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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. Prepare Documents and Apply Online
Parents must first prepare the required documents, including a passport-sized photo, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and the most recent school report. Applications must be submitted through Kingston’s online application system, which collects personal, family, and academic information.
2. Application Review
Once submitted, the admissions team reviews the application and may contact parents for additional details if needed. When a space becomes available in the requested grade, the child will be invited for an interview and assessment.
3. Interview and Assessment
All applicants complete assessments in English, Mathematics, and Putonghua (Mandarin), including oral components in both languages. For Year 1, interviews take place in November and December of the year before entry, and if necessary again in May. These focus on oral skills, social skills, and fine motor skills.
4. Application Outcome
Following the interview, parents receive a written notification of the result — accepted, wait-listed, or not accepted. Offers must be accepted and confirmed within the timeframe stated in the school’s notification.
5. Payment of Application Fee
A non-refundable and non-transferable online application fee of HKD 500 is required at submission. This fee covers administrative and e-payment processing costs. Children moving from Kingston International Kindergarten (4-year-old class) to Year 1 are exempt from this fee.
6. Withdrawal Terms
Parents withdrawing a child must provide three full calendar months’ written notice (delivered in person). The summer vacation does not count toward this notice period, and full fees are charged for the three months following notice.
The school states that after the interview and assessment, parents will be notified in writing of the child’s outcome: accepted, wait-listed or not accepted. The wording emphasises that placement is “subject to space availability in the grade level applied for”. The school does not publish detailed criteria for how wait-listed candidates are selected, how long they may remain on the list, or what priority is given to siblings or other criteria.
The school does not publicly disclose any scholarships, bursaries, or financial-aid programmes for Lower Primary students.
Kingston International School’s Upper Primary is a bilingual IB Primary Years Programme delivered in English and Putonghua, using traditional Chinese characters. Classes are small, with a stated maximum of two teachers to 22 students, and learning spans language, mathematics, social studies, science, arts, and PSPE through a transdisciplinary programme. Students take part in performances, including a Year 6 musical, and have opportunities to join Choir and Orchestra. Service is encouraged through the Kingston Environmental Group, which leads sustainability initiatives across both primary campuses. Sport is part of the routine with PE twice per 6-day cycle, an annual Sports Day, and school teams. Upper Primary is led by Principal John Harper, and the campus is located at 105 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong.
