FAQ

CIS is located in Hong Kong on the top of Braemar Hill, a quiet residential area noted for its many schools. The school derives much of its sense of community from its single campus focussed around three central courtyards. The current campus opened in 1991, and commands spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the surrounding hills.

While the neighbouring country parks are easily accessible for sporting activities and field excursions, CIS is also within easy reach of Hong Kong's dynamic urban centres. CIS is just ten minutes by bus or taxi from the Causeway Bay shopping district and Mass Transit Rail (MTR) system, fifteen minutes from the historic Happy Valley racecourse and playing fields, and twenty minutes from Central, the city's high-rise business hub.

There are 1,500+ students enrolled at Chinese International School.

Primary School (Reception-Year 6): 650+ students 
Secondary School (Year 7-9 & 11-13): 850+ students 
CIS Hangzhou (Year 10): 100+ students 

CIS is accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and most recently received its 10-year re-accreditation in May 2021.

It is also a member of the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Uniforms are required for all our students from Reception through Year 11.  

Starting in August 2022, we started our "Busing for All" Programme, which requires all Year 3-11 students to take the school bus to and from campus. Reception-Year 2 and Year 12-13 students will continue to have the option of taking the school bus. 

At CIS, we strongly believe in the importance of a holistic education and aim to enrich and supplement our students' educational experiences and enable them to embody values of leadership, teamwork and grit through our Sports & Activities programmes.

Our Sports & Activities office offers a wide-variety of programmes, including Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), a private music lesson programme, and competitive sports teams. CCAs cover the following categories: Arts, Music, Sports, Academic & Enrichment, Communication & Language, as well as Global Issues, Community, Environment, and Service. There is something for everyone!

To learn more, click here.

School fees at CIS are inclusive of tuition, an annual capital levy and annual fees which vary at each year level.  To learn more about school fees, Nomination Rights and Financial Aid (Year 8- 12 applicants), please click here.

Yes, CIS financially supports qualified students applying for Year 8 and above. To learn more about about our financial aid programme, please click here.

If families that are already enrolled at CIS encounter financial difficulties, the school is here to help.  Please contact the Director of Finance and Business Administration in the strictest confidence, for more information.

School hours at CIS vary at the Primary and Secondary Schools and are noted below.  For the school calendar, please click here.

CIS has a vibrant and cohesive community of parents, students and staff and there are numerous ways that parents can get involved in the community. Examples include:

• serving as an Annual Fund Advocate and helping promote the culture of giving;
   
• serving on the General Committee of CISPTA, which promotes and facilitates open communication between parents and the school administration;
   
• serving on one of the many CISPTA sub-committees, such as Community Events, Transport, and Sustainability;
   
• joining the parent-run volunteer organization, CIS Phoenix Sports Club, whose mission is to support the efforts of the sports teams of the school, foster team spirit and school pride;
   
• or volunteering as a Primary Class Parent or Secondary Year Representative.

There is something for everyone! 
 

Learn More

The application period begins from 1 September, beginning two academic years prior to entry and closes on 1 October of the academic year prior to entry.

To learn more about the application process for Reception applicants, please click here.

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable application fee for all Reception applicants. 

For those students who are selected to move on to Stage 2 of the application process, there will be an additional non-refundable assessment fee of HK$2,000.

We require identity documents, photos and your child's latest school reports, if available, to be submitted along with your online application.  Parents must also complete a questionnaire. To learn more, please click here.

There are 96 places available for our Reception programme.  

Following that, our space in Year 1 - 6 is usually very limited since places only open up when a child leaves.  Low single digit openings may only be available in certain year groups.  In Year 7, an additional 50 or more places become available as our Secondary school is larger than our Primary school and is another great opportunity to join our CIS Community.

Initial offers for Reception will be sent out by email by mid-March once all assessments have been completed. All applications will be closed at this time.

Some applicants who have been assessed may be on a reserve list, pending availability of a space. Placement offers may also be made on a conditional basis, pending receipt of a visa for overseas applicants.

To learn more about the application process for Reception applicants, please click here.

The application period begins from 1 September, beginning one academic year prior to entry and closing on 28 February.

To learn more about the application process for Year 1 -6 applicants, please click here.

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable application fee for all Year 1-6 applicants. 
 

We require identity documents, photos and your child's latest school reports to be submitted along with your online application.  To learn more, please click here.

Space availability in Year 1-6 is usually very limited since places only open up when a child leaves.  Low single digit openings may only be available in certain year groups.  As the curriculum at the Primary school is taught in both Chinese (Mandarin) and English, adequate levels of both languages are necessary to meet CIS's admissions requirements.

Admissions notifications will take place in May/June. 

Given the limited number of spaces on offer in CIS Primary, assessments are conducted by invitation only. If your child is not invited for assessment, your application is still kept “open.” At the end of the school year, CIS Admissions will send an email asking if you continue to be interested in the school. If you remain interested, the school will consider your child for the following year’s enrolment.

To learn more about the application process for Year 1-6 applicants, please click here.

The application period begins from 1 September. There is no deadline for applications. However, applications should be submitted ideally by early November, as admissions assessments will begin in late November/ early December.

Applications received later than early November will still be processed. Because places will be offered to suitable applicants on a rolling basis after each assessment session, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment.
 

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable application fee. 

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable assessment fee.  Parents will be contacted to make the payment before the entrance assessment.

Please click below to learn more about our online application and required supporting documents.

Online Application

Yes, all Secondary applicants are invited to an entrance assessment. 

Year 7:  Admissions assessments will begin in late November/early December

Year 8-12: Admissions assessments will begin in January

Parents will be notified of the exact dates of the assessment 2-3 weeks before the assessments
 

Students will be notified about with the admission decision about 3-4 weeks after the applicant completes the entrance assessment.

Yes, the CIS Hangzhou programme is mandatory for all Year 10 students.

CIS Hangzhou is located on the campus of our partner school, Greentown Yuhua School (GYS), a leading private school in Zhejiang Province. Sharing a campus with Chinese peers provides CIS Hangzhou students with a range of opportunities for exchange and friendship.

It is a one year residential programme. 
 

To learn more about the CIS Hangzhou programme, you can join our Information Session for the Secondary school in December or click below to learn more.  
 

CIS Hangzhou 

Please click below to learn more about the fees associated with the CIS Hangzhou programme.

CIS Hangzhou Fees

For those students interested in only attending CIS for the one year CIS Hangzhou programme, please contact our Admissions Office for more information as the application process differs slightly for these types of applicants.

Tel: (852) 2512-5915
admissions@cis.edu.hk
 

The application period begins from 1 September. There is no deadline for applications. However,  Year 10 applications should be submitted ideally by December as Year 10 admissions assessments are usually held in January or February.

Applications received later than December will still be processed. Because places will be offered to suitable applicants on a rolling basis after each assessment session, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment.
 

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable application fee. 

There is a HK$2,000 non-refundable assessment fee.  Parents will be contacted to make the payment before the entrance assessment.

Please click below to learn more about our online application and required supporting documents.

Online Application

Yes, all Secondary applicants are invited to an entrance assessment. 

Year 10 admissions assessments will begin in January

Parents will be notified of the exact dates of the assessment 2-3 weeks before the assessments
 

Students will be notified about with the admission decision about 3-4 weeks after the applicant completes the entrance assessment.