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The standard of education and schools in Hong Kong is high. While public schools are well regarded academically, the curriculum is mainly taught in Cantonese. This can be a dealbreaker for some families, especially those staying only a short time or those whose children are too old to pick up the language quickly.
Another concern parents may have about public schooling in Hong Kong is its reputation for rote learning. The government has considerably reformed the curriculum in recent years, so the system is now more modern and well rounded.
To ease the move, most expat families enrol their children in private international schools instead. Because Hong Kong is so international, expat children have plenty of schools and English-speaking teachers to choose from.
Public schools in Hong Kong
The government fully funds public schools in Hong Kong and offers free education to all children. It has also introduced language and cultural support programmes for non-Chinese-speaking children, which are most effective when a child is young enough to pick up the language quickly. Older children have less of that head start, so picking up the language can take them longer.
Education in Hong Kong is compulsory from primary school to junior secondary school, although most students complete senior secondary school too. The system is divided into four stages:
- Kindergarten (ages 3 to 6)
- Primary (ages 6 to 12)
- Junior secondary (ages 12 to 15)
- Senior secondary (ages 15 to 18)
Families settling in Hong Kong for the long haul can benefit from the cultural integration that local schools offer. Most expats still choose international schools, though, particularly those on a limited-term assignment.
Useful links
International schools in Hong Kong
Many international schools in Hong Kong teach the curriculum of their founding country, or an internationally recognised programme such as the International Baccalaureate. American and British curricula are the most common, but you will also find schools following the Canadian, French, German, and Japanese systems.
Fees are typically high, and families whose relocation package does not include a school allowance can find them a real stretch. Demand is high, so securing a place can be tricky, especially for children arriving mid-year or beyond kindergarten age.
English Schools Foundation
Some expat families enrol in schools run by the English Schools Foundation (ESF), which operates more than 20 international schools across Hong Kong. All of them follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum. ESF schools have traditionally been cheaper than other international schools, thanks to a government subsidy that is now being phased out, so the price gap is narrowing. They are not academically selective, and admission is not tied to where you live, so getting a place is more straightforward than elsewhere, although waiting lists can still be long.
International Schools in Hong Kong
Special educational needs in Hong Kong
International schools differ sharply in how they handle special educational needs in Hong Kong. Some cater only for mild learning difficulties, while others run more extensive support systems for a wider range of needs. A few try to keep children with additional needs in mainstream classes where possible, while others admit only pupils with special educational needs.
Expat parents who want quality provision should take time to research their options. The aim is a genuine fit between school and child, so look for somewhere with the right experience and resources to meet your child’s particular needs. Local special needs associations are a good place to gather recommendations and get to grips with the system.
Specialist providers include the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, an ESF-run, English-medium special school for school-age children with more complex needs. Alongside it, several local charities run early intervention centres that carry out assessments and provide therapies for younger children.
Useful links
Homeschooling in Hong Kong
The laws around homeschooling in Hong Kong are vague, but families who plan to homeschool are generally expected to notify the Hong Kong Education Bureau first. The Bureau assesses each case individually and may ask parents for a detailed education plan covering their aims, teaching methods, how they will assess progress, and their own suitability to teach. Several local homeschooling groups can point you in the right direction.
Useful links
Tutors in Hong Kong
Plenty of families hire tutors in Hong Kong, where schooling is intensely competitive. More than half of the city’s secondary students take private tutoring, and among those in their final year, the share is higher still, above 70 percent. A tutor can also help an expat child settle into an unfamiliar system.
You can hire a tutor for anything from general help with school subjects to keeping up a child’s mother tongue or building their Mandarin. Because their previous school covered different ground, expat children sometimes arrive behind in a subject or two, and a tutor is a good way to close the gap.
Tutoring here is big business, so you will be spoilt for choice. Research your options thoroughly before settling on anyone, and ask your child’s school for recommendations, as they can often suggest someone reliable. Larger tutoring groups include the i-Seven Education Center and British Tutors.