Notes / Hong Kong
Best IB Schools in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has the densest cluster of high-scoring IB schools in Asia. The flagships, the ESF system, the mid-tier and how to choose between them.
The brief
- The highest published IB DP averages sit at Malvern College Hong Kong (44, small cohort), German Swiss (40), Singapore International (39.2) and Chinese International School (38.95).
- The full-continuum private flagships are CIS, The ISF Academy, CDNIS and Victoria Shanghai Academy: PYP, MYP and DP under one roof.
- ESF finishes on IB DP, not A-Levels. West Island, Sha Tin College, King George V, South Island, Renaissance College and Discovery College at HKD 159,400 to 181,100 (USD 20,400 to 23,200).
- The bilingual diploma rates are world-leading. PLK CKY (62%), Malvern (47%) and CIS (28%) publish rates rarely matched anywhere.
- Headline fees rarely tell the full story. Most private flagships layer a refundable debenture (often HKD 250,000 to HKD 1.5 million) or a non-refundable capital levy on top. The first-year cost is the figure to ask for.
Hong Kong is one of the strongest IB markets in the world. The 2024 global IB DP average was 30.32. The top half of the city's IB cohort sits at 38 or above; flagships clear 40.
The market splits three ways. Private full-continuum schools run PYP, MYP and DP from age three at premium fees. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) runs 22 schools at roughly a third of those fees: British primary spine, IB DP at sixth form. A smaller specialist tier (Malvern, the UWC, bilingual and faith-rooted IB schools) fills the gaps.
Debentures and capital levies bite hardest at the private flagships. Ask for the all-in first-year figure before comparing fee tables.
The top tier
Four schools combine published DP averages above 38, full continuum from primary, and accreditation that holds up to scrutiny.
Chinese International School
Braemar Hill. Founded 1983. Ages 4 to 18. Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP). CIS / NEASC re-accredited 2021. Fees HKD 216,100 to 342,800 (USD 27,700 to 43,950).
IB DP 2025 average 38.95, 99% pass rate, 49% scored 40+, 28% bilingual diploma. The Mandarin-English programme is among the deepest in the city. Around 1,600 pupils, college counselling built for top-50 US and UK destinations.
The ISF Academy
Pokfulam. Founded 2003. Ages 5 to 18. Full IB continuum. CIS accredited since 2014, WASC. Fees HKD 240,320 to 303,530 (USD 30,800 to 38,900).
IB DP 2025 average 38.9, 100% pass rate, 94% matriculated into a top-100 world university. Mandarin is embedded across the school day. Around 2,300 pupils.
Canadian International School of Hong Kong
Aberdeen. Founded 1991. Ages 3 to 18. Full IB continuum. CIS re-accredited 2024, WASC. Fees HKD 138,600 to 254,300 (USD 17,800 to 32,600).
IB DP 2025 average 37.7, 96% pass rate, 39.4% scored 40+. CDNIS pairs an Ontario Canadian identity with full IB delivery; the 13-storey vertical campus is a Hong Kong landmark. Around 2,200 pupils.
Victoria Shanghai Academy
Aberdeen. Founded 2004. Ages 6 to 18. Full IB continuum. CIS, NEASC. Fees HKD 181,200 to 255,600 (USD 23,200 to 32,750).
IB DP 2025 average 38, 100% MYP certificate rate. Run by the Victoria Educational Organisation, a Hong Kong-rooted non-profit. Around 2,100 pupils, Putonghua-English bilingual through MYP, parent demographic leans local.
ESF, British-rooted, IB-finished
The English Schools Foundation is Hong Kong's largest English-medium provider: 22 schools, around 18,000 pupils, governed as a single foundation. ESF moved its secondaries to IB DP system-wide over a decade ago. None offers A-Levels.
The pathway is British primary tradition (UK-style curriculum, EYFS, predominantly UK-qualified staff), IGCSE in Year 11, then IB Diploma at sixth form. Secondary fees in 2025/26 run HKD 159,400 to 181,100 (USD 20,400 to 23,200). A separate Nomination Rights Scheme contribution (HKD 38,000 per family) sits in place of a debenture.
The seven ESF secondaries that finish on IB DP:
- West Island School (Pok Fu Lam): IB DP 37.6 (2025), 100% pass rate, 38% scoring 40+.
- Sha Tin College (Sha Tin): strong recent IB DP averages, sibling pipeline from Sha Tin Junior.
- King George V (Ho Man Tin, founded 1894, oldest ESF): IB DP mean 36.1, 29% scoring 40+.
- South Island School (Aberdeen): IB DP 35.9 (2025), 86% scoring 30+.
- Island School (current campus in Sha Tin during redevelopment).
- Renaissance College (Ma On Shan): full PYP / MYP / DP / CP. IB DP 36 (2024).
- Discovery College (Discovery Bay): full PYP / MYP / DP.
ESF primaries feed by catchment and sibling priority. The housing decision becomes the schooling decision.
Strong mid-tier
Australian International School Hong Kong
Kowloon Tong. Founded 1995. Ages 4 to 18. IB Diploma alongside the Australian HSC. Fees HKD 156,200 to 265,400 (USD 20,000 to 34,000). IB DP average 38, 41% scoring 40+, top mark 44/45. January-to-December Australian calendar.
Singapore International School
Aberdeen. Founded 1991. Ages 3 to 18. British primary, IB DP at sixth form. Fees HKD 103,000 to 254,900 (USD 13,200 to 32,700). IB DP 2024 average 39.2 (up from 38). *IGCSE 76.5% A/A in 2023.**
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School
Hong Kong. Founded 2011. Ages 5 to 18. Fees HKD 99,825 to 146,927 (USD 12,800 to 18,800). IB DP 2025 average 38.29, 98.94% award rate, 62.37% bilingual diploma. The strongest value-for-results proposition.
Also worth a look
Carmel School is a small Jewish-foundation through-school (around 400 pupils) with full IB continuum: IB DP 2025 average 38.2, 43% scoring 40+.
YCIS Hong Kong (Kowloon Tong, founded 1932) runs a bilingual co-teacher model through early years and primary. IB Diploma 2022 average 37.3.
Stamford American (Ho Man Tin, founded 2017, Cognita-operated) runs IB alongside an American programme. IB DP 2025 award rate 92%, 24% bilingual.
Hong Kong Academy (Sai Kung, full IB continuum) sits at the global average (IB DP 2025: 32) but is one of the few credible international options in Sai Kung; strong on inclusion and learning support.
Best for full IB continuum (PYP + MYP + DP)
A through-school IB pathway from age three to eighteen narrows the field to: CIS (also CP), ISF Academy, CDNIS, Victoria Shanghai Academy, Renaissance College (ESF, + CP), Discovery College (ESF), Hong Kong Academy and Carmel School.
PYP and MYP execution varies. The PYP is inquiry-led with no external exams; the MYP is largely criterion-referenced and internal. Both depend on teacher capability rather than the framework. Strong DP results from a school's own PYP / MYP feeder is the signal to follow.
Specialist picks
Li Po Chun United World College
Ma On Shan. Founded 1992. Ages 16 to 19 only. Residential UWC, IB DP only. Fees HKD 324,000 to 428,000 (USD 41,500 to 54,900) all-in including boarding. IB DP 2023: 25.2% scored 40+; ten graduates achieved 43 or 44 points. Around 250 students from roughly 80 countries selected through national UWC committees. Results reflect selection as much as teaching.
Malvern College Hong Kong
Tai Po. Founded 2018. Ages 1 to 18. IB Diploma at sixth form. Round Square. Fees HKD 198,860 to 226,210 (USD 25,500 to 29,000). IB DP 2024 average 44, 60% scored 45+, 47% bilingual diploma. Two qualifiers: the cohort is small and a 44 average from a limited graduate group is not directly comparable to schools graduating 100+ a year. The result is still exceptional. Runs on the Malvern College England model under licence.
At a glance
| School | Area | Fees (HKD, annual) | Fees (USD) | Capital | IB | Latest DP avg | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malvern College HK | Tai Po | 198,860–226,210 | 25,500–29,000 | Capital levy | DP, MYP | 44 (2024, small cohort) | Highest published DP average |
| German Swiss International | The Peak | 197,000–256,700 | 25,250–32,900 | Debenture | DP (A-Level alongside) | 40 (2024) | Dual German-English stream |
| Singapore International | Aberdeen | 103,000–254,900 | 13,200–32,700 | Debenture | DP | 39.2 (2024) | Strong results, lower entry fees |
| Chinese International School | Braemar Hill | 216,100–342,800 | 27,700–43,950 | Debenture | Full continuum + CP | 38.95 (2025) | 28% bilingual diploma |
| The ISF Academy | Pokfulam | 240,320–303,530 | 30,800–38,900 | Capital | PYP, MYP, DP | 38.9 (2025) | 94% top-100 university |
| Po Leung Kuk CKY | Hong Kong | 99,825–146,927 | 12,800–18,800 | None published | DP | 38.29 (2025) | 62% bilingual diploma |
| Carmel School | Hong Kong | 84,500–237,370 | 10,800–30,400 | None published | PYP, MYP, DP | 38.2 (2025) | Small through-school |
| AIS Hong Kong | Kowloon Tong | 156,200–265,400 | 20,000–34,000 | Debenture | DP (+ HSC) | 38 | Jan-to-Dec calendar |
| Victoria Shanghai Academy | Aberdeen | 181,200–255,600 | 23,200–32,750 | Debenture | Full continuum | 38 (2025) | Bilingual through MYP |
| CDNIS | Aberdeen | 138,600–254,300 | 17,800–32,600 | Debenture | Full continuum | 37.7 (2025) | Ontario-Canadian + IB |
| West Island School (ESF) | Pok Fu Lam | 159,400–181,100 | 20,400–23,200 | Nomination scheme | DP | 37.6 (2025) | Highest ESF DP average |
| King George V (ESF) | Ho Man Tin | 159,400–181,100 | 20,400–23,200 | Nomination scheme | DP | 36.1 | Oldest and largest ESF |
| Renaissance College (ESF) | Ma On Shan | 148,100–195,700 | 19,000–25,100 | Nomination scheme | Full + CP | 36 (2024) | ESF with PYP feeder |
| South Island (ESF) | Aberdeen | 159,400–181,100 | 20,400–23,200 | Nomination scheme | DP | 35.9 (2025) | South-side ESF flagship |
| Li Po Chun UWC | Ma On Shan | 324,000–428,000 | 41,500–54,900 | Boarding included | DP only | 25% scoring 40+ (2023) | Residential UWC; selective |
Fees are 2025/26 annual tuition. Debentures and capital levies are separate. Verify current figures with each school.
The four IB programmes
The IB has four programmes: PYP (3 to 12), MYP (11 to 16), DP (16 to 19), CP (16 to 19). The DP is the exit qualification: six subjects (three Higher Level, three Standard), plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Graded out of 45 points.
The 2024 global DP average was 30.32. Hong Kong's flagships clear 38; several clear 40. The city's bilingual-diploma rates, which require DP-level work in two languages, are among the highest in the world.
How to choose between them
The four-way decision (private full-continuum vs ESF vs bilingual specialist vs UWC) tightens once two questions are answered: where you live, and what you want at sixth form.
Geography sets the shortlist. The Peak, Mid-Levels and Pokfulam pull toward CIS, ISF Academy, German Swiss, Singapore International, West Island, South Island and CDNIS. Kowloon Tong is YCIS and AIS territory. Ma On Shan and Sha Tin run on Renaissance College, Sha Tin College and LPCUWC. Discovery Bay defaults to Discovery College.
If A-Levels are non-negotiable, the British schools brief is the better starting point. The remaining filters are bilingual diploma rate, debenture structure, full continuum vs join-at-sixth-form, and admissions pressure.
Related reading
- Best international schools in Hong Kong, the city pillar
- Best British schools in Hong Kong
- What is the IB Diploma?
- IB HL vs SL
- IB vs A-Levels
- British vs IB vs American curriculum
- What is CIS accreditation?
FAQs
Which Hong Kong school has the highest IB DP average?
Malvern College Hong Kong published a 2024 cohort average of 44, the highest figure in the city, with a small cohort. Among more mature DP cohorts, German Swiss (40), Singapore International (39.2) and Chinese International School (38.95) lead.
How many IB schools are there in Hong Kong?
More than 30 schools run one or more IB programmes. Around 20 deliver the full Diploma Programme through to age 18 with published results.
Does ESF do A-Levels?
No. Every ESF secondary finishes on the IB Diploma. Families set on A-Levels look to Harrow Hong Kong, Kellett, German Swiss (English stream), Nord Anglia or Wycombe Abbey instead.
What is a bilingual IB Diploma?
DP-level work in two languages, including completing one of TOK or the Extended Essay in a second language. PLK CKY awards it to 62% of its DP cohort; Malvern College HK to 47%; CIS to 28%. Universities treat it as evidence of genuine academic bilingualism, not a language certificate.
What is a debenture?
A refundable capital sum the family lends to the school in return for a priority place, commonly HKD 250,000 to HKD 1.5 million. It returns when the child leaves, sometimes with conditions. A capital levy is a non-refundable one-off charge on entry. ESF uses a smaller Nomination Rights Scheme contribution (HKD 38,000 per family) instead.
Is the IB Diploma harder than A-Levels?
Structurally different rather than inherently harder. The IB DP requires six subjects plus TOK, the Extended Essay and CAS; A-Levels narrow to three or four subjects in depth. UK and US universities recognise both fluently.
Sources: school websites and published examination results 2023 to 2025; English Schools Foundation (esf.edu.hk); IB Organisation statistical bulletins; Hong Kong Education Bureau; Council of International Schools and WASC accreditation registers; school admissions and fee schedules 2025/26.