Australian International School Hong Kong vs Discovery College

	A Australian International School Hong Kong Hong Kong	D Discovery College Hong Kong
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year HK$148,800 - 252,800	Fees / year HK$162,100 - 215,300
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Australian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Pupils	Pupils 1,200	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 24	Typical class size 30
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened 2008
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) is situated in the residential district of Kowloon Tong. The campus is a short walk from Kowloon Tong MTR Station (Exit E) and is close to a major transport interchange with buses and taxis. The setting provides both accessibility and a quieter neighbourhood environment, making it convenient for families from across Hong Kong.	Location Discovery College sits in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, in a scenic residential area surrounded by hills and coastline. Many students live locally, but the school also runs bus routes from Tung Chung, Tsing Yi, South Lantau and parts of Kowloon to bring students in.
Stages	Stages The school is divided into Early Years (Reception and Preparatory), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–10), and Senior Secondary (Years 11–12). In the final two years, students choose either the NSW Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).	Stages Discovery College is a Year 1 to Year 13 through-school, meaning children typically join at age 5 and continue through until around age 18. It delivers the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) across those years.
School type	School type AISHK is a co-educational, day school with around 1,200 students. The school does not offer boarding facilities.	School type The school is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Support is provided through the Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC), which assists students across Primary and Secondary who can access mainstream classes with minimal support. The school also offers in-class English language support for students who have sufficient English to follow the curriculum.	Additional learning support Discovery College runs a Learning Diversity Team that works with teachers to provide individualized planning, targeted support, curriculum adjustments, small-group work or short one-to-one withdrawal as needed. However, under ESF’s policy, Discovery College does not provide full Learning Support provisions; it only accommodates students up to Levels of Adjustment 1 and 2 per ESF’s framework.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the Australian curriculum up to Year 10 and offers the NSW HSC alongside the IB Diploma in Senior Secondary. It also runs on the Australian academic year (January to December).	Country affiliation The school is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) in Hong Kong, and is not formally tied to any particular foreign country’s government or education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation AISHK is non-denominational and has no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation Discovery College is non-denominational and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school day begins at 8:15am. For Primary, Reception ends at 2:45pm and Years 3–6 at 2:50pm. Secondary students finish at 3:30pm Monday–Thursday and 3:00pm on Friday, following extra-curricular activities.	School day structure Buses deliver students typically between 7:30 am and 7:50 am (with adjustments for Tuesday) and the school’s refectory and café are open from 7:15 am to 3:30 pm. In the afternoon, the last lessons finish at 3:10 pm for primary and 3:25 pm for secondary, with buses departing between 3:30 and 3:40 pm after students are escorted to the waiting areas.
Bus service details	Bus service details AISHK provides a comprehensive bus service covering a wide range of routes across Hong Kong. Many students use the service daily, though families also make use of the convenient Kowloon Tong MTR and nearby transport hubs. The school notes that its community comes from diverse districts, not just Kowloon side.	Bus service details The school provides a contracted bus service via Kwoon Chung Motors Co. Ltd. (KCM) for students who live outside Discovery Bay. Each bus has a bus supervisor who monitors student safety and behaviour.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees A one-time Application Fee of HKD 1,500 is required for all new applications and is non-refundable. If an assessment is required, an additional Assessment Fee of HKD 500 per student applies. Families wishing to remain on the waitlist for another year must pay an Application Renewal Fee of HKD 500. Reservation & Capital Levy A Reservation Deposit of HKD 25,000 is payable upon acceptance of an offer. This is credited to tuition on commencement and is refundable only if cancellation is made within seven days of payment. An annual Capital Levy of HKD 21,840 per student is billed at the start of each academic year. Tuition Fees (Per Year) Reception: HKD 148,800 Preparatory – Year 6: HKD 173,800 Years 7 – 10: HKD 200,500 Years 11 – 12 (HSC): HKD 210,400 Years 11 – 12 (IBDP): HKD 252,800 Fees may also be paid by term: three equal instalments (e.g., HKD 37,200 per term in Reception) or by 10 monthly Autopay instalments (February–November). Additional Fees The school notes costs such as uniforms and optional activities are charged separately. No information on textbook or examination fees is publicly provided. Transportation Fees AISHK operates a school bus service with multiple routes across Hong Kong. Fees are invoiced directly by the provider, and arrangements vary by route. Sibling Discount A 10% discount is applied to the third child and any subsequent siblings, calculated from the youngest child upwards. Refund Policy One full term’s written notice (three months) is required for withdrawals. Without sufficient notice, one term’s fees are charged. For mid-year withdrawals, the full year’s capital levy remains payable. Payment Options Credit card: accepted only for the Application Fee. Bank transfer / Autopay: required for tuition, capital levy, and other school fees.	Fee details Application Fee A non-refundable Application Fee of HK$2,800 is charged per applicant for ESF and all-through schools. This fee covers the administrative cost of processing applications and must be paid online via credit card or PayPal at the time of submission. The fee payment does not guarantee an interview or a school placement. Tuition Fees * Years 1–6: HK$162,100 per year * Years 7–11: HK$213,600 per year * Years 12–13: HK$215,300 per year Tuition fees are billed in 10 equal monthly instalments from September to June each academic year. Payments are typically made through direct debit from a Hong Kong bank account. Non-refundable Building Levy (NBL) Each student pays an NBL of HK$8,060 per year, billed across 10 instalments of HK$806 alongside tuition fees Additional Costs * Uniforms and learning materials are purchased separately through designated suppliers. * Optional school bus services are billed independently via the contracted provider (Kwoon Chung Motors). * There are no boarding fees, as Discovery College is a day school. Refund Policy All fees, including the application fee and NBL, are non-refundable. Tuition fees are refundable only under ESF’s standard withdrawal policy, which requires written notice in advance of withdrawal. Payment Methods Payments are accepted via direct debit, credit card, or PayPal, depending on the fee type.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school is a co-educational day school; no boarding is offered.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required. Uniform items can be purchased online; an on-campus Uniform Shop provides fittings and purchases by appointment; there is an off-campus Uniform Shop in Lai Chi Kok.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch is pre-ordered for Reception to Year 6; Secondary students can purchase lunch using an Octopus card; Asia Pacific Catering will provide catering from January 2026.	Food options —
House system	House system The school uses a House System. The four houses are Eucalypt, Jacaranda, Waratah, and Wattle.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by the Australian International School Foundation Limited (AISFL), a charitable status body; the AISFL Board includes permanent representation from key Australian organizations in Hong Kong.	Governance and ownership The school is part of the ESF (English Schools Foundation) network in Hong Kong. Admissions are processed through the ESF website.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) follows the Australian curriculum from Reception through Year 10. Teaching is organised into subject areas based on the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Key Learning Areas, covering English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Technology, Creative Arts, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. From Year 7 onwards, students also access a range of electives that prepare them for senior study. In Years 11 and 12, students may choose between two pathways: the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Mandarin is taught daily in Primary, with Chinese and French offered as language pathways in Secondary, leading to HSC or IB qualifications. The school year follows the Australian academic calendar, beginning in late January and ending in mid-December.	Curriculum details Discovery College offers the full IB continuum from Year 1 to Year 13. For Years 1–6, students study the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), working through transdisciplinary units around six themes. For Years 7–11, the school offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with a focus on connecting learning to real-world contexts, student inquiry, interdisciplinary units, and a Personal Project in Year 11. IBCP students combine at least two DP courses with a career-related study and complete a IBCP core (Reflective Project, Service Learning, Language Development, Personal & Professional Skills).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning AISHK uses the PROSPER framework, an evidence-based model from the field of positive psychology, as the basis for social and emotional learning. This framework is embedded in both Primary and Secondary through homeroom check-ins, year-level wellbeing lessons, and health and fitness classes. Primary students also follow the “You Can Do It” program, which supports the development of social and emotional skills in an age-appropriate way. Peer support and buddy systems are part of the school culture, helping students across year groups. Cybersafety awareness and cross-school activities are also highlighted as part of wellbeing education.	Social & emotional learning Discovery College embeds wellbeing and social-emotional support in its school structure. Students can access student counsellors (one focused on primary, one on secondary) for therapeutic counselling, skills building, in-class support, and referrals. The school also works with Hong Kong government-funded social workers who run group work and workshops addressing resilience, self-esteem, social skills, and emotional challenges. Students may self-refer or be referred by teachers or parents. The counselling team collaborates with teachers and external professionals as needed.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) AISHK provides support through its Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC), which assists students across both Primary and Secondary. The school states that it accepts students who are able to access the mainstream classroom with minimal support, with admissions decisions guided by specialist reports where applicable. SEN support is not specialised, and the school does not define specific categories of needs it caters for. Placement and provisions are determined on an individual basis in consultation with families and staff. AISHK is not a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) Discovery College operates a Learning Diversity Team to support students with “Individual Needs (IN),” including learning, language, and social or emotional needs. The team partners with classroom teachers to deploy strategies such as guided small groups, co-teaching, front-loading, re-teaching, and occasional short one-to-one withdrawal. In more exceptional cases, students might receive more intensive personalised support outside class time. The school is not a specialist SEN institution; its SEN support is integrated within a mainstream, inclusive model.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language AISHK provides in-class EAL support for students who have sufficient English to engage with the curriculum. The school emphasises that bilingual and multilingual learners are valued and links language support to student identity and wellbeing. For Secondary entry, students whose first language is not English may be required to complete the AEAS test as part of admissions. The website does not provide detail on pull-out programmes or specialist EAL classes.	English as an additional language Discovery College’s Learning Diversity roles explicitly include EAL support, meaning that specialist staff plan and deliver support for students for whom English is not their first language.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Wellbeing provision at AISHK is guided by PROSPER and complemented by access to counselling services. The school highlights the role of daily homeroom sessions, peer and buddy programs, and structured wellbeing lessons. Secondary staff have completed Youth Mental Health First Aid training, which is refreshed periodically. Guidance on mental wellbeing is also shared with parents through school communications and psychologist input. Cyber-safety awareness and structured orientation support for new students form part of mental health initiatives.	Mental wellbeing Mental well-being is supported through the counselling service, which handles issues such as anxiety, depression, family relationship challenges, self-esteem, and more. The counsellors provide short-term or longer intervention plans depending on student needs. They also coordinate with the social workers and external agencies to extend support when needed. Wellbeing is framed as a shared responsibility among staff, students, families, and the school’s care structure.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The AISHK website highlights wellbeing and counselling structures but does not publicly share a standalone child protection or safeguarding policy. Families are directed to contact the school directly for full policy documentation. As such, no additional safeguarding details are publicly disclosed.	Safeguarding Discovery College maintains a structured network for safeguarding and child protection, with staff trained to respond to concerns. The school’s safeguarding framework is part of its broader student support and wellbeing policy. Parents and students are encouraged to raise concerns with trusted staff members, and there is a coordinated care framework involving deans, counsellors, Learning Diversity, and leadership roles to manage welfare issues.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus is a modern, well-equipped learning environment. It includes a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a Green Roof used as a living classroom, and a 200-meter running track. There are two full-sized gyms and a 2,000-square-metre soccer pitch. Nine dining outlets service hot meals throughout the day, and the campus houses two laboratories and four art studios and workshops. The on-site library contains about 100,000 books and the campus is minutes from Kowloon Tong MTR Station.	Facilities overview Discovery College is located in Discovery Bay, Lantau Island. The campus includes dedicated spaces for Visual Arts, Design, Academics, Athletics, Music and Drama.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities There is a 25-meter indoor swimming pool on campus. There are two full-sized gyms and a 200-meter running track. The soccer pitch is 2,000 square metres. The facilities support a broad sports program with PDHPE from Reception to Year 12 and opportunities to compete locally and internationally. An extensive range of extra-curricular sport includes AFL (Auskick), athletics, aquathon, basketball, cricket, cross country, netball, rugby, soccer, swimming, touch rugby, volleyball and mini ball games.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Two laboratories support science teaching. There are four art studios and workshops, a CAD/CAM suite with laser cutters and 3D printers, and an IT suite with a makerspace. A specialist library and collaboration room support research and study, along with a dedicated food technology classroom. The school teaches the Australian Curriculum and provides NSW HSC or the International Baccalaureate Diploma as senior pathways.	Academic facilities The campus provides academic spaces as part of its Year 1–13 IB programme.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school offers over 80 varied Extra Curricular Activities. Most ECAs are on-campus and coordinated by AISHK staff and external vendors. ECAs span sports, arts and technology, and service learning. Activity Week and Camps are part of the ECA program. The ECAs are designed to promote achievement, teamwork and friendships.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include Visual Arts, Design, Music, Drama, Athletics and Community Engagement.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) was established in 1995 to serve the needs of expatriate and local families seeking an Australian-style education. The school is governed by the Australian International School Foundation Limited (AISFL), a not-for-profit body with representation from major Australian organisations in Hong Kong. It has grown from its early beginnings into a full Reception-to-Year 12 school, offering pathways to both the NSW Higher School Certificate and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school operates on the Australian academic year, running from late January to December.	History Discovery College was established by the English Schools Foundation under the “Private Independent School” model and officially opened in August 2008, built to replace the earlier Bauhinia School based in Lai King. Plans for Discovery College go back to 1999, when ESF sought to create a primary-cum-secondary through-school under a self-funded model. The campus in Discovery Bay was constructed between 2003 and 2008, with partial capital funding support from the Hong Kong Government under land grants; ESF is expected to repay capital costs over time. The school is operated under ESF’s subsidiary structure (ESF Educational Services Limited) and is one of ESF’s two private, non-subsidised schools.
Community	Community The AISHK community is known for its strong parent, teacher, and student involvement in school life. Regular events such as assemblies, cultural celebrations, and performances allow families to engage with student learning. Service learning initiatives connect the school with the wider Hong Kong community, encouraging students to participate in charitable and sustainability-focused activities.	Community The Discovery College community is active with cultural, service and arts events throughout the year. Students and families engage in celebrations such as Mid-Autumn Festival lantern making, and the school publishes an annual magazine “Shi Jie” that reflects student voices and cultural diversity. As part of the broader ESF system, students can take part in cross-school events like the ESF “Chinese Battle of the Books”, ESF Innofair, and leadership workshops across ESF schools.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The AISHK PTA plays an active role in building connections between families and the school. It supports events such as the Annual Fair, which brings together students, staff, and parents for community activities, and also helps organise seasonal celebrations and fundraising initiatives. The PTA facilitates opportunities for parents to volunteer in both classroom and extracurricular settings. It also contributes to welcoming new families, helping them adjust to school life and the local community. In addition, the PTA provides a channel for parent voices to be shared with school leadership, supporting collaboration on school development.	Parent teacher association The DC PTA (Discovery College Parents’ Teacher Association) supports and enriches life at the school through social, fundraising, and community initiatives. Recent events include a Family Fun Day with crafts, international food, performances, and student “sponge the teacher” booths, and a Gala Dinner co-hosted with DBIS under a themed “A Night in Old Hong Kong” with performances and live music. The PTA also organizes a second-hand uniform sale to help families with uniform costs and sustainability. The PTA has run a New Family Mentoring Programme, pairing established DC families with newly arrived families to help them settle into the community. The PTA also funds end-of-year parties for all year groups and supports capital enhancements — e.g. upgrades to gym equipment, the Language & Cultural Centre, and AV improvements.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school serves Reception to Year 12 and follows the Australian curriculum. In Primary, ACARA is used; in Years 7–10 the NSW standards framework with eight Key Learning Areas is taught. In senior years, students choose between the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The Australian academic year runs from January to December.	Academic & intellectual The school is an IB World School offering the IB program for Year 1 through Year 13. UNLOCK is a pathway for new secondary students providing intensive English language support (6 to 12 months) to bring reading and writing proficiency up to speed. Discovery College offers merit-based scholarships in Academics, Athletics/Sports, Community Engagement, Design, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Arts are delivered through Performing Arts (music and drama) and Creative Industries (visual arts, IT, product design, and food technology). Music is taught as a core subject from Reception to Year 8 and as an elective from Years 9 to 12; Drama is an elective from Years 9 to 12. The campus includes two art studios and workshops, plus a CAD/CAM suite, an IT suite and makerspace for creative work. Visual Arts is mandatory in Years 7–8, elective in Years 9–10, and can be studied for HSC or IB in Years 11–12.	Arts & creative Visual Arts, Music, and Drama are core arts offerings, with dedicated emphasis on design and creative work. The school provides scholarship opportunities in Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. The site highlights theatre-related activities and performances as part of the arts experience.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school hosts students from multiple nationalities, with representation of 25 nationalities among its student body. The community is described as inclusive and multicultural.	Cultural & language The school is located in Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, and serves a diverse, international student body with many students commuting from across Hong Kong. The UNLOCK English language pathway supports new students' English proficiency to join the regular program.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school offers over 80 Extracurricular Activities, coordinated by staff and external vendors. ECAs foster achievement, teamwork and friendships and are largely on‑campus. The program provides a broad range of activities across on‑campus and outside experiences.	Social & hobbies Students participate in a range of extracurriculars including music, art, physical education, and drama, with specialist lessons noted in primary years. The school emphasizes a culture of mutual encouragement among students and teachers and offers opportunities across arts and performance. Service and action opportunities are part of the school culture, including a Service as Action team.
Community & service	Community & service Service learning is a key component of the school experience. The House System supports house‑based service learning and charity initiatives, with students fundraising and engaging in social change projects. The YES Club (Youth Experiencing Service) and the Activity Week programme involve community service and charitable work.	Community & service Community Engagement is a highlighted area of the school, with publicized service and action activities and a focus on service-learning. Students describe engaging experiences that involve collaboration with peers and staff to improve the school and local community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The House System fosters leadership opportunities across year levels in sport, the arts, student leadership and community service. Students are encouraged to take leadership roles within ECAs and school life. Parent and alumni involvement also supports leadership development within the school community.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellbeing is central to AISHK, with a wellbeing programme supporting physical health, emotional resilience and social skills. The PROSPER framework anchors wellbeing practices across Primary and Secondary. The wellbeing program includes a year‑level wellbeing curriculum, daily homeroom check‑ins, health and fitness lessons, peer support, counselling, cybersafety awareness and buddy programmes.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school prioritises mental and emotional wellbeing within its learning environment. The campus location is described as safe and pleasant, with accessibility via bus routes from multiple parts of Hong Kong.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches English and Chinese. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided to help students thrive, and students are encouraged to maintain their home languages. In Secondary, classes for English, Mathematics and Chinese are streamed to allow students to learn with peers at similar skill levels. The school values bilingual and multilingual learners and supports maintaining home languages as part of the language program.	Language provision The school provides English language support through UNLOCK for Secondary Years 7–10, with intensive, assessed English language classes over six to twelve months to raise reading and writing proficiency. Chinese learning is part of the regular curriculum. UNLOCK gives new Secondary students the necessary competence in English for full-time enrollment, and the program is available only for Years 7–10 applicants.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The AISHK website does not list any institutional awards received by the school.	Awards * Structural Excellence Awards – design commendation: awarded by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers for campus architecture, as cited on its campus page.
Accreditations	Accreditations International Baccalaureate (IB) World School: authorised to deliver the IB Diploma Programme for Years 11–12, giving students access to a globally recognised qualification. New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA): registered to deliver the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), ensuring students can graduate with a recognised Australian qualification.	Accreditations * International Baccalaureate (IB) World School: Authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). This accreditation ensures that the school meets global IB standards for curriculum, assessment, and teaching quality. * The Alliance for Sustainable Schools (TASS) – Founding Member: Discovery College is a founding member of TASS, a network of schools committed to sustainability and climate action in education. Membership reflects the school’s participation in shared sustainability goals and environmental initiatives across the Asia region. * Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS): The school is a member of ACAMIS, which connects international schools across China and Mongolia to promote collaboration in professional development, student activities, and cultural exchange.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Application submission Families begin by completing the online application form on the AISHK website. Supporting documents include a copy of the child’s birth certificate, passport, visa documentation, school reports for the previous two years, and any specialist reports if relevant. Applications are accepted up to two years before entry. An Application Fee must be paid at this stage. 2. Application review The Admissions Office reviews submitted documents and may request additional information. Decisions at this stage are based on available places, school reports, and, if applicable, results of assessments. For Reception and Preparatory classes, the school also considers gender balance when allocating places. Priority is given to siblings, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders. 3. Assessment and interview Depending on year level and background, applicants may be required to sit an assessment or interview. Reception and Preparatory candidates participate in a play-based group assessment, while applicants from Years 1–11 complete written assessments aligned with the Australian curriculum. Students from non-English-speaking backgrounds may need to provide AEAS test results to demonstrate their English readiness. 4. Offer of place Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer by email. To secure the place, families must pay the Reservation Deposit within the specified timeframe. The Reservation Deposit is credited to tuition upon commencement, subject to the school’s refund policy. 5. Confirmation and enrolment The Head of Primary or Head of Secondary formally approves the admission. At this stage, families are provided with joining information, orientation details, and school policies. Students then prepare to start in line with the Australian academic year (January–December).	Admissions 1. Online Application Submission Families submit an online application through the ESF / DC admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee. 2. Assessment / Interview / Testing Applicants (for years other than entry levels) are invited to attend assessments or interviews to evaluate their readiness for the English-medium curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified with schedules for testing and interviews. 3. Offer of Place & Acceptance If successful and if a vacancy exists, the school issues an offer of place. The family must accept by a deadline, after which a deposit or building levy may be required. 4. Onboarding & Entry Requirements Once accepted, the student is integrated into the school system, including orientation, registration, and payment of fees per the school’s billing schedule. Families may also be asked to submit supporting documents (previous school records, medical records, etc.). 5. Waitlist Consideration If no immediate place is available, the candidate may be placed into a waitlist or pool. Offers from the waitlist may be made when places become available.
Scholarships	Scholarships AISHK offers Academic Scholarships for senior students. These are competitive and based on demonstrated academic excellence, with details provided directly by the Admissions Office. Families interested in scholarships are encouraged to contact the school for eligibility requirements and application timelines. The website confirms availability but does not publish specific award amounts or duration.	Scholarships * Discovery College offers merit-based scholarships for secondary students (Year 7 and above) in areas including academics, community engagement, sport, music, drama, visual arts, and design. * Scholarship applicants must also complete the standard admission process (assessment/interview) and meet Discovery College’s admission requirements. * For academic scholarships, candidates must meet certain grade thresholds (e.g. MYP score of 46 across eight subjects; DP score of 35 across six subjects), sit an external scholarship examination in math, language, writing and academic potential, and possibly attend an interview. * For athletics, arts or other domain scholarships, evaluation is based on evidence (e.g. portfolios, references, performance videos), auditions or interviews, and prior achievements. * Once awarded, scholarships are reviewed annually and typically expected to continue through to Year 13, assuming the student maintains academic and co-curricular commitments. If a student leaves early or transfers, the scholarship may be revoked or require repayment of awarded fees.
Waitlist	Waitlist AISHK operates a date-based waitlist when year groups are full. Priority on the list is given to siblings of current students, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders, and then students of other nationalities. For Reception and Preparatory, the school also considers gender balance to ensure even class composition. Applications may be renewed annually with an Application Renewal Fee (HKD 500).	Waitlist DC (via ESF) does maintain a waiting list / pool system for school places when demand exceeds vacancies. Applicants are placed on the waitlist in priority order, and if a vacancy arises, offers may be extended from the waitlist by date of application and priority group.
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