Chinese International School vs Victoria Shanghai Academy

	C Chinese International School Hong Kong	V Victoria Shanghai Academy Hong Kong
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year HK$216,100 - 342,800	Fees / year HK$181,200 - 255,600
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,500	Pupils 2,000
Typical class size	Typical class size 9	Typical class size 21
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1983	Opened 2004
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Chinese International School (CIS) is located on Braemar Hill, Hong Kong Island. The area is residential and home to several other schools, offering a quieter setting compared with busier districts. The campus is about 10 minutes by bus or taxi to Causeway Bay MTR and around 20 minutes to Central.	Location Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) is located at 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, adjacent to Aberdeen Harbour. The campus lies in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, roughly a 15‑minute walk from MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station (Exit B). Buses and minibuses stop nearby at a public transport terminus about five minutes’ walk from the school.
Stages	Stages The school accepts students from Reception (age 4) through Year 13 (age 18). The structure includes Primary (Years 1–6) and Secondary (Years 7–13). Year 10 students spend a mandatory year at CIS Hangzhou, a residential campus in mainland China.	Stages The school offers curriculum from Primary (PYP) through Middle Years (MYP) to Diploma Programme (DP).
School type	School type CIS is a co-educational day school. Boarding is not offered in Hong Kong, but Year 10 students take part in a one-year residential programme at CIS Hangzhou.	School type VSA is a day school with no boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Support includes Learning Enhancement Teachers, an English Language Support Teacher, and School Counsellors in Primary. In Secondary, Social-Emotional Counsellors and Learning Enhancement staff work with students, families, and teachers.	Additional learning support VSA states that it is “sensitive to students’ individual needs” and provides support for those with language or learning needs, physical or medical conditions, or social, emotional, and behavioural issues.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is international and does not have an affiliation with any specific country.	Country affiliation The school does not have any country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school does not have any religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school does not publish daily start and end times on its website.	School day structure School hours are Monday to Friday, 8:25 am to 3:40 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details CIS operates a “Busing for All” programme. Students in Years 3–11 are required to use the bus service, while Reception–Year 2 and Years 12–13 may opt in. This arrangement is designed to reduce congestion in the Braemar Hill area.	Bus service details VSA provides a school bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,000 is required for all new students. In addition, an assessment fee of HKD 2,500 (Primary) or HKD 2,000 (Secondary) is charged. Upon acceptance, families must pay a reservation deposit of HKD 150,000, which includes the first year’s Annual Capital Levy. The deposit is non-refundable. Tuition Fees (Per Year) Reception: HKD 216,100 Years 1 – 6: HKD 286,600 Years 7 – 11: HKD 338,300 Years 12 – 13: HKD 342,800 Annual Capital Levy Students who joined CIS between 2018–19 and 2024–25 pay HKD 28,000 per year. Students joining from 2025–26 pay HKD 30,200 per year. Annual Fees (Resources, Activities, Materials) Reception – Year 2: HKD 12,230 – 12,790 Years 3 – 6: HKD 14,490 – 18,150 Years 7 – 9: HKD 25,050 – 27,940 + HKD 23,700 China Experience Programme Year 10 (Hangzhou): HKD 30,400 + HKD 198,800 Boarding Fee Year 11: HKD 10,110 (excludes Project Week, billed separately) Year 12: HKD 10,410 (excludes Project Week; includes Y12 Induction) Year 13: HKD 13,030 (includes Graduation Fee) Billing Schedule Families may choose from: Monthly Autopay: 10 instalments (Sept–Jun), due on the 5th of each month. Termly Payment: Three instalments (Sept–Dec, Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun). Lump Sum: Full-year payment due in August. Boarding Fees Boarding is required in Year 10 at CIS Hangzhou. The Boarding Fee is HKD 198,800 in addition to tuition and annual fees. Additional Costs Uniforms, meals, and Year 11–12 Project Week expenses are billed separately. Refund Policy Application, assessment, and reservation fees are non-refundable. Tuition and levies are not refundable once billed. Payment Options Payments can be made via bank transfer or autopay through the school’s Business Office.	Fee details Primary Years Programme (Years 1–5) The annual tuition fee for Year 1 is HK$181,200, payable in 10 installments. Middle Years Programme (Years 6–10) Year 6 tuition fee is HK$200,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 7 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 8 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 9 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments. Year 10 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments. Diploma Programme (Years 11–12) Year 11 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 10 installments. Year 12 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 9 installments. Other Fees Refundable Capital Levy: A one-off payment required from all parents of newly admitted students (Years 1–11), unless holding a debenture. Miscellaneous Fees: May include costs for field trips, online learning licenses, and learning materials. CAS Trips: Fees apply for compulsory local or overseas Creativity, Activity, Service trips. Technology Requirement: Students from Years 7 to 12 must purchase their own Apple MacBook through an authorised reseller or the school’s partnered vendor. Refund Policy For the Capital Levy (the one-off payment by non-debenture holders), the Capital Levy Agreement states that if a parent withdraws the student before school starts or the student does not attend, no refund of the Capital Levy will be made. Partial refunds are possible under certain conditions: after the student completes the first term, HK$30,000 of the Capital Levy is refunded; the remaining HK$30,000 is refunded either at graduation from secondary school or upon early withdrawal with at least 45 school days’ notice. Payment Method The school does not have their payment method publicly available.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements CIS Hangzhou offers a year-long residential programme for Year 10. The mini-campus is housed in two custom-built halls on the Greentown Yuhua School campus, with 24-hour supervision. Each residence group contains up to four students per room, and groups of up to 24 students are organized into a house with a Head of House and two Coach Mentors.	Boarding arrangements The school is a private independent, non-denominational, co-educational day school; there are no boarding facilities.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school operates a cafeteria, cafe and kiosks. Chartwells PLC runs the catering. The main cafeteria has an on-site kitchen and provides freshly cooked breakfasts, snacks and lunches, with a Quality Assurance Manager and dietician ensuring hygiene and nutritional value.
House system	House system In CIS Hangzhou, housing groups are organized into six houses named Ren (仁), Yi (義), Li (禮), Zhi (智), Xin (信) and Yong (勇). Each house is led by a Head of House and supervised by Coach Mentors as part of dorm life.	House system There is a house system with House Captains; students participate in house leadership roles.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a non-profit charitable organisation. Ultimate responsibility rests with the Board of Governors of the Chinese International School Foundation; day-to-day operations are led by the Head of School and the Leadership Team.	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a School Board (Board of Directors) with an Executive Director of the Academy. It is a private independent, non-denominational day school formed by the University of Shanghai Alumni Association and Victoria Education Organization.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Chinese International School offers a bilingual curriculum from Reception to Year 6, with equal instruction in English and Chinese (Mandarin). In Years 7–9, students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning across subject areas. Years 10–11 complete a CIS-developed curriculum, which bridges the MYP and the IB Diploma Programme and includes the residential Year 10 experience in Hangzhou. In Years 12–13, students pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), preparing them for university admission worldwide. Chinese (Mandarin) remains a required subject throughout Secondary, taught at multiple proficiency levels to suit different student backgrounds. The curriculum is supported by co-curricular activities in the arts, sports, and service learning.	Curriculum details Victoria Shanghai Academy delivers a through‑train IB curriculum offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). In primary years (Years 1–5), the curriculum is inquiry‑based around six transdisciplinary themes (e.g. Who We Are, How the World Works, etc.). Teachers design units of inquiry that cross subject boundaries, integrating literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and expressive arts. In secondary school, the MYP is organised around global contexts and concept‑based learning, with eight subject groups and “Approaches to Learning” that develop skills across disciplines. Students engage in inquiry, reflection, and connection of traditional subjects to real‑world contexts. For IB Diploma (Years 11–12), VSA students take the full IB programme recognised by universities globally. The school also emphasises bilingualism: primary is bilingual in English and Putonghua; secondary instruction is primarily English complemented by a strong Chinese programme.
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 —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning CIS has embedded Visible Well-Being into its teaching and culture, drawing from Chinese traditions of self-cultivation and modern positive psychology. The school partnered with Professor Lea Waters from the University of Melbourne to adapt the SEARCH framework, which structures wellbeing through strengths, emotional management, attention, relationships, coping, and habits. This framework is integrated across academics, co-curriculars, and advisory programmes. In Secondary, advisory sessions and Flexi-time include wellbeing activities, while homerooms provide daily check-ins. The aim is to help students recognize, understand, and manage their emotions while supporting each other.	Social & emotional learning Through its IB framework, VSA incorporates “Service as Action”, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), and student‑initiated action programmes, which engage students in social responsibility, reflection, empathy, and collaborative learning.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) In Primary, student support includes Learning Enhancement Teachers, an English Language Support Teacher, and School Counsellors, who provide both direct and indirect interventions. In Secondary, Social-Emotional Counsellors work alongside Learning Enhancement staff, collaborating with teachers and families. The school does not publicly list the specific categories of SEN it supports, nor is it designated as a specialist SEN institution. Support appears to be offered through flexible, teacher-led interventions rather than dedicated SEN programmes.	Special educational needs (SEN) VSA asks for psychoeducational assessments in order to provide appropriate support for learners with special educational, behavioural, or emotional needs.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school lists an English Language Support Teacher as part of its Primary Student Support team. Beyond this, CIS does not publicly disclose information on structured EAL programmes, staffing, or provisions for older students. Therefore, details on specific EAL initiatives remain unavailable.	English as an additional language The school does not have publicly available information on their EAL.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing CIS promotes mental well-being through its Visible Well-Being framework and counselling provision. Secondary students can access Social-Emotional Counsellors through self-referral or via teachers and parents. Advisory programmes and homerooms provide daily opportunities for connection and well-being check-ins. Flexi-time includes student choices that support wellbeing, including activities aimed at stress management and healthy lifestyles.	Mental wellbeing VSA has student services infrastructure, including counselling roles. For example, a person listed as an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Coordinator is a school counsellor for students from Year 5 to 12. The school also runs broad student services (health, transit, etc.), and uses its co‑curricular programmes to balance academic pressure.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding CIS has a formal Child Protection Programme, which is outlined publicly on its website. The school provides a Child Protection Reporting Form for staff, students, or parents to raise concerns. Safeguarding is framed as a shared responsibility, with policies and procedures designed to ensure student safety and well-being.	Safeguarding Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) outlines a clear safeguarding framework. The school adheres to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and follows international child protection guidance from the International Task Force on Child Protection. VSA incorporates child safeguarding in its recruitment processes, ensuring safe hiring practices. It also implements access control measures such as requiring alumni visitors to be accompanied by staff.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy View document	Safeguarding policy View document
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Braemar Hill campus is CIS's single Hong Kong campus, opened in 1991, and is located on Braemar Hill with three central courtyards and views of Victoria Harbour. The school teaches English and Mandarin. CIS Hangzhou operates a Year 10 residential programme on the Greentown Yuhua School campus in Hangzhou, opened in 2013. The Arts and Languages Centre opened in 2005 to support arts and language education. The New Tower opened in 2017 to expand campus facilities. The adjacent site at 9 Hau Yuen Path has been awarded for redevelopment and will open in August 2028 to increase capacity and include spaces for innovation and intercultural understanding with a performing arts hub.	Facilities overview Victoria Shanghai Academy is located at 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, beside Aberdeen Harbour. The school serves over 2,100 students aged 6 to 18 and offers an IB continuum with PYP, MYP and DP. The Primary Programme provides English and Putonghua bilingual education, while the Secondary Programme is delivered in English with a strong Chinese programme. A campus expansion project introduces state-of-the-art facilities to support learning and growth. The Dr Maggie Koong Performing Arts Centre is part of the campus, and a virtual tour is available to explore facilities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Sport teams and competitions are offered. Swimming galas are part of the athletic program. The Learning Beyond The Classroom program includes sport teams and competitions. The school participates in regional and international competitions as part of student development.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The Arts and Languages Centre opened in 2005 to support arts and language education. The New Tower opened in 2017 to expand campus facilities. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. CIS Hangzhou hosts a Year 10 study centre on Greentown Yuhua School campus in Hangzhou, opened in 2013 and designed to align with top boarding school standards.	Academic facilities The school libraries are central to learning and host a collection of more than 100,000 items in English and Chinese. The library supports IB-related projects, including the PYP Exhibition, MYP Personal Project and DP Extended Essay. The school runs a 1:1 MacBook Programme for the MYP and DP. Digital literacy is supported through wireless connectivity and a high ratio of iPads, desktops and laptops in every classroom. Digital literacy coaches work with students and staff in classrooms and the ICT Hub, and digital portfolios evidence learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Co-Curricular Programme includes co curricular activities, a private music lesson programme, and competitive sports teams. CCAs cover categories such as arts, music, sports, academic and enrichment, communication and language, global issues, community, environment and service. Popular activities include chess, debate, model United Nations, science and speech. Popular clubs include F1 in Schools, entrepreneurship, mathematics, medical advancement, Student Alliance of Inclusivity and Diversity SAID, underwater robotics, and Xiao Hua Magazine. Sports teams and CCAs compete in HKPSSA, PASS, HKSSF, ISSFHK and ACAMIS, with popular sports including basketball, football, fencing, Frisbee, netball, rock climbing, swimming and volleyball.	Extra curricular facilities VSA provides abundant learning opportunities beyond the school. CAS Week Trips, Camps, Environmental Groups, Field Trips, and House Days are offered. International Schools Theatre Association Activities, Model United Nations, Musical Groups and Competitions, and Project Week are available. The program includes Regional and International Competitions, Science Groups and Competitions, Speech Festivals, Sport Teams and Competitions, and Swimming Galas.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Chinese International School (CIS) was founded in 1983 to provide bilingual education in English and Chinese (Mandarin). In 1991, the school moved to its purpose-built campus on Braemar Hill, where it remains today. It is governed by a Board of Governors under the Chinese International School Foundation Limited, a non-profit body. In 2013, CIS launched CIS Hangzhou, a one-year residential programme for Year 10 students in partnership with Greentown Yuhua School. The school’s long-term strategic plan, Vision ’33, guides its development leading to its 50th anniversary in 2033.	History Victoria Shanghai Academy traces its roots to the Victoria Educational Organisation (VEO), founded in 1965, with the aim of offering bilingual education in Hong Kong. In 1984, the first primary school (C.S. Victoria English Primary) was established, and over time the institution evolved, relocated, and expanded, culminating in the establishment of VSA as a through‑train (primary to secondary) bilingual IB school. In 2012, VSA became a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Community	Community The CIS community includes students, staff, parents, and alumni who actively support school life. Families participate in cultural and service events, including sustainability initiatives and community service programmes. The Phoenix Sports Club and Phoenix Arts Club provide opportunities for parent and alumni involvement in athletics and the arts. A Sustainability Council connects students, parents, staff, and alumni in advancing environmental projects.	Community VSA fosters a bilingual, international community. Many families, staff, and students come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The school’s vision emphasizes engaging parents, staff, and students collaboratively. The school maintains a Whole School Management Committee that includes leadership from various domains, enhancing transparency and parent involvement in school governance. The school hosts communications such as the VSA Pulse newsletter and public messages from leadership to keep the community informed and connected.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The CIS Parent Teacher Association (CISPTA) includes all parents and guardians, full-time faculty, and school management. It is overseen by a 14-member elected General Committee, supported by sub-committees such as Community Events, Transport, and Sustainability. CISPTA organizes community-building events, fundraising initiatives, and parent volunteer opportunities across the school. It also collaborates with groups such as the Phoenix Sports Club and Phoenix Arts Club, which support athletics and cultural programmes. Parents take part as class or year representatives, helping to connect families across year levels. Through these efforts, the PTA plays an important role in strengthening community ties at CIS.	Parent teacher association The school does have a Parent‑Teacher Association. It also engages parents through the Whole School Management Committee and publishes periodic newsletters, indicating regular parent‑school interaction.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Co-Curricular Programme includes Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), a private music lesson programme, and competitive sports teams. CCAs cover the categories: Arts, Music, Sports, Academic & Enrichment, Communication & Language, Global Issues, Community, Environment, and Service. Activities may be offered in English or Chinese and are delivered by school staff and outside specialist providers. Secondary students may propose and lead their own clubs under faculty supervision.	Academic & intellectual Victoria Shanghai Academy is a through-train IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme to develop students holistically through inquiry-based learning. The Primary Years Programme is taught bilingually in English and Putonghua, while Secondary is delivered in English with a strong Chinese programme. The IB framework at VSA emphasizes the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning to foster inquiry, critical thinking and lifelong learning. The school serves about 2,000 students aged 6 to 18, with a teacher–student ratio of 1:10 and a faculty representing 19 nationalities; more than 400 university offers have been made to recent graduates, with about 61% of those offers coming from the world's top 100 universities.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Arts CCAs are part of the Co-Curricular Programme. Student-led clubs include Muse Magazine, Scribbles Magazine, Xiaohua Magazine, and the Student Arts Executive. These clubs support arts and creative expression through writing, publication, and collaboration. They provide opportunities for creative pursuit and peer-to-peer publication.	Arts & creative VSA offers a broad range of arts and creative activities through co-curricular clubs and programs, including Campus TV and Film Clubs, Creative and Visual Arts Clubs, Chinese Cultural and Music Programmes, Technology, Robotics and Coding Clubs, Entrepreneurial and Economics & Business Clubs, and Drama, Music Ensembles and Stage Management Clubs. The school provides exhibitions and performances such as Christmas and Chinese New Year Shows, the Whole School Musical, Grade Level Showcases and Secondary Theatre, Music Evenings, and Visual Arts Week and Exhibitions. All Diploma Programme students participate in the CAS (Creativity, Activity & Service) programme, and the school hosts a dedicated Dr Maggie Koong Performing Arts Centre for performances and events.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The Co-Curricular Programme includes a Communication & Language category. Popular activities include Model United Nations (MUN). The school is bilingual and intercultural, developing strong English and Chinese (Mandarin) skills. The programme promotes intercultural engagement through clubs and international perspectives.	Cultural & language The Primary Years Programme operates with dual-language immersion, with two class teachers—one for Mandarin Chinese and one for English—for Years 1–5. In the Middle Years Programme, instruction is in English with Chinese Language and Literature and Chinese as Additional Language options, and all MYP students take both English Language and Literature and Chinese Language and Literature. Additional language options in the MYP include Chinese Additional Language, English for Academic Purposes and Language Acquisition in French or Spanish. In the Diploma Programme, students take two or three languages and are expected to enrol in both English and Chinese Language and Literature, with French or Spanish available as options.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Co-Curricular Programme offers a wide range of student-led and teacher-led clubs. Popular clubs include F1 in Schools, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics, Medical Advancement, SAID (Student Alliance of Inclusivity and Diversity), Underwater Robotics, and Xiaohua Magazine. Primary students participate in teacher-led clubs; Secondary students propose and lead their own clubs under faculty guidance. These activities provide opportunities to explore hobbies, collaborate, and develop teamwork.	Social & hobbies VSA provides extensive social and hobby opportunities through its co-curricular program and CAS activities. On-campus sports facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium and multiple outdoor courts, with participation in HKSSF and ISSFHK competitions. Students can engage in Campus TV and Film, Creative and Visual Arts, Chinese Cultural and Music programmes, robotics and coding clubs, entrepreneurial and business clubs, and drama and music ensembles. Leadership and teamwork are fostered through a wide range of clubs and activities beyond academics.
Community & service	Community & service CCAs cover Global Issues, Community, Environment, and Service. Examples of student clubs include CO-EXIST (migrant worker support) and Drop in the Ocean (DITO). The CIS community emphasizes making a positive difference in the world and safeguarding the planet through co-curricular work. Students engage in community and service initiatives as part of the programme.	Community & service PYP emphasises action with local and overseas charity involvement. MYP centers on service as action and community engagement, encouraging long-term, sustainable service. DP CAS requires students to undertake creative, physical and service projects across local, national and international contexts. Service opportunities include Uniform Groups, AnimalsAsia Club, Caritas Service Club, Global Issues Club, UNICEF Club and local charities, as well as student-led initiatives such as the Victorian student newspaper and various charity committees.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional CIS provides opportunities for students to explore meaningful areas and develop leadership, teamwork and service. Examples of student leadership include Head Boy & Head Girl, House Captains & Representatives, Middle School Forum, Primary Student Council, Upper School Forum, Secondary Student Council, Senior Student Committee, Whole School Sustainability Council, and Whole School Advisory Council. Student Clubs include Chinese Broadcasting Station, CO-EXIST, Free Clinic, Muse Magazine, Scribbles Magazine, Xiaohua Magazine, SCTV, Student Arts Executive, The Feminist Monthly, and Drop in the Ocean. Students can propose and lead clubs with faculty advisors.	Leadership & professional Student leadership is a core part of VSA, with ample opportunities for students of all ages to develop leadership skills. Roles include Student Council, Prefects, House Captains, Team Captains, student-run CAS Clubs and student-run publications, as well as Uniform Groups. These positions help students build confidence, problem-solving and communication abilities, and some students have achieved notable recognitions such as awards for outstanding student contributions.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing CIS runs a Visible Well-Being programme to empower students to develop agency, learn from failure, and foster resilience and caring relationships. It is not a formally taught programme; it is a set of attitudes drawn from Chinese traditions and positive psychology and integrated into classroom and school life. The approach is grounded in the Positive Education framework and the Visible Well-Being (SEARCH) framework. Well-being is made visible through actions and interactions across the school community.	Lifestyle & wellbeing VSA supports sports and physical well-being through on-campus facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium and various outdoor courts, with active participation in school sports competitions. The co-curricular program includes a broad range of activities from sports such as football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track and field, to racket sports and more, with continued emphasis on balance and well-being as part of the IB learner profile.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The main language of instruction at the Secondary school is English and Mandarin is a required subject offered at different levels. In Primary, equal time is devoted to English and Mandarin and the curriculum is delivered in both languages. Mandarin is foregrounded through the dual-language Chinese History programme (Years 7-9), the China Experience Programme (Years 7-9), and the year-long CIS Hangzhou programme (Year 10). CIS Hangzhou is taught in English and Chinese to enhance Chinese language proficiency.	Language provision English and Chinese (Putonghua) are core languages across the programmes. In the Primary Years Programme, there is dual-language immersion with two teachers (Mandarin and English). In the Middle Years Programme, English Language and Literature and Chinese Language and Literature are taught, with Chinese Additional Language and a third language option. In the Diploma Programme, students take two or three languages, typically including English and Chinese, with potential study of French or Spanish.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Primary School uses equal time for English and Mandarin, and much of the curriculum is delivered in both languages. Every homeroom is headed by two teaching partners, one native Chinese (Mandarin) speaker and one native English speaker. The partners collaborate to plan for and facilitate student learning across all subjects, supporting students as dual-language learners.	Bilingual teaching The school provides a bilingual education in the Primary Section in English and Putonghua. The Secondary School programmes are delivered in English and supplemented by a strong Chinese programme. Victoria Shanghai Academy is an IB World School offering the IB continuum: PYP, MYP, and DP. The school serves students aged 6 to 18.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Language is taught in an immersion setting, with both English and Mandarin used as mediums of instruction for learning in all subjects. Starting in 2021, Chinese Language Arts for Years 4-6 is taught at three proficiency levels to support language development. In Secondary, Mandarin is taught as a subject and is foregrounded through the dual-language Chinese History programme (Years 7-9), the two-week China Experience Programme (Years 7-9), and the year-long CIS Hangzhou programme (Year 10). The CIS Hangzhou programme is taught in English and Chinese to enhance language proficiency and intercultural understanding.	Immersion programs In the Primary Years Programme, all students have two class teachers, one Mandarin Chinese and one English, with co‑taught lessons to support dual language immersion from Years 1–5. In the Middle Years Programme, the language of instruction is English, with Chinese Language and Literature and Chinese as Additional Language classes. All MYP students are enrolled in both Chinese Language and Literature and English Language and Literature, and a third language class is selected from options including Chinese Additional Language, English for Academic Purposes, French, or Spanish. In the Diploma Programme, two or three languages are taken, which can include French or Spanish.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school’s website does not publish a list of institutional awards received.	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations	Accreditations Council of International Schools (CIS): Re-accredited in May 2021, confirming that the school meets international standards for quality and continuous improvement.* New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): Accreditation by a US-based regional body that evaluates international schools for educational quality and governance. International Baccalaureate (IB): Authorized to deliver the IB Middle Years Programme (Years 7–9) and the IB Diploma Programme (Years 12–13), providing internationally recognized qualifications. Memberships: The school is also a member of ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) and NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), which connect CIS to regional and international school networks.	Accreditations IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP) VSA is authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to offer the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. This allows students to follow a structured, internationally recognised curriculum from early years through secondary school. NEASC Accreditation The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). This US-based accreditation ensures that VSA meets recognised international standards for school governance, teaching, and student support. CIS Accreditation VSA also holds accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). This confirms that the school meets global benchmarks in areas such as curriculum design, safeguarding, leadership, and ongoing school improvement.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Determine eligibility and year level: Reception applicants must be 4 years old by 31 August of the entry year. The Reception programme is half-day, and there are 96 places available. Year placement is based on the applicant’s age and prior schooling. Families should review bilingual expectations, particularly in the Primary years. 2. Submit an online application: Parents complete the online application form and pay a non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,000. Additional documents, such as academic reports and recommendations, may be requested, especially for Secondary applicants. 3. Attend assessments or observations: Reception applicants take part in observation sessions, while Primary and Secondary applicants complete entrance assessments. An additional non-refundable assessment fee applies: HKD 2,500 for Primary and HKD 2,000 for Secondary. Secondary applicants may also be invited for interviews. 4. Notification of results: Offers for Reception are usually sent by mid-March. Secondary applicants are notified several weeks after assessments. Some applicants may be placed on a reserve list, depending on the availability of places. 5. Acceptance and enrolment: To confirm a place, families must pay a HKD 150,000 reservation deposit, which includes the Annual Capital Levy for the first year. The remaining balance is offset against tuition and annual fees. Some offers may be conditional, for example, requiring confirmation of a Hong Kong visa or right of abode.	Admissions 1. Online Application Submission Parents can apply through the VSA online application portal, uploading photo ID, birth certificate or passport, and previous two years’ academic reports of their children. 2. Payment of Application Fee A non‑refundable and non‑transferable application fee of HKD 2,000 is required upon submission to initiate the review process. 3. Document Verification and Review Applications with missing documents will be held pending complete submission. If documents are not submitted within one month, the application is considered withdrawn. 4. Assessment / Interview Candidates undergo assessments (e.g. for English, mathematics) and possibly interviews depending on the grade level applied for. 5. Admission Results Notification The school shares results within about one month after the assessment, or after interview. Accepted, waitlist, or declining outcomes are communicated. 6. Enrollment Procedures Once accepted, families complete enrollment formalities (sign contracts, pay fees) within the deadlines specified in the offer letter.
Scholarships	Scholarships CIS offers financial aid beginning from Year 8 onwards. This aid is available to new students who demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements. The aid applies to tuition fees, and families must apply directly through the school’s admissions office for consideration. The school does not publish details of merit-based scholarships or awards beyond this financial aid provision.	Scholarships VSA has a scholarship programme for both internal and external students. These scholarships cover categories including academic excellence, leadership, performance, and improvement.
Waitlist	Waitlist CIS maintains a reserve list for each year group, which functions as a pool system. The reserve list is not ranked. When a place becomes available, the school reviews candidates in the pool and selects the student who best complements the available space in that year group.	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.
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