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Hong Kong
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
1. Determine eligibility and year level: Reception applicants must be 4 years old by 31 August of the entry year. The Reception programme is half-day, and there are 96 places available. Year placement is based on the applicant’s age and prior schooling. Families should review bilingual expectations, particularly in the Primary years.
2. Submit an online application: Parents complete the online application form and pay a non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,000. Additional documents, such as academic reports and recommendations, may be requested, especially for Secondary applicants.
3. Attend assessments or observations: Reception applicants take part in observation sessions, while Primary and Secondary applicants complete entrance assessments. An additional non-refundable assessment fee applies: HKD 2,500 for Primary and HKD 2,000 for Secondary. Secondary applicants may also be invited for interviews.
4. Notification of results: Offers for Reception are usually sent by mid-March. Secondary applicants are notified several weeks after assessments. Some applicants may be placed on a reserve list, depending on the availability of places.
5. Acceptance and enrolment: To confirm a place, families must pay a HKD 150,000 reservation deposit, which includes the Annual Capital Levy for the first year. The remaining balance is offset against tuition and annual fees. Some offers may be conditional, for example, requiring confirmation of a Hong Kong visa or right of abode.
CIS maintains a reserve list for each year group, which functions as a pool system. The reserve list is not ranked. When a place becomes available, the school reviews candidates in the pool and selects the student who best complements the available space in that year group.
CIS offers financial aid beginning from Year 8 onwards. This aid is available to new students who demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements. The aid applies to tuition fees, and families must apply directly through the school’s admissions office for consideration. The school does not publish details of merit-based scholarships or awards beyond this financial aid provision.
Chinese International School (CIS) is a bilingual Reception–Year 13 school on Braemar Hill, Hong Kong. Primary students learn in English and Chinese (Mandarin) with equal time in both languages, while Secondary instruction is primarily in English with Mandarin required at differentiated levels. The curriculum progresses from IB MYP in Years 7–9, to a school-developed programme in Years 10–11, and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13. A distinctive feature is CIS Hangzhou, a required year-long residential programme for Year 10 that deepens language, cultural understanding, and service through experiential learning. The school enrols 1,500+ students and offers extensive co-curricular activities across Arts, Sports, and Service, including a weekly Service Programme led by Year 12 students. CIS operates a “Busing for All” policy for Years 3–11 to reduce congestion and emissions.
