American International School vs International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus
American International School and International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus are both in Hong Kong, about 7 km apart. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) and American programmes, and International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus also offers Christian. Published annual fees are HK$97,000 - 180,400 at American International School and HK$148,400 - 201,500 at International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus, which puts International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus roughly 26% higher. American International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus from 5 to 18. International Christian School - Shek Mun Campus is the larger school, with around 1,200 pupils to American International School 's 930. Both keep typical class sizes around 15.
Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
930
Pupils
1,200
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
15
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
The main campus is in Shek Mun, Sha Tin, in the New Territories, It is relatively accessible from major thoroughfares in Sha Tin, and the school arranges bus services across Hong Kong.
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
ICS offers a continuous pathway from Kindergarten through Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
School type
School type
AIS operates as a day school.
School type
It is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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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
ICS runs a program called Bridges for students aged 11-18 with significant learning needs (e.g. in communication, social/emotional or physical domains), with dedicated staff, lower student-teacher ratios, and integration into the mainstream classes where appropriate.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Country affiliation
The school does not formally affiliate with one country’s educational system; it operates independently as an international school in Hong Kong.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
ICS is affiliated with Christian faith, operating as an evangelical Christian school and integrating Christian worldview into its curriculum and community life.
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
Typical school hours are Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 3:00 pm. In secondary (High School and Middle School), they run on a 6-day rotating schedule for classes, with an advisory program (“Tribe” or “Facegroups”) meeting daily around lunch periods.
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
ICS provides a school bus/coach service for students across Hong Kong, using contracted providers. The routes and service arrangements are reviewed annually, and the service supports both Kindergarten and the main campus.
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.
Reservation Deposit / Registration Fee Confirms enrollment and is credited against the first tuition installment. It is forfeited if a place is accepted but the student does not attend.
Tuition Fees (2025–26) Tuition is billed in installments per year and cannot be prorated. All fees are in Hong Kong dollars, non-refundable and non-transferable unless otherwise stated.
* Elementary (Pre-Grade 1 – Grade 5): HK$148,400 per year * Middle School (Grade 6 – Grade 8): HK$196,600 per year * High School (Grade 9 – Grade 12): HK$201,500 per year
Other Fees Additional costs may include graduation fees, extracurricular activities, band instrument rental, uniforms, school bus, and meals. These are billed separately as applicable.
Financial Assistance
* Financial Aid: Tuition subsidy for families facing financial challenges; must reapply annually. * Family Discount: Applied per eldest child and downward, renewed annually.
* 1st & 2nd child – no discount * 3rd child – 10% discount on tuition * 4th child – 15% discount on tuition * Additional children – increases by 5% increments
Withdrawal Policy For Grades Pre-1 to 12, the school requires two full calendar months’ written notice of withdrawal, or payment of two months’ tuition if notice is shorter. Summer holiday does not count toward the notice period.
Payment Options Fees are payable in installments; payment is accepted by bank transfer (credit card not specified).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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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
International Christian School follows a North American curriculum framework taught in English, with integration of a Christian worldview across all subjects. The Elementary School (Pre-Grade 1–Grade 5) provides a broad foundation in core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies, complemented by art, music, and physical education. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), students continue in a structured North American program while exploring electives and developing study skills in preparation for high school. The High School (Grades 9–12) offers a full college-preparatory curriculum, with the option to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses across a wide range of subjects, including sciences, humanities, and world languages (e.g. AP Chinese and AP Spanish). Throughout the school, Chinese language is taught as a subject, with Spanish also available at higher levels. Co-curricular programs in arts, STEM, and service are integrated into the academic pathway, ensuring students experience a well-rounded program through to graduation.
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. Submit Application Families begin by submitting an online application for the specific academic year. An application fee (non-refundable) must be paid.
2. Assessment & Testing Applicants are tested in English reading, writing, and mathematics to assess readiness. For some grades, candidates may also be asked to submit standardized test scores.
3. Interview (and Parent Interview) After assessment, qualified candidates and their parents are invited for in-person interviews. International applicants may be assessed or interviewed online if unable to attend in Hong Kong.
4. Admissions Decision & Wait Pool The Admissions Committee reviews all assessments and interviews; decisions are typically communicated within 30 days.
5. Offer Acceptance & Enrollment Families who receive an offer must return a signed acceptance and pay the reservation deposit to confirm the student’s place. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the offer.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarships or financial aid on its admissions pages.
Scholarships
International Christian School does not provide general merit-based scholarships. Instead, it offers financial assistance programs to help families with demonstrated need. This includes tuition subsidies, debenture relief, and discounts for families with multiple children enrolled. In addition, the school operates the Foundation Scholars Program, which is designed to support children of Christian ministry workers with both financial aid and additional language support where needed. All financial assistance is reviewed on an annual basis, and families must reapply each year with supporting documentation.
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
ICS does operate a wait pool system (not a traditional chronological waitlist) for applicants who have met requirements but for whom no place is currently available.
