Christian Alliance International School vs Renaissance College
Christian Alliance International School and Renaissance College are both in Hong Kong, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Christian Alliance International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian and Christian, and Renaissance College also offers IBCP. Published annual fees are close, at HK$136,300 - 228,300 for Christian Alliance International School and HK$148,100 - 195,700 for Renaissance College. Christian Alliance International School takes pupils from 5 to 17, and Renaissance College from 5 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,700 and 2,087 pupils.
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
Renaissance College is located in Ma On Shan in the New Territories, at 5 Hang Ming Street, and sits right outside Heng On MTR station on the Tuen Ma Line with Exit A linking into the campus. The neighbourhood is primarily residential, with bus routes serving the area and convenient connections into Kowloon and beyond.
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
RCHK is an all-through IB World School for students aged 5–18. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme (Years 1–6), Middle Years Programme (Years 7–11), and either the Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13.
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
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school with no boarding facilities. It is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong.
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
RCHK provides tailored support for students with Additional Learning Needs. Its inclusion programmes and wellbeing initiatives ensure that individual needs are addressed in class and across school life.
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 part of the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong and is not affiliated with a specific country.
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
RCHK is non-religious and has no faith affiliation.
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
Classes generally run from 8:00 am to 3:10 pm, with a mid-morning break and a lunch break included in the schedule
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
The college offers an optional bus service. Routes cover a wide range of residential areas in Hong Kong, and stops are arranged at housing estates near the school for convenience
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 Fee An application for entry to RCHK carries a non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee of HK$2,800.
Tuition Fees by Year Group (2025–26)
* Years 1–6: HK$148,100 annually * Years 7–11: HK$193,600 annually * Years 12–13: HK$195,700 annually
Tuition is billed over 10 months (i.e. divided across 10 payments).
Building Levy / Capital Contribution New students entering Year 1 are required to pay a non-refundable building levy (NBL) of HK$50,000. Students entering Years 2–12 must pay a pro-rated portion of that levy.
Other Costs & Fees
* RAPT (Parent-Teacher Association) membership fee (per family): HK$275 * Student Smart Identity / Value-Stored Card: first copy free, replacements cost HK$20 * ID card for parents/guardians/helpers: first copy free, replacement HK$20 * Certified true copy of report card (PYP, MYP, Y12): HK$50 per copy * Additional academic transcript copies (for current MYP/DP students): HK$100 per extra copy * Certified transcript for graduated/left students (MYP/DP): HK$100 per copy
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms Tuition is deducted monthly over 10 months via autopay (direct debit authorisation, DDA). Parents will be notified by email if there is an outstanding invoice.
Refund / Withdrawal Policies Specific refund conditions for mid-year withdrawal are not detailed in the public fee pages. The building levy is explicitly non-refundable.
Fee Payment Options
* The main tuition and levies are handled via direct debit (autopay / DDA). * Other charges (e.g. PTA, trips, insurance) are handled through an ePayment wallet. Parents can top up this wallet using credit card, PayPal, or PPS. * Residual ePayment balances may be refunded, or transferred to siblings, upon leaving the school.
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
Renaissance College Hong Kong (RCHK) delivers the full IB continuum from Year 1 through Year 13: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Years 1–6, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–11, and then in Years 12–13 students choose between the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP / IBCP). In the lower years, learning is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, focusing on connecting subjects through real-world themes and promoting development of learner skills. ([Renaissance College][1]) The MYP bridges subject disciplines via “Global Contexts” and emphasizes self-reflection, critical thinking, and personal projects. In Years 12–13, those opting for the DP follow six subject groups plus core components (TOK, Extended Essay, CAS). Those selecting the CP / IBCP combine career-related studies (for example via partner institutions) with IB academic courses and a CP core (Personal & Professional Skills, Reflective Project, Language & Cultural Studies, and Service Learning).
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. Online Application Submission Families submit an online application through the ESF / RCHK admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF (or RCHK) school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee.
2. Assessment / Interview / Testing Applicants (for years other than entry levels) are invited to attend assessments or interviews to evaluate their readiness for the English-medium curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified with schedules for testing and interviews.
3. Offer of Place & Acceptance If successful and if a vacancy exists, the school issues an offer of place. The family must accept by a deadline, after which a deposit or building levy may be required.
4. Onboarding & Entry Requirements Once accepted, the student is integrated into the school system, including orientation, registration, and payment of fees per the school’s billing schedule. Families may also be asked to submit supporting documents (previous school records, medical records, etc.).
5. Waitlist Consideration If no immediate place is available, the candidate may be placed into a waitlist or pool. Offers from the waitlist may be made when places become available.
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
* RCHK offers full scholarships (100% tuition waiver) for students from Year 7 to Year 13, across categories including academic, music, theatre, visual arts, and sports. * A Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) exists to provide full tuition fee coverage (and potentially extra expenses) on a needs basis, subject to eligibility and availability. * Scholarship criteria include demonstrated talent in the relevant domain (academic, arts, sport) plus evidence of commitment to service and leadership. * RCHK also allocates 2% of its fee income to a hardship fund (ESF financial assistance) for families encountering sudden changes in circumstances—but this is limited to current students and does not function as a scholarship for new entrants.
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
RCHK (via ESF) does maintain a waiting list / pool system for school places when demand exceeds vacancies. Applicants are placed on the waitlist in priority order, and if a vacancy arises, offers may be extended from the waitlist by date of application and priority group.
