which school....which area to rent?

What is your advice about schools in HK

I have grade 5 and grade 7 girls in British curriculum school currently.

Do you catch school buses? ferry? go within the area?

Are there good schools in each area or are there specifically good schools?

Very vague I know but I am at day one here.

TIA

As long as you live on the Island and the school is on the Island, the commute will not be terribly long. Most kids I know of catch school buses, even down to the lowest grades. I have never seen a school bus without a "bus auntie" so there's always an "escort".


Apart from ESF schools which have catchment areas, most private schools (as far as I know) don't care where the student lives. However school buses don't go everywhere. It's easier if you live close to a main thoroughfare. For example South Bay Road, which has several big buildings with many expats, will get service from most big schools.


Some good schools:

- Kellett.

- Bradbury (part of ESF - English Schools Foundation).

- HK International School.

- Canadian International School.

- German Swiss International School

- French International School.

- HK Academy.


GSIS and FIS international sections follow the British Curriculum, as do Kellett and ESF schools. HKIS follows an American curriculum. CDNIS follows an Ontario curriculum. Several schools add the International Baccalaureate in secondary grades.


More advice about schools:

- Apply for at least three schools. Most schools have waiting lists and some have assessments. It's worth spending the application fee just to get on the list.

- Schools are one of the most talked about subjects among expat parents. Ask your neighbors and colleagues for their thoughts.

- Schools do tours, typically run by principals or vice principals. Do a couple of the tours.