This guide lists schools by our four Hong Kong Island sectors, so you can see which neighbourhoods are within easy reach of each campus. It is a starting point only. Please confirm curricula, admissions, fees and school-bus routes directly with each school.
A useful official resource: the Education Bureau's International Schools in Hong Kong portal has a profile for each international school, with curriculum, fees, admissions policy and contact details.
How school places work: a quick overview
- Apply early. Popular schools often have waiting lists, and many accept applications well over a year before entry.
- ESF central applications. ESF runs central application periods for K1, Year 1 and Year 7. According to ESF, the main application window is 1–30 September each year for entry the following August. Check the ESF admissions pages for the current timetable.
- ESF "through-train". ESF primary schools are linked to an associated ESF secondary school (shown in the tables below), and Year 6 students enrolled by 1 December are guaranteed a Year 7 place in an ESF secondary school.
- Debentures and levies. Many international schools charge a capital levy and/or offer debentures in addition to tuition. The amounts vary by school, so check the school's own website or its EDB profile.
- Mid-year arrivals. Some schools have rolling admissions and can assess children from overseas. Ask each school about places for mid-year starters.
Central 港島中
Browse homes in the Central sector: Mid-Levels, The Peak, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.
| School | Stage | Campus location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF Island School | Secondary | 20 Borrett Road, Mid-Levels | ESF secondary school; associated secondary for Glenealy and Peak schools |
| ESF Glenealy School | Primary | 7 Hornsey Road, Mid-Levels | ESF primary (IB Primary Years Programme) |
| ESF Peak School | Primary | 20 Plunketts Road, The Peak | ESF primary (IB Primary Years Programme) |
| ESF Bradbury School | Primary | 43C Stubbs Road | ESF primary; associated secondary is South Island School |
| ESF Hillside International Kindergarten | Kindergarten | 43B Stubbs Road | ESF kindergarten |
| German Swiss International School – Peak Campus | Upper primary and secondary | 11 Guildford Road, The Peak | German and English streams |
| Carmel School – Elementary and Preschool | Preschool and primary | 10–12 Borrett Road, Mid-Levels | Jewish international school offering IB programmes; early-learning centre on Robinson Road, Mid-Levels |
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Western 港島西
Browse homes in the Western sector: Kennedy Town, Mid-Levels West, Pok Fu Lam, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun.
| School | Stage | Campus location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF Kennedy School | Primary | 19 Sha Wan Drive, Pok Fu Lam | ESF primary; associated secondary is West Island School |
| ESF West Island School | Secondary | 250 Victoria Road, Pok Fu Lam | ESF secondary school |
| German Swiss International School – Pok Fu Lam Campus | Kindergarten and lower primary | 162 Pok Fu Lam Road | German and English streams |
| Kellett School – Pok Fu Lam Preparatory | Primary (preparatory) | 2 Wah Lok Path, Wah Fu, Pok Fu Lam | Kellett's senior school is on a separate campus; check the school's website |
| The ISF Academy | Primary and secondary | 1 Kong Sin Wan Road, Pok Fu Lam (Cyberport area) | Bilingual Chinese–English school |
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Wah Fu and Cyberport fall within the government's Southern District, but we include them here alongside our Pok Fu Lam guide.
Eastern 港島東
Browse homes in the Eastern sector: Happy Valley, Jardine's Lookout, Mid-Levels East, North Point, Quarry Bay, Tai Hang, Tin Hau, Taikoo Shing and Sai Wan Ho.
| School | Stage | Campus location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF Quarry Bay School | Primary | 6 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill | ESF primary; associated secondary is South Island School |
| ESF Quarry Bay School Kindergarten | Kindergarten | 14 Hong Yue Street, Quarry Bay | ESF kindergarten |
| Chinese International School | Primary and secondary | 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill | Bilingual English–Mandarin school |
| French International School – Jardine's Lookout Campus | Primary and secondary | 34 Price Road, Jardine's Lookout | French and international (English) streams across its campuses |
| French International School – Chai Wan Campus | See school | 1 Cheung Man Road, Chai Wan | As above |
| French International School – Blue Pool Road Campus | See school | 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley | As above |
| Korean International School | Primary and secondary | 55 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho | Korean and English sections |
| Carmel School – Elsa High School | Secondary | 460 Shau Kei Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan | Secondary campus of Carmel School |
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Southern 港島南
Browse homes in the Southern sector: Aberdeen, Chung Hom Kok, Deep Water Bay, Shek O, Shouson Hill, Stanley, Tai Tam, Repulse Bay and Wong Chuk Hang.
| School | Stage | Campus location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF South Island School | Secondary | 50 Nam Fung Road (Wong Chuk Hang / Aberdeen) | ESF secondary; associated secondary for Bradbury and Quarry Bay schools |
| Hong Kong International School – Repulse Bay Campus | Lower and upper primary | 23 South Bay Close, Repulse Bay | American-style education |
| Hong Kong International School – Tai Tam Campus | Middle and high school | 1 Red Hill Road, Tai Tam | As above |
| Canadian International School of Hong Kong | Primary and secondary | 36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen | See school website for curriculum |
| Singapore International School (Hong Kong) | Primary and secondary | Primary: 23 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen. Secondary: 2 Police School Road, Wong Chuk Hang | The two campuses are linked by a bridge |
| Victoria Shanghai Academy | Primary and secondary | 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen | See school website for curriculum |
| The Harbour School | Primary and secondary | Ap Lei Chau, including 138 Lee Chi Road (Garden Campus) | American curriculum (per EDB profile) |
Scroll sideways to see the full table ›
Choosing a home around a school
- Check the school bus. Most international schools run bus services, but routes change each year. Confirm the stop nearest your shortlisted homes before you sign a lease.
- Think about the whole commute. A home that is close on the map may involve a steep hill or a tunnel crossing. We are happy to help you compare journeys at viewing time.
- Keep an open mind on area. Families at south-side schools often live in Southern or Western districts, while Braemar Hill schools are convenient for the Eastern sector.
For all current listings, visit homewise.hk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ESF and other international schools?
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) runs a group of English-medium international schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong, with linked primary and secondary schools. Other international schools are independent and each follows its own curriculum, such as American, French, German, Canadian, Singaporean or bilingual Chinese–English programmes.
When should I apply for an ESF school place?
ESF's central application period for K1, Year 1 and Year 7 entry runs from 1 to 30 September each year for entry the following August. Applications for other year groups and mid-year places are handled separately. Please check ESF's website for current details.
Which ESF secondary school will my child go to?
ESF links each primary to a secondary. On Hong Kong Island, Glenealy and Peak schools feed Island School, Kennedy School feeds West Island School, and Bradbury and Quarry Bay schools feed South Island School.
Where can I compare international school fees?
The Education Bureau's International Schools in Hong Kong portal (internationalschools.edb.gov.hk) publishes each school's fee range, curriculum and admissions policy. Always confirm the current figures with the school.
Should I find a school or a home first?
Usually the school. Secure a place, or at least understand your chances, then look for a home along the school's bus routes or within an easy commute. We can help you shortlist homes once you know the campus.
Notes and sources
Information checked on 3 October 2026. Addresses are taken from each school's official website or its Education Bureau profile.
- ESF school list, associated secondary schools and application dates: https://join-us.esf.edu.hk/our-schools/
- ESF campus addresses on Hong Kong Island: https://www.esfexplore.org.hk/our-locations/ ; https://wis.esf.edu.hk/en/about_us/campus_find_us/
- EDB International Schools portal: https://internationalschools.edb.gov.hk
- German Swiss International School campuses: https://www.gsis.edu.hk/en/about-us/campuses
- French International School campuses: https://www.fis.edu.hk/campuses/jardines-lookout ; https://www.fis.edu.hk/admission/contact-admission/
- Hong Kong International School: https://www.hkis.edu.hk/contact
- Canadian International School: https://www.cdnis.edu.hk/contact-us
- Singapore International School: https://www.singapore.edu.hk/location/
- Chinese International School: https://www.cis.edu.hk/about-us/contact-us
- Korean International School: https://www.kis.edu.hk/contact/
- Kellett School: https://www.kellettschool.com/defining-kellett/campuses
- The ISF Academy: https://internationalschools.edb.gov.hk/en/schools/92.html
- Victoria Shanghai Academy: https://www.vsa.edu.hk
- Carmel School (EDB profile): https://internationalschools.edb.gov.hk/en/schools/55.html
- The Harbour School (EDB profile): https://internationalschools.edb.gov.hk/en/schools/106.html
