Canadian International School of Hong Kong vs Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus
Canadian International School of Hong Kong and Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus are both in Hong Kong, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Canadian International School of Hong Kong also offers Canadian. Published annual fees are HK$156,300 - 254,300 at Canadian International School of Hong Kong and HK$80,500 - 226,090 at Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus, which puts Canadian International School of Hong Kong roughly 34% higher. Canadian International School of Hong Kong takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus from 1 to 18. Canadian International School of Hong Kong is the larger school, with around 2,100 pupils to Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus's 350. Typical class sizes are 18 at Canadian International School of Hong Kong and 4 at Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus.
Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) is situated on the south side of Hong Kong Island, in the Aberdeen area. The campus is within walking distance of Wong Chuk Hang MTR station and is also served by local bus routes. It sits in a mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood close to Aberdeen Harbour.
Location
Carmel Elementary is situated in the Mid-Levels area on Hong Kong Island, a central neighbourhood known for its residential community and convenient access to transport links and the city’s business districts. The school operates three campuses across Hong Kong Island, with the Elementary campus in Mid-Levels and the High School in Shau Kei Wan, giving families access from different parts of the city.
Stages
Stages
CDNIS educates children from age 2 through Grade 12. The school is divided into the Lower School (Early Years and Grades 1–5) and the Upper School (Grades 6–12, split into Transition Years, Grades 9–10, and Grades 11–12).
Stages
The Elementary campus serves Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students continue into the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) at Elsa High School.
School type
School type
The school is private and co-educational. It operates as a day school only, and students must live with a parent or legal guardian in Hong Kong. Boarding is not offered.
School type
Carmel is a co-educational day school. It does not provide boarding facilities; all students commute daily.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
CDNIS provides guidance counselling services in both the Lower and Upper Schools, supporting students academically and socially. However, the school website does not publish detailed information about specialised SEN facilities or provisions.
Additional learning support
The Elementary campus includes a Dedicated Learning Enhancement room to provide extra support to students who need it. Beyond this, the school does not publish detailed SEN provisions or policies.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school integrates elements of the Ontario (Canada) curriculum and awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP).
Country affiliation
The school does not have a national affiliation; it is an IB Continuum School authorised for the PYP, MYP, and DP programmes.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any religion.
Religious affiliation
Carmel School is a Jewish international school with a Modern Orthodox ethos. It welcomes students from all strands of Judaism and also accepts non-Jewish students in its High School.
School day structure
School day structure
The school website does not publish its standard daily start and end times or detailed schedules.
School day structure
The school’s public website does not disclose daily start and end times or details of breaks/lunch times.
Bus service details
Bus service details
CDNIS provides a school bus service operated by Kwoon Chung Motors (KCM). All full-day students are required to use the bus service, with routes across Hong Kong. The school allows options for one-way ridership and installment payments for bus fees.
Bus service details
Yes. Carmel contracts City School Bus Service Limited for transport. Families can arrange service directly.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees An application fee of HKD 2,350 is required for EY1–Grade 11 applicants, with an assessment fee of HKD 1,650 if shortlisted. Nursery applications carry a combined application and assessment fee of HKD 1,800. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Entry & Reservation Fees A one-time Entry Fee of HKD 12,500 is charged to all new students. In addition, an HKD 80,000 Reservation Deposit is required to secure enrollment. This is credited toward the first term’s tuition and levy but is non-refundable for new students.
Fees for EY1–Grade 12 are billed in two instalments per year. Nursery tuition is billed in 11 instalments.
Additional Fees
* Annual Capital Levy: HKD 38,000 per student (unless covered by a debenture) * Uniforms, extracurricular activities, and some resources are billed separately. * Grades 4 and above include a technology fee, and Grades 11–12 include IB Diploma exam and textbook fees in tuition.
Debenture Scheme Debentures are not compulsory, but holders receive admissions priority if other requirements are met. Debentures can be transferred on the second-hand market.
Transportation Fees The school bus service is operated by Kwoon Chung Motors (KCM). Fees vary by route and are billed directly by the provider. Options for one-way ridership and installment payments are available.
Boarding Fees The school does not offer boarding facilities.
Refund Policy Tuition (EY1–G12) may be refunded on a pro-rata 10-month basis if three months’ written notice is provided. Reservation deposits for new students are non-refundable. Most other fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options Payments can be made via bank transfer, PPS, e-banking bill payment, or direct debit. Cash and cheque are not accepted.
Fee details
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Early Learning (Tzutzik & Ganeynu Afternoon Programme): HKD 84,500 Nursery & Pre-K: HKD 114,000 Kindergarten – Grade 5 (Elementary): HKD 202,600 Elsa High School Main Stream (Grades 6–12): HKD 202,600 Elsa High School International Stream (Grades 6–12): HKD 237,370
Fees are billed monthly over 10 months per year, due on the 1st of each month. Families entering mid-year are also charged from the 1st of the month.
Capital Levy Grades 6–12 students are charged an annual Capital Levy of HKD 18,520. This levy supports facility maintenance and improvements.
Transportation Fees The school provides a bus service through City School Bus Service Limited. Families make arrangements directly with the provider.
Learning Support Elementary offers a Dedicated Learning Enhancement room. Costs for additional specialist support, if required, are not detailed online.
Refund Policy The website does not disclose tuition refund terms. Financial assistance is available to families in need, but is not offered during the first year of enrolment and not for Nursery or younger. Applications are due by June 1 annually.
Payment Options The school does not specify exact payment methods (e.g., card or transfer) online but notes that the Carmel School Association acts as the agent for fee collection.
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
CDNIS delivers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, beginning with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Lower School from Early Years through Grade 5. Students in Grades 6–10 follow the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which provides a broad foundation across subject areas. In Grades 11–12, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with courses designed to prepare them for university study worldwide. Alongside the IB, CDNIS integrates the Ontario curriculum, and graduates earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in addition to the IB Diploma. The school also offers a bilingual English–Chinese track in the Early Years, with Mandarin taught as a subject throughout the school.
Curriculum details
Carmel Elementary delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), which focuses on inquiry-based learning across all subjects. The Programme of Learning includes core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Music, Hebrew and Jewish Studies, alongside specialist provision in STEAM, EAL (English as an Additional Language), and physical education. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 follow the PYP framework, which emphasises transdisciplinary themes to connect learning across disciplines. After Grade 5, students progress to the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Elsa High School, followed by the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. This makes Carmel an IB Continuum School, providing all three stages of IB education from early years through high school.
1. Application submission Families begin by completing an online application form via the CDNIS Admissions Portal. Required documents typically include a copy of the child’s passport or Hong Kong ID, recent school reports, and a current photo. An application fee (and, where relevant, an assessment fee) must be paid at this stage.
2. Supporting documents and references Depending on grade level, families may need to submit a Student Reference Form completed by a current teacher. These references are used to better understand the applicant’s academic and social readiness for CDNIS.
3. Assessment and interview Applicants who progress are invited for an assessment or interview. Early Years students participate in play-based assessments, while older students complete literacy, numeracy, or group activities. Upper School applicants may also attend a personal interview. The school explains that the assessment format differs by grade.
4. Selection and review Applications are reviewed holistically, combining assessment results, references, and past reports. Students are then ranked as Excellent, Good, Marginal, or Not Suitable. Offers depend on meeting academic expectations and the availability of places.
5. Offer and enrolment Successful candidates receive a conditional offer, which must be confirmed by paying the reservation deposit and completing enrollment forms. If no space is available in the grade, eligible students are placed into the waitpool until a place opens.
Admissions
1. Application submission Families begin the process by completing the application form and submitting it by post, email, or in person to the relevant campus. Required documents include prior school reports and teacher recommendations, which help the admissions team evaluate readiness and fit.
2. Assessment and review The school considers a range of indicators such as school reports, teacher comments, and, if relevant, international English proficiency assessments. For some applicants, the school uses MAP testing to measure literacy, numeracy, and science skills. These assessments allow Carmel to match students with appropriate support and placement.
3. Interviews Applicants may be invited for an interview with the Principal or Head of Elementary, depending on the year group. This provides an opportunity to discuss the child’s learning style, language background, and family expectations while helping the school assess social and academic needs.
4. Priority considerations If demand exceeds available places, priority may be given to siblings of current students and certain categories within the Early Learning Centre. This helps maintain continuity for families already within the Carmel community.
5. Decision and enrolment Decisions are communicated after review of all submitted materials and assessments. Successful applicants complete enrolment and payment of tuition. Families requiring financial assistance must apply by June 1, though support is not available in the first year of enrolment or for Nursery/Pre-K students.
Scholarships
Scholarships
CDNIS has a scholarship programme listed under its Admissions section. Scholarships are intended to recognise student achievement and potential, but the school does not publish detailed information about specific eligibility criteria or award amounts on its main website. Families interested in scholarships are directed to the Scholarships section of the Admissions pages for current opportunities.
Scholarships
The school does not publicly offer merit-based or need-based scholarships.
Waitlist
Waitlist
CDNIS operates a waiting pool system when grades are full. Placement into the waitpool occurs after a student is deemed admissible, but no seat is available. Importantly, a student’s status in the pool does not roll over to the following academic year; families must reapply if they wish to be considered again.
Waitlist
The school does not describe a formal waitlist or pool system on its website.
