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French International School (FIS)
Image Source: Hong Kong Education Bureau
Institutional Overview
Curriculum:
Operates two distinct streams:
International Stream:
English-medium following the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).
French Stream:
French-medium following the French National Curriculum (French Baccalaureate/BFI).
Levels:
Nursery (Age 3) to Year 13 / Terminale.
Student Body:
~2,800+ students representing 45 nationalities.
Campus
165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley:
Secondary School (International & French).
34 Price Road, Jardine’s Lookout:
Kindergarten and Primary (International & French).
1 Cheung Man Road, Chai Wan:
Kindergarten (French).
28 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O:
Primary and Junior High (International & French).
Founded:
1963 (Hong Kong’s first international school).
Website:
Academic Profile
Average IB Score (2025):
34.1 (Pass Rate: 97%).
French Baccalaureate:
Consistently high pass rates (~100%), with a significant percentage of students opting for the BFI (French International Baccalaureate) American section.
Language & Stream:
Multilingual focus. International stream students study French from Nursery; French stream students have intensive English (ESL or American Section).
Notable Strengths:
Sustainability (Green School status), strong European university placements, and an inclusive “Buddy system” for new students.
Admissions and Matriculation Statistics
Top 10 University Destinations:
UK:
LSE, King’s College, UCL, Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge.
France:
Sciences Po, Sorbonne, HEC Paris, Henri IV (CPGE).
North America:
McGill, University of Toronto, NYU, Stanford, UPenn.
Local:
HKU, HKUST.
Reputational Standing:
Highly regarded for its European pedagogical rigor and for being the only school in HK accredited by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad).
Financials (2025/26 Academic Year)
Annual Tuition (International Stream):
Nursery & Reception:
~HK$151,984
Years 1 – 6:
~HK$161,373
Years 7 – 11:
~HK$202,000
Years 12 – 13:
~HK$217,599
Annual Tuition (French Stream):
Ranges from HK$146,093 (BIM) to HK$210,940 (SIA / BFI).
Debenture:
Private (Category B):
HK$120,000 (Refundable upon leaving).
Corporate (Category A):
HK$250,000 (Refundable and provides priority).
Application Fee:
HK$2,200.
Assessment Fee:
HK$1,000.
Non-Transferable Deposit
(towards Tuition Fees):
HK$ 25,000.
Admissions & Application Windows
Admission Difficulty:
Selective. (International Stream) Open-Selective (French Stream)
Application Window:
Applications are accepted from birth; no strict deadline, but early submission is advised for the applicant pool.
Assessment Format:
Early Years:
Play-based observation.
Primary/Secondary:
CAT4, English and Mathematics assessments; French stream requires language proficiency for non-AEFE students.
The Consultant’s Take
Best Fit For:
Families seeking a truly international, non-US/UK centric environment. It is the best option for students who want a gateway to European universities or for expatriates moving within the global French school network.
The “Insider” Tip:
The Tseung Kwan O (TKO) campus is widely considered one of the most eco-friendly and architecturally stunning school buildings in Hong Kong. While many parents fight for spots at Jardine’s Lookout, the TKO campus often has slightly more flexibility in enrollment and offers identical curriculum standards with far more modern facilities. If you are struggling with the waitlist for the International Stream in Happy Valley, consider the TKO campus as your primary choice.
The TKO campus primarily caters to students with foreign passports. Local Hong Kong families may have a smoother admissions path by applying to the school’s other campuses, depending on the stream and eligibility.
