Chinese International School Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Established in 1983 as Hong Kong's first bilingual international school, CIS has maintained its position as a leader in East-West educational integration for over four decades. The school relocated to its current Braemar Hill campus in 1991, creating a modern educational environment on Hong Kong Island. With more than 1,500 students representing around 30 nationalities, CIS offers genuine bilingual education where English and Mandarin teachers share equal classroom time throughout the primary years, progressing to the full IB curriculum culminating in the Diploma Programme.

The school's commitment to Chinese cultural integration extends beyond language instruction to include experiential learning opportunities like the mandatory Year 10 residential program in Hangzhou, launched in 2013. Recent campus expansion plans include a new facility at 9 Hau Yuen Path opening in August 2028, designed to accommodate Years 2-6 students and increase overall enrollment capacity. With an impressive IB average score of 40.9 out of 45, CIS demonstrates strong academic outcomes while maintaining its bilingual mission and cultural bridge-building approach that distinguishes it from Hong Kong's other international schools.

Strengths

First Hong Kong school to adopt IB curriculum, pioneering bilingual education since 1983
Strong IB Diploma results with average score of 40.9 out of 45
Authentic bilingual program with equal English-Mandarin instruction time
Unique Year 10 Hangzhou residential program for cultural immersion
Modern Braemar Hill campus with 25m indoor pool, auditorium, and climbing wall
Diverse international community with 30+ nationalities represented

Considerations

Mandarin proficiency expectations may be challenging for non-Chinese speaking families
Campus expansion construction may cause temporary disruptions through 2028
Limited public information about current leadership team and specific fee structure
Single campus location on Hong Kong Island may not suit families in other districts
Bilingual academic demands require strong commitment from students and families

Academics

For the Class of 2025, the average IB Diploma score was 38.95 out of 45, with a 99% pass rate and 49% of students scoring 40 points or higher. Additionally, 28% of students received an IB Bilingual Diploma, and the average subject grade was 6.15 out of 7. In 2024, the average score was 39.7 with a 98.4% pass rate and 63% scoring 40+.

School life

Sports offered include basketball, football, fencing, frisbee, netball, rock climbing, swimming, and volleyball. Competitive teams participate in HKPSSA, PASS, HKSSF, ISSFHK, and ACAMIS leagues. Arts and music programmes cover visual arts, private music lessons, drama, and digital design.

The Braemar Hill campus features an 11-storey academic building ("Phoenix Soaring") opened in 2017. Facilities include two multi-purpose sports centres, a fitness room, an indoor swimming pool, a sports field, science laboratories, design studios, music rooms, art studios, collaborative learning spaces, and flexible classrooms. The campus is designed around three central courtyards.

Student body

Total enrolment is 1,652 students, consisting of 673 in Primary (Reception to Year 6) and 979 in Secondary (Years 7-9 and 11-13), plus 140+ students in the Year 10 Hangzhou programme. The student body represents over 30 nationalities. The school employs 225 educational staff, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of approximately 7.3:1.

Fee	Age	Type	Amount
Reception	5	Annual	HK$216,100
Year 1 – Year 6	5	Annual	HK$286,600
Year 7 – Year 11	11	Annual	HK$338,300
Year 12 – Year 13	16	Annual	HK$342,800
Application Fee		One-time	HK$2,000
Assessment Fee (Reception)		One-time	HK$2,000
Assessment Fee (Year 7-13)		One-time	HK$2,500
Reservation Deposit		One-time	HK$150,000

The school sits at the top of Hong Kong's bilingual market, with parents and alumni consistently rating its Mandarin programme and IB outcomes the strongest in the city.
2025 IB Diploma cohort averaged 38.95 with a 99% pass rate and 49% scoring 40+; alumni and Reddit commentary repeatedly cite this as the school's defining strength.
Admissions are described as exceptionally competitive. One Reddit account claims six-figure non-refundable application contributions for ultra-wealthy applicants; the published application fee is HK$2,000.
Parents are characterised, by both parents themselves and outside observers, as devoted and intense; the term tiger mother recurs in independent commentary.
Cohort is mostly Hong Kong-born even with 30+ nationalities present; one commentator says it feels more local than international despite the brand.
Mandatory Year 10 residential in Hangzhou is a recurring talking point, mostly positive.

Sean Lynch