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The ISF Academy (Independent Schools Foundation)
Image Source: Hong Kong Education Bureau
Institutional Overview
Curriculum:
Pre-School:
Pre-School starts at age 3 in their Kennedy Town campus.
Primary:
A unique, school-designed bilingual curriculum (English and Putonghua) transitioning into the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grade 6.
Secondary:
IB MYP (Grades 6–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) (Grades 11–12).
Levels:
Pre-School: Year One and Year Two Academy: Foundation Year (K3 equivalent) to Grade 12.
Student Body:
~2,100 students.
Campus
1 Kong Sin Wan Road, Pok Fu Lam (Southern District).
Founded:
2003
Website:
Academic Profile
Average IB Score (2025):
38.9 (World Average: 30.5).
Bilingual Excellence:
76% of the Class of 2025 received the IB Bilingual Diploma, one of the highest percentages globally.
Language & Stream:
Dual-language immersion (Putonghua and English). The ratio of Chinese to English instruction shifts from 70:30 in early primary to 50:50 in upper primary, eventually moving to English-majority in Secondary with a high-level Chinese language requirement.
Notable Strengths:
The Shuyuan (書院) program (STEM and Classics research), Chinese Debating (world-class ranking), and Biotechnology.
Admissions and Matriculation Statistics
Top 10 University Destinations:
Yale, Princeton, UPenn, Columbia, Brown, Oxford, Cambridge, HKU (Medicine/Law), University of Toronto, UC Berkeley.
2025 Outcomes:
56 students (53%) scored 40 points or higher; 3 students achieved the perfect score of 45.
Reputational Standing:
Known as the “intellectual’s choice.” It attracts families who prioritize a deep, scholarly connection to Chinese culture alongside a progressive Western-style inquiry framework.
Financials (2025/26 Academic Year)
Annual Tuition:
Foundation Year – Grade 5:
HK$240,320
Grades 6 – 10:
HK$279,210
Grades 11 – 12:
HK$303,530
Annual Capital Levy:
HK$40,000
(Mandatory for students not covered by a Capital Note).
Capital Note (Debenture):
Type:
Fully transferable after one year.
Market Price:
Private market prices fluctuate, typically ranging from HK 4.2M Note holders are exempt from the Annual Capital Levy.
Application Fee:
HK$1,000.
Admissions & Application Windows
Admission Difficulty:
Highly Selective. Focuses heavily on linguistic potential in both languages and “cultural fit.
Application Window:
Foundation Year:
Applications open August until September
Grade 1:
Deadline November
Grades 2 – 11:
Deadline November
Rolling Applications for remaining seats (Round 1 deadline typically Feb; Round 2 in April).
Assessment Format:
Foundation Year:
Group observations (bilingual).
Primary/Secondary:
Stage 1A (Written: English, Chinese, Math) and Stage 1B (Oral: English, Putonghua, Group Interview).
Parent Interview:
Required for all shortlisted candidates.
The Consultant’s Take
Best Fit For:
The “curious researcher.” ISF is not a traditional “exam factory”; it suits students who enjoy independent inquiry. It is arguably the best school in Hong Kong for a student who wants to be truly literate and academic in Putonghua without sacrificing a path to the Ivy League.
The “Insider” Tip:
The Shuyuan Program is ISF’s secret weapon. It allows students to use university-grade labs (like the Molecular Biology Lab) for original research. In university applications, ISF students often stand out not just for their grades, but for being published researchers before they even graduate high school. If applying, emphasize your child’s specific interests in STEM or the Humanities—the school loves “specialists.”
