Cities / Hong Kong / Kowloon Junior School Hong Kong
Kowloon Junior School Hong Kong
As part of the English Schools Foundation network, Kowloon Junior School operates as a primary focused institution serving the international expatriate community in Kowloon.
In brief
As part of the English Schools Foundation network, Kowloon Junior School operates as a primary-focused institution serving the international expatriate community in Kowloon. The school has undergone significant transformation with a complete rebuild over the past few years, resulting in what parents describe as fantastic modern facilities that represent a major upgrade from the previous campus infrastructure.
Parent discussions within Hong Kong's expatriate community note the school's strong reputation within the ESF system, with many families choosing KJS for its convenient Kowloon location and established educational framework. The school maintains the typical ESF structure of international teachers and British curriculum pathways, preparing students for transition to ESF secondary schools or other international institutions in Hong Kong.
Strengths
- Recently rebuilt campus with modern facilities praised by parents
- Part of established ESF network with proven educational framework
- Convenient Kowloon location for families living on that side of the harbor
- Strong community connections with many former students returning as parents
Considerations
- Limited information available about current leadership and specific programs
- As a primary-only school, families need to plan secondary school transitions
- ESF schools can have competitive admission processes
- Relatively low visibility in recent expatriate education discussions
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Years 1 – 6 | 5 | HK$139,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | HK$2,800 | |
| Deposit | HK$27,800 | |
| NCL Year 6 | HK$28,000 | |
| NCL Year 5 | HK$30,000 | |
| NCL Year 4 | HK$32,000 | |
| NCL Year 3 | HK$34,000 | |
| NCL Year 2 | HK$36,000 | |
| NCL Year 1 | HK$38,000 |
Reviews
- One of the largest ESF primary schools, with around 900 children and a long waitlist that forces parents to stay inside the catchment.
- Class sizes run up to 30 and the teacher-to-student ratio is higher than other Hong Kong primaries; parents flagged maths under PYP as a concern.
- IB PYP throughout, with a managed transition into King George V Secondary; reviewers describe the move up as smooth.
- 2013 redevelopment gave it modern arts, music and specialist spaces; one reviewer called it among ESF's most modern campuses.
- Cheaper than the named-curriculum HK schools, but ESF subsidies have been winding down and fees rise each year.
Positives
- Pipeline to King George V. Smooth, well-managed transition into the ESF secondary system.
- Facilities. Modern post-2013 redevelopment, good arts and music space.
Considerations
- Demand and waitlist. Hugely popular and oversubscribed; catchment-only entry frustrates families who fall outside it.
- Class size and PYP maths. Classes near 30. Mumsnet parents flagged PYP maths rigour as a concern.
- Cost trajectory. Cheaper than named-curriculum HK rivals, but ESF subsidy phase-out is pushing fees up.
Leadership
Gavin MacGregor
Gavin MacGregor is a highly skilled and forward-thinking school leader who joined Kowloon Junior School as Principal in 2023, following UK primary education including six years as Headteacher at Southern Road Primary School in London, where it was praised by OFSTED for its supportive learning culture and achieved top national rankings in maths.
Accreditations
- HK_EDB 01