CDNIS vs HKIS

I have to make a choice bet the Canadian Intl School and HKIS for my 5 yr old. Really confused so would appreciate any kind of feedback from the respective school's parents..


thanks a lot,

To start with, you should apply for both if you are interested in both. You are by no means guaranteed a place in either.



They are both high quality schools, no doubt.


- CDNIS has a very "corporate" vibe that (at least for me) is a big turn-off. Combined with their rather harsh assessment of even very small children, and the rumors about kicking out students who don't perform (as opposed to focusing extra on them), this made us not apply for our kids.

- HKIS has a strong religious component.

- Don't know if this is a factor, but HKIS costs more.



You could also consider French International. The International section is basically an English school. Also Kellett and Swiss German.

Atmosphere of the school is one consideration, but there are many other factors to weigh. If this is a short-term decision .... ie for just a few years.... and then you will move on, the two schools are probably more alike than different in the primary years. Big differences emerge in the secondary school philosophy especially in terms of discipline and social influences (CDNIS more disciplined and HKIS less).


On the "corporate" theme .... HKIS traditionally has a rep for this more than CDNIS, but many feel CDNIS is now following suit. Both are BIG schools.


If you are committed to Mandarin, then CDNIS has the vastly superior programme with maintaining about the same English/Maths etc achievement as HKIS. Due to the Mandarin, CDNIS has a much higher proportion of HK locals than HKIS, and considering the solid local base, CDNIS is less transitory than HKIS.


Both CDNIS and HKIS will provide "support" in the primary years for any students that have been accepted. Both have learning specialists. Of course being HK and very concerned about end results, BOTH schools have a tendency to "discard" less capable students in the final secondary years. Same situation exists at GSIS and FIS; the only through school without this mentality is ESF.


HKIS class sizes are smaller; about 20 in primary. While CDNIS class is usually 25. The primary years curriculum is very similar in almost all the international schools (excluding language), and so kids can easily transfer to most systems upto secondary. In secondary, HKIS will exclusively follow the USA curriculum and about 90% will go to USA/ Canadian university. CDNIS is following the IB and kids can easily attend university in Canada/ USA/ UK/ Europe.

thanks a lot everyone for ur inputs, just to clarify axptguy, she has got thru both the places so have to make a real choice bet selecting one school for her..

Congrats on getting it at both!


Whatever the choice, neither is in any way a "bad" school. They both have high quality education.

My kid goes to CDNIS and transferred there from CIS - she LOVES it. For me that is the most important thing. CIS was fine but gave too much homework and the school seemed obsessed by which uni she would apply to. I am not from HK so I don't care where she goes or what she does (unlike most HK parents I know) so I asked her if she wanted to try elsewhere, She has friends at CDNIS and when I visited I loved the place - seems like they have a lot of fun. The academics are solid with a good average IB score - not important to me but certainly to others. My daughter fell in love with the school - which is stunning - the LLAC in particular is amazing. She is now in Grade 11 and on the IB diploma - she works very hard as she wants to do well and I must say the support from her teachers, administrators and, in particular, her counsellors is incredible. Love the school. Most of the schools, well the international schools, seem great - both ESF and non-ESF - certainly far better than in my homeland. Ultimately it should be a choice of the students as to where they feel most welcome - and a word to the wise - success in life is not predicated on where you go to school, or university - it is down to drive and personality..just sayin'

i would say CDNIS is better than HKIS. I think to a lot of people, HKIS is just a school that will accept anyone with the money where CDNIS is more academically focused.


i think you can really see the difference betwee HKIS kids and CDNIS/ CIS kids when you come across some.

I am only voicing a fact as I cannot say which is better as my children have not been to both schools.


I know a lot of families whom have transferred from CDNIS to elsewhere due to the reason that the parent ambience was competitive, can tolerate, and on top of that, child was not enjoying school.


I do not know a family whom have transferred from HKIS but, however, I spoke to a mom who graduated there, talked to the school if it was the right choice for their child, school said, it has become so commercial to reply to the parent's pressure that it had changed. If they were thinking of the school that they ( both parents) have experienced, please send your child somewhere else.


I hear this often, that the international schools in HK, although they have a big goal educational wise, they have to bend from the pressure of parents, who are the ones that are paying the rent to stay the place.


Another tale I heard is non Chinese origin mothers of CIS are just so tired from the parent's competition rather than focusing on their child's well being.... The homework and tutoring, class meetings, etc.



What is going on with HK international schools?

Canadian high school credits are easily transferable and the certified diploma is widely accepted throughout the world. I'm not too sure about the HKIS, but I haven't heard much complaints about them either.


Pretty sure both schools make getting into university a priority. You should check out Shanghai expat, shanghai family, and chalksmart.com for more detailed information. It's hard to transfer into a different school after learning a certain curriculum, so make sure your decision is a sure thing!


Hope this helps,


A

Anyone can comments if FIS/ HKIS / CDNIS which one is better in terms of academic? Thanks