Change schools to HKIS

I am from CA and my kids are 5 an 6 years of age. They attend a ESF School now but I am not happy with the education system, at this point I would like to change them HKIS. Where I come from all schools in the area are free and you just register. Well, its not so simple here. Firstly, what is a debenture system? I need two debentures since I would have two kids going to school there? Do I buy debentures from the school or from other areas? Please explain.

You do not have to buy a debenture to attend HKIS. Debentures are actually very limited and most are held by corporations to ensure priority for their employees' kids. If you do not have a debenture, then one pays an additional fee each year over the regular tuition. Details are on the HKIS website.


A debenture will give you priority, however, if your kids pass the assessment and there is an available space, then you will still be able to attend. If no space is available, the child will be put on a waitlist, and you need to follow-up until you receive a space.


There is a sibling rule, which means any student that has a sibling has priority over other applicants excluding debentures. This means that once you get one child a space, the other will usually follow quickly.


There is no "rule" for Americans, however, the school likes to maintain a balanced student population and thus this helps your chances, especially in a year of many departures. HKIS has a high turnover due to the expat numbers, and even when your chances look low, the situation can change over night. Many applicants get called days before the new term begins.


If you want to attend, just put in an application and wait to be called for interview.

Getting an interview is easy but getting a space isn't. My friend's two kids have had two interviews so far and they have passed them both. But there is no space available. I think she applied a year ago. They are 5 and 9 years old. She also knows people with debentures who are still on the wait list.


She told me today that 95% of kids are returning back after summer and the wait list is at 850 kids!!


I wouldn't take your kids out of their current school until you secure a space for your kids at HKIS.