[mgabhi]

This is for all the expat families moved to HK from USA with school going children----My kids are going to be joining 7th grade and 4th grade when we move to HK this December from San Francisco and I was wondering if someone knows of any other good schools other than the American Schools in Kowloon Tong and Repulse Bay?

Someone was telling me about the ESF schools which are spread out all over the country.Does anyone have any info on them,whether ,they are compatible to the American School system and whether they'll be good for my kids.ESF schools are definitely much more cheaper but..... ?

[PettsWood]

ESF's web site is here: www.esf.edu.hk

They teach the UK National Curriculum although some are converting to the International Baccalaureate Diploma (which is for 16+ only). Whether they are 'compatible' depending on many factors such as how long you intend to stay 'cause there are pupils going to North America for Universities for sure.

In your case, 7th grade and 4th grade in the US are equivlant to year 8 and year 5 in the UK system.

Other schools I know of that teach the US systems are the International Christian School, the American International School, and the Christain Alliance International School and the Phoenix School (the latter two are of Candian system, not sure how similar it is to the US system).

Hope all these help. BTW, they are all very full so it is often not a matter of choosing the right school but rather getting in a school, particularly in the middle of a school year.

[Jazzy]

We are also coming over from US in Dec. My husband is in Hk looking at schools now. We are on a waiting list at Hong Kong Intl, but he is visiting Hong Kong Academy next week, and as soon as we decide on an apt, we are applying to the local ESF. I have been told that, especially in the lower grades (we are US kindergarten and 3rd grade) all of the international schools offer a top notch education. I haven't looked at secondary schools.

[mgabhi]

Where is Hong Kong Academy? Is it on the island or towards Kowloon?We would like to find a school for and then look for an apartment.

[rani]

HK Academy is located on Stubbs Rd, which is on the island. Its a new school, classes are smaller and its expensive compared to ESF.

More info here:

http://www.hkacademy.edu.hk/

[Vrindavan]

Phoenix School will close next year

new school
http://renaissance.esf.edu.hk/

[Jazzy]

Mgabhi,
We would like to have school places first, too, so we are applying to as many schools as we can. Unfortunately, you can't apply to ESF until you have an address! They are more like community schools taking in specific areas.
There are a lot of good schools that are not American curriculum that you may be interested in. We started out only looking at American schools, too, but there are so many others! My only requirement now is that instruction be in English. pm me if you like, we'll chat.

[Geraldmu]

Checkout the following web site:

http://www.classmateasia.com

[Vrindavan]

you should not post this link any more.

had been closed for a week

[mgabhi]

I wonder why this has been closed ????? Someone else was telling me about this link too and looks like I was a little late in checking it out ! Ah well !!! Thanks anyway for letting me know about this.