Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus vs Harrow International School Hong Kong
Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus and Harrow International School Hong Kong are both in Hong Kong, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus also offers BTEC Qualification, and Harrow International School Hong Kong also offers EYFS and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are HK$143,700 - 196,900 at Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus and HK$175,812 - 239,070 at Harrow International School Hong Kong, which puts Harrow International School Hong Kong roughly 22% higher. Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus takes pupils from 5 to 18, and Harrow International School Hong Kong from 3 to 18. Harrow International School Hong Kong is the larger school, with around 1,650 pupils to Discovery Bay International School - Primary & Secondary Campus's 1,100.
British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
1,100
Pupils
1,650
Typical class size
Typical class size
—
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1983
Opened
2012
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Discovery Bay International School’s Primary & Secondary Campus is located in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The campus sits within a quiet residential area overlooking the sea, with easy access to public transport, including ferries and buses connecting to Central Hong Kong and Tung Chung. The school benefits from the open, community-focused surroundings of Discovery Bay, allowing for outdoor and environmental learning.
Location
Harrow Hong Kong is located at 38 Tsing Ying Road in Tuen Mun, near the Gold Coast on Hong Kong’s western side. The campus is accessible from major districts such as Kowloon and Hong Kong Island via school bus services. Its coastal setting provides a quieter environment while remaining connected to the city’s transport network
Stages
Stages
The Primary & Secondary Campus caters to students aged 5 to 18 years, covering Years 1 to 13. The school is divided into three stages: Primary School (Years 1–6), Secondary School (Years 7–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Students follow the English National Curriculum, culminating in IGCSE examinations and A Level or BTEC qualifications.
Stages
The school educates pupils aged 3 to 18. It is divided into Early Years (Nursery–Reception), Lower School (Years 1–5), Upper School (Years 6–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13)
School type
School type
DBIS is a co-educational international day school. It does not offer boarding, and all students commute daily from Discovery Bay and the surrounding areas. The school provides a structured, inclusive environment across Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form.
School type
Harrow Hong Kong is a co-educational day and boarding school. Boarding is available from Year 6 onwards as a five-night weekly programme, with students placed in Houses that form the core of pastoral and boarding life.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides Learning Enhancement support for students with mild to moderate learning needs. Support includes early identification, classroom differentiation, and targeted interventions managed by specialist staff. The focus is on ensuring equal access to learning and participation across all areas of school life.
Additional learning support
The school’s Individual Needs Department supports pupils with mild to moderate learning difficulties. Provision includes in-class support, individual or small group interventions, and collaboration with teachers to tailor learning strategies.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
DBIS follows the British curriculum but has no formal affiliation with the UK government or any national education authority.
Country affiliation
The school is part of the broader Harrow School network but not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is non-denominational and has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Harrow Hong Kong has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Exact start and end times are not publicly listed on the open website, but the school operates a full-day schedule for both Primary and Secondary students, with timetabled academic lessons, breaks, and lunch periods. Co-curricular and enrichment activities take place before and after regular classes.
School day structure
The school day varies by level: in the Lower School, lessons typically run from around 8:00 am until mid-afternoon, with morning and lunch breaks; in Upper School and Sixth Form, the day includes six to seven lessons, tutorial time, and co-curricular activities, generally finishing around 4:00 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
DBIS provides a dedicated school bus service operated by external providers, covering Discovery Bay, Tung Chung, and South Lantau. Routes and timetables differ for Primary and Secondary students. The service is designed for convenient and safe daily transport to and from the campus, with detailed timetables and guidelines provided to parents before each school year.
Bus service details
The School’s mandatory bus service is provided by Chun Wo Bus Services Limited. Chun Wo Bus Services Limited operates routes to and from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Discovery Bay, Gold Coast, Siu Lam, and Tuen Mun. The buses are equipped with appropriate seat belts and each bus has its own adult supervision.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time non-refundable application fee of HK$2,000 per student is required upon submission of an application. This covers administrative and processing costs for new admissions.
Development Levy All new students are required to pay a School Development Levy before enrolment. Families may choose between the Standard School Development Levy (SSDL) of HK$60,000 per student for the first and second child and HK$50,000 for the third child onwards, or the Premium School Development Levy (PSDL) of HK$500,000 per student as a one-time fast-track option. Both levies are non-refundable and non-transferable. For Year 12 entrants, no levy is required; instead, a refundable deposit equal to two months’ school fees is paid and offset against September and October tuition.
Tuition Fees (Per Year)
British Curriculum Stream Years 1 – 6 (Primary): HK$143,700 per year Years 7 – 11 (Secondary): HK$190,700 per year Years 12 – 13 (Sixth Form): HK$196,900 per year
Fees are billed in 10 monthly instalments from September to June.
Additional Fees Uniforms, lunches, extracurricular activities, and after-school programmes are billed separately. Examination fees for IGCSE and A Level subjects, along with optional activities and educational trips, may also incur additional costs.
Transportation Fees The school provides a bus service covering Discovery Bay, Tung Chung, and South Lantau. Fees vary depending on the route and are invoiced directly through the school’s transport provider.
Refund Policy No refunds or reductions are provided if the school cannot open due to circumstances beyond its control, such as government restrictions, weather events, or pandemics. To withdraw a student, parents must provide 60 days’ written notice (excluding July and August) using the official Student Withdrawal Form. Late notice results in additional charges, ranging from half a month’s to two months’ tuition, depending on the delay.
Payment Options Tuition is payable via autopay, cheque, or bank transfer, with credit card payments accepted for an additional bank handling fee. A deposit equal to one month’s tuition is collected in July and credited toward the September payment. Late payments after the 15th of the month incur a HK$200 fee, and returned autopay transactions are charged HK$100.
Fee details
Application Fee
* A non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of HKD 1,500 is charged to cover admissions processing.
* Fees are billed termly in advance and payable in Hong Kong Dollars on the first day of each term. * Discounts are applied for siblings enrolled simultaneously (5% for the third child, 10% for the fourth, 15% for the fifth and subsequent children).
Boarding Fees (Years 6–13)
* HKD 130,705 annually (HKD 52,283 Autumn; HKD 39,211 Spring; HKD 39,211 Summer). * Boarding is five nights per week (Sunday evening to Friday afternoon).
Additional Costs
* Included: Some essential school supplies, pupil activities, and insurance. * Excluded: Textbooks, trips, compulsory uniform, lunch, snacks, and school bus transport. Examination fees for Years 10–13 and some Year 9 programmes are also excluded. * Capital Levy: Pupils without debentures or capital certificates must pay HKD 60,000 annually.
Refunds
* Application fees and the Capital Levy are non-refundable. Tuition and boarding fees are not generally refundable once paid.
Payment Options
* Payment is made via bank transfer in Hong Kong Dollars.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Discovery Bay International School follows the English National Curriculum from Year 1 through Year 13. In the Primary School (Years 1–6), students study core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities, alongside Art, Music, Physical Education, and Mandarin. The Secondary School (Years 7–11) builds on this foundation and leads to the Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Year 11, with students selecting a range of academic and creative subjects according to their interests. In the Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students follow either the A Level or BTEC pathway, allowing for academic or vocational specialisation in preparation for university or further study. Throughout all stages, teaching is delivered in English, with additional language instruction in Mandarin, French, and Spanish.
Curriculum details
Harrow International School Hong Kong follows the English National Curriculum across all stages. In the Early Years (Nursery and Reception), pupils learn through the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, focusing on play-based and early literacy and numeracy development. The Lower School (Years 1–5) continues with the National Curriculum of England, emphasizing core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities alongside Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, and Mandarin. In the Upper School (Years 6–9), students build on these foundations with a broader academic programme that includes specialist teaching in subjects like Design Technology, Computing, and Modern Foreign Languages. In Years 10–11, pupils prepare for General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations, selecting from a range of subjects that combine compulsory and optional courses. The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers A Levels with the option of completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), providing students with depth of study and independent research experience.
1. Initial Enquiry and School Visit Families begin the admissions process by exploring the Discovery Bay International School website or contacting the Admissions Office. Parents can arrange a campus tour or attend an open day to gain an overview of the school’s facilities, curriculum, and learning environment. The school provides information about year group placement and availability through its Admissions Enquiries page.
2. Application Submission Parents complete the online application form and pay the non-refundable application fee. The form requires supporting documents such as the student’s birth certificate, recent school reports, passport copy, and any relevant learning support information. Applications are reviewed by the Admissions team once all required materials are received.
3. Assessment and Review Depending on the student’s year level, the school may conduct an academic assessment or interview to determine suitability for entry. This ensures the school can meet the child’s educational and language needs. For students transferring from another school, previous academic records and teacher recommendations are taken into consideration.
4. Offer and Enrolment If a place is available and the application is successful, parents receive an official offer of admission. To confirm enrolment, families must pay the School Development Levy (either Standard or Premium) before the student begins classes. A deposit equal to one month’s tuition is also required in July, which is credited toward the September invoice.
5. Joining Arrangements Once confirmed, the Admissions Office provides joining information, including orientation details, bus routes, and uniform guidelines. Students are assigned to classes, and the school maintains communication with families to ensure a smooth transition into the DBIS community.
Admissions
1. Initial Enquiry and Application Parents begin by completing the online application form and paying a non-refundable HKD 1,500 application fee. Required documents, such as school reports and identification, must be submitted with the form.
2. Age and Year Group Placement The school uses clear age guidelines to determine year group placement. Exceptions are rare and assessed individually.
3. Assessment Applicants are invited for assessments appropriate to their year group. This may include written tasks, online testing, and interviews with senior staff. English language ability is also assessed, especially for older year groups.
4. Offer of Place Following assessment, successful applicants receive a formal offer. Offers are conditional on the outcome of assessments and availability of places.
5. Acceptance and Fees Parents confirm acceptance by returning the signed offer letter and paying the required fees, which include the capital levy, tuition deposit, and other charges.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Discovery Bay International School provides access to a Scholarship Programme Application through the DBIS Parent Hub. However, the school does not publicly disclose details regarding the types of scholarships offered, eligibility criteria, or selection process on its open website. Based on available information, scholarships are likely to be merit-based, but specifics such as financial coverage or renewal conditions are not published online.
Scholarships
The school offers Scholarships and Exhibitions for entry into Year 9 and Year 12. These are awarded for outstanding ability in areas such as academics, sport, music, or the arts. Awards are based on performance in assessments, interviews, and evidence of achievement. Exhibition awards may be given to pupils with strong potential who do not yet meet full scholarship criteria. Scholarships provide recognition and may also include partial fee remission.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not publicly state that it operates a formal waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
Harrow Hong Kong operates a waitlist system when year groups are full. Applications are assessed in the same way as standard admissions, and successful candidates are placed on the waitlist until a space becomes available.
