History & Governance
History
When CIS opened its doors in 1983, its co-founders Nelly Fung, Kin-yue Fu and Joyce Tai realised a long-held dream of a school that would offer the best of both Chinese and Western worlds.
Their vision was for a school open to all regardless of nationality, race or creed, where students would achieve fluency in Chinese (Mandarin) and an understanding of the dual heritage that makes Hong Kong unique.
Born in Asia and educated in Asia and the West, the founders saw a need in the late 1970s for an educational institution in Hong Kong that could provide an alternative to local schools teaching mainly an exam-based curriculum and to international schools teaching mainly Western curricula.
CIS remains true to that vision today. Bilingual and intercultural, it continues to break ground in its language teaching and to earn acclaim for preparing bright, articulate young people at home in the East or the West.
1983
CIS Founded
1983-84
School opens with Primary 1-3 students
1991
Braemar Hill Campus established
1992
IBDP introduced
1994
First graduating class
2000
CIS accredited by ECIS & NEASC
2002
First MYP School in Hong Kong
2010
Phoenix mascot launched
2013
CIS Hangzhou established
2016
New Tower opened
2018-19
35th Anniversary celebrations
2021
Vision '33 launched
Governance
The school is a non-profit charitable organisation. Ultimate responsibility for the school rests with the Board of Governors of the Chinese International School Foundation.
The Board establishes broad policies to ensure that the school meets the highest standards of service to its constituents. It is assisted in its long-range planning for the school by various Board committees. Day-to-day operation of CIS is the responsibility of the Head of School, who works closely with the Leadership Team.