applying for shatin junior school

hello. I am going to move from U.S. to HK next year with my 4 years old daughter(will be 5 next year). According to SJS website, they accept children starting from age 5. So my daughter should start her school in SJS in August 2008. However,I heard there is long waiting list of enrollment so that I want to put her on the waiting early. It looks that the school website is changing and I did not find any information about application process. Anyone knows anything about this? Thanks much.

You need to submit an application to ESF head office if you're seeking admission to year 1. I don't think they're accepting applications for August 2008 yet but your daughter should have a fairly high priority as she is coming from overseas (ie she's not transferring from another school in HK) and if she's a native English speaker.


You can also take a look at ESF's website at www.esf.edu.hk for more information.

Application forms are on the esf website. By applying, you will be put on the waiting list. There is an application fee. She will fulfill the admission requirements if she is a native English speaker. I don't believe she gets higher priority coming from overseas. Their priority guideslines are listed on the ESF website. Priority doesn't guarantee a placement though. It just means you are higher up on the waiting list.


There is only 1 application form for all of the ESF schools. You will only be considered for Shatin Jr if you live in the catchment area. See the map. Actually, all the ESF schools are very good. I wouldn't get my heart set on just one school, especially when you aren't living here. There would be many schools that you could like. The first question is where are you going to live? Where can you AFFORD to live? Then, you'll find many good international schools in the area.


Also, if your company is sponsoring your move to HK, they'll be able to hold a place for your child by making a big payment (some call it a debenture). That means your company can BUY your child a spot i.e. bring her to the top of the queue--for a huge sum of money (non refundable).


By the way, the two newest ESF schools are Renaissance (in Ma On Shan) and Discovery Bay Private International School (in Discovery Bay). If you apply to these schools, you'll have a higher chance of getting in as they are new schools and are not operating at full enrollment yet. DBPIS opens its doors Sept 2008 but are taking applications now. Discovery Bay is a wonderful expat community too and school places there are very competitive (almost nonexistant). But with the DBPIS there will be flood of places available starting 2008 and slowly decreasing after that but you need to get in the queue already as DB is such a popular community and school places so rare that people have already started applying. These two schools are a part of ESF but operately independently for reasons I can't get into. So, you can apply for Renaissance and the DBPIS school and also ONE of the regular ESF schools. I think there are application fees for each separate application. $800 HK per application. I'm pretty sure you make only 1 application to the "regular ESF" schools. I'm rather fuzzy whether you are able to specify a choice (like Shatin Jr.) but you have to live in the catchment area anyways. Otherwise they'll put you in the closest ESF school. There are about 10 ESF primary schools?

Unless they've changed their policy ESF have NO APPLICATION FEE to register at Shatin Junior, Kowloon Jnr, Beacon Hill etc....


The only fee you pay is the 10,000 deposit when your daughter is accepted after interview, which in your case will be in Feb/March 2008, all being well.

thanks you all! these are very informative.