Posted by
xpine
18 yrs ago
We are about to move back to HK (we've been living in the States for about 5 years). Our kids will be entering 4th and 6th grades in August (in the American system). Both are gifted and have been lucky enough to be in a school that pulls them out 1-2 hours a day for instruction at a level 2 years above their peers.
I am looking for some insights into HKA vs. HKIS. HKIS offers better facilities and classes, but they don't seem to have the flexibiilty, or will, to accomodate our kids. HKA seems lovely and flexible, but are the limited facilities a problem?
Also, if we turn HKIS down now, could we reapply when they get to high school, since HKA doesn't go that far up?
Thanks for any input!
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HKA is solid for primary school, I think. We have also looked there and have friends who attend there with mixed reviews. I do not think I would send a gifted older child to such an unestablished school. Ask around about their reputation. You are certainly better off with HKIS for your older child, as they have a lot more to offer.
You may also have a difficult time getting in later on if you choose not to go now.
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ltxhk
18 yrs ago
The small class sizes and individual attention are ideal for early primary through about grade 4/ 5. After this point, the school has neither the resources nor curriculum to support either strugglers or high achievers. A gifted child will have far more extension and development opportunities at either HKIS or ESF secondary schools which start from Grade 6 USA system.
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I'm not familiar with the acronyms for the myriad schools in HK, but have you looked at the Australian International School? Truly, for you, high school is just around the corner and classes will be differentiated by level anyway. I suggest you visit the schools and notice the flavor in terms of how it feels, how the classrooms seem to be run, how pressured the students appear, how much the school emphasizes things that may be important to you (community service, sports, social activities, whatever), and also take a close look at where their graduates attend university. Plan on half a day at each school, attend some classes, eat lunch in the school cafeteria, and try to talk to some parents who send kids there. The children in some of the schools are also very much into the expat lifestyle and social scene, so beware of that.
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xpine
18 yrs ago
Thanks to all of you. My kids attended Kellett when we lived in HK before- I was very pleased with it, but now they are too old; I was just in HK a few months ago and visited many schools. I prefer to have them go to school on the Island, and have narrowed it down to HKIS and HKA. They did not get into the Canadian school since they couldn't come take the test in January; and the GIS, CIS and FIS all require local tests which we couldn't not do from the States.
Do you have kids at either school, and if so, what year? I'm interested if you know someone who turned HKIS down initially and then tried in a few years and could not get in, or is that just a concern.
I appreciate your information - I'm really trying to get specific.
Thanks!
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Good secondary/high school places are few and far between. My advice to you would be to choose a Primary School that has either an affiliation with a Middle & High School or one that has one on the same campas. You may find yourself in a position without a place otherwise, which has been the case with many recently with some parents left with only option of boarding school or relocation.
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ltxhk
18 yrs ago
I agree with Newbie; unless you have a corporate debenture for HKIS, one can not be sure of the places in the future. All international schools are in demand, and HKIS only has a lot of excess places when the HK economy is down. Your Grade 6 child is considered middle/ secondary school, and would definitely have more opportunities in a school that offers differentiated levels, such as HKIS. My child attended HKA through grade 6, and if to choose again, we would move after grade 5.
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I just met someone last evening who pulled her son out of HKA, as he was not getting what he needed academically. I know some friends with younger children who love it.
I was thinking- Have you considered Chinese International School? Your gifted child may be challenged at a school such as that.
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Hi - going to high jack this thread, sorry.
We are moving to Hong Kong, just found out last week, so very late to find places for schools. The more I read on the net regarding schools and placement the more anxious I get. Our children are entering KG2 and grade 4, company has debentuers but are all currently being used at HKIS (to be honest this is the school I was told was the best and thought this is where my children would go), am coming on a look/see on May 27 to look for schools and housing. I feel like I am having to take what is available for schooling and this is making me sick. Am I being stupid? I know HK schools are great and there are other options, but I cannot get a definite answer from anyone as a direction in which we should look. What is HKA? We are American and would prefer that curriculum, but changing to another would be ok if we have to.
Our children are grade level learners. One fantastic reader, the other a math guru!
I have lived abroad for 10 years, 4 countries, and have never felt this uneasy about a move before.
Sorry for the rant but am just not coping well with this one. I am normally a grounded, sane individual. Yesterday I decided to throw my PC away, then today I have decieded to keep it. LOL!
Thanks for any advise!
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OK, breathe................ Please calm down Xpatwife and let's assess the situation. Yes, HKIS IS a good school, but if there are no places, you will have to consider other options. If the company has offered debentures, would they be willing to supply them for other international schools? GSIS, FIS and the Australian Int'l school all have good reputations. Failing that, you have the ESF system (although, if you scroll through these sites, you'll realise their politics leave a lot to be answered for). Academically, Hong Kong has some excellent schools and it really isn't a case of one standing out well above the rest. Good luck....and remember to breathe...........
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ltxhk
18 yrs ago
If you are looking for more of a North American style education, you could also consider the Canadian International School. They are following an IB format for even the primary years, but the school is well-grounded in basics of good Canadian and American schools. The Canadian Int'l School is well-known for their quality Chinese program, however, there are different paths available for the diverse backgrounds.
ESF also has good primary schools, which feed into secondary. Perhaps there are some big politics over the system, but this is true at all public-funded schools. You will not find your children affected in the classroom.
There are other good private schools available, and if your company has debentures, your priority will be high.
BTW, you can gain entry to HKIS without a debenture, as long as there is a non-debenture space available in the year. Without a debenture, the school fees would be higher.
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Marieantoinette - Ok, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Just needed to see in black and white that there are other perfectly fine options. Thanks.
What are ESF schools? I have done a search and cannot find much info about the type of schools they are. Are they local schools?
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No, ESF stands for English Schools Foundation and was mainly set up for English speaking kids overseas. It's a private organization with government subsidies. Junior schools follow the British curriculum and secondaries do GCSEs followed by the IB system in yrs 12 & 13 (your 11 & 12 in the US I believe).
As itxhk does say, the problems ESF are having do not seem to affect the kids and overall they have consistently good exam results.
I'm sure more people will come forward and top up, maybe even amend the info I've given, but the bottom line is yes, there are other options and hopefully when you come out you'll be able to get a feel for the right one for you.
Sleep well tonight.......
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Wow, so many considerations. For a 2nd and 4th grader, definitely breathe! Though for for 6th grader, high school is just around the corner. My kids gifted magnet was highly differentiated with an entirely distinct curriculum by 6th grade which fed straight into the high school program. For differentiated, gifted ed, I think you really need to look, and take a hard thought about what differentiation is and what you are looking for. The last thing a gifted child needs, IMO, is to be loaded up with busy work or just given "more" material that does nothing to picque the imagination or add serious depth to the study. Plus, a gifted child might suffer under the weight of a system focused on memorization and compliance as opposed to education that focuses on inquiry, creativity, and resourcefulness. I'd personally be visiting and looking at classroom style and also talk with administrators in person to get a feel for attitude toward differentiation in practice. Would they consider distance learning, such as EPGY, if they didn't offer something already appropriate? Because to have any differentiation at all, a school either has to be big enough to support a class or else small enough to do one on one. My kid tells me to suggest 1st HKIS and then AIHK. But overall I bet average education here is better than average other places, and both of you do always have next year if you find a mistake has been made.
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Asked and researched alot about Kingston International School. IB programme, excellent facilities and campuses, no complaints from students or parents... EXCEPT how expensive it is. Other than that, positive feedback about this school only... the students are well mannered, teachers a great, programme is excellent, strong mandarin and english, really considering to send my little one there... he's just 18 months... thinking ahead.
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Dont. Everything is tiny there!
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What's tiny ? Are you talking about the kindergarten campus? The other campus is HUGE !
Can you be more specific?
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