Compare Jewish International Schools in Hong kong

The Holly Rofé Early Learning Centre is situated in the Mid-Levels district of Hong Kong Island. This is a mainly residential area located above Central, with convenient access to the city. Families are supported by a dedicated school bus provider that connects the campus with other neighbourhoods.

The ELC caters to children from age 1 to age 5 across Walkers/Tzutzik, Ganeynu/Pre-Nursery, Nursery (K1), and Pre-K. From there, children move into Carmel Elementary (IB PYP) and later Elsa High School (IB MYP and DP).

The school is an inclusive co-educational Jewish day school. Carmel operates as a day school across all three of its campuses, with no boarding facilities.

Carmel notes a dedicated Learning Enhancement Room at the Elementary campus. The ELC’s pages, however, do not publish details of SEN provisions or specific support for children with Additional Learning Needs.

Carmel is not affiliated with any one country; it is an International Baccalaureate Continuum School located in Hong Kong.

The school is an independent Jewish day school, guided by Modern Orthodox principles.

The ELC day begins at 8:45am. Families can extend the day through the Extended Day Programme (EDP), which runs from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Yes, the school offers a bus service run by City School Bus Service Limited. Families register directly through the provider, with support from the school office. If families cancel, one calendar month’s written notice is required, or a month’s fare is charged in lieu. Contact details for the provider are published, including a dedicated phone line and email.

The school does not offer boarding. There is an Extended Day Programme (EDP) for Nursery and Pre K from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and an Afternoon Unaccompanied Programme for toddlers from 12 months and up.

Uniform is required. On Fridays and formal days, Blazer Days require blazer, shirt and tie; on other days, the polo shirt may be worn. A kippah is an integral part of the school uniform for Jewish male students.

Snacks and lunch are prepared to meet nutritional needs and adhere to Kosher dietary laws. Nursery and Pre K lunches include options such as beef spaghetti, chicken or beef burgers, a selection of vegetables, fried noodles, and rice.

The school uses a house system. Four Houses—Intellect (Blue), Virtue (Red), Loyalty (Purple) and Trust (Green)—are used for S1. Elsa High School operates with three Houses: Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel-Aviv.

The governance is provided by the Carmel School Association Limited Board of Directors. The Board comprises not less than 10 members plus two PTA-nominated members; it sets policies and oversees the Principal and Head of the Elementary School. The Board's duties include ensuring the ethos, financial stability and strategic direction of the school, while day-to-day operations are led by the Principal and staff.

The Holly Rofé Early Learning Centre provides programmes for children aged 1 to 5, focusing on sensory play, creative arts, movement, and outdoor exploration. English is the main language of instruction, with Mandarin taught three times per week from Nursery and Hebrew introduced as a subject; French is available in the Extended Day Programme. Students progress to Carmel Elementary, where the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) runs from Kindergarten through Grade 5. From there, they continue into Elsa High School, which delivers the IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) in Grades 6 to 10, followed by the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Carmel is authorised as an IB Continuum School, meaning students can complete their entire IB pathway within the same institution.

The Holly Rofé Early Learning Centre incorporates age-appropriate development through structured activities such as sensory play, creative arts, movement, and outdoor exploration. These activities are designed to help children build early social interaction skills and emotional awareness. The programme includes music and movement sessions and free play, which provide opportunities for cooperation and self-expression. Specific staffing or dedicated SEL programmes are not publicly described on the school’s website.

Carmel School notes the presence of a Learning Enhancement Room at its Elementary campus. However, the Early Learning Centre pages do not provide details on the type of Special Educational Needs the school can support, nor do they outline SEN-specific provisions or specialist staff. The school does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL at the Early Learning Centre. At the admissions stage for Elementary and High School, the school notes that English proficiency is assessed for non-native speakers; however, no ELC-specific program or support is published.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental well-being initiatives, counselling services, or dedicated staff provision at the Early Learning Centre.

Carmel School publishes a Health & Safety Policy, which outlines its commitment to maintaining a secure learning environment. This includes guidelines for supervision, health measures, and safety protocols. However, a standalone safeguarding or child protection policy is not published on the website.

1. Application submission
Parents begin by completing the Application Checklist and Application Form, which can be submitted by email, post, or in person. For older applicants, additional documents such as student or educator questionnaires may be requested. Families are encouraged to apply well in advance, as placement is dependent on space availability.

2. Interview
Once applications are received, candidates and their families are invited for a face-to-face interview with the Carmel faculty. This meeting allows the school to better understand the child and the family’s expectations, while also giving parents the opportunity to ask questions. The interview is a required part of the process before any admission decision is made.

3. Assessment (where applicable)
While formal academic testing is not listed for Early Learning Centre admissions, the wider Carmel admissions process may include assessments, such as MAP entrance exams for higher grades. For ELC students, the focus is on developmental readiness rather than academic performance. The school also applies grade-level prerequisites for progression into Elementary and High School.

4. Placement criteria
Admission is based on age cut-off dates (31 October). For example, Nursery (K1) applicants must be three years old by 31 October of the school year. When places are limited, the school prioritises applications from siblings, children of staff, and members of the Jewish community.

5. Offer and enrolment
Successful applicants receive a formal acceptance letter. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure the child’s place at the school. Families must confirm acceptance promptly, as places are limited and demand is high.

The school does not publicly disclose information about scholarships or financial aid.

Carmel School does not operate a pool system. However, when places are limited, a priority system applies. Preference is given to siblings of current students, children of Carmel School staff, and children of employees or members of the Jewish community in Hong Kong. If no places are available, applicants may be placed on a waitlist until a space becomes available.

Elsa High School is on the east of Hong Kong Island in the Shau Kei Wan district. The area is well connected by public transport, including the MTR and local bus routes. Carmel’s other campuses are located in Mid-Levels, while the high school operates from this dedicated site.

The high school covers Grades 6–12, offering the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. Students graduate with both the IB Diploma (if pursued) and the WASC-accredited Elsa High School Diploma.

Carmel School is an inclusive, co-educational Jewish international school.

The school references a Learning Enhancement facility at its Elementary campus, but does not publish specific SEN or additional learning support provisions for Elsa High School.

The school does not have a formal affiliation with any country. It is an international IB World School based in Hong Kong.

Carmel is a Jewish international school, though Elsa High School states it welcomes students of all backgrounds.

The public website does not publish start and end times or break structures for Elsa High School.

Yes. Elsa High School is served by City School Bus Service Limited (City Motors Holding). Families can contact the provider directly to arrange routes and registration

The school requires a formal uniform. Blazer Days require a blazer, shirt and tie on Fridays and on formal days; on other days, students may wear the polo shirt instead of the blazer and tie. The kippah is an integral part of the uniform and is worn by Jewish male students at all times.

Elsa High School uses a house system with three Houses: Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel-Aviv. House Captains and Vice Captains lead inter-House sports and academic events as part of school life.

The school is governed by Carmel School Association Limited. The Board of Directors comprises not less than 10 members, plus two members nominated by the Parent-Teacher Association and approved by the Board. The Board has a Chairman and an Executive Committee, and oversees policy, finances and appointment of the Principal; day-to-day operations are led by the Principal and school staff.

Elsa High School offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in Grades 6–10. This programme includes a broad range of subjects across language and literature, sciences, individuals and societies, mathematics, design, the arts, and physical and health education, with Service & Action as a core component. In Grades 11–12, students progress to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), where they can choose from subjects including English, Hebrew, Chinese, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Italian for language studies, alongside a wide selection in sciences, mathematics, individuals and societies, and the arts. Students may complete the full IB Diploma or take individual IB courses according to their goals. All graduates earn the WASC-accredited Elsa High School Diploma, which can be pursued alongside or independently of the IB Diploma.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives for Elsa High School.

There is no published detail on SEN provision, staffing, or specific learning needs supported at Elsa High School.

EAL support is referenced in the Elementary section of the school, but there is no dedicated page or published details for Elsa High School. Admissions information indicates that students may be required to submit results from an internationally recognised English proficiency test if they are non-native speakers. The school does not provide further details on structured EAL programmes at the high school level.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing provision, staff, or initiatives at Elsa High School.

The school does not publish a standalone safeguarding or child protection policy for Elsa High School on its public website.

1. Initial Enquiry and Application
Families may begin the process by contacting the school’s Admissions Office by email or phone. Applications include submission of school reports, references, and any required supporting documents.

2. Assessment and Testing
Applicants may be asked to complete MAP testing in areas such as literacy, numeracy, and science. These assessments help the school understand each student’s readiness for the programme and identify appropriate placement.

3. English Language Proficiency
Non-native English speakers may be required to submit results from an internationally recognised English proficiency test. This ensures that students are prepared for instruction in English and can succeed in the IB programmes.

4. Interviews and Programme Placement
Interviews are conducted with students and families to assess suitability and alignment with the school’s ethos. Placement into the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12 is determined holistically, considering prior school records, Grade 10 results, and consultation with staff.

5. Offer and Enrolment
Successful applicants receive an offer and proceed to enrolment, which includes payment of tuition (monthly, over 10 months) and the annual Capital Levy. Families may also register for the school bus service through City School Bus Service Limited.

The school does not publish any information about scholarships or financial aid opportunities for Elsa High School.

The school does not publicly disclose the use of a waitlist or pool system for admissions.

Carmel Elementary is situated in the Mid-Levels area on Hong Kong Island, a central neighbourhood known for its residential community and convenient access to transport links and the city’s business districts. The school operates three campuses across Hong Kong Island, with the Elementary campus in Mid-Levels and the High School in Shau Kei Wan, giving families access from different parts of the city.

The Elementary campus serves Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students continue into the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) at Elsa High School.

Carmel is a co-educational day school. It does not provide boarding facilities; all students commute daily.

The Elementary campus includes a Dedicated Learning Enhancement room to provide extra support to students who need it. Beyond this, the school does not publish detailed SEN provisions or policies.

The school does not have a national affiliation; it is an IB Continuum School authorised for the PYP, MYP, and DP programmes.

Carmel School is a Jewish international school with a Modern Orthodox ethos. It welcomes students from all strands of Judaism and also accepts non-Jewish students in its High School.

The school’s public website does not disclose daily start and end times or details of breaks/lunch times.

Yes. Carmel contracts City School Bus Service Limited for transport. Families can arrange service directly.

The school requires a uniform for Carmel Elementary Campus. Blazer days are formal; on Fridays and on formal days the blazer, shirt and tie must be worn, while on other days the polo shirt may be worn instead of the blazer, formal shirt and tie if directed. The kippah is an integral part of the uniform and must be worn by Jewish male students at all times. The uniform can be purchased from Aston Wilson Ltd in Kowloon and the Uniform Policy is detailed in the School Handbook.

Food options follow kosher dietary laws across Carmel School. The Kashrut policy requires meat and dairy not to be mixed and to be prepared according to kosher rules; Kosher symbols indicate approved products. Kosher food is available through the KosherMart at the JCC for families, and Shabbat and Jewish festivals are observed.

Carmel Elementary Campus uses a three-house system: Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel-Aviv. House Captains and Vice Captains lead the houses, and Inter-House sports and academic events promote healthy competition.

The school is governed by a Board of Directors regulated by the Articles of Association of Carmel School Association Limited. The Board comprises not less than 10 members and includes two members nominated by the PTA; it sets policies and appoints the Principal and Head of the Elementary School. Day-to-day operations are led by the Principal and Head of the Elementary School; the current Chairman is Mr. Jonathan Zeman.

Carmel Elementary delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), which focuses on inquiry-based learning across all subjects. The Programme of Learning includes core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Music, Hebrew and Jewish Studies, alongside specialist provision in STEAM, EAL (English as an Additional Language), and physical education. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 follow the PYP framework, which emphasises transdisciplinary themes to connect learning across disciplines. After Grade 5, students progress to the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Elsa High School, followed by the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. This makes Carmel an IB Continuum School, providing all three stages of IB education from early years through high school.

The school’s learner outcomes state that students are expected to develop and maintain emotional and social wellbeing as part of their growth. However, the website does not provide details of specific SEL programmes, staff roles, or initiatives implemented at the Elementary campus.

Carmel Elementary highlights a Dedicated Learning Enhancement room designed to provide support for students who require additional academic help. The website does not specify the categories of Special Educational Needs it can support, nor does it publish a full SEN policy. Based on available information, Carmel is not presented as a specialist SEN institution.

Carmel Elementary explicitly lists EAL (English as an Additional Language) as part of its Programme of Learning. This indicates that the school provides tailored support for students whose first language is not English, though further details about staffing or programme structure are not published.

Beyond the general statement in the learner outcomes about supporting emotional and social wellbeing, the school does not publish specific programmes, staff roles, or mental health initiatives for Elementary students. Therefore, detailed information on mental wellbeing support is not publicly available.

The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child-protection policies on its website.

1. Application submission
Families begin the process by completing the application form and submitting it by post, email, or in person to the relevant campus. Required documents include prior school reports and teacher recommendations, which help the admissions team evaluate readiness and fit.

2. Assessment and review
The school considers a range of indicators such as school reports, teacher comments, and, if relevant, international English proficiency assessments. For some applicants, the school uses MAP testing to measure literacy, numeracy, and science skills. These assessments allow Carmel to match students with appropriate support and placement.

3. Interviews
Applicants may be invited for an interview with the Principal or Head of Elementary, depending on the year group. This provides an opportunity to discuss the child’s learning style, language background, and family expectations while helping the school assess social and academic needs.

4. Priority considerations
If demand exceeds available places, priority may be given to siblings of current students and certain categories within the Early Learning Centre. This helps maintain continuity for families already within the Carmel community.

5. Decision and enrolment
Decisions are communicated after review of all submitted materials and assessments. Successful applicants complete enrolment and payment of tuition. Families requiring financial assistance must apply by June 1, though support is not available in the first year of enrolment or for Nursery/Pre-K students.

The school does not publicly offer merit-based or need-based scholarships.

The school does not describe a formal waitlist or pool system on its website.