Hong Kong’s international school sector is undergoing a strategic expansion and consolidation, evidenced by new campus openings, enhanced senior pathways, and significant institutional milestones that promise greater choice and educational continuity for expatriate and local families. These developments, driven by major institutions including the English Schools Foundation (ESF), Kellett School, Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS), and Nord Anglia International School (NAIS), reflect a commitment to meeting diverse academic needs from early childhood through university preparation.
ESF Strengthens Early Years Provision With Three New Kindergartens
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is set to significantly bolster its early years offering with the introduction of three new kindergartens opening in August 2026. This expansion provides families with crucial early clarity regarding their child’s educational trajectory within the vast ESF network, which will grow to 24 schools.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the explicit integration of these kindergartens into established primary and secondary pathways, offering parents preferred admission to linked schools from K1 through Year 13.
- ESF West Kowloon Kindergarten (Tai Kok Tsui): This site will feature a dual-language (English and Chinese) curriculum and a dedicated feeder system into primary schools.
- ESF Quarry Bay School Kindergarten (Kornhill): This centre will funnel directly into ESF Quarry Bay School and subsequently onward to ESF South Island School.
- ESF Renaissance College Kindergarten (Sai Sha): Seamlessly integrated into Renaissance College’s through-train programme, this site will also offer a dual-language option and serve as the new location for the existing Tung Chung kindergarten.
The move is designed to provide families with certainty, a major consideration for parents navigating Hong Kong’s highly competitive school admissions landscape. Further admissions details are available on the ESF website.
Kellett School Celebrates 50 Years of British Education
Founded in 1976 by a group of parents seeking a British-style curriculum, Kellett, the British International School in Hong Kong, is currently marking its 50th anniversary. Now educating over 1,500 students representing nearly 50 nationalities, Kellett remains a parent-governed and not-for-profit institution dedicated to instilling values of respect, kindness, and integrity.
The milestone celebrations extend globally across Hong Kong, London, New York, and Sydney, highlighting the school’s international reach. Locally, Kellett is moving forward with its ambitious Kellett Vision 2035, a ten-year strategic plan that includes the notable opening of a new Sixth Form Centre in August, reinforcing its commitment to high-quality secondary education while retaining its foundational ethos.
CDNIS Enhances Engineering University Access
The Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) recently provided students with rare, direct access to top-tier North American higher education through a unique engagement session. Following the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference, the school hosted eight deans from Canada’s leading engineering faculties, including representatives from McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia.
The session offered invaluable, firsthand insights into the evolving field of engineering, covering programme specifics, admissions criteria, and future trends of the discipline. As institutions globally seek to broaden their international student base, such partnerships provide significant advantages for Hong Kong students aiming to study abroad.
NAIS Hong Kong Offers Dual Post-16 Pathways at New Centre
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS Hong Kong) is expanding its provision for senior students with the inauguration of a new Sixth Form Centre in Hung Hom, slated to open in August 2026. The centre is designed to provide a more sophisticated, university-style learning environment tailored for independent study.
Crucially, the new campus will offer students the flexibility of pursuing either A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This dual pathway system allows learners to select the qualification best aligned with their academic strengths and future university aspirations. Complementing this facility is the introduction of a new Scholarship Programme, spanning Year 3 to Year 13, which aims to recognize excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. The new centre represents a significant investment in supporting students’ transition to higher education.
These collective announcements underscore a dynamic period of growth and maturity within Hong Kong’s international school ecosystem, prioritizing flexible, high-calibre educational options for the city’s global community.