How to nail a place at an international school in Asia

Fun on the green roof at the Australian International School Hong Kong

Selecting a school can be one of the most stressful parts of an international move. Where the kids spend their time every weekday in a new city is perhaps the most important decision you will make, other than opting to move in the first place.

Big Asian cities like Hong Kong and Singapore offer a huge range of international school options and curricula, which is a positive in that there’s plenty of choice, but the myriad options can be overwhelming. 

In Hong Kong, there are currently 54 international schools officially listed by the Education Bureau, although the total number of schools offering an international curriculum is estimated to be nearer to 80, a figure that includes formally designated international schools as well as private independent schools offering an international-style curriculum.

In Singapore, there are around 80 international schools catering to a diverse student population, with British, International Baccalaureate, American, Indian and more curricula offered. Singapore’s international schools are renowned for their high academic standards which often exceed the global average.

International schools differ from local educational institutions in that they cater to the needs of international and expat families based away from home. An international school education can provide many benefits.

Dominique McNeill is director of Admissions at Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong.

There's plenty of first day support at Hong Kong's Kellett School

“Like other international schools in Hong Kong, we adhere to a quota on the number of children we can offer places to and so primarily we cater to the needs of international and expat families,” she explains. “We currently have more than 40 different nationalities represented across the school. Given the international makeup of our families, students are exposed to global issues and multi-cultural learning, as well as different languages, values and beliefs.”  

So how do you start the search? Educational professionals emphasise the need to thoroughly investigate schools based on the educational needs and preferences of your child. Think about curriculum type, is it important to you that your child is educated in an American or British system? Then look at the learning style of the school and what sort of extracurricular activities they offer. Perhaps there’s a particular sport your child is interested in, for example. Is this offered by the school?

Location and transport options are your next important considerations. In Hong Kong, many schools are served by a school bus network, but is there a school bus stop near to your accommodation? How long does the journey take and where does your bus stop fall on the timetable? If you’re living on Hong Kong Island and the school is in Kowloon, it’s worth considering traffic times as jams can occur crossing the harbour. Some parents admit to having caught the school bus themselves to assess the viability of the journey. 

Once you know you’re moving to a new city, start researching schools straight away, advises Pauline Dear, head of Admissions at the Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK).

“After shortlisting a few options, reach out to the school directly to ask about admissions procedures, available places and waitlists,” she says. “Whenever possible, arrange to visit the school in person to get a sense of the environment and community. This can be invaluable in making the right choice,” she says.

Asia’s international schools can have extremely long waiting lists. McNeill recommends reaching out to the school before submitting the application to check on place availability for the year groups you are interested in. 

Every school operates a slightly different waitlist system; Kellett School accepts applications for entry into the Prep School from birth and from two years in advance for Senior School. Waitlists are arranged by priority, starting with sibling preference, corporate debenture holders and children of alumni, and then all other applications by date of application. AISHK meanwhile gives priority to Australian and New Zealand passport holders, as well as siblings of current students and children of alumni. “We value strong community connections and aim to support families with existing ties to the school wherever possible,” adds Dear.

International schools are culturally diverse and students 'get' the anxieties of joining a new school

When you’ve narrowed things down and arranged a visit, usually through the admissions department, it’s often a good idea to bring your child along to get a feel for the school, although this may not always be possible if the application is being made from overseas.

“Some families may choose to visit Hong Kong prior to their relocation,” says Dear. “We warmly encourage and welcome school visits during this initial ‘look-see’ trip as visiting in person can provide valuable insight into the school environment and help families feel more confident in their decision.”

She adds that AISHK hosts regular campus tours to showcase the school in action. Such tours provide prospective families with an insight into daily life at the school and parents also have the opportunity to speak with the head of primary and head of secondary. 

McNeill also recommends an in person visit where possible. “The application and any assessments can be conducted from overseas and online videos are available for those not already based in Hong Kong. But in person visits are always recommended where possible,” she says.

Registration at Kellett School opens when the school returns from summer break in late August, with open evenings on September 24 at the Pok Fu Lam campus and September 25 at the Kowloon Bay campus. “It’s worth noting that these evenings do get oversubscribed,” adds McNeill. 

Removing your child from a home environment into an international setting can seem daunting, but remember that school staff are professionals and have welcomed vast numbers of overseas students.

“Both our students and teachers are used to new children joining the school,” says McNeill. “We arrange an induction session for all new students before they start so they can meet their new teacher and familiarise themselves with the new school. We also arrange a class ‘buddy’ for all new students.”

At the end of the day, as McNeill points out, it’s worth explaining to your child they’re joining a very diverse community where many children are not in their home country. “Generally, students are very open to forging new friendships.”

Australian International School Hong Kong, 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong; Kellett School, 2 Wah Lok Path, Wah Fu, Pok Fu Lam and 7 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong.