of the curriculum from Preparatory onwards, with pathways into AP Chinese and IBDP Chinese in the senior years. The main language of instruction is English, with Chinese, French, and Spanish taught as additional world languages.
1. Online application & documents. Create an online account and complete the form. Upload required items: student photo, birth certificate, passport page, HKID (if available), valid study visa (if applicable), parent passport/HKID, school reports for the last 2–3 years, and the non-refundable application fee. Grades 1–12 must also submit Student Reference Form(s) completed by current teachers/counselor (different forms by grade band). AIS notes that it does not offer EAL or special learning needs programs; families must disclose any relevant reports.
2. Entrance assessment & (if granted) interview. Applicants complete grade-level placement tests (EC1–G1Jr: language readiness. Tests draw on U.S. standardized measures in English and Mathematics; some applicants write a short piece. A personal interview for the student/family may follow on a separate day; overseas applicants may arrange an online assessment. English is the language of instruction; students are expected to be age-appropriate proficient in English.
3. Offer decision. The Admissions Committee reviews school records, assessment results, and (if applicable) the interview to determine fit. The school may accept, accept conditionally/probationarily, or decline; reasons for decline include academic/behavioral record, insufficient English proficiency, or lack of a program to meet individual needs. Final decisions rest with the school administration.
4. Acceptance & enrollment. Accepted families receive an email offer and must pay required fees by the deadline stated in the offer to secure the seat; placement is confirmed on receipt of tuition and the capital levy. Tuition may be paid annually or in four installments; payments are accepted via e-payment or telegraphic transfer.
*Additional placement notes:* EC1–G1 placements are based on age as of 31 December; mid-year transfers generally remain in the same grade for the remainder of the AIS academic year. AIS operates rolling admissions and encourages early application because places are limited.
Admissions
1. Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and mailing the printed form, required supporting documents, and the application fee cheque to the Admissions Office. The fee is HKD 1,500 for Preparatory–Grade 3 and HKD 1,800 for Grades 4–12, and it is non-refundable. Cash is not accepted, and all cheques must be payable to the school.
2. Assessment and Interview Applicants are invited for an admissions assessment if a place is available. The assessment length varies by grade level: about 1 hour for Preparatory–Grade 3, 2.5 hours for Grades 4–6, and 3 hours for Grades 7–12. Parents may also be interviewed, and additional documents, such as a Student Reference Form, are required for secondary applicants.
3. Admissions Decision Families are informed of the result within 30 days of the assessment. If a place is available and the student meets requirements, an offer of admission is extended. If not, but the student is eligible, they may be placed in the Wait Pool.
4. Enrollment Confirmation A student’s place is confirmed once the family pays the required Individual Capital Note (ICN or Annual Capital Levy (ACL by the deadline. A reservation fee equal to one month’s tuition is also due and will be credited against the first tuition installment.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarships or financial aid on its admissions pages.
Scholarships
CAIS offers scholarships specifically for students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). These scholarships ensure that all IBDP students pay the same tuition as Alberta curriculum students, rather than the higher IBDP fee. This effectively reduces the cost of the IB pathway and makes it financially aligned with the school’s other senior programmes.
Waitlist
Waitlist
AIS runs a wait list once a class reaches maximum size. To reserve a wait-list place, families must pay a deposit within 7 days of the offer; the deposit is credited toward the first tuition if a place is offered. If no opening arises within 3 months, the deposit may be refunded in full; if an opening does arise within 3 months and the family declines, the deposit is non-refundable. Waiting status ends after third-semester enrollment is finalized in late March; families may reapply for the following year.
Waitlist
CAIS operates a Wait Pool system. Qualified applicants who have passed assessments but for whom no immediate space is available are placed into the Wait Pool. This placement is valid for one academic year, and families are contacted if a suitable place becomes available. Students in the Wait Pool are not guaranteed admission, but being placed there indicates they are eligible should space open.
