Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus vs HKCA Po Leung Kuk School
Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus and HKCA Po Leung Kuk School are both in Hong Kong, about 3 km apart. Both schools follow an IB curriculum. Published annual fees are HK$80,500 - 226,090 at Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus and HK$93,200 - 125,000 at HKCA Po Leung Kuk School, which puts Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus roughly 41% higher. Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus takes pupils from 1 to 18, and HKCA Po Leung Kuk School from 3 to 12. Typical class sizes are 4 at Carmel School - Carmel Elementary Campus and 10 at HKCA Po Leung Kuk School.
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.
Location
HKCA Po Leung Kuk School is located at 62 Tin Hau Temple Road, Hong Kong. The campus is on Hong Kong Island in the Tin Hau area and is described as a small, leafy site. It is a short walk from Tin Hau MTR station, about 350 metres away, making it accessible by public transport. (+852 3465 8400 for the Primary, +852 3465 8404 for the Kindergarten).
Stages
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.
Stages
The school serves children aged 3–12 years, with a through-train pathway from K1 to Grade 6. This means the campus offers Kindergarten and Primary levels under the IB Primary Years Programme. (Ages 3-12; K1 to Grade 6).
School type
School type
Carmel is a co-educational day school. It does not provide boarding facilities; all students commute daily.
School type
HKCA Po Leung Kuk School is a private not-for-profit international school established by Po Leung Kuk. It offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as part of its non-local curriculum. (Not-for-profit international school; IB World School).
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
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.
Additional learning support
Published admissions information notes that English as a Second Language (ESL) support can be provided for students needing language assistance, with some ESL classes potentially occurring outside the regular school day at the parents' expense. The school does not publish detailed SEN provisions on its site.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a national affiliation; it is an IB Continuum School authorised for the PYP, MYP, and DP programmes.
Country affiliation
The school operates in Hong Kong and is not affiliated with a specific country. It is run as a not-for-profit international school under Po Leung Kuk.
Religious affiliation
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.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not indicated in the published materials.
School day structure
School day structure
The school’s public website does not disclose daily start and end times or details of breaks/lunch times.
School day structure
Typical days begin with arrival around 7:55–8:15, followed by a homeroom period and morning block. Core subjects run through the morning, with lunch around 12:00–12:30, and dismissal (with an available school bus option) around 2:50–3:00, depending on section. After-school activities may run from 3:15–5:15.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Yes. Carmel contracts City School Bus Service Limited for transport. Families can arrange service directly.
Bus service details
A school bus service is offered as part of the transport options; bus-related costs are listed among the school's additional charges. Dismissal times align with bus services when used. For exact routes and fees, consult the Admissions/Fees materials.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
Fee details
Application fee
- Application fee: HK$800 (non-refundable).
Tuition fees (by year group and billing detail)
- Kindergarten (K1–K3): Annual tuition HK$93,200. Paid in 10 monthly instalments of HK$9,320. - Primary (Grade 1–Grade 6): Annual tuition HK$125,000. Paid in 10 monthly instalments of HK$12,500.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual tuition is billed on an academic-year basis but structured to be paid in 10 monthly payments (the published instalment amounts are HK$9,320 per month for Kindergarten and HK$12,500 per month for Grades 1–6). The application fee is a one-time, non-refundable payment. Annual tuition fees may be adjusted subject to Education Bureau approval. - Kindergarten miscellaneous fee: A HK$6,000 Miscellaneous Fee for Kindergarten (covers learning materials, stationery, art materials and field trip expenses) is payable in two instalments of HK$3,000. Additional costs for Primary are itemised separately (see Other costs).
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school for children aged 3–12. No boarding fees are published.
Other costs and typical additional charges
- For Primary: likely additional charges include field trips, some after‑school activities, school bus, school lunch, stationery and uniform. These are separately billed or charged and are not included in the annual tuition figure. - For Kindergarten: the HK$6,000 Miscellaneous Fee (in two instalments of HK$3,000) is specifically published to cover learning materials, stationery, art materials and field trip expenses.
Fee remission / financial assistance
- A fee remission scheme (financial assistance for tuition) is available for eligible families; application details are handled by the Admissions Office.
Refund information
- The application fee is explicitly non-refundable. No general tuition‑refund policy for mid‑term withdrawal or similar situations is published in the publicly available fee summary.
Fee payment options and contacts for payment enquiries
- Specific payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, FPS, cheque, etc.) are not published on the fees summary page. For payment arrangements and accepted payment channels, contact Admissions or the school office using the published contact numbers. Admissions: +852 3465 8401; Primary Section: +852 3465 8400; Kindergarten Section: +852 3465 8404.
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
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.
Curriculum details
HKCA PLK School offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3–12, with Kindergarten through Grade 6 on Tin Hau Temple Road in Hong Kong. The PYP framework guides learning across a transdisciplinary programme that emphasizes inquiry, reflection and action in open, democratic classrooms. The homeroom teacher leads as the main language of instruction for English, with Mandarin taught as a separate language, and learning organized around a Programme of Inquiry (POI) comprising units of inquiry across Kindergarten to Grade 6. Core subjects include English Language, Mandarin, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, The Arts, and Personal, Social and Physical Education, with IB-scope & sequence documents guiding Language Arts, Mathematics, PSPE and The Arts and school-developed continuums for Science and Social Studies. Assessment uses a portfolio approach with Seesaw for daily communication, and formal Student-Led Conferences and reports; teachers record and report learning progress. The curriculum is organized into Kindergarten, Grades 1–2, 3–4, and 5–6 bands, each with age-appropriate POIs and unit continuums.
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.
Admissions
Step 1: Review eligibility and class placement. The school defines age guidelines for Early Years (K1) through Grade 6, and class placement is determined by the school after the admission process. The age framework aligns with UK/ESF equivalence and birth-date ranges, and placement decisions are made by the school, not by parental choice. The range of eligible ages and the corresponding grade levels are published to guide families before applying.
Step 2: Language readiness. The school requires proficiency in English to access the English-medium curriculum. If a student needs additional language support, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes may be taken outside of school at the parents' expense. This ensures students can participate in core subjects while language needs are addressed.
Step 3: Online application submission. Parents interested in enrolling their child can apply online by completing the Admission Form. Enrollment will be continuous until all available places have been filled, and the school is explicit about ongoing accepting of applications where places remain. In addition, there are currently limited remaining places for some years, so timely submission is advised.
Step 4: Admission interviews and criteria. Eligible applicants must demonstrate satisfactory social and communication skills and achieve satisfactory results in the admission interviews. First-round interviews for Early Years and Grade 1 typically last about 45 minutes, with longer sessions (60–70 minutes) for older grades. Interviews assess readiness for school and, for higher grades, literacy and numeracy.
Step 5: Admission decision and enrollment. If a place is offered, enrollment proceeds in line with available capacity, and there is a priority framework for admissions (non-local students, siblings, and the children of full-time staff). Admissions are described as ongoing, with inquiries accepted and places filled on a rolling basis. The process emphasizes continuous enrollment until spaces are exhausted.
Step 6: Fees and application outcomes. An application Fee of HK$800 is required and is non-refundable. The annual tuition for Kindergarten is HK$93,200 (paid in 10 monthly installments of HK$9,320), while the annual tuition for Grades 1–6 is HK$125,000 (HK$12,500 monthly). The school notes that paying the application fee does not guarantee admission and that annual tuition may be adjusted with Education Bureau approval.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly offer merit-based or need-based scholarships.
Scholarships
The school does not offer traditional scholarships. Instead, a fee remission scheme is available for families needing financial assistance, applicable to those who already have a student enrolled at the school. Details and the appropriate forms are provided through the Admissions Office. Applicants should note that there is an HK$800 non-refundable application fee, and admission is not guaranteed by payment of this fee.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not describe a formal waitlist or pool system on its website.
Waitlist
Waitlist or pool procedures are not described as a formal system on the admissions materials.
