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ICHK Kindergarten and Primary

Hong Kong

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees HK$25,170 - 145,110
Ages 2 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 400
Type Co-educational
Opened 1984
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Part of
ICHK
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages English, Mandarin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Performing Arts, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

International College Hong Kong – Hong Lok Yuen (ICHK HLY) is a kindergarten and primary campus in Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, serving around 400 students. The school follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and teaches in English, with daily Mandarin lessons using traditional characters. Distinctive for its outdoor learning, the campus sits in a green valley with a giant natural playing field, a mini-forest (Miyawaki method), and dedicated outdoor classrooms, used for activities such as shelter building, outdoor science and woodworking. Students join choir, drama and an annual musical, alongside gardening club, student council, sports, day trips and progressive camps in Years 3–6. Families use a school bus network across New Territories and beyond.

This campus is part of ICHK

3 Hong Lok Yuen 20th St, Hong Lok Yuen, Hong Kong

The Essentials

ICHK Kindergarten and Primary has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
International College Hong Kong – Hong Lok Yuen (ICHK HLY) is located in Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. The school is surrounded by greenery and is easily accessible by road, with school bus routes covering nearby areas. It sits about 30 minutes from central Kowloon and 40 minutes from Hong Kong Island.

Stages
ICHK Hong Lok Yuen offers education from Playgroup and Kindergarten through to Primary (Year 6). Students completing Year 6 progress to ICHK Secondary in Sha Tau Kok.

Type
The school is co-educational day school.

Additional learning support
ICHK HLY provides individualised support for students with additional learning needs through its Student Support team. This includes in-class assistance, differentiation, and collaboration between teachers, parents, and specialists to help every student participate fully in the IB Primary Years Programme.

Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.

Religious affiliation
ICHK HLY has no religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school day typically runs from around 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with scheduled morning and lunch breaks. Kindergarten hours may vary slightly for part-time and full-time options.

Bus service
A school bus service is available, operating multiple routes across Hong Kong, including Tai Po, New Territories, and Kowloon. The service is managed by an external provider in coordination with the school, and families can choose from morning and afternoon pick-up and drop-off options.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform – Kindergarten & Primary. All students wear the correct uniform items. Names should be written on all uniform items. School hats are essential. It is the discretion of families which uniform set to wear on any given school day. Formal uniform is provided by Uniform Station Ltd (online: hly.ufsonline.com.hk; store: 8/F China Pacific Industrial Building, Lai Chi Kok). PE uniform options are provided by Tsunami Sports (online: ichk.tsunami-sport.com). Second-hand uniform sales are run by the Parent Community Group (CEC) on site on selected dates.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by the Board of Governors of ICHK Hong Lok Yuen Kindergarten & Primary. The board includes a chair and multiple governors who oversee school governance and policy within the ICHK HLY framework.
Fees

Annual tuition at ICHK Kindergarten and Primary ranges from HKD 25,170 to HKD 145,110 for 2026/27.

Application and Assessment Fees

* *Application Charge:* HKD 1,850 per student
* *Assessment Interview Charge:* HKD 800 per student
These are non-refundable and paid when submitting the application and upon acceptance of an interview respectively.

Capital Levies

* *One-off Capital Levy:* HKD 75,000 per student (paid once upon enrolment)
* *Annual Capital Levy:* HKD 20,500 per student (payable each school year)
Funds support campus and facility upgrades through the school association.

Tuition Fees (non-refundable and non-transferable)

* *Pre-Nursery (3 afternoons per week):* HKD 25,170 per year (Autumn HKD 12,585 × 2 terms)
* *Part-time Nursery:* HKD 83,500 per year (Autumn HKD 33,400 + Spring HKD 25,050 + Summer HKD 25,050)
* *Full-time Nursery – Year 6:* HKD 145,110 per year (Autumn HKD 58,050 + Spring HKD 43,530 + Summer HKD 43,530)

Billing and Payment Terms
Fees are invoiced *termly* and must be paid by the date on each invoice. Fees may be prorated for mid-year starts but are not reduced for absences. A full term’s written notice is required for withdrawal.

Other Costs
Additional costs include school camps, uniforms, bus transport (paid directly to provider), and any individual learning support if required. The school lists an *EAL Intensive charge* of HKD 4,725 per month and *Special Needs Support Assistant* at HKD 300 per hour.

Refund and Payment Methods
All fees are non-refundable and payable in Hong Kong Dollars. Payments may be made by bank transfer; monthly plans can be arranged upon application to the Head of School.
Academics

ICHK Kindergarten and Primary teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 2 to 11.

Curriculum
The curriculum at International College Hong Kong – Hong Lok Yuen (ICHK HLY) follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), providing a framework for inquiry-based learning from Kindergarten to Year 6. Teaching is conducted in English, with daily Mandarin lessons using traditional Chinese characters. The programme emphasises the development of knowledge and skills across six transdisciplinary themes, connecting subjects such as language, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and personal, social and physical education. In the Early Years (Playgroup and Kindergarten), the curriculum focuses on play-based learning and early literacy and numeracy skills, supporting children’s transition into formal schooling. As part of a through-train system, Year 6 graduates typically continue to ICHK Secondary, where the IB Middle Years Programme begins. Outdoor education, sustainability projects, and creative arts are integrated throughout the primary years to enrich classroom learning.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The ICHK group embraces Positive Psychology and the PERMA model across its schools as a key framework for student well-being. Their “5+1 pastoral model” is used to structure emotional and social support, and all staff are trained in it.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school discloses that student support charges apply when individual support is needed. The school also states that it aims to be a “nurturing environment” in which all students “feel cared for and can flourish,” but it does not give a full public list of which SEN types are supported.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The provides EAL but does not, however, publicly detail the precise format or levels of that support (e.g. pull-out groups, class integration) on the ICHK (Primary) site.

Mental Wellbeing
ICHK describes that student well-being is “at the very centre of school life,” with structured staff training in well-being principles and models (like PERMA). The pastoral framework (5+1) is used to foster environments for emotional growth and resilience.

Safeguarding
International College Hong Kong – Hong Lok Yuen (ICHK HLY) states its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The school requires all staff and applicants to undergo child protection screening and background checks as part of its recruitment process. This reflects compliance with international safeguarding standards in education. However, the school does not publicly disclose detailed safeguarding or child protection policies, including specific reporting procedures or staff training information.
Parent Experience

History
International College Hong Kong – Hong Lok Yuen (ICHK HLY) was established on 14 September 1983, with its official opening on 28 January 1984. The school was founded by the Hong Lok Yuen International Learning Centre Association, later becoming part of the wider International College Hong Kong (ICHK) group of schools. Over the decades, it has evolved from a small community school into a member of the ICHK network, which includes ICHK Secondary in Sha Tau Kok. The school operates as a not-for-profit association, with funds reinvested into campus facilities and educational development.

Community
ICHK HLY describes itself as a close-knit, international community that values participation from students, staff, and families. The school regularly hosts events such as sports days, performances, arts showcases, and cultural celebrations to bring the community together. Outdoor learning days and environmental initiatives, such as the Miyawaki mini-forest project, also engage students in teamwork and sustainability. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in these activities through volunteering and support.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The ICHK HLY PTA plays an active role in strengthening connections between families and the school. It supports community events such as the annual Family Fun Day, seasonal celebrations, and fundraising activities that contribute to school projects and resources. The PTA also coordinates parent volunteers for excursions, library support, and school performances. It serves as a forum for communication between parents and the school’s leadership, helping to share feedback and foster collaboration. Through these initiatives, the PTA helps maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for both new and long-standing families.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ICHK HLY's facilities include a mix of indoor classrooms and expansive outdoor spaces for learning. Outdoor features include The Jungle Dome, Climbing Frame, Wobbly Footbridge and Floating Beam, Rhythmist, Imagination Playground, The Mini Forest, The Forest Classroom, The Woods, and The Fish Pond in The Woods, along with Kindy Front Garden and Kindy Back Garden. Indoor spaces include a Primary Classroom, a Library, and a Music Room. The campus also contains a Field for outdoor sports and a range of additional learning spaces that support hands-on exploration.

Sports Facilities
The Field is the main outdoor space for physical education and sports. The Jungle Dome is a listed facility on the campus. These spaces enable physical activity for students across age groups.

Academic Facilities
Primary Classroom is an instructional space on the campus. Library is available for independent study and research. Music Room supports music education. The Forest Classroom and The Woods are outdoor learning spaces used to enrich academic learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Beyond The Curriculum describes a wide range of activities outside the curriculum, including sport, creative writing, drama, and performing arts. School trips, camps, sporting competitions, musical productions, and exhibitions are part of extracurricular life. Primary years include visits to theatres, local businesses, and cultural sites. The school choir performs around Hong Kong, Year 6 stages a musical, and students in Year 6 take Trinity College London exams. A Student Council and gardening club exist, and the school participates in community service with The Home of Loving Faithfulness charity.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The International Primary School uses the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to develop a meaningful and engaging curriculum. Inquiry is central to learning, with a balance of child-initiated inquiry and teacher-guided experiences; units of inquiry encourage students to take action by making informed and sustainable choices. Daily Mandarin Chinese lessons are differentiated by ability, and units of inquiry foster understanding of self, other cultures and viewpoints; students are encouraged to take action on learning. The programme includes specialist music and visual arts, a strong PE programme (swimming, field games and individual pursuits), and daily outdoor learning; by the end of Year 6, students are prepared for secondary.

Arts & Creative
Students explore their creative talents through specialist music and visual arts lessons.

Cultural & Language
Daily Mandarin Chinese lessons are provided and differentiated by ability; Units of Inquiry foster understanding of self, other cultures and viewpoints.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Outdoor learning is central to the educational philosophy, with regular opportunities to learn and play outside every day. The PE programme includes swimming, field games and individual pursuits. Movement is essential for developing the whole child and supports classroom learning.
Languages

Language Provision
The school follows the IB Primary Years Programme and operates as a bilingual/multilingual learning environment. It provides one period of Chinese (Mandarin) per day, using Traditional Chinese characters. Mandarin instruction is differentiated by ability and is delivered within an overall inquiry-based curriculum that emphasizes language as a core component of learning. Staff are trained and certified in BML practices to support multilingual learners.

Bilingual Teaching
ICHK HLY Primary offers bilingual and multilingual education as part of a BML Smart School program. Mandarin Chinese is taught daily and is differentiated by ability. Traditional Chinese characters are used in teaching Chinese. The IB Primary Years Programme informs the curriculum, with language learning integrated into inquiry-based units.
Reputation

Awards
International School Awards 2023 (Hosted by ISC Research) – ICHK Hong Lok Yuen was named an Award Winner in 2023 by ISC Research, which recognises excellence and innovation in international education globally.

Accreditations
* IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) – The school is authorised by the *International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)* to deliver the PYP, an inquiry-based curriculum framework for students aged 3–12.
* ChildSafeguarding.com Recognised School – Recognised for completing accredited child protection and safeguarding training for staff, demonstrating a commitment to student safety and welfare.
* Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) Institutional Member – Membership in PESA connects the school to an international network of institutions applying positive education principles to enhance student well-being and learning environments.
* Council of International Schools (CIS) Member School – Membership in CIS signifies that the school aligns with international standards of quality assurance, ethics, and professional practice in education.
* Friends of the Forest Schools (FS) Network Member – Affiliation with this network supports the school’s forest and outdoor learning approach, encouraging hands-on exploration and environmental engagement.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit an Online Application
Families begin the admissions process by completing the online application form available on the ICHK Hong Lok Yuen (HLY) website. A non-refundable application fee of HKD 1,850 per student must be paid at the time of submission. Parents are required to upload supporting documents such as the child’s birth certificate, passport, and recent school reports.

2. Application Review and Assessment Invitation
Once the application is received, the admissions team reviews the documents and contacts eligible applicants to arrange an assessment interview. An Assessment Interview Charge of HKD 800 per student applies. The assessment aims to understand the child’s learning needs, readiness, and English language ability in line with the IB Primary Years Programme.

3. Interview and School Visit
Applicants and parents are invited to meet with the Head of School or relevant staff. For early years applicants, play-based sessions are used to observe interaction and development. Primary applicants may participate in classroom activities to assess communication and social engagement.

4. Offer of Placement
Successful applicants receive a formal offer letter from the school. To secure the place, parents must pay the One-off Capital Levy (HKD 75,000) and the first term’s tuition fee. Placement is confirmed only after payment and submission of all required documentation.

5. Orientation and Enrolment
Before the start of term, new families are invited to orientation sessions introducing the school community and daily routines. The Annual Capital Levy (HKD 20,500) is billed each school year. Parents also receive information about uniforms, transport, and communication channels.

Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose any scholarship or bursary programmes on its website. However, it notes that families experiencing financial difficulty in paying school fees may contact the Head of School in confidence to discuss potential arrangements or support.

Waitlist
ICHK Hong Lok Yuen does not publicly describe the use of a formal waitlist or pool system on its admissions pages. Placement availability is subject to class capacity at the time of application, and successful candidates are notified directly following assessment and review.
School Events
The school has not added events
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