I will arrive in HK in the next month or so with a daughter of 7, sons of 4 and 1.
I'm trying to find a school/preschool on Hong Kong Island for the 7 and 4 year old and an apartment that is walking distance from the school. I wish my children to have a bilingual English/Chinese (or French/Chinese) education.
I'm hoping to spend a total of less than $40K/month for apartment + school (1 full day, 1 half day). Is this achievable?
I've investigated Hong Kong International Montessori School in 29 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. It's HK$10500 + HK$7000 (aprox). Anyone have info about it?
Any other suggestions?
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F100
19 yrs ago
dear richardhickling,
have you been to hong kong before?
as for schools, especially for the international schools there is usually a waiting list.
also, schools can be quite expensive.
there is a small book published by the South China Morning Post Newspaper about the various schools. It includes the cost, waiting list, and info about the school curriculum. I've seen the book in some of the bookstores here in Hong Kong.
As for going to a Local school - it would be easier for your younger children to adjust. Your seven year old girl most probably will find it more difficult because they local kids have already started learning quite a few Chinese Characters. Also, if you are your wife does not read or write Chinese you will most likely need someone to help your child with their daily homework.
Also, the cost of living in HK can be quite a bit high. Also, take in consideration air-conditioning costs, food costs are generally higher as well.
I wouldn't worry too much about finding an apartment that is walking distance from a school. Hong Kong has a great transportation system. Also, many of the school provide school bus service.
As for living in Wanchai, it is an area with a lots of shops for home renovations, restaurants,wet market, bars, restaurants and girly bars. Not really an expat's idea of a "family" area for raising a family. However, there is a really nice development that is part of the Swire group apartments that is part of Pacific Place Mall.
Most of the other apartments in the Wanchai area are usually older and a run down.
There are several Montessori schools in other locations. You might also want to check out, PIPS , ESF schools and other international schools.
Good luck.
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qvong
19 yrs ago
Not sure where you are relocating from but are we talking $40k HKD for housing and school? In the Mid-Levels area where IMS is, it'll be tough with a family of at least 4 (you plus the 3 children) to find housing plus schooling for that on a monthly basis unless living space is not an issue. Space in the international schools in HK are scarce, you may wish your children to attend one school but you may not necessarily get in there if they cannot offer them a spot. My suggestion would be to take a look into a few more schools, find a school first and then find an apartment near the school if you wish for you children to walk there.
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I should have added that we need 3 bedrooms and 1100 square feet.
I'm thinking either a fully bilingual education or else English (or French) with a serious and effective Mandarin program.
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Is $10000/month reasonable for one child at primary school? Is it high end? Way high? Middle?
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aemom
19 yrs ago
You may find that it is impossible to get your 7 year old into a bilingual (English-Mandarin) school at this late date unless your employer has a debenture. Also she may have to take tests in English and Chinese before being considered for entry. Schooling is a very difficult issue for expat families in HK.
Read some of the threads on this forum, also on the Practical and Speaker's Corner forums. Good luck!
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F100
19 yrs ago
Dear Richardhickling,
as aemom mentioned in her posting, it is quite difficult to get your older child in one of the international schools. many kids are on a waiting list. many of the schools will require your child to go through some tests and interviews before they accept your child.
$10,000 per month for the school fees are reasonable. yes, expect to pay around that amount...it is in the low to middle range for hong kong.
you should also factor in other costs such as a debenture, which can be very pricey.
other costs which are not included in the fees could include: field trips, trips to other countries (ie. week in China), books, uniforms, lunch money...etc.
you should really try to contact the South China Morning Post Newspaper and get the book of schools in HK. It would provide you with a good start to your questions and will give you numbers to contact to narrow down your search.
good luck.
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I've heard of debenture - is it a fee or a deposit?
I.e.: do you get it back eventually?
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aemom
19 yrs ago
I think the refundability depends on the school. There are also two types of debentures: corporate and individual. Check the websites of the schools you are interested in. The details should be there.
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Dear Richardhickling. if you are coming with a company, your company would have told you if they have a debenture.it's about 500,000HK for one at HKIS. It buys you a spot into the schools when other people are lower down the waiting list. go online and do a search for schools. where are you from? try Chinese International School, Canadian International School, French International school. If your kids are already bilingual, they have a better chance. You may put them in one school and move them if you wish.
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ldavy
19 yrs ago
Hi Richardhickling,
What you really need when you first arrive in Hong Kong is to be able to stay somewhere and have a look around at the different area, the flats available, and where the schools are. When you're here you'll understand why "walking distance" is not really a factor for a school. Transport is easy and cheap, and the streets are safe. Restricting yourself to an apartment within walking distance of a school will make it quite difficult. You need to find somewhere you like which has reasonably easy transportation to schools. Are your employers arranging for you to stay in a hotel or serviced apartment until you have sorted things out? They must do, it would be completely unfair if they didn't.
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I'll have one month in a serviced apartment.
My wife will need convincing on transport.
We have a 1 year-old also which complicates transport for my wife. The idea of letting our children go independently on transport will take a lot of convincing.
Kiangsu Chekiang looks interesting - but what do you mean by "their English is debatable"? Do they keep up with an English curriculum?
Also, how effective is the International Montessori School's Putonghua program? - I believe they teach it for 1 hour per day.
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I've read on other threads that it is necessary to book a long time - years - in advance for most schools. Clearly I can't do that. What's the story? For which schools is this the case?
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kar
19 yrs ago
Does your 7-year-old currently attend a Montessori School? Not sure if IMS will accept a student into their Elementary Programme if he/she is not familiar with the Montessori system. I know this USED to be the case, but perhaps it has changed. You should contact the school directly to find out (both my 7-year-old and 3-year-old attend IMS).
I don't think living within walking distance of school is that reasonable of a request. You'll see once you arrive. If your wife doesn't want to put the kids on a bus, she could drop off and pick up herself (while bringing the 1-year-old with her), or she could leave him home with the helper while she does this, or she could stay home with the 1-year-old and have the helper bring the kids to school.
Which country are you coming from? Sometimes the international school associated with your home company will make allowances for new arrivals in terms of the waiting list.
Good luck.
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F100
19 yrs ago
dear richard,
check out this website by the Hong Kong government.
it's a list of schools.
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/education/index.htm
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My 7 y.o. previously attended a Montessori school in London for 2 years (we are currently in New York where she attends an excellent public school). According to IMS, this qualifies her (though they will want to contact the school in London).
IMS expects a $50,000 debenture for each child. That rather hurts ...
I'm not sure how we will use 'help'. My wife is not keen on a live-in maid. Clearly this has benefits though.
Do schools - particularly IMS - have their own, supervised transport?
Thank you very much to everyone for all this help.
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Totty
19 yrs ago
You'll find that getting to school by bus is part of HK and school life for a lot of children and they do love it.
I think ESF has spots reserved for people arriving 'late' as it where for enrollment and depsite the carrying ons of it's management they do have very good/excellent schools that produce fab education.
As for public transport with a one year old, again, that's part of HK life and it's easy. I did it for 10 years with two kids and have just got my own car becuse i now have to play taxi for them.
It's all about adapting.
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Totty
19 yrs ago
I was dubious when mine started on buses (practically unheard of in the UK) however given the choice of me driving mine to school or the bus they always choose the bus (and this in no wat reflects my ability to drive). It's a great start to their day, and end of, and they're with their friends and each bus generally has one or two bus Mums.
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Most children take a bus and for all Kindy & Primary they are supervised by a bus mother - it's the done thing here. As Totty says despite the carrying ons of its management ESF have excellent schools with excellent acedemic results. They do not however, reserve spots any more for 'late' arrivals. Their waiting lists are too long. In all honesty I would suggest that getting your kiddies into school would be your first priority as places are extremely limited, then think about where you are going to live.
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I'd just like to point out that, unless things have changed recently, ESF will not offer a place until you have a confirmed address in HK. You can still put your children's names down on the list, but presuming a place becomes available, you will not be offered it unless you have a confirmed address. Your first step therefore, should be to put names down, then find somewhere to live asap, in the catchment area for the school of your choice. Once you have your confirmed address, hound them constantly. If your children are English speakers, who do not already speak Chinese, and would have difficulty being educated in a 'local' school, then they will get priority with ESF over others on the list who may be able to be educated in local schools. Good luck.
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kar
19 yrs ago
IMS does have a "bus mother" on each bus. Lots of kids take the bus and it seems to work well. (I don't have personal experience with this as we live too far away to even consider a bus...) As for debentures for IMS, it's my understanding that for a $50,000 debenture, it can be transfered and you can get $30,000 back. (I'm not 100% sure about this because the whole debenture thing is new---we had to pay a $10,000 deposit for #1 and a $50,000 deposit for #2---the rules had changes at that point. Next year is the first year with debentures.)
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