I am moving to HK and I just enrolled my sons into HKIS, where should I live?????????
HELP!!!!!!!!
Please support our advertisers:
Well, it's in Tai Tam for highschool, and primary school it's in Repulse Bay.
So I gather you want to be on HK island side. Most would live in Central, Repulse Bay, Shouson Hill, some live in Stanley, but generally anywhere in HK island would be alright b/c you don't want JUST convenience for school, for other daily life things too. My friends who live in Central says it takes the school bus about half an hour to get there in the morning.
Another one lives in North Point, she says it's about the same. They tend to send their kids on school bus TO school, and then the parent picks up after school.
Please support our advertisers:
Do I need a car? when you say the parents pick them up? can i take the bus? If i wanted to live in Repulse bay, how much would an apartment be? thanks for your help. Are you from USA?
Pauline Los Angeles
Please support our advertisers:
Alot of Americans live in Tai Tam or Redhill (which is where the HKIS high school is) because these suburbs are close for the HKIS and for the American Club (in Tai Tam). HKIS runs buses to pick up/drop off kids. Alot of apartment buildings run shuttle buses into Central so you may get away without a car but Tai Tam and Redhill are further out and a little more isolated. We live there and I am very happy to have a car for convenience. Apartment price depends upon size/facilities/age of building. You probably get more for your money at Tai Tam and Redhill cf stanley and Repulse bay b/c these suburbs are further away from Central (20-30 minutes driving depending on time of day/traffic). Any of the above suburbs would be fine for HKIS - close to Repulse bay and Tai Tam where 2 campasses are.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks for the info. About how much rent would i pay for something in Tai Tam? or Repluse Bay?
Please support our advertisers:
In a nutshell, too much, although maybe not TOO shocking coming from LA.
Stanley has a "coastal village" feel, and you might feel right at home coming from California. Tai Tam is a nice suburb, and the air quality in both always seems better to me than on the other side of the island (where we live). It might seem like a hike though if you're expecting to spend much time in Central yourself or if that'd be your husband's commute. Still, though a 30 minute commute may seem looong by Hong Kong standards, it hardly compares to what most people suffer in the larger US cities.
So that's a basic decision, who commutes, your kids or your husband? Or do you split the difference and live in Repulse Bay?
Please support our advertisers:
Hi There,
Thanks for all your info. My husband will be working in China. My budget is around 30,000HKD
I know it is not a lot but I want to rent for one month to see if the boys like the HKIS
Where do you think i should rent?
Please support our advertisers:
Hi -
i'm not sure if it's feasible for you to "rent" for one month and check out if your boys like HKIS. Although rental contracts in HK STRONGLY favor the tenant (vs. the landlord) a one month contract is not very common. (someone else can better advise you on this issue.)
BUT, HK Parkview does have some short term leases available and it's sort of smack dab in the middle of your boys school and central. It's sort of like living in a small town (some have called it a commune) but the facilities are great and there is even a supermarket right there.
I just checked the real estate page (here on asiaxpat) and it is a bit more than I think your budget is. But I think it is the only option for you especially if you are considering a short term rental.
I've yet to meet a student who doesn't like HKIS for the most part. I taught quite a few students from there and all really loved it.
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you for all your help. I will check out Parkview can you tell me where it is? or website.
Thanks
Pauline
Please support our advertisers:
De Ricou (The Repulse Bay) rents serviced apartments for a minimum of 1 week. Cannot remember how muh we paid there though.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks i will check that out.
I will be in HK next week, can you tell me the top 5 schools I should go and see. I have 2 boys, one going into high school the other boy 5th grade.
thanks. When you said you taught I figuered the perfect question to ask you. SCHOOLS i have them enrolled for the summer but wanted to take a look around.
thanks again.
Please support our advertisers:
Parkview - http://www.hongkongparkview.com/#
as for schools, if they aren't enrolled already for fall (are they enrolled at HKIS for fall or just for summer?) be prepared to give up the best school for WHAT is available. Especially in HS, placements are limited and people wait on waitlists for a long time. HKIS does give preference to those students who are newly relocated to HK. Other schools there are waiting lists and application procedures.
If you look on this site, and search "schools" you will find LOTS Of discussions about what is the best school, which school is the most convenient and what not. What school is best for your child will truly vary in terms of what you expect for the future. For example, if you want your older son to go to University in the US, then the seemingly obvious choice is HKIS so that he can take a solid foundation of AP classes and prepare for his college entrance in a US standard format. But this shouldn't disqualify other schools as many schools in the US are also moving towards the IB diploma which is offered at many schools here.
In terms of schools that have the best "press" or popularity - these are not listed in any particular order - I've just taught students from all of these schools and have heard about them from other people. (again - search this site for different threads.)
HKIS, GSIS (German Suisse - but may not be feasible of your son doesn't speak enough German)One of the ESF schools (you can do a search on it through google)Canadian international School.
Please support our advertisers:
How there,
I have just enrolled them for the summer camp
HKIS my older son I would like for him to come and do university in the USA so i can see that HKIS would be perfect for him, he is a B student.
My other son is more into the arts. so If you know of any school for him that would be great.
Thanks
Pauline
Please support our advertisers:
I think you would be happy with HKIS - having worked there a few times the Christian thing isn't overbearing, and if the USA education is important to you then you really don't have any other choice.
They have a full curriculum in all areas and is one of the most well stocked schools (if not THE best) with regard to facilities in Hong Kong. Their music program is excellent, as is their sports, arts and everything is excellent.
If you can afford it I would suggest you get in there and get them enrolled as you really don't have many choices in HK for good secondary education. If they find they don't like it then start looking around at others and get on waiting lists - spaces are very limited all round.
Please support our advertisers:
HKIS has a decent comprehensive art program. i'm not sure about other schools.
A word to the wise about your high school son - HKIS can be a really FUN place - meaning that I've seen more than a number of occasions grades dropping upon entrance to HKIS - just too many ways to have fun!
Please support our advertisers:
grades dropping em! does not sound good. He works really hard here at school, so I guess I better stay on top of him....What other choice do I have for High School. Also do they have the same sex school??any suggestions
Please support our advertisers:
If you want US education then there is the American International School in Kowloon Tong - however the difference between HKIS and AIS is chalk and good quality cheese.
The Chinese International School has high academic standards - they do the IB program from middle years to high school. You have to really visit each school to see what they have and define what is important to you and see if they meet that. Have a look at this website
http://www.shambles.net/hongkong/
HKIS is a fun place - there is so much on offer and so many opportunities - a well balanced person comes out at the end (usually). But they still try to maintain grade point averages and keep kids working. There is also a high percentage of American kids there as opposed to other schools where there is a high percentage of local kids. The use of the english language is high and has an American culture thing going.
Please support our advertisers:
thank you for all that info. i will check out that website....thanks again just checked it out. wow love it....
Please support our advertisers:
Also - HKIS summer program is REALLY different from HKIS regular school year as many students who don't regularly attend the school attend their summer programs. Teachers are also not always from the school. It will give your boys a general feel for the school campus although it will not provide an accurate feel for the school itself.
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
19 yrs ago
For property listings http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/default.asp?type=10
Please support our advertisers:
Ed
19 yrs ago
Or you can contact one of our advertisers
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/residential.asp
Please support our advertisers:
Can anyone tell me the difference between.
American International School, and Hong Kong International School? I am from USA
Please support our advertisers:
My son who is 11 years old, is not acadamic his reading is bad, has a hard time with English and this is his first language. We work with him constantly on this the older he gets the easier it is for him. He is going into 5th grade and his reading level is 4th grade. SO do you think more arty school is better for him? and if so what one?
Please support our advertisers:
Can't comment on the other International schools but ESF schools generally have additional English language support available even for native English speakers.
Bradbury School (primary school) (Stubbs Road near Happy Valley) has an excellent Learning Support staff for mainstream kids to help with reading etc. The school is inclusive and multi-cultural (over 40 nationalities represented in the school at present) and the catchment area (and school buses!) covers the South side of Hong Kong.
There should also be places available for the start of the next school year at the end of August.
Please support our advertisers:
Keeping it short. If you want your children to really be pushed and have some assurances that they will learn, then GSIS and CIS is the way to go. By reputation, and also by first hand view (I run a tutorial center that works with students from nearly all the top local/international schools), none of the int'l schools, save GSIS and CIS, have a consistent quality of students. Sure, HKIS has their fare share of superstars, but keep in mind that each year, the students that get into HYP have not always got in on their own merit, some went in because their fathers happen to be CEO's of very large companies. This isn't to take away the hard work of some of the HKIS students that have genuinely put in the effort to get into those top unis, but there is a large batch that doesn't get in any decent schools, and a few that too by virtue of their parents' background.
Please support our advertisers:
Capstone, what method of teaching or curriculum that GSIS and CIS apply that you think, have helped them produce a consistent quality of students? And how do the schools "push" their students?
I am always told that these two schools are more academically inclined than other intl schools but do not exactly know why.
Please support our advertisers:
cd
19 yrs ago
For GSIS you have to sit an entrance exam in maths and English, they only take the top passers. They certainly like A grade students and don;t seem to want to spend the time on people that are stuggling. My daughter went there for 2 years but it really knocked her confidence and her grades started slipping dramatically especially in some subjects, and wasn't given any help despite asking for it many times, even we tried to arrange meetings with one teacher in particular, and the head, who decided not to reply. In the end we moved her to an ESF school where she was much happier, and managed to get 8 A's and 2 B's in her GCSE's. I'm not saying GSIS is a bad school, for the right child its probably about the best in HK but doesn't suit everyone.
Please support our advertisers:
Faithful,
I don't know how GSIS or CIS keeps the quality so high. What I do know though, from first hand experience of seeing our students, is that these two schools fulfill their responsibility of developing smart and well-rounded children.
I agree with what CD has posted though, GSIS and CIS is not for everybody. In fact, I think their approach is more akin to the top local schools - hence the results from these two international schools can rival the consistency of the top locals (DGS and DBS for example). However, for a child that can handle the curriculum (or has the financial backing of parents who can supplement the child's teaching with afterschool tutorials like ours or similar), what he gains from GSIS/CIS lays a strong foundation for getting into a top uni, and doign well in the first year or so of studies.
Please support our advertisers:
Hi Capstone,
Have you had any experience with Li Po Chun's students? How does this school's students compare to GSIS's ? The reason I would like to compare these 2 schools is because they both produce very high quality students, based on test scores. If one's child is already at GSIS (year 9), is there any reason to apply to Li Po Chun ?
BTW, is GSIS going IB ?
Ada
Please support our advertisers:
I am not sure if GSIS is going IB. I imagine scohols that aren't doing IB or AP will gravitate towards IB (as both are growing more prominent and AP has always been the more "American" approach).
As for Li Po Chun students, I think they are fantastic. The UWC system is a great identifier or students with well-rounded attributes and it is reflected in the character and academic strength of their students.
I can't say whether one or the other is better. If a child is happy at GSIS and doing well, I see no reason why a risk should be taken to move him/her out of that environment to a school that is, at best, marginally better. However, with that said, it never hurts to apply and then evaluate your choices once it is clear what choices you have in your hand.
I can say that the few UWC students we did work with all ended up going to Ivy league schools - my most recent made Princeton Early Decision this year, and that would be considered an accomplishment for anybody. (although I am sure GSIS has a few candidates with similar performances).
Please support our advertisers:
Hi Capstone,
I've heard many times that students from GSIS went to top universities in the US/UK. However, from what I see from their website, the Unis that GSIS students went to are not too impressive. Is it because the best ones were not reported ?
Please support our advertisers:
I think you should consider what a top uni is. Each year I meet with many parents whose children are in grade 9 or 10 and start talking about how they should work with their child on the child's entire profile - academic and extracurricular. One thing that I do get is that some parents think that the only good schools are the Ivies and Stanford/MIT in the US and Oxbridge/Imperial in the UK. There are a lot of great schools outside of those 11 schools and I think you want to consider the overall acceptances to prominent schools. Plus also consider, some parents, for financial reasons want their children to go to Canadian unis or HK unis.
If you are looking at acceptances to only HYP and Oxbridge, then certainly any school, no matter how great (with exception to top US feeder prep school like Milton), will only have a handful (if even). However, look at the numbre of students that attend top 30 US and top 20 UK schools and it will give a better picture to the depth of a school.
I went to one of the top public high schools in the US (Stuyvesant), and even though the school is considered among the best, if not the #1, public HS in the US, we only had a handful of students go into one of the Ivy's each year.
Please support our advertisers:
Hi
Does anyone know of any band one local primary schools near Sheung Wan?
Thanks
Please support our advertisers:
< Back to main category
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail