Hong Kong’s highly competitive international school sector is seeing significant expansion and strategic development across kindergartens, senior schools, and academic pathways, offering greater choices and through-train certainty for families planning their children’s education. Key developments include the confirmation of three new English Schools Foundation (ESF) kindergartens, Kellett School’s 50th-anniversary celebrations accompanied by new facilities, and senior schools broadening course offerings and global university access for students aiming for competitive degrees abroad.
ESF Commits to Three New Kindergartens
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is set to expand its network to 24 schools with the scheduled opening of three new kindergartens in August 2026. This move provides families with critical clarity regarding early years education and guaranteed primary school admission.
The new facilities are designed to offer seamless educational pathways:
- ESF West Kowloon Kindergarten (Tai Kok Tsui): Will feature a dual English and Chinese language program and establish a direct feeder route into a linked primary school.
- ESF Quarry Bay School Kindergarten (Kornhill): Offers an assured pathway into ESF Quarry Bay School, which continues onward to ESF South Island School.
- ESF Renaissance College Kindergarten (Sai Sha): Provides direct entry into the college’s existing all-through program, and will adopt a dual-language curriculum. This site will also serve as the new location for the current ESF Tung Chung kindergarten.
All three kindergartens will prioritize access to their linked schools, ensuring curriculum continuity from K1 through to Year 13. Interested parents can find comprehensive details on the ESF official website.
Celebrating Milestones and Planning Futures
Long-established institutions are simultaneously celebrating major milestones while actively executing long-term strategic plans.
Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong, is honoring its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1976 by parents seeking a British-style education, the non-profit, parent-governed school now educates over 1,500 students from nearly 50 nationalities. Beyond global celebrations planned across Hong Kong, London, New York, and Sydney, Kellett is focused on its Vision 2035 plan. A central feature of this development is the scheduled August opening of a new Sixth Form Centre, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to its founding ethos while maintaining a future-forward educational outlook.
Senior Schools Diversify Curricula
In the senior sector, schools are adapting to student demand for flexibility and international university preparation.
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS Hong Kong) is enhancing its post-16 offerings with the opening of a dedicated Sixth Form Centre in Hung Hom in August 2026. Recognising the diverse needs of university applications, the centre will offer students the choice between two highly esteemed pre-university qualifications: A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The new campus aims to replicate a university-style learning setting with contemporary study and collaborative areas. NAIS Hong Kong is also launching a comprehensive Scholarship Programme spanning Year 3 through Year 13, designed to acknowledge achievements in academics, leadership, and community engagement.
Meanwhile, the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) recently bolstered its global university counseling efforts by hosting eight deans from top Canadian engineering faculties, including representatives from the University of Toronto and McGill University. This exclusive session, following the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference, provided students and parents with direct insights into admissions, program specifics, and the evolving requirements of engineering education worldwide.
Early Years Exploration and Open Days
Families researching early years options have opportunities for direct engagement with institutions:
- ICHK Kindergarten and Primary (Hong Lok Yuen) is hosting a Kindergarten Open Day and Year 1 & 2 Visit on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The morning is tailored for families whose children were born between 2020 and 2024, enabling them to explore the kindergarten, award-winning outdoor spaces, and primary classrooms.
- Harrow Little Lions Kindergarten (Kai Tak) has scheduled its next school tour for Tuesday, February 11, 2026. The purpose-built campus provides a play-based, English immersion education for children aged three to five, offering a priority pathway for entry into Year 1 at Harrow International School Hong Kong.
As international education in Hong Kong continues to mature, this wave of facility development and curriculum choice underscores a concerted effort to provide comprehensive learning journeys from nursery to university matriculation. Families are advised to register interest early for tours and new school programs to secure places in this competitive landscape.