IB Schools In Hong Kong: The IB Curriculum Explained

IB schools in Hong Kong are great if you plan on continuing to globetrot with your kids or looking to encourage critical thinking. Here are our picks of the Hong Kong schools that offer the International Baccalaureate programme.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) organisation was first established in 1968 as a response to the inflexibility of different school systems across the globe. It emphasises an interdisciplinary approach and focuses on social responsibility with its Community Action Service (CAS) projects where students must find and contribute 150 hours to working and giving back to their community. It has the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3 to 12, Middle Years Programme MYP) for kids from 11 to 16 years old, Diploma Programme (DP) for 16 to 19-year-olds, plus a Career-related Programme (CP) to facilitate career-related education. You can find out more about the IB curriculum here.

Today, the IB curriculum is taught in over 3000 IB schools across 140 different countries worldwide. Curious to find out how your child can be a part of the IB programme? Check out our guide on IB schools in Hong Kong.

Read More: Hong Kong International Schools – Where To Send Your Kids For A Global Education

Li Po Chun United World College (LPCUWC) – Boarding-only IB school in Hong Kong

LPCUWC offers a unique experience as it is a boarding-only school that offers a two-year IB DP programme to both local and international students. LPCUWC is part of the United World Colleges (UWC) movement that emphasises that education is a means to unite people, cultures, and nations peacefully and sustainably. 45% of the students at LPCUWC are from Hong Kong with the remaining from places all over the world. The campus is made up of four residential blocks and is open to students aged 16- 18 years old.

Li Po Chun United World College, 10 Lok Wo Sha Lane, Sai Sha Road, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2640 0441, www.lpcuwc.edu.hk

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Canadian International School (CDNIS) – All-through IB school in Hong Kong

CDNIS is one of the six schools in Hong Kong to offer an all-through IB curriculum offering three of its programmes (PYP, MYP and DP). What makes CDNIS different is that it is the only school that provides a dual diploma, with students graduating with both the IB DP as well as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Canadian International School of Hong Kong, 36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2525 7088, www.cdnis.edu.hk

Yew Chung International School Hong Kong (YCIS) – IB school offering a pre-IB prep programme

YCIS has three campuses that have a unique Chinese-English bilingual programme committed to the immersion of Western and Chinese ideologies. YCIS schools have both a Western and a Chinese principal, and each classroom follows suit with native-speaking teachers. YCIS’ kindergarten and primary school use the National Curriculum for England and in year 11 students can take their IGCSEs. In years 12 and 13, the students then switch to the IB DP programme. A pre-IB programme is available for Year 11 students to prepare them for the IB DP.

Yew Chung International School Hong Kong, 3 To Fuk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2336 3443, www.ycis-hk.com

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Chinese International School (CIS) – IB school with MYP and IB DP programme

CIS is an all-through school that offers the MYP IB and the IB DP programme for its students. Its primary-aged programme is based on a Positive-Education model and various US models. It is a fully bilingual school in which courses are taught in both English and Mandarin.

Chinese International School, 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, Hong Kong, 2510 7288, www.cis.edu.hk

Independent Schools Foundation Academy (ISF) – EYFS, MYP and IB DP curriculum

ISF offers the MYP and the IB DP curriculum. Its early years school uses the EYFS curriculum. ISF is a fully bilingual school with both native Mandarin and English teachers. Its student body is around 1,600 and as a private independent school, 70% of the students must have permanent residency in Hong Kong.

ISF Academy, 1 Kong Sun Wan Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, 2202 2000, www.academy.isf.edu.hk

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English School Foundation Schools (ESF Schools) – Has three all-through IB schools in Hong Kong

There are 22 different ESF schools spread across Hong Kong, three of which are all through (PYP, MYP, and DP). All ESF schools are accredited IB schools, using the PYP IB programme, the IB DP programme or both. ESF also has one special needs school for both primary and secondary-aged children as well as various mainstream support within their existing schools.

English School Foundation, various locations in Hong Kong, www.esf.edu.hk

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS) – Hong Kong school offering IB Diploma

NAIS offers both the IGCSE and the IB DP for students, making use of the National Curriculum for England and the IB diploma. The school has a high reputation under the Nord Anglia name for its STEAM, performing arts, and hands-on extracurricular activities.

Nord Anglia International School High School, 19 Yuet Wah Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3958 1488, www.nordangliaeducation.com

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Diocesan Boys’ School (DBS) – All-through boys school offering IB DP programme

Diocesan Boys School is an English medium all-through boy’s school with Christian principles. It offers the IB DP programme for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students. It has a solid academic record, with 19 students achieving a full score of 45 in the IB exam last year!

Diocesan Boys’ School, 131 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2768 5609, www.ib.dbs.edu.hk

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Kingston International School – Bilingual IB school in Hong Kong with small class sizes

Kingston International School is an IB school in Hong Kong that offers a bilingual (English and Mandarin) IB curriculum for students from 1 to 11 years old. Although it has three campuses, it has small class sizes and a community feel.

Kingston International School, various locations across Hong Kong, 2337 9049, www.kingston.edu.hk

More IB Schools In Hong Kong

• Creative Secondary School (CSS) – Offers a rigorous, standards-based IB curriculum for students aged 12 to 16 years. www.css.edu.hk
• Creative Primary School – Integrates the Hong Kong standard curriculum with IB PYP under the government Direct Subsidy Scheme. www.creativeprisch.edu.hk
• Hong Kong Academy – All-through IB curriculum in Sai Kung. www.hkacademy.edu.hk
• Li Po Chun United World College (LPCUWC) – A boarding-only school that offers a two-year IB DP programme to both local and international students. www.lpcuwc.edu.hk
• Carmel Elementary School – Jewish IB primary school in Hong Kong. www.carmel.edu.hk
• Victoria Shanghai Academy – High-achieving IB school offers PYP, MYP and DP programmes. www.vsa.edu.hk
• Delia Memorial School (Glee Path) – Started offering the IB diploma programme in 2020. www.deliagp.edu.hk
• Malvern College Hong Kong – Authorised IB school with PYP, MYP and DP. www.malverncollege.org.hk

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Editor’s Note: “IB Schools In Hong Kong: The IB Curriculum Explained” was most recently updated in June 2023 by Najuka Redkar.