Renaissance College and South Island School are both in Hong Kong, about 19 km apart. Both schools offer IB and IBCP programmes, and South Island School also offers BTEC Qualification and Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are close, at HK$148,100 - 195,700 for Renaissance College and HK$167,600 - 181,100 for South Island School. Renaissance College takes pupils from 5 to 18, and South Island School from 11 to 18. Renaissance College is the larger school, with around 2,087 pupils to South Island School's 1,400. Typical class sizes are 27 at Renaissance College and 22 at South Island School.
Renaissance College is located in Ma On Shan in the New Territories, at 5 Hang Ming Street, and sits right outside Heng On MTR station on the Tuen Ma Line with Exit A linking into the campus. The neighbourhood is primarily residential, with bus routes serving the area and convenient connections into Kowloon and beyond.
Location
South Island School is located at 50 Nam Fung Road, Deep Water Bay / Aberdeen, on Hong Kong Island. It is in a semi-rural green setting, backed by Mount Nicholson and facing the South China Sea, yet connected via local bus routes (e.g. Citybus 76, 41A) and taxi access (though campus gates are closed during school hours).
Stages
Stages
RCHK is an all-through IB World School for students aged 5–18. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme (Years 1–6), Middle Years Programme (Years 7–11), and either the Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13.
Stages
The school serves Years 7 to 13. Within that span, it provides middle years (7–9), IGCSE (10–11), and senior years (12–13) programmes
School type
School type
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school with no boarding facilities. It is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong.
School type
South Island School is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
RCHK provides tailored support for students with Additional Learning Needs. Its inclusion programmes and wellbeing initiatives ensure that individual needs are addressed in class and across school life.
Additional learning support
SIS operates an inclusive model of support, with tiered “Levels of Adjustment” (LOA) from 1 through 4 for students requiring accommodations. Students at LOA 3–4 can access more specialised provisions via the Learning Support Centre, small-group classes, or alternative curricula. In some cases, the school may request a private Educational Assistant to support a student’s classroom access or care.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is part of the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong and is not affiliated with a specific country.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
RCHK is non-religious and has no faith affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Classes generally run from 8:00 am to 3:10 pm, with a mid-morning break and a lunch break included in the schedule
School day structure
The official school hours vary by day: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays the day runs 7:55 am to 3:15 pm; on Tuesdays the start is later, and Fridays end earlier (7:55 am to 12:55 pm).
Bus service details
Bus service details
The college offers an optional bus service. Routes cover a wide range of residential areas in Hong Kong, and stops are arranged at housing estates near the school for convenience
Bus service details
The school provides a bus service operated by Kwoon Chung Bus Services across Hong Kong Island. Students are typically picked up near homes or public transport nodes (it is not purely door-to-door). The bus application, route information, and fee payments are managed via an online platform.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee An application for entry to RCHK carries a non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee of HK$2,800.
Tuition Fees by Year Group (2025–26)
* Years 1–6: HK$148,100 annually * Years 7–11: HK$193,600 annually * Years 12–13: HK$195,700 annually
Tuition is billed over 10 months (i.e. divided across 10 payments).
Building Levy / Capital Contribution New students entering Year 1 are required to pay a non-refundable building levy (NBL) of HK$50,000. Students entering Years 2–12 must pay a pro-rated portion of that levy.
Other Costs & Fees
* RAPT (Parent-Teacher Association) membership fee (per family): HK$275 * Student Smart Identity / Value-Stored Card: first copy free, replacements cost HK$20 * ID card for parents/guardians/helpers: first copy free, replacement HK$20 * Certified true copy of report card (PYP, MYP, Y12): HK$50 per copy * Additional academic transcript copies (for current MYP/DP students): HK$100 per extra copy * Certified transcript for graduated/left students (MYP/DP): HK$100 per copy
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms Tuition is deducted monthly over 10 months via autopay (direct debit authorisation, DDA). Parents will be notified by email if there is an outstanding invoice.
Refund / Withdrawal Policies Specific refund conditions for mid-year withdrawal are not detailed in the public fee pages. The building levy is explicitly non-refundable.
Fee Payment Options
* The main tuition and levies are handled via direct debit (autopay / DDA). * Other charges (e.g. PTA, trips, insurance) are handled through an ePayment wallet. Parents can top up this wallet using credit card, PayPal, or PPS. * Residual ePayment balances may be refunded, or transferred to siblings, upon leaving the school.
Fee details
Application Fee
* A one-time, non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,800 per applicant. * This covers admissions administration and must be paid at the time of application.
Tuition Fees (per year, payable over 10 months)
* Years 7–10: HKD 181,100 * Year 11: HKD 159,400 * Years 12–13: HKD 167,600
Billing and Payment Schedule
* Tuition fees are paid in ten monthly instalments (August to May) by mandatory direct debit. * Payments are due on the first day of each month.
Deposit
* A deposit equivalent to two months of school fees must be paid when a place is accepted. * Half of this deposit is offset against the first month’s fee, while the remainder is credited against the last month’s fee (if withdrawal notice conditions are met).
Other Charges
* Non-Refundable Capital Levy (NCL): A one-off, sliding-scale fee, ranging from HKD 26,000 for Year 7 to HKD 3,800 for Year 13, payable when joining ESF schools. * Families may also choose Individual Nomination Rights (INR) or Corporate Nomination Rights (CNR) for interview priority.
Refund Policy
* Deposits are only offset against tuition (not refunded as cash). * Fees remain payable if a student goes on leave during term.
Payment Options
* Payments are made by direct debit for tuition. * Application fees are paid via credit card or PayPal.
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
Renaissance College Hong Kong (RCHK) delivers the full IB continuum from Year 1 through Year 13: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Years 1–6, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–11, and then in Years 12–13 students choose between the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP / IBCP). In the lower years, learning is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, focusing on connecting subjects through real-world themes and promoting development of learner skills. ([Renaissance College][1]) The MYP bridges subject disciplines via “Global Contexts” and emphasizes self-reflection, critical thinking, and personal projects. In Years 12–13, those opting for the DP follow six subject groups plus core components (TOK, Extended Essay, CAS). Those selecting the CP / IBCP combine career-related studies (for example via partner institutions) with IB academic courses and a CP core (Personal & Professional Skills, Reflective Project, Language & Cultural Studies, and Service Learning).
Curriculum details
Students in Years 7 to 9 follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), which combines subject learning with skills development and community projects. In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for external examinations through a mix of Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE subjects. At the senior level, Years 12 and 13, the school offers three distinct pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), and the SIS Diploma. The IBCP includes vocational options such as BTEC qualifications, providing flexibility for students with different interests and strengths. Across all stages, English is the main language of instruction, and students study additional languages including Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean. This structure allows progression from broad foundational learning in the middle years to specialised qualifications in the senior years.
1. Online Application Submission Families submit an online application through the ESF / RCHK admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF (or RCHK) school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee.
2. Assessment / Interview / Testing Applicants (for years other than entry levels) are invited to attend assessments or interviews to evaluate their readiness for the English-medium curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified with schedules for testing and interviews.
3. Offer of Place & Acceptance If successful and if a vacancy exists, the school issues an offer of place. The family must accept by a deadline, after which a deposit or building levy may be required.
4. Onboarding & Entry Requirements Once accepted, the student is integrated into the school system, including orientation, registration, and payment of fees per the school’s billing schedule. Families may also be asked to submit supporting documents (previous school records, medical records, etc.).
5. Waitlist Consideration If no immediate place is available, the candidate may be placed into a waitlist or pool. Offers from the waitlist may be made when places become available.
Admissions
1. Online Application Submission Families submit an online application through the ESF admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee.
2. Assessment / Interview / Testing Applicants (for years other than entry levels) are invited to attend assessments or interviews to evaluate their readiness for the English-medium curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified with schedules for testing and interviews.
3. Offer of Place & Acceptance If successful and if a vacancy exists, the school issues an offer of place. The family must accept by a deadline, after which a deposit or building levy may be required.
4. Onboarding & Entry Requirements Once accepted, the student is integrated into the school system, including orientation, registration, and payment of fees per the school’s billing schedule. Families may also be asked to submit supporting documents (previous school records, medical records, etc.). (No explicit public detail on every onboarding step is given beyond the above, so some of this is inferred from standard practice and the admissions overview.)
5. Waitlist Consideration If no immediate place is available, the candidate may be placed into a waitlist or pool (see below). Offers from the waitlist may be made when places become available.
Scholarships
Scholarships
* RCHK offers full scholarships (100% tuition waiver) for students from Year 7 to Year 13, across categories including academic, music, theatre, visual arts, and sports. * A Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) exists to provide full tuition fee coverage (and potentially extra expenses) on a needs basis, subject to eligibility and availability. * Scholarship criteria include demonstrated talent in the relevant domain (academic, arts, sport) plus evidence of commitment to service and leadership. * RCHK also allocates 2% of its fee income to a hardship fund (ESF financial assistance) for families encountering sudden changes in circumstances—but this is limited to current students and does not function as a scholarship for new entrants.
Scholarships
South Island school does not provide information about any financial assistance via scholarships or aid.
Waitlist
Waitlist
RCHK (via ESF) does maintain a waiting list / pool system for school places when demand exceeds vacancies. Applicants are placed on the waitlist in priority order, and if a vacancy arises, offers may be extended from the waitlist by date of application and priority group.
Waitlist
SIS (via ESF) does maintain a waiting list / pool system for school places when demand exceeds vacancies. Applicants are placed on the waitlist in priority order, and if a vacancy arises, offers may be extended from the waitlist by date of application and priority group.
