German Swiss International School - Peak Campus vs The ISF academy
German Swiss International School - Peak Campus and The ISF academy are both in Hong Kong, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and German Swiss International School - Peak Campus also offers British, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS and German. Published annual fees are HK$197,000 - 256,700 at German Swiss International School - Peak Campus and HK$152,880 - 241,110 at The ISF academy, which puts German Swiss International School - Peak Campus roughly 15% higher. German Swiss International School - Peak Campus takes pupils from 5 to 18, and The ISF academy from 4 to 18. The ISF academy is the larger school, with around 1,600 pupils to German Swiss International School - Peak Campus's 1,250. Typical class sizes are 20 at German Swiss International School - Peak Campus and 22 at The ISF academy.
IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), German Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,250
Pupils
1,600
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, German
Instruction language
English, Mandarin
Opened
Opened
1969
Opened
2003
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
GSIS’s Peak Campus is located at 11 Guildford Road, The Peak, on Hong Kong Island. It is in a residential, hillside area with access by bus or taxi, and is close to popular attractions like the Peak Tram and Peak Galleria. The campus enjoys relatively tranquil surroundings above the city core.
Location
The Independent Schools Foundation (ISF) Academy is located in the Pokfulam area on Hong Kong Island’s southern side. The campus is close to the Cyberport district and served by several public transport routes, making it accessible from central Hong Kong. Its position provides a calm academic setting within easy reach of major urban areas.
Stages
Stages
GSIS is an all-through school offering education from Kindergarten through Secondary (ages ~3 to 18). It is organized into early years, primary, and secondary levels across two streams (German and English).
Stages
The ISF Academy offers education from Foundation Year through Grade 12, covering both Primary and Secondary divisions. The Primary School includes Foundation Year to Grade 5, while the Secondary School runs from Grade 6 to Grade 12.
School type
School type
The school is co-educational.
School type
ISF Academy is a co-educational day school with no boarding facilities. It operates as a not-for-profit, independent school governed by the Independent Schools Foundation.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
GSIS provides holistic support, including social-emotional counselling, learning enhancement teachers, and interventions to assist students with learning or adjustment needs.
Additional learning support
The school assists the Li Ren Center and the Well-being & Learning Enhancement Program, which promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. The website does not specify the categories of Special Educational Needs supported.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
GSIS has affiliation with Germany / German Schools Abroad — it is part of a network of over 135 German Schools Abroad, and one of its two streams (the German International Stream) leads to the German International Abitur (DIA).
Country affiliation
The school has no country affiliation. It is an independent Hong Kong institution offering bilingual education in Putonghua and English.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
ISF Academy is non-religious. Its philosophy draws from Chinese cultural traditions rather than any faith-based ethos.
School day structure
School day structure
GSIS’s typical school hours are 7:40 am to 3:20 pm, Monday to Friday with breaks in-between.
School day structure
Classes typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Co-curricular activities and clubs are held after regular class hours.
Bus service details
Bus service details
GSIS uses external bus companies (not in-house) to provide bus service for students. The school works with providers to maintain standards.
Bus service details
ISF Academy provides a daily school-bus service operated by Kwoon Chung Bus Company. Routes cover major residential areas on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Fees are paid directly to the transport provider, and parents receive route and schedule details before each school year.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Assessment Fee A non-refundable HKD 4,300 per student applies for both Kindergarten and Primary/Secondary applications. Applications are processed within one to two business days, after which students are placed on the waiting list and scheduled for assessment as needed.
Registration Fee Upon acceptance, families pay a one-time registration fee of HKD 2,350 for Kindergarten or HKD 3,700 for Primary and Secondary students.
Tuition Fees (2024–2025) Tuition is billed in two instalments per year:
* Kindergarten (KG1–KG2): HKD 118,200 (first instalment) + HKD 78,800 (second instalment) = HKD 197,000 per year * Primary (Years 1–6): HKD 122,220 + HKD 81,480 = HKD 203,700 per year * Lower Secondary (Years 7–11): HKD 145,680 + HKD 97,120 = HKD 242,800 per year * Upper Secondary (Years 12–13): HKD 154,020 + HKD 102,680 = HKD 256,700 per year
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms Invoices are issued twice annually and must be settled before the start of each term. Payments are accepted in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) via bank transfer or cheque; credit-card payments are not accepted.
Boarding Fees GSIS is a day school only; no boarding fees apply.
Other Costs Additional costs may include uniforms, school bus fees, extracurricular activities, and optional trips.
Refund Policy Tuition fees are non-refundable once a term has begun. Withdrawals before the term starts require written notice.
Payment Options Fees must be paid directly to the school’s designated bank account in Hong Kong Dollars.
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,500 is required for each new applicant. Upon acceptance, an Acceptance Deposit must be paid to confirm the place. This deposit is non-refundable if the student withdraws before enrollment.
Tuition is billed in two equal installments each year:
Installment 1: due May 1 Installment 2: due November 1
Capital Levy Students who do not hold a Capital Note pay an Annual Capital Levy of HKD 40,000. This levy is non-transferable and non-refundable and is payable each academic year.
Financial Aid and Scholarships ISF offers need-based financial aid covering 20% – 100% of tuition fees. Merit and Special Talent Scholarships may grant 50% – 100% tuition remission and include an annual HKD 5,000 training or competition allowance.
Additional Fees Uniforms, textbooks, co-curricular activities, and meals are billed separately through approved vendors. School bus services are arranged through Kwoon Chung Bus Company, with fees paid directly to the operator.
Refund Policy Families must give 90 days’ written notice (excluding July and August) before withdrawal. Without this notice, tuition for the following installment remains payable.
Payment Options Tuition and levies are payable via bank transfer or autopay. Credit card payment options are not listed on the school’s public finance 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
The English International Stream (EIS) at German Swiss International School follows a British-based curriculum leading to IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme qualifications. In Primary School (Years 1–6), students follow a broad academic programme aligned with the UK National Curriculum, with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, science, and languages. In Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), students continue with core and specialist subjects, preparing for the IGCSE courses taken in Years 10–11, examined mainly under Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel boards. In Upper Secondary (Years 12–13), students undertake the IB Diploma Programme, an internationally recognised qualification for university entry worldwide. Across all stages, the curriculum includes German and Mandarin language study and a range of co-curricular opportunities in arts, STEM, and service.
Curriculum details
The Primary (Foundation Year–Grade 5) programme is a bilingual immersion in Chinese (Putonghua) and English, with more time devoted to Chinese in the early years and a gradual shift toward English as students progress. From Grade 6 to Grade 10, students engage in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) with core areas including languages, science, mathematics, design (including computer science), arts, individuals and societies, and physical and health education. In Grades 11 and 12, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) as the final qualification for graduating students. Students are assessed using established criteria through formative and summative tasks, portfolios, and reflections rather than ranking by cohort position. A distinctive strand runs through all levels: the school’s “Eight Virtues + One” values and an Experiential Learning Programme from Grades 4–11, which integrates applied learning beyond traditional classroom settings.
1. Initial inquiry / Pre-Application Prospective families complete an online Pre-Application form (via GSIS’s Admissions portal) which grants access to the admissions pack and enables scheduling of a campus tour or visit.
2. Submission of Full Application / Waitlist Placement Once the application is complete (personal, academic, and residency documentation), GSIS sends an acknowledgement email and places the applicant on a waitlist (or shortlist) for their year group.
3. Entrance Assessment / Interview For many year levels (especially in the English International Stream), applicants are invited to an assessment (English, Mathematics, verbal comprehension etc.) and sometimes an interview, depending on year group.
4. Offer of Place and Debenture / Capital Levy If a place is available and the student passes assessment, GSIS issues an offer letter. The family must decide on and pay debenture (refundable or non-refundable) or capital levy (where applicable) by a deadline.
5. Enrollment and Orientation After acceptance and payment, parents complete enrollment formalities. Students may attend orientation, meet teachers, receive timetables, and integrate into their cohort before classes begin.
Admissions
1. Application submission: Parents begin by submitting an online application through the ISF Academy admissions portal. Each application requires a non-refundable fee. Families must ensure all required documents, including birth certificates, school reports, and any relevant assessments, are uploaded before the published deadline. Applications are accepted for Foundation Year through Grade 11.
2. Assessment and interview: Applicants undergo assessments appropriate to their year group. For the Foundation Year, this may involve classroom observation and interaction activities. From Grade 1 upwards, assessments test Putonghua oral ability and English proficiency to ensure students can access the bilingual curriculum. Shortlisted applicants and their parents are invited to interviews with the admissions team.
3. Review and decision: Admission decisions are based on assessment results, interview outcomes, and space availability. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission, as demand often exceeds available places. Offers are sent by email within the timelines announced on the school’s admissions calendar.
4. Acceptance and deposit: Families accepting an offer must pay the Acceptance Deposit by the stated deadline to confirm the student’s place. Parents must also agree to comply with ISF’s policies, including its Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Health, Safety & Well-being Policy.
5. Orientation and enrollment: After confirmation, parents receive onboarding details, including uniform ordering, bus service registration, and information about the start-of-year orientation sessions for new students. Orientation activities help students become familiar with the bilingual learning environment and campus routines.
Scholarships
Scholarships
GSIS does not publicly offer traditional, broad-based scholarships (such as merit scholarships) on its website. However, the school does have a financial aid / fee reduction program, considered on a case-by-case basis, thereby reducing school fees for certain students whose families demonstrate need.
Scholarships
ISF Academy offers several scholarships and financial aid programmes for enrolled students. Merit Scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, positive conduct, and alignment with the school’s values, providing between 50% and 100% tuition remission. Special Talent Scholarships recognise students with exceptional abilities in areas such as sports, music, or the performing and visual arts, and include 50% to 100% tuition coverage as well as an annual HKD 5,000 allowance for training or competitions. IB Diploma Scholarships are available to senior students in Grades 11 and 12 who show strong academic commitment and achievement within the International Baccalaureate curriculum. In addition, the school operates a need-based Financial Aid Programme that offers 20% to 100% tuition remission for families who meet the eligibility criteria. All scholarships and financial aid awards are reviewed annually, and students must maintain good academic standing and conduct to retain their support.
Waitlist
Waitlist
GSIS operates a waitlist (or shortlist) system rather than immediate acceptance. After a full application is submitted, the applicant is placed on a waitlist in the appropriate year group. When a vacancy arises, GSIS contacts the next student on the waitlist to check continued interest, and may arrange a new assessment or interview before confirming the place.
Waitlist
ISF Academy operates both regular and rolling application cycles. When demand exceeds available spaces, qualified applicants are placed on a waitlist. The waitlist operates on a space-available basis, with priority determined by assessment results, sibling status, and overall fit within the school’s bilingual program. Applicants who are not offered a place during the regular cycle may be reconsidered in subsequent rounds through the rolling admissions process.
