The "climate" of HKIS

We will be moving to HK from Taiwan in a few shorts months. My son will be entering 9th grade and has been accepted at HKIS. We are not sure if this is the right spot for him. I need some candid insights into the subculture of the school---is it divided by Chinese vs. Western (we've seen that happen here at the so-called American school.) Is the school SAT-score driven (reflecting a more Asian influence---that is what we've experienced here as well.) Are drugs an issue? Where do most of the families live? Are they clustered on the South side of the Island? (We also have to consider where to live!)

Many thanks for your help!

ckeh -


I am a former high school teacher and I used to teach/tutor quite a few kids from HKIS - all Asian, so I will not be able to provide perhaps some of the insight into the Western vs. Asian culture. From what I observed from my students, they mostly socialized with other Asians, and not too many Westerners. They were hardworking, but had this attitude of "entitlement" which really drove me crazy. Wealth, too much time, and a lot of "services" from their helpers made them all rather spoiled, and a bit self-centered. I heard a lot of "it's so and so's fault that this happened" and constantly unwilling to take responsibilities for their actions or consequences. (grades, getting in trouble, problems at school were always not THEIR fault.) That may be more a function of the the new echo boomer generation but I'm not sure. I taught all over HK island, so it wasn't just south side.


Drugs are actually pretty common on any school campus (sorry - reality - kids want it, they get it) and HKIS is not any different. Too much money, too much freedom given to the kids is a pretty lethal combination. It's more about your ability to have your child choose right from wrong. A lot of cigarette smoking amongst the high schoolers too, and again, it will be more about your rapport with your son and teaching him what your expectations of behavior are.


I have met some great kids from HKIS though - down to earth, thoughtful, sociallly conscious and not completely spoiled brats. There is always a balance of good and bad at any school. I would say, if your son generally leans towards the straight and narrow - not much to worry about. If he is inclined for more trouble and has had some discipline issues before - HKIS might be a tempting place for him.

Hi hkchoichoi,


Based on your experience and observation, which international school in HK has the best environment (drug free, disciplined, down to earth) overall ?

Hi Hannah -


I notice from you other post you're looking at kindergarten? I wouldn't worry too much about it at that age. I have had good and bad experiences with students from all schools - no school is immune to the problems listed above. it's a reality of education these days - nothing is perfect.

No... kindergarten days are long gone for us! Just secondary kids now so we want to go into a new school well armed with information. (We've experienced an international school already and things are not what they seem on paper, that's for sure!)

ckeh -

the above post was for Hannah who appears to be seeking out kindy places for her daughter. My original post was to you - and as you've experienced the international school climate, I can say that HKIS is not that much different. I do think that the educational standard there is quite high in some respects (and of course depending on the teacher you get.) Compared to some of the other international schools I've seen in Seoul and other places, it is quite strong. If your son is planning on attending university in the states, HKIS is the logical choice as it is a US based system unlike GSIS.

Hi hkchoichoi,


I am a lazy mom. I'd like to find a suitable school where my little one could go from kindergarten to secondary. Academic standard is very important to us. If that is the case, how would you compare HKIS to GSIS? We don't really mind the system. At the end of the day, all systems will end up more or less the same.

Hi Hannah -


I've met great and not so great students from both schools. I feel I can judge better the academics at HKIS, because it is US based (I can more readily compare it to what I know about US based High School education) and I'm more familiar with it. That said, both schools are good - and at the end of the day, a student will learn to make the most of a school if he or she is motivated and willing to work hard. I taught at one of the poorest schools in CA and then taught at a super affluent school as well. I met impressive students at both - and came to the conclusion that ultimately what contributed to their success and achievement was their own motivation and drive to succeed. I met some seriously driven students at HKIS and some slackers too - same school, same environment, different motivations. Bottom line, both schools in many ways are probably equal, and it will be more about where your child will have a better fit in terms of environment.


US systems do tend to encourage lots of creativity, problem solving and a more "open ended" system and approach to learning, as opposed to GSIS which some people view as being a bit rigid and overly structured. Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks. I would say that if you think (and you can be the best judge of this) your child needs a bit more structure and discipline and rigidity, then GSIS would probably be a better fit for him or her. If your child (and I know she's only 3 so your ability to judge this may be a bit hindered) responds well, is self motivating and self regulating, than HKIS is not a bad environment either.


I just think back to my own High School experience, where I went to this super posh prep school. There were drugs, there was drinking and smoking - all around me, and I chose NOT to involve myself with it. Thhere were people having sex and all sorts of nonsense, and I chose NOT to involve myself with it. Somehow, luckily, my parents instilled something in me to cause me to NOT want to partake in that - so it really is down to the parent to help develop the child's discipline, study habits and overall academic drive.

Have just been teaching at HKIS middle school for a few days - have found the school to be great - the integration of chinese and western is fine - English is spoken at a very high level by all students, the facilities are second to none, staff are very supportive. Can't fault it as far as all those things you are looking for.

Have a look at CIS (Chinese Int School), can't say much about it personally yet, but seems a good academic choice. Probably has its portion of spoilt kids like any International school but they have to be taught manners etc at home for this. No school will be able to teach your kids life's most important qualities.