Coming back to HK from USA

pinkrose

Dear all moms,

We are planning to come back to HK from USA and  looking for an International School for my child as her Cantonese is not that good.   Also, most important, I don't think she could get used to the local school system.

She is holding a  USA passport and is studying at elementary / primary school in the USA.  We'd like to see which school  she could get in, before we choose where to live in HK.

  (1) If we relocate back to HK, any good international schools suggested ? We do not prefer the British system, as it is very different from the US system.

(2) What is the procedure of applying for the International school.  Can we come back to HK during summer school holiday and  get a tour of the school ?

(3)  What's the difference between ESF and other International schools ?

Many thanks for your precious advices !

p.s  :  
Please give me the full name of the schools as well, as sometimes I don't know what the abbreviations
stand for.  Thanks a lot !

emmamay

You can apply Hong Kong International School since it is having US system. Your child will be in top priority. 'cause you are applying from overseas.  All the overseas applications will jump over the local one.I heard that one of the case is a US family applied in May, But the child still got accepted in the following August(school beginning). The school may keep some place for those late overseas application.
Also I applied the school for my son in February two years ago. We were living in overseas at that time and we had to move back to Hong Kong. It was a short notice from my husband' s company.
I was so worried that my son could not get a place in any int'l school in Hong Kong, considering of a long waiting list. But now I understand if you apply from overseas, You will be in top priority. It also happened like that when I applied the ESF school. But they let me know the offering too late(at the end of July). HKIS offered my son at the end of April  and we had to pay the 1st semester school fee in May.

pinkrose

Hi  emmamay  ,

Thank you very much for your advices

! It definitely helps a lot for me considering the long waiting list.

(1) Do you know whether American International School at Kowloon Tong is good or not ?

(2) What's the main difference between ESF schools and non-ESF international schools ?

(3) Is ESF schools better than non-ESF schools ?

Many Thanks !!

emmamay

Dear pinkrose
I have no idea about that American Int'l School in Kowloon Tong. I am not sure is it in a mainstream int'l school.If you get a chance coming to Hong Kong, call all the schools that you are interested for a tour, so you'll have a better idea.

The  ESF school is having a British system. Their school fee is more affordable comparing with other IS, that's why it is popular among the middle class in Hong Kong. For myself, I don't think it is a matter whether a US or British systerm, as long as it's a good school, and if your child likes it or not. But I am not sure how old is your child, I feel like younger  child can adapt in a new school easier.

emmamay

BY the way , Pinkrose, I cannot answer your question (3).There are some outstanding students in ESF, Chinese Int'l School, German Swiss School, Hong Kong Int'l School. Just because of different family has differnet value, and we will make our choice of what we think it suites our child the best.
The Q3 is always a big argument in Baby Kingdom.

sophia1201

Hi pinkrose,

  International Christian School, American Int'l School and HK int'l school should be the only 3 that adopts US curriculum in HK.   ESF is moving from UK curriculum to IB, as well as some other int'l schools.   The difference between ESF vs other schools is that ESF is gov't subsidized so it's slightly cheaper. Regarding AIS there's basically zero discussion here probably not much Chinese studies there.  hope it helps~

pinkrose

Hi Sophia 1201,

Thanks very much for answering Question 3 for me !!  
Now, it's easier for me to do a school search.

pinkrose

Hi Sophia 1201,

Thanks very much for answering Question 3 to me !!
Now, it's easier for me to do a school search.

pinkrose

Hi emmamay,


Thanks for sharing your experiences !  
Yes, I agree that kids adapt to new things quite fast.    What I concern is there is big differences in words using and spelling  for US & UK.



e.g  
Torch vs Flash Light
Lorry  vs Truck
Take Away vs To Go
Biscuit  vs  Cracker


theatre vs theater
colour  vs color

emmamay

Dear Pinkrose,
Don't underestimate your child. I don't think it's a big problem. You just worry too much.

rainbowbb

It seems that the reputation of AIS is not as good as otheIS

googagi

If money is not a concern, Hong Kong International School is probably the best choice. Their curriculum is the same as that in US.

dunkser

Hi Pinkrose,
we just came back from the states too!
I'm now (still) looking for a school for Joshua,
is American International School better or CAIS better ?

dunkser

原文章由 christf 於 07-9-14 16:39 硐表
CAIS - only the point of student dicipline is justified to choose CAIS over American International School

so academically AIS is better?

YOSASHTO

原文章由 pinkrose 於 07-9-14 13:17 硐表
Hi emmamay,


Thanks for sharing your experiences !  
Yes, I agree that kids adapt to new things quite fast.    What I concern is there is big differences in words using and spelling  for US & UK.

...

I feel there are bigger differences than just choice of words and spellings.  The teaching styles are quite different also.  There are pros and cons to both, and depending on how old your daughter is, this difference in teaching styles may or may not affect her.  Another factor is, if she is in a upper primary or middle school, the curriculum may be quite different already.

About HKIS, I heard that there are 3 queues.  The highest priority are Americans, especially those applying from overseas - which is your case.  Next are those with corporate debentures and those who cannot attend local schools - i.e. non-American expats already in HK.  The third category are all the other applicants.  So, judging from this, you should have no problems getting into HKIS, provided your daughter meets the academic requirements during the interview.  I know they are very strict about the academic standards because last year they interviewed a pair of siblings, and rejected one because she did not meet the requirements.  At the end, the parents decided to send both kids to another school together.

I suggest that you contact them as far ahead of time as possible and ask about the vacancies for your grade level.  Even if they cannot tell you the number of vacant spots, they should be able to tell you how many kids are on the waiting list in front of you.  All information you will need are on http://www.hkis.edu.hk.  They even have online application now.

googagi

You have a good chance of getting in HKIS without an interview since you are still in the States. Just provide the transcript and all relevant documents. They will accomodate Americans who comes to Hong Kong. The tuition fee is almost HK$13,000 x 10 months. The chance of getting a debenture is very slim. There is a super long waiting list. Upper Primary or Lower Primary kids are very relax, not much homework. Yet, they learned a lot. Very good school. Kids from the States would love it. The curriculum is very similar to that in US.

pinkrose

Hi Dunkser,

I'm sorry, I don't have an idea whether AIS or CAIS is better, as I'm also asking the other moms's opinions.

If you're looking for US system, according to what Sophia 1201 said in the previous thread,  there are only 3 schools :  HK Int'l School, AIS and International Christian School.   If you don't mind the system,  ESF schools have gov't subsidisies, so it's more affordable than other internationsl schools.

pinkrose

Hi Googagi,

Thank you very much for telling me about HK International School's tuition fees and debenture system !
Previously, I looked up their website and couldn't find their tuition fees.  
I heard about the long wait  list and the high price of the debentures of the international schools.  Fortunately, you guys told me more about these, so that I'd apply from USA.