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Island School

Hong Kong

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Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees HK$159,400 - 181,100
Ages 7 - 13 years
Pupil numbers 1200
Type Co-educational
Opened 1967
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Part of
English Schools Foundation
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 23
Strengths Performing Arts, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Island School is an ESF secondary school (Years 7–13) located on Borrett Road in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong. Students follow the IB MYP in Years 7–9, progress to IGCSE/GCSE subjects in Years 10–11, and choose the IB Diploma or IB Career-related Programme in Years 12–13; language options at IGCSE include Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese. The campus includes a Performance Space with a 10-metre stage and seating for 300. Whole-school Quest Week takes learning beyond the classroom through local and overseas trips. Daily life runs on a clear timetable, with morning buses arriving by 8:15 and after-school buses departing at 15:40 (Mon–Thu) and 14:40 (Fri). English is the language of instruction. The school serves more than 1,200 students and offers structured Service Learning and student leadership opportunities.

island.esf.edu.hk
This campus is part of English Schools Foundation

20號 Borrett Rd, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong.

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Island School has 1,200 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in English.

Location
Island School is situated in the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong Island, a residential hillside district above Central. The campus is easily accessible by public transport and school buses, connecting it to key areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Its elevated setting offers a quiet environment while remaining close to the city’s main business and residential zones.

Stages
The school caters to students from Year 7 to Year 13, covering the full span of secondary education. Programmes progress from the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–9 to IGCSE in Years 10–11, and finally to either the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP) in Years 12–13.

Type
Island School is a co-educational day school that forms part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) network in Hong Kong. It does not provide boarding facilities, and all students attend on a day basis.

Additional learning support
Students receive support through a structured House system, with each student assigned a Tutor and Head of House who oversee wellbeing and academic progress. The school also provides access to counselling services and a published Special Educational Needs Policy detailing additional provision for students requiring support.

Country affiliation
Island School is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), Hong Kong’s largest provider of English-medium international education. It does not hold affiliation with any other country.

Religious affiliation
The school has no stated religious affiliation and welcomes students of all backgrounds.

School day structure
Lessons begin at 08:25 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and at 2:35 p.m. on Fridays. Morning buses arrive by 08:15 a.m., and after-school buses depart at 3:40 p.m. (Monday–Thursday) and 2:40 p.m. (Friday).

Bus service
Island School provides an organised school-bus service coordinated with its daily timetable. Buses arrive before classes begin and depart immediately after the end of the school day. The service covers routes to major residential areas on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, helping students reach the Mid-Levels campus conveniently and safely.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Island School ranges from HKD 159,400 to HKD 181,100 for 2026/27.

Application Fees
A non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,800 is required for all new applicants to ESF secondary schools. This is paid online by credit card via PayPal at the time of application. Families must also pay a two-month refundable deposit upon accepting an offer of admission. Half of this deposit is credited toward the first month’s tuition, and the other half is offset against the final month’s payment, provided appropriate withdrawal notice is given.

Tuition Fees (Per Year)

Years 7 – 10: HKD 181,100
Year 11: HKD 159,400
Years 12 – 13: HKD 167,600

Tuition fees are billed in 10 equal monthly instalments (September – June) through direct debit (autopay). Fees are payable for any month in which a student attends school for even one day.

Additional Fees
Families may incur additional costs for uniforms, school trips, and public examination fees (IGCSE or IB). The English Schools Foundation (ESF) also applies standardised capital contribution schemes and “Other Charges” that support long-term facility investment.

Transportation Fees
The school provides a daily bus service with routes across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Morning buses arrive before the 08:25 a.m. start, and after-school buses depart at 3:40 p.m. (Monday – Thursday) and 2:40 p.m. (Friday). Transport fees are set by the contracted provider and invoiced separately to families.

Learning Support
Island School offers a structured House system and counselling services for student wellbeing. If additional specialist support is required, families coordinate provision directly with the school’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) department.

Refund Policy
The application fee is non-refundable. The refundable deposit is returned when families provide proper withdrawal notice and no outstanding balances remain. Attendance during any month renders that month’s fees payable in full.

Payment Options

Direct debit (autopay) for monthly tuition fees
Credit card (via PayPal) for application fee.
Academics

Island School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 7 to 13.

Curriculum
Island School follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7 to 9, providing a framework that integrates subject learning with real-world application. In Years 10 and 11, students work toward the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) across core subjects including English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science (Double Award), Global Perspectives, and a modern language (Chinese, Spanish, or Japanese). In Years 12 and 13, students choose between the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP), allowing pathways either toward university study or career-focused qualifications. The curriculum also includes Personal and Social Education (PSE) and structured Service Learning, supporting community engagement and personal development. Specialist subjects in the arts, technology, and design complement academic study throughout all years.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Application Submission
Applications for Island School are managed centrally through the English Schools Foundation (ESF. Families must submit applications online via the ESF Admissions Portal, selecting Island School as their preferred campus. Each application requires a non-refundable fee, payable online by credit card via PayPal. Applications are accepted year-round for available year levels.

2. Document Review and Assessment
Once the application is received, ESF reviews submitted documents, including proof of residency, school reports, and identification. Depending on availability and year group, the applicant may be invited to attend a placement interview or assessment to determine readiness for the ESF curriculum. Assessments are conducted in English and focus on communication and general aptitude.

3. Offer of Place
If a suitable place is available, families receive an official offer directly from ESF. The offer letter includes details on tuition fees, start dates, and required deposits. To secure the place, parents must pay a two-month deposit corresponding to the annual fee for the assigned year group.

4. Acceptance and Enrolment
Upon payment of the deposit, families complete the enrolment formalities through ESF. They are then issued joining instructions, including details about uniform, transport, and start dates. Island School provides a Parent Handbook and transition materials to support students entering Year 7 or transferring mid-year.

Scholarships
The Island School and ESF websites do not list any academic or merit-based scholarship programmes for secondary students. Admissions and tuition follow the standard ESF structure, and no financial aid or fee-waiver schemes are described in official materials.

Waitlist
ESF operates a centralised admissions system, and each school maintains a waiting list for year groups that are at capacity. When places become available, ESF contacts families in order of application date and eligibility. Island School does not operate a separate or internal pool system; all admissions are coordinated directly through ESF’s central admissions office.
School Events
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