Concordia International School vs Hong Kong Adventist Academy
Concordia International School and Hong Kong Adventist Academy are both in Hong Kong, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. Concordia International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP), and Hong Kong Adventist Academy also offers Bespoke. Published annual fees are HK$134,000 - 156,500 at Concordia International School and HK$117,500 - 139,000 at Hong Kong Adventist Academy, which puts Concordia International School roughly 13% higher. Concordia International School takes pupils from 12 to 18, and Hong Kong Adventist Academy from 6 to 18. Hong Kong Adventist Academy is the larger school, with around 200 pupils to Concordia International School's 50.
Concordia International School Hong Kong is situated in Yau Yat Chuen, a residential neighborhood in Kowloon. The area is quiet yet central, with convenient access to Kowloon Tong MTR station. Families can easily reach the school from both Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
Location
The school is located at 1111 Clear Water Bay Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong. The campus sits on a hillside in a green setting with views toward the South China Sea. It is about 15 minutes from the Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung areas, and accessible by bus routes 103, 103M, 16, 91 or 91R; alight at the Hong Kong Adventist College bus stop.
Stages
Stages
The school provides education for Grades 7–12, which covers both middle school and high school. Students progress from lower secondary through to graduation with a high school diploma.
Stages
HKAA is organised as three through-education levels: Primary (Grade 1–5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), and High School (Grade 9–12). The High School operates as a Griggs International Academy affiliate and offers an American-style diploma pathway.
School type
School type
CISHK is a co-educational day school. The website does not indicate that boarding facilities are available.
School type
Private, co-educational Seventh-day Adventist Christian school. Boarding is available for students in grades 7–12, with dormitories for boys and girls separated on site.
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 may recommend ESL (English as a Second Language) or remedial classes for students who require additional help; these services are optional and not included in tuition. In addition, the school provides school social work support in partnership with Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service.
Additional learning support
Core subjects are taught in English. There are specialized English classes for students who meet academic standards but need additional assistance with English proficiency, and Chinese is taught in Putonghua with local and international levels of speaking ability.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows a North American/US curriculum and prepares students for SAT, AP, and TOEFL exams. It does not have a formal affiliation with any single country but uses the American education model.
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation. HKAA follows the local Hong Kong curriculum standards, with an American high school diploma option available through the Griggs International Academy.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
CISHK is connected to the Lutheran Church–Hong Kong Synod and was founded in 1990 under Lutheran leadership.
Religious affiliation
Seventh-day Adventist Christian school.
School day structure
School day structure
The website does not publish daily start and finish times for classes.
School day structure
Publicly published daily start/end times are not listed on HKAA's public pages; the calendar shows the school operates on a weekday schedule with activities, but exact hours by level should be confirmed with admissions.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The fee schedule includes a bus fee under “Miscellaneous Charges,” indicating that the school runs a bus service. Specific routes and operators are not published, but this confirms that transport arrangements are available for students.
Bus service details
A school bus service is available with routes 103, 103M, 16, 91 and 91R. Students alight at the Hong Kong Adventist College bus stop on Clear Water Bay Road; services connect from areas such as Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon, and nearby districts.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HKD 1,000 is required for all new students. A Registration/Advanced Fee of HKD 15,000 must be paid once an offer is accepted; this is deductible from Term 1 tuition but non-refundable after the deadline.
Fees are billed by term as follows: Term 1: Larger installment (includes learning resources and miscellaneous charges) Term 2: Smaller installment
Additional Fees Miscellaneous charges may include laptop insurance, school bus, extra-curricular activities, activity week, and external exams. Inclusive Education professional services and ESL/Remedial classes (if recommended) are not included in tuition.
Transportation Fees A school bus service is available; charges are listed under Miscellaneous Fees, but detailed routes and pricing are not publicly specified.
Learning Support If additional support is required, services such as ESL or professional inclusive education support are charged separately.
Refund Policy Tuition fees are non-refundable once paid. The Registration/Advanced Fee is refundable until 31 July (for returning students) or until the end of the offer period (for new students). After this, the fee is non-refundable. Written notice of withdrawal is required, but term fees already paid are not refunded.
Payment Options Payments may be made by bank transfer, cheque, or cash. (Credit card payment is not listed as an option.)
Fee details
Application Fees
- Application fee: HKD 1,500. The application fee is one-time, non-refundable, and non-transferable.
Tuition Fees (payment will be made monthly over 10 months)
- Grade 1 to Grade 6 (Primary): HKD 11,750 per month, totalling HKD 117,500 per school year. - Grade 7 to Grade 12 (Secondary): HKD 13,900 per month, totalling HKD 139,000 per school year. - Tuition is billed on a monthly schedule across 10 months. *Subject to EDB approval.*
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
- Tuition is collected monthly for 10 months. Postdated cheques are not accepted. - Once a student is accepted, an entrance/reservation payment is required to secure the place; fees paid to reserve a place are non-refundable and non-transferable. - For boarding, the first month's dormitory fee is required as a reservation fee. Fees paid for dormitory reservation are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Boarding Fees (Dormitory fees paid monthly for 10 months)
- 5-day boarding: HKD 5,720 per month, totalling HKD 57,200 per school year. - 7-day boarding: HKD 7,470 per month, totalling HKD 74,700 per school year. - Dormitory fees include accommodation, laundry, and meals. The dormitory is managed by Hong Kong Adventist College.
Other Costs and Fees
- Additional costs that are not included in tuition or dormitory fees may include: extra-curricular activity fees, outdoor school activities, field trips, textbooks, Chromebook/tablet rental, uniforms, meals (where not covered by dormitory), and bus transport.
Refund Information
- Application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees paid to reserve a place (including the entrance fee and first month's dormitory reservation payment) are non-refundable and non-transferable. In general, fees already paid are not refundable or transferable.
Fee Payment Options
- Cheque: Crossed cheque payable to “Hong Kong Adventist Academy.” Please write the student's full name and class on the back of the cheque; postdated cheques are not accepted. - Direct bank transfer: Hang Seng Bank (024); Account Name: Hong Kong Adventist Academy; Account Number: 204-305759-668. Please email a copy of the receipt with the student's full name and class to admissions@hkaa.edu.hk after payment. - In person: Payments may be made in cash or cheque at the school Business/General Office during office hours. - Online transfer for overseas payments: Flywire is used for international payments.
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
Concordia International School Hong Kong follows a North American/US-style secondary program for students in Grades 7–12. Instruction is in English, with electives such as Art, Computer Studies, Chinese Studies, and Drama available alongside core subjects. High school students work toward the Concordia High School Diploma, which requires a minimum of 24 credits across Grades 9–12. The curriculum integrates preparation for PSAT, SAT, AP, and TOEFL exams, with AP examinations offered each May. This combination allows students to graduate with both a school diploma and standardized qualifications recognized internationally.
Curriculum details
The Hong Kong Adventist Academy serves students from Grade 1 through Grade 12 and blends an American Griggs International Academy curriculum with local elements, with instruction delivered primarily in English. Core subjects in the primary and middle years are taught in English, with Putonghua (Mandarin) and traditional Chinese writing emphasized as part of language study. For high school (Grades 9–12), HKAA is an affiliate of Griggs International Academy and offers fully accredited American-style courses; students graduate with an American Standard High School Diploma or a College Preparatory Diploma and may take Advanced Placement (AP) or honors coursework and access specialized English and Math labs if needed. The high school curriculum is organized into categories: English, Math, Science, History/Social Studies, Applied Arts, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Health, Modern Languages (including Chinese), Religion; electives, Community Service (20 hours per year), and a Chapel/Character Development component. HKAA emphasizes character development and a holistic education with spiritual grounding alongside academics.
1. Application submission Families begin by completing the school’s application form and paying a non-refundable application fee. Required supporting documents include the student’s ID or passport, past academic records, and any relevant reports such as standardized test scores or specialist assessments. The application fee alone does not guarantee admission.
2. Document review and interview Once the application is submitted, families may be invited to present original documents for verification. Students are usually asked to attend an interview or a placement test as part of the process. This allows the school to understand the applicant’s academic background and readiness for the program.
3. Admissions decision Admissions are offered on a rolling basis to accommodate families relocating to Hong Kong. After reviewing application materials and the interview outcome, the school issues a decision. Successful applicants receive an official offer letter outlining the next steps.
4. Registration and confirmation To secure a place, families must pay the Registration/Advanced Fee by the deadline specified in the offer letter. This fee is credited toward Term 1 tuition but becomes non-refundable if the student later withdraws.
Admissions
1. Step 1 — Prospective parents fill in the application form and submit required documents as listed on the checklist. The checklist includes items such as the application form, Parents Questionnaire (G.1–G.5), safeguarding record (G.2–G.12 mandatory), two teachers' recommendations (G.4–G.12), optional dormitory application (G.7–G.12), academic records for the past two years, SEN-related reports if applicable, and the student's portfolio. All materials should be completed in English. Applications with missing or incomplete documents will not be processed. The school notes that the application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. Step 2 — Applications can be submitted in person or by mail. Online applications are available only to overseas applicants outside the China region. This distinction is important for families abroad versus those based in Hong Kong or Mainland China.
3. Step 3 — An admission interview will be scheduled for the applicant 2–3 weeks after the school receives the application. The process requires complete supporting documents and payment; applications with insufficient documents or missing payment will not be processed.
4. Step 4 — The admission interview occurs in three sessions: a teacher interview, an online assessment test, and a principal interview with the parents. The online assessment is based on a U.S. standardized test and assesses the applicant's English and mathematics proficiency.
5. Step 5 — The Admissions Committee makes a decision based on the interview and assessment results, the student's previous two years' school reports and performance, prior school recommendations, safeguarding record comments, and other criteria.
6. Step 6 — The school informs parents of the decision via email after the committee decisions are finalized. This communication confirms whether the applicant has been accepted or not.
7. Step 7 — If the applicant is accepted, a reservation deposit must be paid within 7 days. Placement is secured once the school has received the reservation deposit.
Scholarships
Scholarships
CISHK offers Entrance Scholarships for students who achieve outstanding results in placement testing. Awards are typically for 25% (half scholarship) or 50% (full scholarship) of annual tuition, split across the two terms. To renew, students must maintain at least an A- grade average in all courses each term and must not receive any demerits. In addition, the school awards bursaries to graduating students for Academic Achievement, SAT Achievement, and Leadership/Service. These recognitions are granted annually at graduation.
Scholarships
Hong Kong Adventist Academy maintains a Scholarships section in its website navigation and a Financial Aid page, indicating that some form of financial assistance is available. However, the school does not publish detailed public criteria, amounts, or the explicit application process for scholarships.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not operate a formal waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
There is no published waitlist or wait pool described by Hong Kong Adventist Academy.
