Cities / Hong Kong / Clearwater Bay School Hong Kong
Clearwater Bay School Hong Kong
Located on Clearwater Bay Road in Sai Kung district, CBS operates as part of the English Schools Foundation network established in 1967 to provide English medium education in Hong Kong.
In brief
Located on Clearwater Bay Road in Sai Kung district, CBS operates as part of the English Schools Foundation network established in 1967 to provide English-medium education in Hong Kong. The school's setting amid country parks provides generous outdoor spaces typical of ESF primary schools, creating an environment where students can enjoy both structured learning and natural surroundings. As a primary-only institution, CBS serves as a feeder school to ESF's secondary schools including Island School and Renaissance College.
The school follows the English National Curriculum adapted for international contexts, emphasizing inquiry-based learning approaches that encourage critical thinking and exploration. With approximately 900-1,000 students representing over 50 nationalities typical of ESF schools, CBS reflects Hong Kong's diverse expatriate community while maintaining English as the primary medium of instruction. The ESF fee structure provides relative value compared to independent international primaries, making quality English-medium education accessible to a broader range of families seeking preparation for ESF's well-regarded secondary pathway.
Strengths
- Part of established ESF network with 50+ years of English-medium education experience
- Spacious campus setting in scenic Clearwater Bay amid country parks
- Inquiry-based learning approach following adapted English National Curriculum
- Diverse international community with 50+ nationalities represented
- Direct pathway to respected ESF secondary schools
- Competitive fees compared to independent international primaries
Considerations
- Primary-only school requiring secondary school transition planning
- Location in Sai Kung may require longer commute from central Hong Kong
- ESF admission can be competitive with waiting lists
- Limited specific information available about unique school programs or facilities
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | HK$139,000 |
| Year 2 | 6 | HK$139,000 |
| Year 3 | 7 | HK$139,000 |
| Year 4 | 8 | HK$139,000 |
| Year 5 | 9 | HK$139,000 |
| Year 6 | 10 | HK$139,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | HK$2,800 | |
| Deposit | HK$27,800 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 6 entry | HK$28,000 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 5 entry | HK$30,000 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 4 entry | HK$32,000 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 3 entry | HK$34,000 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 2 entry | HK$36,000 | |
| Capital Levy – Year 1 entry | HK$38,000 |
Reviews
- Part of the English Schools Foundation, Clearwater Bay School is a primary IB PYP school of around 720 children from more than 35 nationalities, serving the Sai Kung, Clearwater Bay and Tseung Kwan O communities.
- One parent said their child is at CWBS, called it "relatively cheap for an international school" by Hong Kong standards and "strongly recommended" it. They noted long waiting lists and that the post-Covid expat exodus opened up places.
- ESF as a system is widely seen as the most affordable serious international option in Hong Kong. One parent said "ESF is the cheapest school option" while still rating it good, and others recommended Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay specifically as family-friendly areas with this school nearby.
- Teachers describe the experience as varying noticeably between ESF schools and warn that the ESF organisation has shifted toward more locally qualified, lower-cost staff alongside established teachers.
- The same teachers say the demographic mix has tilted toward English-medium education for a largely local clientele, which they flag as something prospective expat families should be aware of, though not as a quality criticism in itself.
Positives
- Strong parent recommendation, long waiting lists. The clearest parent voice explicitly recommends CWBS and notes places are hard to come by outside of unusual circumstances such as the Covid-era exodus.
- Relative value within Hong Kong. Multiple Hong Kong threads point to ESF, and CWBS specifically, as the most affordable credible international option, with annual fees well under the city's top-tier schools.
- Catchment fit and area. Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay are repeatedly recommended as family-friendly and beach-adjacent, with CWBS as the natural local primary.
Considerations
- ESF system shift. Teacher commentators say ESF schools differ substantially from each other and that the system as a whole has been bringing in more lower-cost, locally qualified staff alongside the established teaching team.
- Demographic balance. Teacher posts note the ESF intake is now largely local Hong Kong children educated in English. This is presented as context for expat families rather than as a school-quality issue.
Leadership
Michael Dewey
Michael Dewey is an educational leader with vast experience in international education. He previously worked at Quarry Bay School and emphasizes a hands-on approach, maintaining a constant presence in classrooms and throughout the school.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- HK_EDB 02