Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School vs YMCA Christian Academy (YCA)

	C Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School Hong Kong	YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) Hong Kong
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year HK$129,970 - 169,080	Fees / year HK$148,800
Age range	Age range 5 - 12 years	Age range 5 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Christian Curriculum	Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 550	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2020	Opened 2012
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is situated in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, a short walk from Sung Wong Toi MTR Station (Exit B1). The surrounding area is largely residential, with several other schools nearby. Public transport links, including MTR and bus routes, make the campus accessible from many parts of the city.	Location YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) is conveniently located at 70 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, in the vibrant heart of Hong Kong Island. Our central position makes us easily accessible for families commuting from neighboring districts such as Mid-Levels and Sai Ying Pun.
Stages	Stages CAPCL serves students from Preparatory (equivalent to Kindergarten) through Grade 6, with a focus on early years and primary education. Students typically range from about 5 to 12 years old.	Stages We are an international primary school offering education for children aged 5 to 11 (Years 1 to 6). Following the British educational framework, children are eligible to enter Year 1 if they turn 5 years old within their entry year.
School type	School type The school is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls. It operates as a day school only, with no boarding facilities available.	School type We are an independent, co-educational private primary school in Hong Kong. As a close-knit, small school community, we place a strong focus on providing a safe, caring, and supportive environment where boys and girls can grow, learn, and thrive together.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix We proudly reflects a diverse, international community. Around half of our student body comes from local Hong Kong Chinese families, while the other half represents a vibrant global mix, with children hailing from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, France, and beyond.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support CAPCL offers inclusion for students with mild to moderate learning needs. A Learning Support Team collaborates with families and teachers to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as needed. The school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides universal and targeted support within mainstream classrooms.	Additional learning support YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) is dedicated to nurturing every child’s individual journey through our inclusive mainstream classrooms. Supported by a passionate team of learning diversity teachers and assistants, we partner closely with families to craft tailored Individual Learning Plans and host regular progress meetings to ensure every child thrives. To maintain the high quality of our personalized care, learning support spaces are limited, and applicants may be placed on a waitpool pending availability.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is Alberta-accredited and delivers the Canadian (Alberta) curriculum.	Country affiliation The school does not have any country affiliations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation CAPCL is a Christian school operated by the Kowloon Tong Church of the Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance.	Religious affiliation We are a faith-based primary school deeply rooted in a Christian ethos. We center our school culture around timeless Christian values, fostering a compassionate, inclusive, and grounded environment where children learn the importance of kindness, integrity, and respect for others.
School day structure	School day structure The school year runs from late August to June. A typical day begins at 8:05 am and ends at 3:25 pm, with breaks and lunchtime scheduled during the school day.	School day structure The school day at YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) runs from 8:00am to 2:30pm, Monday through Friday. To help families with smooth morning drop-offs, school doors open early at 7:35am. Optional after-school activities take place directly after classes from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details Yes, CAPCL provides a bus service covering multiple areas of Hong Kong. Transportation is managed by an external company, Sang Kee Tourist Bus Ltd., and parents register directly with the provider. Routes and arrangements are designed to cover key residential districts where families live, ensuring broad accessibility for students.	Bus service details YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) partners with a dedicated school bus provider to offer convenient transportation options for our families. Bus routes currently cover key neighborhoods, including Island East, Kennedy Town, Mid-levels, Happy Valley, Olympic, Ho Man Tin, Whampoa, and Kowloon West.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HKD 1,500 is required for each new student and is valid for one academic year. Families must also choose between purchasing an Individual Capital Note (ICN) or paying an Annual Capital Levy (ACL). Capital Contributions Individual Capital Note (ICN): HKD 260,000 for the first child, with reduced amounts for additional siblings (HKD 234,000 for the second, HKD 221,000 for the third, and HKD 208,000 for the fourth). The ICN may be transferred for a 1% administration fee. Annual Capital Levy (ACL): HKD 25,000 per student, payable each year if an ICN is not purchased. Tuition Fees (Per Year, billed in 10 installments) Preparatory: HKD 129,970 Grades 1–5: HKD 144,700 Grade 6: HKD 169,080 Sibling Discount Second child: 10% tuition discount Third child: 15% tuition discount Fourth child and beyond: 20% tuition discount (discounts applied from youngest child upward). Additional Fees Late payment fees of HKD 200 per installment apply. Replacement costs for books, certificates, transcripts, or student cards are charged at cost plus administration fees. Uniforms, school bus, lunches, and extracurricular activities are billed separately. Withdrawal and Refund Policy Families must provide two full calendar months’ written notice of withdrawal. Without notice, two months of tuition fees are payable in lieu. Summer holidays are not counted as notice. Tuition and capital levies are non-refundable and non-prorated. Payment Options Tuition is billed in 10 equal installments. Accepted payment methods are not specified on the school website, but typically include local bank transfers.	Fee details Tuition fees (by year group, 2026–28) Year 1 - Year 6: HKD 148,800 per year in ten installments Annual Capital Development Contribution (CDC) Enrolled students will pay the annual CDC of HKD 6,515 every year.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements We do not offer boarding arrangements,
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement YCA's uniform is an important part of the school's identity. The uniforms can be purchased online at the Uniform Station's website or at their shop. House t-shirts are available for purchase at the School Office.
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system YCA has a house system: David, Esther, Moses and Ruth. House t-shirts are available for purchase at the School Office.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The School Sponsoring Body is the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, a Christian service organisation established in 1901. The SSB oversees the operation of YMCA Christian Academy and will strengthen direct management of the school under YMCA Christian Academy since the 2022/23 school year.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details CAPCL follows the Alberta (Canada) Programs of Study, accredited by Alberta Education. The curriculum begins at the Preparatory level and continues through Grade 6, covering core subjects such as English Language Arts, Chinese Language Arts (Mandarin), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Visual Arts, and Physical Education/Wellness. Students also take Bible studies as a core subject, reflecting the school’s Christian foundation. Approximately 65% of instruction is in English and 35% in Chinese (Mandarin, traditional script), ensuring bilingual literacy development. A distinctive element of the program is STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading & Research, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), which integrates hands-on projects across disciplines. Specialist facilities such as the Treehouse Library, Makerspace, Heavenly Studio, and CloudWorks further support subject learning and creative exploration.	Curriculum details YCA delivers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which is comprehensive, thematic, creative curriculum designed for children 5-11 years old. It has a clear process of learning with specific learning goals for every subject. English and Maths follow the UK National Curriculum developing strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 1:10 to 1:12
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning At YCA we foster a holistic, strength-based approach to student well-being by highlighting key elements of the Jigsaw (UK PSHE Curriculum) and Positive Education Enhanced Curriculum (Australian Geelong Grammar Curriculum). By using the strengths of both curriculums, we aim to proactively teach children the skills and concepts of well-being using evidence-based practices from the field of positive psychology.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) In collaboration with class and specialist primary teachers, our school’s Learning Diversity Team aims to support students with diverse learning needs within the mainstream classroom, such as providing English as Additional Language (EAL) support.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language YCA is an EAL-friendly primary school that provides dedicated support to help students whose first language is not English. This support enables students to develop English language skills and strategies that help them access the school curriculum and acquire the academic language across the different subject areas.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing SEL support aims to help students who need guidance and support in their social-emotional skills and competencies. This support enhances student development towards a healthy sense of self, improved connection with others, and cooperative habits that can further enable positive student contributions to the community. This support includes supporting the social and emotional needs of the gifted and talented.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The school is a private, community-oriented primary school on Hong Kong Island. It opened in 2012 and was renamed in August 2022. It teaches in English and offers a vibrant, future-ready international IPC-based curriculum within a Christian ethos. The campus is well equipped to support learning and can access facilities at the nearby Bridges Street Centre, including a swimming pool. The school aims to Ignite Bright Futures of Abundance and Fulfilment.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Physical Education is taught twice weekly. The school provides opportunities to engage in a broad range of sports, including swimming, basketball and football, through on-site and local community facilities. The Bridges Street Centre swimming pool is accessible opposite the school. The programme emphasizes physical well-being and values such as fairness and respect.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities YCA delivers learning through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), a comprehensive, thematic curriculum for ages 5–11 with goals for international mindedness and personal learning. The English programme is based on the UK National Curriculum, with a focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening, and Maths follows the White Rose approach. Chinese is taught in Mandarin with Traditional Characters, with three language pathways: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. Christian Studies uses Journey 2:52 to teach values within a shared vision for growth in Christlikeness, and Wellbeing draws on the Jigsaw (UK PSHE) and Australian Geelong Grammar curricula. An Innovation Space combines a fully operational science lab with a maker space/design technology area.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities YMCA Christian Academy offers a full range of After School Activities (ASA) and Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA). ASA includes Aesop's Fable Crafts & Reading Club, Intro to Spanish, Lego Club, Calligraphy Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club and more. ECA includes Choir, Competitive Sports, Chinese Hip-Hop Dance Club, Chinese Recitation Team & Reading Club, Film Club, Music Ensemble and more. All ASA and ECA classes run from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, with pick-up at 3:30pm.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History The school was established through a partnership between Generations Christian Education and the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong. Following the restructuring in 2022, the school transitioned to sole governance under the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong. It serves students from Year 1 to Year 6, utilizing the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside a pastoral care programme.
Community	Community —	Community YCA hosts many family events bringing together the YCA community, such as Christmas Fair, CNY Fair, YCA's Got Talent and Parents Day. Families are invited to 3-4 Exit Points a year, celebrating their child's learning in the unit of inquiry.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The YCA PTA supports this objective and facilitates a range of supportive services and events to bring our community together.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers ASA and ECA to extend learning beyond class hours. ASA includes Aesop's Fable Crafts & Reading Club, Intro to Spanish, Lego Club, Calligraphy Club, Chess Club, French Club and Cooking Club. ECA includes Choir, Competitive Sports, Chinese Hip-Hop Dance Club, Chinese Recitation Team & Reading Club, Film Club and Music Ensemble.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Arts and creative activities are delivered through ASA and ECA. ECA includes Choir, Film Club and Music Ensemble. ASA includes Aesop's Fable Crafts & Reading Club, Calligraphy Club, and the Lego Club.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Intro to Spanish is offered as ASA. French Club is offered as ASA. Chinese Recitation Team & Reading Club is offered as ECA.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Social and hobby clubs include Lego Club, Calligraphy Club and Cooking Club (ASA) and Chinese Hip-Hop Dance Club and Film Club (ECA).
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is taught twice weekly. The wellbeing program uses the Jigsaw UK PSHE curriculum and the Geelong Grammar Positive Education Enhanced Curriculum. The Social and Emotional Toolkit is used at the start of each year to support students' emotional development.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision YCA is an English medium school. We follow the UK National Curriculum delivering a structured and effective curriculum on English literacy. We provide daily Chinese classes to children of all year levels. Mandarin is taught in Mandarin with Traditional Characters, guided by ACTFL proficiency guidelines and integrated with IPC themes. There are three language pathways (Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced) to match language proficiency, with Foundation Pathway providing English support for non-native Mandarin learners.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching We are an English medium school with daily Chinese classes.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs We offer EAL services to children with English language barrier.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards We received the Oh Pama Parent's Choice Award in 2024 and Sunday Kiss' Parent's Favourite Brand Award - Holistic International School in 2025.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations We are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), which means that we demonstrates high quality international education and is an effective and agile learning organisation.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form through the school’s admissions platform. Required documents include a recent photo, birth certificate, passport or Hong Kong ID, visa (if applicable), and the most recent two years of school report cards. A non-refundable application fee must be paid at this stage. 2. Document Review The Admissions Office reviews the submitted forms and supporting documents to ensure eligibility and completeness. If any materials are missing, parents are contacted to provide them before the application can move forward. Families are also asked to confirm whether they will purchase an Individual Capital Note (ICN or pay an Annual Capital Levy (ACL. 3. Assessment and Interview All applicants are invited to attend an admissions assessment and interview to evaluate academic readiness and language ability. For families applying from overseas, the school may offer conditional acceptance, with the requirement that students complete the in-person assessment once they arrive in Hong Kong. 4. Decision Notification Admissions decisions are communicated to families via email. If the application is successful, families receive an offer letter outlining the conditions of enrollment. Where no space is available, applicants may be placed on a rolling waitlist. 5. Enrollment and Confirmation To secure the place, parents must submit enrollment documents, pay the required fees (including tuition installment and capital contributions), and confirm school bus or other service arrangements. A formal acceptance package is issued to finalize the student’s registration.	Admissions Our admissions process is very simple. 1. Apply online at https://yca.edu.hk/ 2. You will be contacted via email to complete your application. 3. Your child will be invited to a trial day and assessment. 4. Once the results are out, placement offer will be given to successful candidates. 5. New students can start at the start of every school month.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school website indicates that scholarships and financial aid may be available, but does not provide details on eligibility, selection criteria, or amounts. In addition, a Fees Reduction Scheme exists for families requiring financial support, subject to approval by the school’s Resource Management Committee. No information is disclosed on merit-based or subject-specific scholarships.	Scholarships Unfortunately, we do not offer any scholarships at the moment.
Waitlist	Waitlist CAPCL follows a rolling admissions process, meaning applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. If places are available, qualified applicants are offered admission immediately. Where no places exist in a grade, students may be placed on a waitlist until a spot opens. The school does not publish details of a pooled system or randomized selection process.	Waitlist Currently, we only have waitlist for students' who need learning support.
	View full profile →	View full profile →