Compare Reggio Emilia Approach International Schools in Hong Kong

Hong Kong International School - Repulse Bay Campus

Instructs in English, Mandarin

Ages 4 - 10 years

Fees HK$224,800

Pupils 3000

Type Co-educational

The Repulse Bay Campus of Hong Kong International School (HKIS) serves students from Reception One through Grade 5. Located at 23 South Bay Close, Repulse Bay, the campus was fully redeveloped in 2017–2018 to provide bespoke facilities for early childhood and primary education. The Lower Primary follows a play-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, while Upper Primary continues with U.S. standards in core subjects, preparing students for Middle School at Tai Tam. Facilities include 70 homeroom classrooms, 14 Chinese Studies rooms, 4 art rooms, 4 music rooms, 2 cafeterias, 2 libraries, 9 playgrounds, and a 700-seat chapel. Dedicated spaces such as the Kid Kitchen, Hydroponic Farm, Media Lab, and STEM Lab encourage hands-on inquiry and creativity. Students benefit from dual language opportunities in Chinese and English, alongside a vibrant co-curricular program. The campus combines strong academic foundations with facilities designed specifically for younger learners.

Location

The Repulse Bay Campus is located at 23 South Bay Close, Repulse Bay, on the south side of Hong Kong Island. The area is residential and close to the beach, with bus and car access linking it to Central and other districts.

Stages

This campus houses Lower Primary (Reception 1–Grade 2) and Upper Primary (Grades 3–5).

Type

HKIS is a co-educational, nonprofit day school. It does not provide boarding.

Additional learning support

The school employs learning specialists across divisions to support students with mild to moderate needs, but it is not a specialist SEN institution.

Country affiliation

HKIS provides an American-style education, aligned with U.S. standards.

Religious affiliation

The school is grounded in the Christian faith through its founding with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, while respecting other faith traditions.

School day structure

Reception 1 & 2 (Lower Primary): 8 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.
Grades 1 & 2 (Lower Primary): 8 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Grades 3-5 (Upper Primary): 7:55 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.

After-school activities are available, and late buses are provided. Lunch and recess are included during the day.

Bus service

HKIS offers a bus service through Kwoon Chung Motors, with routes covering Hong Kong Island. This includes drop-off and pick-up options for students at both Repulse Bay and Tai Tam campuses.

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required for Lower Primary and Upper Primary. Uniforms can be purchased at the Dragon Shop. Lower Primary uniforms include red or white polo shirts with the HKIS emblem and navy shorts or skirts, with additional options for outerwear in navy or red. Shoes must be closed-toe; socks should be red, white, or navy; hats are optional; dresses are not permitted. The Upper Primary uniform palette follows navy blue, red, and white; a uniform guide is available. The Dragon Shop is located at HKIS High School, 1 Red Hill Road, Level 2, with hours Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and contact dragonshop@hkis.edu.hk.

Food Options

Repulse Bay Campus offers a cafeteria and two main options for food: students may bring lunch or order pre-purchased meals from Sodexo. In Lower Primary, lunch is eaten in the campus cafeteria, and meals can be ordered from Sodexo; in Upper Primary, lunch is taken in the 4th-floor dining hall, with the option to bring lunch or order from Sodexo. Sodexo lunch orders are managed via the Sodexo Lunch App.

House System

The Middle School program uses a House system where each student belongs to a House and a Pastoral Care Group (PCG) to foster community and school spirit.

Governance and Ownership

HKIS is governed by a volunteer Board of Managers with ultimate responsibility to fulfill the school's mission. The Board is self-perpetuating and comprises 12 members, including the Head of School. An Operating Agreement with the Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod stipulates that a majority of the Board are members of the Church of All Nations. The Board focuses on selecting and supporting the Head of School, developing institutional policies, and ensuring financial stewardship.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

In Lower Primary, students have weekly SEL lessons led by counselors, covering topics such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, growth mindset, and safe/unsafe touch. In Upper Primary, SEL expands to themes like self-talk, resilience, stress management, and conflict resolution. Counselors also run small group sessions and work with parents on transition and wellbeing issues.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

HKIS employs learning specialists across the divisions, including in the primary years, to provide classroom-based support. Provision includes in-class accommodations and small-group interventions, but HKIS is not a specialist SEN institution. The school does not publish specific categories of needs supported.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL at the Repulse Bay campus.

Mental Wellbeing

Counselors in both Lower and Upper Primary provide individual and group counseling. They support students with adjustment, friendship, and family transitions, and also deliver parent education programs. Counseling offices are located on campus, and students can be referred by teachers, parents, or themselves.

Safeguarding

Counselors teach age-appropriate child protection content (such as safe/unsafe touch and refusal skills) within the SEL curriculum. HKIS confirms that it is governed by a volunteer Board of Managers and maintains policies for safe learning environments, but it does not publish detailed safeguarding procedures.

History

HKIS was founded in 1966 through a collaboration between the American business community in Hong Kong and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), with land support from the Hong Kong government at Repulse Bay. The school first opened in temporary quarters in Chung Hom Kok with 195 students, then moved to its permanent Repulse Bay site in 1967 with over 600 students. Over time, HKIS expanded to include a second campus in Tai Tam (completed in 1989) to accommodate Middle and High School divisions.

Community

HKIS serves a diverse community of over 3,000 students from 48 nationalities, supported by 270 faculty and more than 1,200 parent volunteers. The community is active across academics, arts, athletics, and service, with over 30 after-school activity categories and more than 1,500 students taking part in concerts and stage productions each year. Cultural events and celebrations are highlighted in the school calendar, newsletters, and DragonTales magazine, which also features stories on service, sustainability, and student life. Fundraising and philanthropy are central to community life, with more than half of families contributing annually to the school’s fund.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

HKIS has two independently run parent organizations—the Parent Faculty Organization (PFO) and the Booster Club—as well as six school-administered parent committees and three board committees. Together, these groups coordinate classroom volunteering, cultural and community events, and support for athletics and performing arts. In total, 1,200+ parents are active in classrooms and events across the school year. Their involvement includes fundraising, organizing student enrichment activities, and community-building events that strengthen ties between families, staff, and the wider school community.

Gallery

Facilities Overview

The Repulse Bay campus comprises Lower Primary and Upper Primary buildings. The Lower Primary building is a 7‑story facility at 23 South Bay Road, home to 770 Reception 1 to Grade 2 students. It offers dedicated resources for each grade and features a bespoke playground, a library, two art studios, two music rooms, and a Wonder Lab. Shared spaces across Lower Primary include two community playgrounds, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria. The Upper Primary building is an 8‑story facility serving Grades 3 to 5, with specialist spaces including 7 Chinese classrooms, 2 Art Studios, 2 Music Rooms, and a STEM Lab; passion spaces include Hydroponic Farm, Kid Kitchen, Media Lab, and Design Garage, and wellbeing spaces include indoor/outdoor play areas, two PE spaces, and a dining hall. The pool and Chapel are shared with Lower Primary, and Upper Primary also features resources such as a Chinese Culture Center, a Library, a Think Tank for Instructional Coaching, and a Student Services Wing.

Sports Facilities

The Repulse Bay campus includes a gymnasium in the Lower Primary building and two PE spaces in the Upper Primary building. The two buildings share a swimming pool. A Dragon Center for Activities & Athletics, opened at the Tai Tam campus in 2025, provides a broader athletics facility with a pool, tennis courts, climbing walls, spinning, and studios for dance, martial arts, and other activities to support HKIS's athletics program across campuses. HKIS offers a variety of after‑school activities (ASAs) through in‑house and third‑party providers, including sports and other programs.

Academic Facilities

Lower Primary is a 7‑story building at 23 South Bay Road, home to 770 Reception 1 to Grade 2 students, with a library, two art studios, two music rooms, and a Wonder Lab, plus dedicated resources for each grade. Upper Primary is an 8‑story facility for Grades 3 to 5, featuring a STEM Lab and specialist spaces such as seven Chinese classrooms, two Art Studios, and two Music Rooms. Upper Primary also provides passion spaces (Hydroponic Farm, Kid Kitchen, Media Lab, Design Garage) and wellbeing spaces (indoor and outdoor play spaces, two PE spaces, and a dining hall), along with resources including a Chinese Culture Center, a Library, a Think Tank for Instructional Coaching, and a Student Services Wing. The two buildings share a swimming pool and a chapel.

Extra Curricular Facilities

HKIS offers after‑school activities (ASAs) through in‑house and third‑party providers, with programs spanning sports, performing and visual arts, spirituality, STEM, and more. ASAs are available across the Repulse Bay campus and complement classroom learning. The Tai Tam campus hosts the Dragon Center for Activities & Athletics, expanding opportunities in wellness, sports, and recreational programs for the HKIS community.

Academic & Intellectual

The Repulse Bay Campus houses Lower Primary (Reception 1 to Grade 2) and Upper Primary (Grades 3 to 5). Lower Primary is located at 23 South Bay Road and serves 770 students in Reception 1 to Grade 2 in a seven‑story building. Upper Primary is accessed from the Lower Primary via a bridge and serves 660 students in Grades 3–5 in an eight‑story building. The campus operates a bus system with a mandatory policy and routes across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and uniforms are purchased from the Dragon Shop. Primary subjects include core academics such as math and literacy, with Chinese, art, library, and PE as specialist subjects. The program emphasizes play, inquiry, and community, with spaces dedicated to hands‑on learning and social development. Care is taken to include religious and chapel activities as part of student life. (Lower Primary: L110-L118, L141-L151, L156-L165; Upper Primary: L110-L141; Campus life: L177-L181)

Arts & Creative

The Upper Primary program uses dedicated spaces for specialist subjects, including Chinese, art, and music, within an immersive learning environment. Creation spaces such as the Imagine HKIS stations offer creative, hands‑on learning experiences. Shared spaces across the Lower Primary include two art studios and two music rooms, while the Upper Primary has its own art studios and music rooms, complemented by a dedicated STEM Lab in the upper level. The campus supports arts and creativity through after‑school activities and through student life experiences. (Upper Primary specialist spaces: L193-L210; Passion Spaces: L213-L229; Shared spaces (Lower Primary): L244-L251; Imagine HKIS: L168-L171)

Cultural & Language

Mandarin is compulsory for Reception 1 through Grade 5. In Middle and High School, students may choose Mandarin or Spanish as a modern language. The school has introduced a Dual Language Immersion program starting in the 2025‑2026 school year, delivering academic content in approximately 50% English and 50% Chinese, with students alternating daily between language environments and continuing through Grade 5 before transitioning to the Middle School pathway. The Chinese Studies program supports language proficiency and cultural understanding across the school. (FAQ: L7-L12; Dual Language Immersion: L1-L8; Chinese Studies: L1-L7)

Social & Hobbies

Student Life at the Repulse Bay Campus includes chapel activities as a community expression of faith, reflecting the school's Christian identity. After‑school activities are available across multiple program areas, including sports, performing and visual arts, spirituality, and STEM, with a wide range of options offered through in‑house and third‑party providers. The Upper Primary emphasizes student voice and choice within a structured, collaboration‑driven environment, with opportunities to engage in clubs and passion spaces that extend learning beyond the classroom. (Chapel: L179-L181; After School Activities: L186-L189)

Community & Service

The Lower Primary and Upper Primary campuses emphasize community, with spaces designed to support collaboration and social learning. The Lower Primary provides multiple shared spaces such as community playgrounds, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, a library, and dedicated Chinese, art, and music classrooms to foster a supportive, communal environment. The Upper Primary features a dedicated Chinese Culture Center and Student Services Wing, with a Library and Think Tank for instructional coaching, reflecting a commitment to student well‑being and community engagement. (Shared spaces: L226-L251; Upper Primary facilities: L256-L270)

Leadership & Professional

The campus supports leadership and professional development through structured counseling services, grade‑level counselors, and dedicated student services. Each Upper Primary grade has its own counselor, and there is a broader student services team to support learning and well‑being. The school also offers transformative professional learning opportunities for faculty, including world language conferences and literacy institutes, which reinforce a holistic, student‑centered approach across campuses. (Upper Primary counseling: L175-L179; Campus facilities and support spaces: L210-L211; Professional learning references: L44-L52, L68-L76)

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Wellbeing is integrated through chapels and faith development opportunities, as well as in‑class and school‑wide routines that support social and emotional growth. The Upper Primary includes a dedicated dining hall, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, and multiple spaces for physical education and recreation, all contributing to student health and wellness. Camp experiences and a structured after‑school activities program support balanced student life across both Primary levels. (Chapels: L179-L181; Dining hall and wellbeing spaces: L246-L251; Camp and ASA: L153-L161, L186-L190)

Language Provision

Mandarin is compulsory from Reception 1 through Grade 5. In Middle and High School, students may choose Mandarin or Spanish as the modern language. HKIS offers a Primary Dual Language Immersion pathway with 50% English and 50% Chinese instruction starting in Reception 1 and continuing through Grade 5. The DLI program uses Simplified Chinese characters.

Bilingual Teaching

The HKIS Primary Dual Language Immersion (DLI) pathway is offered in the Primary division. The program delivers academic content approximately 50% in English and 50% in Chinese within homeroom classes. It starts in Reception 1 and continues through Grade 5, with two Reception 1 classes piloted in the 2025-26 school year. In the DLI model, instruction involves alternating days in Chinese and English, and Simplified Chinese characters are used in DLI.

Immersion Programs

The HKIS Dual Language Immersion (DLI) pathway is the immersion program within the Primary division. It provides a balanced 50/50 model with English and Chinese instruction, led by two homeroom teachers who rotate days. The DLI pathway begins in Reception 1 and continues through Grade 5, after which students join the Middle School mainstream pathway according to proficiency. The program uses Simplified Chinese characters in DLI.

Awards

HKIS wins in Experiential Learning at the GBA School Awards 2025
HKIS’ Upper Primary Hydroponic Farm program was honored for its hands-on, real-world experiential learning.

HK Business Awards – National Business Award 2022
Recognizes organizations in Hong Kong for excellence in business operations and contributions to the wider community.

HKIS Homepage wins Silver at InspirED Brilliance Awards 2024
The school’s website homepage was recognized for its design and user experience.

HKIS wins Gold at the 2024 Trusted Brands Award
HKIS was awarded Gold for being trusted by consumers/parents in Hong Kong’s education sector.

HKIS wins Best Facilities Story in 2024 School Stories Awards
The planned Student Activity Center (SAC) was the subject of this recognition, highlighting the school’s facility development narrative.

CASE Circle of Excellence Awards 2025
In 2025, HKIS earned Bronze in Data & Analytics (Annual Giving Dashboard), Bronze in Institutional Website (“The Story of HKIS”), and Silver in Promotional Video (“The Story of the Ribbon”). This recognizes excellence in communications, marketing, and institutional advancement.

Great Place to Work® Certification (multiple years)
Based on anonymous staff survey data, this certification recognizes HKIS for maintaining a positive and supportive workplace culture.

Accreditations

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
HKIS is fully accredited by WASC, a U.S.-based accrediting body that ensures schools meet recognized standards of quality in teaching, learning, and governance.

East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
HKIS is a member of EARCOS, a professional association of international schools in East Asia that promotes networking, professional development, and shared standards.

Admissions

1. Pre-Registration
Prospective parents begin by filling out the pre-registration form on the HKIS portal. This step creates an account that allows families to manage their application and upload documents.

2. Application Submission
Once registered, families complete the online application forms. This includes entering student details, educational background, and paying the required application fee.

3. Supporting Documents & Pre-Entry Testing
Families submit supporting documents such as school reports, teacher recommendations, and identification records. Students may also be scheduled for pre-entry testing or assessments, depending on grade level.

4. Admissions Decision
After review, families are notified of the admissions decision. Successful applicants are offered places, and families confirm enrollment by paying the acceptance fee and capital levy.

Scholarships

HKIS offers the Black Kite Scholarship, a merit-based award recognizing students who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership, and personal qualities. The scholarship covers tuition costs and is open to new applicants meeting the eligibility requirements. Selection is competitive, and recipients are expected to contribute positively to the school community.

Waitlist

HKIS operates a wait pool rather than a numbered waitlist. Applicants who meet admissions criteria but cannot be offered a place immediately are placed in a pool for their grade. When spaces open, the admissions office reviews all students in the pool holistically, considering a range of factors rather than admitting based strictly on application date.

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Mulberry House International Kindergarten - Central Campus

Instructs in English, Mandarin

Ages 6 months - 6 years

Pupils 224

Type Co-educational

Mulberry House International Kindergarten’s Central Campus offers a Mandarin immersion playgroup and enrichment programme for children from 6 months to 12 years, located in Universal Trade Centre on Caine Road in Central. Children learn in a Mandarin-speaking environment, with programmes linked to the wider Mulberry House dual-language curriculum, which is underpinned by the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The school emphasises inquiry-based, play-rich experiences through activities such as sensory play, music and rhymes, dramatic storytelling, and S.T.E.A.M. projects. Central-specific enrichment includes Language Arts in English and Mandarin, Musical Theatre, arts, and sports options like Little Movers, Ballet, Jazz, and Multi-Sports. Families access the campus easily from Central MTR Station (D2 Exit) or nearby bus routes, with hourly parking in the same building. The Central team includes experienced early childhood educators and a campus School Manager, supported by the broader Mulberry House bilingual education group founded in 2015.