Christian Alliance International School vs DSC International School
Christian Alliance International School and DSC International School are both in Hong Kong, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Canadian programmes, and Christian Alliance International School also offers IB, Advanced Placement (AP) and Christian. Published annual fees are HK$136,300 - 228,300 at Christian Alliance International School and HK$147,100 - 168,100 at DSC International School, which puts Christian Alliance International School roughly 16% higher. Christian Alliance International School takes pupils from 5 to 17, and DSC International School from 4 to 18. Christian Alliance International School is the larger school, with around 1,700 pupils to DSC International School's 50.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Curriculum
Canadian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,700
Pupils
50
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1992
Opened
1987
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
DSC International School is situated on Hong Kong Island, within a residential and commercial district that is well connected by the MTR and local bus routes. The area is known for its accessibility, nearby parks, and family-oriented amenities, providing a convenient setting for commuting families.
Stages
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).
Stages
The school provides a through-train education from Pre-Grade 1 to Grade 12, all located on one campus. It covers Early Years, Elementary, and Secondary levels for students aged 4 to 18 years.
School type
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.
School type
DSC International School is an independent, co-educational day school offering the Ontario (Canadian) curriculum. There are no boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
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.
Additional learning support
The school provides structured Learning Support through specialists, counsellors, and social workers, focusing on social-emotional and academic needs. Tailored assistance is available for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and students requiring extra support.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
CAIS is accredited by Alberta Education, Canada, to deliver the Alberta curriculum, and also offers AP and IBDP pathways.
Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with Canada, being registered with the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to award the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is a Christian institution, founded by the Kowloon Tong Church of the Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance (KTAC).
Religious affiliation
The school is non-religious and does not follow any faith-based teaching.
School day structure
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.
School day structure
The daily schedule varies by level: Early Years and Elementary typically run from around 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., while Secondary classes operate from 8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The structure includes morning sessions, lunch, and afternoon classes.
Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
DSC offers a school bus service managed by an external transport provider, with routes covering Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Parents register directly with the provider, and routes are adjusted yearly based on student demand.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HK$1,000 is required for all new students at the time of submission. New students must also pay a refundable tuition deposit equivalent to one month’s tuition fee, which is credited to the final month’s payment upon withdrawal with adequate notice. A refundable textbook and resource deposit of HK$1,000 is charged for Grades 1–12.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Pre-Grade 1: HK$147,100 (billed at HK$14,710 per month) Grades 1–8: HK$155,700 (billed at HK$15,570 per month) Grades 9–10: HK$161,500 (billed at HK$16,150 per month) Grades 11–12: HK$168,100 (billed at HK$16,810 per month)
Fees are billed monthly over 10 months (September to June). There are no debenture or capital levy fees charged.
Additional Fees
ESL Fee (Grades 1–8): HK$4,010 per month (if applicable) Uniforms and school bus services are charged separately through external suppliers. School materials and optional extracurricular activities may incur additional costs.
Transportation Fees A school bus service is provided through an external transport company serving routes across Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Families register directly with the provider, and fees depend on route and distance.
Refund Policy The tuition deposit and resource deposit are refundable upon withdrawal, following the school’s written notice requirements. Other fees, such as application and monthly tuition, are non-refundable.
Payment Options Payments can be made via PayPal, cheque, or bank transfer, as outlined on the school’s Admissions and Tuition Fees pages.
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
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.
Curriculum details
DSC International School follows the Ontario (Canada) curriculum from Pre-Grade 1 through Grade 12, leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), awarded by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The Early Years program (Pre-Grade 1) is inquiry-based, emphasizing foundational literacy, numeracy, and early STEAM learning. In the Elementary years (Grades 1–6), students study core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and the Arts, supported by instruction in Chinese (Putonghua) and French. The Secondary program (Grades 7–12) builds on the Ontario framework, offering a wide range of courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Business, Humanities, and the Arts. Senior students complete required credits, community service hours, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test to earn the OSSD. Throughout all levels, English is the primary language of instruction, with additional support provided for English language learners.
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.
Admissions
1. Initial Enquiry and School Tour Families are encouraged to begin by submitting an enquiry form or arranging a school tour or virtual consultation through the Admissions Office. During the visit, parents can learn about the Ontario curriculum, facilities, and student life. Admissions staff guide families through the documentation requirements and timelines for application submission.
2. Application Submission Parents complete the online Application Form and submit supporting documents, including academic reports, identification, and recommendation letters where required. A non-refundable application fee is payable upon submission. Once received, the Admissions Office acknowledges the application and begins the review process within approximately one week.
3. Interview and Assessment Applicants are invited for an interview and English proficiency assessment. The session usually lasts 30–90 minutes and includes a conversation about the school’s philosophy, curriculum, and student expectations. Students complete an English assessment covering oral, reading, and writing skills; however, proficiency does not determine admission outcomes due to the availability of the ESL Program for additional language support.
4. Offer and Orientation Successful applicants receive an official offer of admission with details about tuition, deposits, and start dates. Once confirmed, students and families attend an orientation session, and students in Grades 9–12 meet with the Guidance and Pathways Team to plan course selections and academic goals before classes begin.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
DSC International School maintains a Scholarships page under its Admissions section. While it confirms that scholarships are available to eligible students, specific details such as eligibility criteria, application process, and award value are not publicly disclosed. Families are directed to contact the Admissions Office for up-to-date information regarding available scholarship programs.
Waitlist
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.
Waitlist
The school’s website does not mention a formal waitlist or pool system.
