Kellett's Middle School.....

I know it's difficult to get in, but we are considering applying to Kellett for our child who will be in either 6th or 7th grade next year. We like the English Curriculum, but our child is American/Canadian. Do you find the children at Kellett accepting of newcomers/Americans or Canadians? Is the environment academic but welcoming of the children? Is Kellett's MS doing well? I know it's new, but I like that it is small. How is the workload? How much homework could I expect? Is there any time for dialogue about social issues like bullying, etc. Does Kellett have any stats on how its students are doing?I'd be so grateful for any advice!!

There is no Middle School. Only Primary to Yr 6 then Lower School year 7 & 8 only.

In the states, Middle School is Year 6-8, so it's just a different way to say it.

You may be wasting your time considering a school that will only take your child to year 8 unless you will only be in HK for that time. Seems a bit pointless to pay a debenture for just such a short time and then have to unsettle your child by moving them to another school to start all over again in year 9.

My understanding is that they are expanding and adding a grade until they expand through grade 12.

Don't count on it, they haven't got a building yet.

For over 20 years Kellett has been a primary school, with graduates going onwards to either ESF or boarding school. It just started a lower secondary (or middle school) in the past year or two. With the advent of post-primary, Kellett kids no longer have automatic rights into ESF. Y7 applicants to ESF will be prioritized near to the bottom since Kellett can offer further education. Students whose families will only be in HK for lower secondary or are planning to attend boarding school from yr 9 are staying on. Otherwise, most still prefer to move to ESF since it is far more diverse and offers many academic and extra curricular opportunities.


You are looking at many schools, and unless you are in HK for only 2 years, you should really consider a school that can take you to diploma and will be recognized by Universities in either USA or Canada. ESF/ Canadian/ HKIS are all known, and all have good outcomes. Middle school is a tough time to move and there is often a transition period even if in the same state let alone country. A smaller school may soften the blow on this point, but will not necessarily prepare the kid for another transition.


As a very general comment.....

1) HKIS --- American style and similar to a USA middle/ high school including all the pluses and minuses. Predominantly American/Canadian or HK Chinese elitist (due to expense); but there are many other nationalities from Asia and the rest of the world. So many kids come and go, that new comers can settle in within a few months.

2) Canadian ---- demographics of upper and lower schools are not exactly the same. Upper (ie middle and above) is mostly HK Chinese though many have Canadian or USA passports. Maybe 15% xpat from USA/ Canada/ Australia/ Asia/ other. Much more disciplined than HKIS with less overall "teenage" problems, and offering Canadian and IB diplomas. Movement among the expats but not much among the Chinese, so kids have often been friends since 5 years old.

3) ESF: the most diverse of the 3 options with nationalities from around the world, including Chinese. Each school varies, but much more movement than Canadian, but far less compared to HKIS since many long-term xpats attend ESF schools. Kids entering Y7 (grade 6) will find it easy to integrate since schools merge at this point, and there are tons of programmes to encourage team building etc.

Thanks for the insights! That was very helpful indeed. Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I don't know who to ask, so i appreciate it!

I am not sure but I thought Kellet was moving into a secondary school. Don't know tho. Do you know if there is any ranking system for the schools which gives grades to them or is there a consensus on which one might be the most academic or do u think they are all good choices? Is ESF a British system?Would it compare academically to HKIS and CDNIS? At the Canadian school, are there more expats in the primary or lower school than there are in the upper school?

There is no ranking system for the international schools since they all offer different programmes and curriculums. Many are very, very good and far above the "average" public school in either Canada or the USA. Major consideration is what suits your child best, and which system you feel comfortable with. USA/ Canadian universities easily accept kids from any of these schools. The exceptions would be Kellet or HKA since their secondary schools are unknown.


There are so many opinions on the schools, but for many longterm families --- who may make decisions differently than short-term postings ----- here are some very broad answers:

1) HKIS is academic for the top group of students with AP offerings and differentiated classes. The more casual approach often does not suit many kids in the tough teen years, and many long-term families send the kids to boarding school to improve college prospects (and discipline).

2)CDNIS has more expats in the lower school than the upper school. As the families move on, there are not many xfers into CDNIS from xpats in the upper school; but they say this is changing. IB is new to CDNIS and is a significant curriculum shift for a previously non-test oriented school. Less differentiated education compared to HKIS and ESF.

3) ESF- they were the colonial British schools, but have moved to a very international curriculum. The secondary school is more disciplined and driven than HKIS so a wider range of students are very successful. Students will take IGCSE at end of Year 11 (grade 10) and complete Year 13 (grade 12) with IB exams.


The elite schools in the USA have moved to AP as standard and also subject tests in SAT. IB is considered the equivalent and for many better. Most kids with good IB grades will get at least 1/2 year of credit at N.american University. Whether at HKIS, Canadian, ESF.... kids will have a good academic background upon graduation.


You should visit each school and see what they are like.

You've been very helpful. thank you. You sound like you are a teacher or at least are just very knowledgeable. Our child is currently at a small school but want something larger for HS. as for HKIS, I've heard some people say the kids are spoiled, have attitudes and that there are some drugs and smoking. Is that what you mean by discipline? As for CDNIS, i heard it's hard to fit in as many of the kids have gone to school together since primary.

Since all the schools sound good, do you know which ones the children like going to and which don't have too many social problems like bullying, etc.I'd love to visit but it's tough to get in until September!!

sent you a pm

Let's not forget the French International School (FIS) International Section, which should rank up there with HKIS and CDNIS. Education is in English.


From what I have HEARD:

- HKIS. Academically very good. Religious affiliation may be a deal breaker for some. I have also heard of discipline issues.

- CDNIS. Strong Chinese presence in the student body. Academically very strong. Strong Mandarin program. IB + Ontario diploma.

- FIS International. Very mixed student body. Academically very strong based on British curriculum. Strong French program. - IB + GCSE.

- ESF. Academically a touch weaker than the rest but still a good school..


If the child has an IB diploma with good grades and speaks good English, getting into a US university shouldn't be a problem.




"Whether at HKIS, Canadian, ESF.... kids will have a good academic background upon graduation."


Indeed, and I would add FIS International.



"Major consideration is what suits your child best, and which system you feel comfortable with."


Agreed. I don't think any of the schools under discussion are bad. We are comparing between several good options.

Yes, we are comparing between many good options... but the considerations for primary and secondary schools are very different. From a "secondary" perspective, I really disagree that ESF is a weaker option than the other schools in particular compared to Canadian (CDNIS). We have experience with both.


On primary level, ESF does not offer as much breadth in their curriculum as HKIS, CDNIS, FIS, GSIS. All of these are involved in second and third language development along with some emphasis in the arts, sports or other. More breadth especially in language leads to a lot more homework at the primary levels, and the appearance of more academics. However, in the core primary subjects of reading, writing, maths, intro science and history.... ESF is more than holding its own, which can be seen at the secondary level.


ESF out-come results are at least equal to HKIS/ FIS/GSIS, and definitely superior to CDNIS (though a good school). This assumes that outcome is measured by quality University entrances, achievement on final outcome exams such as A-levels, IB, AP and SAT and overall depth of learning. ESF accomplishes this result with a "non-selective" intake unlike HKIS/ CDNIS/ FIS; truly outstanding considering any one capable in English may attend versus other schools who try to eliminate those not deemed as capable.


CDNIS .... a very good Mandarin programme, and my kids became capable under it. Also a strong emphasis on music. Kids who complete primary will be solid in all areas and still have the Mandarin. However, having kids who have moved to ESF secondary (not uncommon).... the ESF kids have just as good and usually a better foundation in the standard subjects especially English writing/ expression, science and even maths. Kids are switched from CDNIS to ESF (and sometimes to HKIS/ FIS/ GSIS) due to the perceived superior academics including breadth/ options at the ESF secondary schools and an active extra-curricular programme. ESF/ HKIS offer differentiated secondary courses with kids while CDNIS stays with an egalitarian system until the final years. One last appeal for many former CDNIS students is the diversity of the student body at ESF - truly international.


All the schools are good .... but there are differences.

One other thing I have heard is that CDNIS is very good at marketing, meaning they may be perceived as better than they are. Not that they are a bad school but they have a well oiled marketing machine.