Korean International School vs Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong
Korean International School and Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong are both in Hong Kong, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes, and Korean International School also offers IEYC, IPC, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are HK$97,100 - 137,000 at Korean International School and HK$112,200 - 209,900 at Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong, which puts Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong roughly 38% higher. Korean International School takes pupils from 4 to 18, and Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong from 3 to 11. Korean International School is the larger school, with around 900 pupils to Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong's 315. Typical class sizes are 25 at Korean International School and 22 at Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong.
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
900
Pupils
315
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Mandarin
Opened
Opened
1994
Opened
2018
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
KIS is located at 55 Lei King Road in Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong, adjacent to Sai Wan Ho Pier and the Island East Sports Centre. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Sai Wan Ho MTR Station (Exit A) and is served by multiple bus routes along Lei King Road.
Location
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong is located at 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories. The area is a modern residential and business hub, connected to the rest of Hong Kong by the MTR and major road networks. The campus is within easy reach of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, while also being close to coastal and green spaces.
Stages
Stages
KIS operates as an “all-through” school: Early Years (Reception) through Primary (Years 1–6) and Secondary (Years 7–13).
Stages
The school serves children aged 3 to 11. Education is structured into the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) and Primary School (Years 1–6).
School type
School type
It is co-educational and operates as a day school.
School type
The school is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
KIS runs a Springboard SEN Programme designed for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities; classes are personalized based on learning profiles. Additionally, the school provides English Language Support (ELS) in Primary to small groups of students needing extra help in English.
Additional learning support
Shrewsbury provides support for students with Additional Learning Needs through its Learning Enhancement team. This includes tailored interventions, close collaboration with teachers, and access to specialist staff when required.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal country affiliation; it is an independent international school.
Country affiliation
The school follows the British curriculum and has a strong affiliation with the United Kingdom.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
KIS does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day begins at 8:00 am. For Primary students, the day ends at 3:00 pm; for Secondary, at 3:15 pm.
School day structure
The school day begins at 8:00 am and finishes at 3:00 pm, with breaks and a lunch period included within the timetable. A wide range of after-school activities is also offered, extending the day for students who participate.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school contracts EMJ International Co. Ltd. to provide school bus service (one-way and round-trip) across Hong Kong.
Bus service details
A school bus service operates across Hong Kong, covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Routes and schedules are coordinated with an external transport provider to suit family needs. Younger children are accompanied by bus mothers to ensure their safety and comfort during journeys.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Admissions Fee An admissions fee of HK$2,000 applies to initiate the application review and process. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee is waived for Reception and Year 1 applicants.
Tuition Fees (per annum / 10 months)
* Reception: HK$97,100 (HK$9,710 per month) * Primary (Years 1–6): HK$122,900 (HK$12,290 per month) * Secondary (Years 7–13): HK$137,000 (HK$13,700 per month)
If a family has three or more children enrolled, the annual tuition fee for the third and subsequent children in the lowest year group is reduced by 50%.
Registration Registration is confirmed only after the first month’s tuition fee is received. This first payment is non-refundable if the student does not attend.
Billing & Payment Fees are billed monthly and must be paid via direct debit (Auto Payment System) before the due date — the last working day of the previous month.
Payment Method & Bank Details Parents pay through HSBC, Account Holder: *Korean International School*. Payments by cash or credit card are not accepted.
Other Costs Additional costs may include school uniforms, lunches, school buses, field trips, camps, certain educational materials, and a laptop purchase program.
Refunds The admissions and first-month tuition fees are non-refundable. Subsequent refunds are subject to the school’s withdrawal policy.
Fee details
Application and Capital Levy/Certificate Families must either purchase a Capital Certificate or pay an Annual Capital Levy. The levy is HKD 30,000 for Half-Day Nursery and HKD 50,000 for all other year groups. Capital Certificates cost HKD 200,000 (Standard) or HKD 300,000 (Premium), valid for four years. Certificates depreciate in value: Standard is worth HKD 150,000 upon acceptance, HKD 100,000 in the second year, HKD 50,000 in the third, and HKD 0 in the fourth. Neither levy nor certificate replaces tuition fees. The levy is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Tuition Fees 2025/25
* Nursery (Half Day): HKD 112,200 per year * Nursery (Full Day): HKD 169,200 per year * Reception: HKD 181,700 per year * Years 1–6: HKD 209,900 per year
Other Costs Tuition and levy cover stationery, consumables, and learning materials. Not included are uniforms, bus service, catering, co-curricular activities, and educational visits.
Billing Schedule and Refunds Fees are billed annually and approved by the Education Bureau. Capital Certificates are non-interest-bearing, non-transferable, and follow the depreciation schedule above.
Payment Options Payments may be made by bank transfer to Shanghai Commercial Bank LTD (with all transfer charges borne by the payer) or by cheque payable to Shrewsbury International School Limited.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
—
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
Korean International School (English Section) follows the National Curriculum for England, providing a structured yet adaptable British-style education from Reception to Year 13. In the Primary years (Reception to Year 6), students study a broad curriculum integrating English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities, with elements of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to promote thematic and inquiry-based learning. The Lower Secondary stage (Years 7–9) builds on this foundation through Cambridge and UK National Curriculum frameworks, concluding with Cambridge Checkpoint assessments at the end of Year 9. In Upper Secondary (Years 10–11), students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations across a wide range of subjects. The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers pathways leading to Cambridge AS and A Levels or Pearson BTEC qualifications in areas such as Performing Arts and Creative Media. Alongside mainstream programmes, the school’s Springboard SEN Programme provides tailored support for students with mild to moderate learning needs.
Curriculum details
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong offers education from ages 3 to 11 through two pathways: the British International Pathway (BIP) and the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway (HQP). Both are based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the English National Curriculum. In Nursery and Reception, children follow a thematic EYFS programme with specialist teaching in Chinese, Music, PE, and Aquatics. From Year 1 to Year 6, the curriculum is organized around six-week thematic units, supported by English National Curriculum standards.
The BIP is delivered primarily in English, while the HQP balances instruction equally between English and Mandarin, with subjects such as mathematics taught in both languages. Chinese language study is tiered to suit different ability levels, progressing toward IGCSE benchmarks. Across both pathways, students benefit from specialist teaching in Performing Arts, Music, Physical Education, and Swimming, which form a consistent part of the curriculum.
1. Pre-Application / Inquiry Prospective parents first complete a *Pre-Application Form*, submitting basic details (student name, date of birth, intended year) to generate interest. Once submitted, the admissions office sends login credentials for the school’s Admissions Portal for further application steps.
2. Complete the Admissions Portal Application In the portal, parents must complete all required sections (Parts A–G) including personal, medical, academic, and parent questionnaires. Payment of the HK$2,000 admissions fee is required to validate the application.
3. Assessment & Interview After reviewing a completed application, KIS contacts the family to schedule an *intake assessment and interview*. The assessment usually takes about an hour and includes English proficiency testing and age-appropriate subject evaluation.
4. Decision & Offer / Wait Pool Placement The Admissions Committee reviews the assessment, interview, and full application to make a decision. Successful applicants receive an offer via the Admissions Portal, which must be accepted or declined. Applicants for whom no place is available are placed into the wait pool (waiting list) for up to six months.
5. Enrolment Contract & Final Steps Once the offer is accepted, parents complete the enrolment contract online (within five working days), submit the student reference form from the previous school, and agree to school policies. Failure to complete enrolment in time may result in forfeiture of the offered place.
Admissions
1. Submit Application Parents complete and submit an Application Form plus a Home Assessment Form by email, including supporting documents such as photographs, passport or identity pages, visa status (if applicable), vaccination records, and up to two years of school reports (if relevant).
2. School Meeting or Assessment For Early Years (Nursery/Reception), children are invited to participate in a play-based observation session under supervision of the teaching team. For older entrants (Year 3–6), applicants undertake written tasks and other assessments (usually lasting about 75 minutes).
3. Review by Admissions Team and Decision The Admissions Team compiles all submitted materials and assessment results, and then presents a candidate file to the Principal, who makes the final decision. Parents are informed whether the offer is successful or not, typically within five working days.
4. Acceptance and Fees If an offer is made, the school sends a Letter of Offer with an Acceptance of Place Form, which must be signed and returned along with any required fees and agreement to Terms & Conditions by the deadline.
5. Special / Individual Needs Disclosure At application, parents must disclose any known or suspected learning, developmental, or physical needs so that an access review can be done. Applications including formal diagnoses or specialist reports are assessed by the Individual Needs Coordinator. The school reserves the right to withdraw offers if required information is withheld.
Scholarships
Scholarships
KIS offers several scholarships to existing or incoming students, evaluated by a Scholarship Committee comprising senior leadership and accounts staff. The types include:
* Academic Scholarships (e.g. *Park Byung Won*, *Park Hee Bong*) — awarded to students in Years 7–11 or 11–12 based on strong performance in internal or external exams. * Talent Scholarships (Harm Young Sil Scholarship) — awarded for exceptional ability in arts, sports, or leadership among year groups 7–13. * University Scholarships (Lee Nae Kun Scholarship) — granted to Year 13 students who have studied at KIS for at least two years and are accepted into certain Hong Kong universities (HKU, HKUST, CUHK, PolyU).
Scholarships are applied toward tuition (or university first-term payment) depending on scheme, and recipients must meet conditions (e.g. maintain academic standards, participate in school community).
Scholarships
Shrewsbury offers “Achievement Scholarships” for students already in Key Stage 2 who demonstrate an outstanding academic record. Nominations for these scholarships must be supported by at least two school staff members and are assessed by the Principal before being recommended to the School Management Committee. The number of scholarships is limited, and the awards are typically announced annually.
Waitlist
Waitlist
KIS maintains a wait pool (waiting list) process. After all application steps (documents, fee, assessment) are completed, if the target year group has no available place, the student is placed in the wait pool for up to six months. When a vacancy arises, the school may invite a waitlisted student to reassess and offer placement based on fit, not strictly by waitlist order. Priority is sometimes given based on defined criteria such as sibling status or foreign passport holders.
Waitlist
The school uses a Wait Pool (or waitlist) system. If a child meets the entry criteria but there is no available place in the year group, the child’s name is added to the Wait Pool. When a place becomes available, the Admissions Team, along with the Principal, reviews Wait Pool candidates and offers admission based on criteria such as assessment performance and order of application. The Wait Pool is cleared at the end of each academic year; applicants still interested must submit a fresh application.
