Cities / Hong Kong / Concordia International School Hong Kong
Concordia International School Hong Kong
An American-curriculum secondary in Yau Yat Chuen, Kowloon, capped at around 100 pupils across Grades 7-12 and offering AP courses alongside the core US diploma. Founded in 1990 with roots in the Lutheran Church-Hong Kong Synod.
In brief
CISHK operates as a co-educational secondary school exclusively, focusing on grades 7-12 with an American curriculum pathway leading to Advanced Placement qualifications. The school's Lutheran Church-Hong Kong Synod connection reflects its founding heritage from 1990, though it serves students from diverse backgrounds. Located in the quiet Yau Yat Chuen neighborhood of Kowloon, the school maintains a smaller scale compared to Hong Kong's major international institutions.
The school emphasizes core academic disciplines including English, mathematics, science, and social science within its American framework. Annual fees range from HK$134,000 to HK$156,500, positioning it in the middle range of Hong Kong's international school market. However, CISHK generates minimal discussion in parent forums and teacher networks compared to schools like HKIS, CDNIS, or ESF institutions, suggesting a quieter reputation in the competitive Hong Kong education market.
Strengths
- American curriculum with AP qualifications for university preparation
- Smaller school environment in peaceful Kowloon neighborhood
- Secondary-focused approach allows specialized attention to teenage years
- Mid-range fees compared to premium Hong Kong international schools
- Established institution with over 30 years of operation
Considerations
- Limited visibility and discussion among Hong Kong international school community
- Secondary-only enrollment means families need primary school elsewhere
- Minimal public information about academic outcomes or university placements
- Small scale may limit extracurricular and facility options
- Less established reputation compared to Hong Kong's recognized international schools
Academics
Concordia International School Hong Kong (CISHK) follows a North American-based curriculum, preparing students for the PSAT, SAT, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams (CISHK Academics). For the 2025-26 academic year, the school offers a range of AP courses including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Economics, Precalculus, Calculus BC, Chinese Studies, and Art Studio 2-D (CISHK Curriculum Overview). While specific pass rates and scores are not published, the school reports that over 90% of graduates from the last two years are engaged in college study (CISHK Annual Progress Report 2024-25).
School life
The school offers a variety of team sports including Badminton, Ball Hockey, Basketball, Cross-Country, Soccer, and Table Tennis (CISHK Athletics). Academic and competitive activities include the International History Bee and Bowl, the World Scholar's Cup, and Model United Nations (MUN), with the MUN team participating in events since 2009 (CISHK Extra-Curricular Activities). Students also participate in a schoolwide Cultural Day and are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of service learning through the Global Leadership Program (CISHK Programs).
The CISHK campus is located at 68 Begonia Road, Yau Yat Chuen, Kowloon (CISHK Contact Us). It is a small campus designed to accommodate a maximum of 100 students yearly (CISHK Student Handbook). The school operates a 1:1 MacBook program, integrating technology throughout the curriculum, and utilizes digital learning platforms and e-books for library materials (CISHK About Us).
Student body
CISHK serves a small, co-educational student body in Grades 7 through 12, typically aged 12 to 18 (Education Bureau). The school maintains a stable enrolment of approximately 90 students, with a maximum capacity of 100 students annually and one class per grade level (CISHK Student Handbook). The student body is multi-national and multi-cultural; according to external data, over 78% are non-local students, with 37% international by language spoken at home (International Schools Database).
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 7 – Grade 8 | 12 | HK$134,000 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | HK$139,600 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | HK$140,200 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | HK$155,850 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | HK$156,500 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | HK$1,000 | |
| Advanced Fee | HK$15,000 |
Reviews
- Public review pool is thin. Most discussion centres on Concordia's Shanghai and Hanoi campuses, with the Hong Kong site barely mentioned by parents or community members.
- The Hong Kong campus is positioned as a Lutheran-founded American secondary school (Grades 7 to 12) in Yau Yat Chuen, Kowloon Tong, with AP and a 1:1 MacBook programme.
- One parent flagged language mismatch, writing "you walk in there thinking it's an international school but no one speaks English" alongside teaching-quality complaints.
- Sector directories report a large Chinese, Korean and Japanese expat enrolment and guaranteed-acceptance pathways to Concordia Universities in the US for qualifying graduates.
- Fee positioning sits mid-market for Hong Kong international secondaries.
Positives
- US university pathway. Guaranteed admission and scholarship eligibility at Concordia Universities in the US is the most-cited structural strength
Considerations
- Signal volume. Independent parent and student commentary is sparse compared with the Shanghai and Hanoi Concordia campuses
- Language and student mix. One parent review flagged that English use among students was lower than the international branding implies
- Religious framing. Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod founded the school; religious tone is part of the daily experience
Leadership
Tom Du
Tom Du has served as Principal of Concordia International School Hong Kong since July 2017, while also holding roles as WASC Accreditation Coordinator and AP Coordinator since the same period.
Accreditations
- Full WASC accreditation through June 2024. 01
- No CIS, NEASC, COBIS/BSO, ISQM published 02
- No FOBISIA, EARCOS, ACAMIS, Round Square, Apple Distinguished School, HPL, Eco-Schools, HKAYP published 03
Academic results
- Result AP scores in Calculus AB, Microeconomics, and Physics I showed a progressive upward trend 2023-2025, though overall performance remained below the Global Mean following COVID-19.