German Swiss International School - Peak Campus vs Lyc'ee Francais International French International School (Blue Pool Road Campus)

	G German Swiss International School - Peak Campus Hong Kong	L Lyc'ee Francais International French International School (Blue Pool Road Campus) Hong Kong
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year HK$197,000 - 256,700	Fees / year HK$173,718 - 217,599
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 11 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), German Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,250	Pupils 810
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, French
Opened	Opened 1969	Opened 1999
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location GSIS’s Peak Campus is located at 11 Guildford Road, The Peak, on Hong Kong Island. It is in a residential, hillside area with access by bus or taxi, and is close to popular attractions like the Peak Tram and Peak Galleria. The campus enjoys relatively tranquil surroundings above the city core.	Location The Blue Pool Road campus is situated at 165 Blue Pool Road in the Happy Valley neighbourhood of Hong Kong Island, close to Wan Chai. It is reasonably accessible via bus and local transport, and lies in a residential area known for its hill-side views and easy access to central districts.
Stages	Stages GSIS is an all-through school offering education from Kindergarten through Secondary (ages ~3 to 18). It is organized into early years, primary, and secondary levels across two streams (German and English).	Stages This campus primarily serves secondary level students, covering Year 7 through Year 13 (International Stream) and 6ème through Terminale (French Stream).
School type	School type The school is co-educational.	School type The school is co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support GSIS provides holistic support, including social-emotional counselling, learning enhancement teachers, and interventions to assist students with learning or adjustment needs.	Additional learning support The school offers Student Services and Health Services across its campuses, with counselling and well-being support, and individual assessments of student needs as part of its support framework.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation GSIS has affiliation with Germany / German Schools Abroad — it is part of a network of over 135 German Schools Abroad, and one of its two streams (the German International Stream) leads to the German International Abitur (DIA).	Country affiliation The school has affiliation with France via the French national curriculum stream and is linked with the French education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure GSIS’s typical school hours are 7:40 am to 3:20 pm, Monday to Friday with breaks in-between.	School day structure Students arrive at 8:00 am, classes begin at 8:30 am, and courses end at 5:30 pm; the school buses depart about 10–15 minutes after classes finish.
Bus service details	Bus service details GSIS uses external bus companies (not in-house) to provide bus service for students. The school works with providers to maintain standards.	Bus service details The campus offers a bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Assessment Fee A non-refundable HKD 4,300 per student applies for both Kindergarten and Primary/Secondary applications. Applications are processed within one to two business days, after which students are placed on the waiting list and scheduled for assessment as needed. Registration Fee Upon acceptance, families pay a one-time registration fee of HKD 2,350 for Kindergarten or HKD 3,700 for Primary and Secondary students. Tuition Fees (2024–2025) Tuition is billed in two instalments per year: * Kindergarten (KG1–KG2): HKD 118,200 (first instalment) + HKD 78,800 (second instalment) = HKD 197,000 per year * Primary (Years 1–6): HKD 122,220 + HKD 81,480 = HKD 203,700 per year * Lower Secondary (Years 7–11): HKD 145,680 + HKD 97,120 = HKD 242,800 per year * Upper Secondary (Years 12–13): HKD 154,020 + HKD 102,680 = HKD 256,700 per year Billing Schedule and Payment Terms Invoices are issued twice annually and must be settled before the start of each term. Payments are accepted in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) via bank transfer or cheque; credit-card payments are not accepted. Boarding Fees GSIS is a day school only; no boarding fees apply. Other Costs Additional costs may include uniforms, school bus fees, extracurricular activities, and optional trips. Refund Policy Tuition fees are non-refundable once a term has begun. Withdrawals before the term starts require written notice. Payment Options Fees must be paid directly to the school’s designated bank account in Hong Kong Dollars.	Fee details Application and Admission Fees * Application fee: HK $ 2,200 per student (non-refundable, non-transferable). * Assessment fee: HK $ 1,000 per student (applies to both French and International streams). * Advance payment: HK $ 25,000 per student (non-refundable) to confirm a place. * Debenture: Required for all students before entry. * Corporate debenture (Category A): HK $ 250,000. * Private debenture (Category B): HK $ 120,000 (refundable) + HK $ 5,000 admin fee. Tuition Fees (Blue Pool Road Campus — Secondary Levels) * International Stream (English-medium) * Years 7–11 (IGCSE): HK $ 202,000 per year (Term 1 $ 80,800 \| Term 2 $ 60,600 \| Term 3 $ 60,600). Net Fee after grant: HK $ 198,190. * Years 12–13 (IB Diploma): HK $ 217,599 per year (Term 1 $ 87,039 \| Term 2 $ 65,280 \| Term 3 $ 65,280). Net Fee after grant: HK $ 213,410. * French Stream (French-medium) * Collège (6ᵉ – 3ᵉ): HK $ 173,718 per year (Term 1 $ 69,488 \| Term 2 $ 52,115 \| Term 3 $ 52,115). Net Fee after grant: HK $ 170,440. * Lycée (2ⁿᵈ – Terminale): HK $ 210,940 per year (Term 1 $ 84,376 \| Term 2 $ 63,282 \| Term 3 $ 63,282). Net Fee after grant: HK $ 206,930. Tuition is invoiced at the start of each of the three terms. Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date. Other Costs * Uniforms: Ordered directly from independent suppliers (e.g. Uniform Station Ltd). PE uniform mandatory. * Examinations: e.g. IGCSE (subject-based), IB Diploma fees, and Brevet/Baccalauréat for French stream students. * Extra-Curricular Activities & Outings: Invoiced separately by the school. * Replacement access card: HK $ 100. Refund & Withdrawal Policy Tuition fees are non-refundable once a term has commenced. Late withdrawal may incur a fee equivalent to one or two months of tuition. Withdrawals must be notified by 31 October, 31 January, or 31 March depending on the term. Payment Methods Payments are primarily by direct debit; cheques or bank transfers may be accepted only at the school’s discretion. All bank charges must be borne by the payer. Interest of 1 % per month applies to overdue balances.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Primary students wear their uniform every day; teachers decide whether to wear the school uniform or the sports uniform. Secondary students wear the sports uniform on days with physical education classes or for school outings.
Food options	Food options The Peak Campus has a dining hall with natural daylight. The Three Mackerels Cafeteria is located on the 6th floor of the Middle Building at The Peak Campus. Chartwells operates the catering service for GSIS, using the Three Mackerels Cafeteria; GSIS is not responsible for daily cafeteria operations. Lunch menus are available for students.	Food options There is a canteen at all four campuses. Meals are prepared daily by Compass and provided to Primary and Early Years with a single main course, while Secondary students may choose between two meal options. The meals are nut-free and designed to be wholesome and balanced with the five essential nutrients. Those not registering for school meals may bring packed lunches.
House system	House system The House System assigns every student to one of four houses; students wear their house colours and participate in inter-house activities and events.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership German Swiss International School is operated by The German Swiss International School Association Limited (the Association), a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The Association handles operational aspects of the school, including compliance with local and German and Swiss government regulations and guidelines. The Board of Directors governs the school and elects a Chair to preside over meetings. The GSIS Foundation Limited is the sponsoring body and manages fixed assets and the Debenture Capital Levy Scheme.	Governance and ownership The French International School ‘Victor Segalen' Association Limited is a non-profit company limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and managed by a Board of elected individuals. The Board's structure includes voting and guest members and multiple committees. The interim Head of School is Michael Maniska.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The English International Stream (EIS) at German Swiss International School follows a British-based curriculum leading to IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme qualifications. In Primary School (Years 1–6), students follow a broad academic programme aligned with the UK National Curriculum, with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, science, and languages. In Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), students continue with core and specialist subjects, preparing for the IGCSE courses taken in Years 10–11, examined mainly under Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel boards. In Upper Secondary (Years 12–13), students undertake the IB Diploma Programme, an internationally recognised qualification for university entry worldwide. Across all stages, the curriculum includes German and Mandarin language study and a range of co-curricular opportunities in arts, STEM, and service.	Curriculum details Students in the International Stream follow the English National Curriculum in Years 7-9, then take the Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10-11, and complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 12-13. In the French Stream, students follow the French national curriculum, preparing first for the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) in lower secondary, then the French Baccalauréat (including optional bilingual or international pathways) in upper secondary. Across both streams, language acquisition, humanities, sciences, arts and physical education are integrated, with additional options such as Latin, Mandarin, German or Spanish depending on stream. The aim is that by the end of Year 13 / Terminale, students are ready either for higher education globally or in France.
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 GSIS operates a holistic support programme in which social-emotional counsellors and learning enhancement teachers collaborate proactively and reactively with students. Their role includes offering classroom-based guidance, check-ins, and interventions to help students manage emotions, relationships, and transitions. The support spans from early years through secondary, with tailored programmes to respond to individual needs.	Social & emotional learning The school’s Student Services and Health Services teams operate across all four campuses, including Blue Pool Road, collaborating with teaching staff and university-guidance departments to support students’ well-being, study skills and social development. Activities each year address health, citizenship, sleep, nutrition, organisation and bullying awareness. Students can access peer tutoring systems and are helped to develop organisational and academic habits through educational assistants working with teachers.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) GSIS offers Student Support Teachers who work with subject teachers, Heads of Year, students and parents to design and monitor Individual Education Plans (IEPs). They assist with a range of learning challenges including ADHD and executive functioning difficulties, and support “twice-exceptional” students. The school is not a specialist SEN institution — their support is integrated into the regular school framework.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school offers limited provision for students with special educational needs in a mainstream setting; availability depends on current levels of provision. Upon entry, a baseline assessment (CAT4) may identify support needs; the school may involve external professionals (speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists) when required. It is not a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose specific information regarding EAL (English as an Additional Language) support on its website.	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose a dedicated EAL programme or how it handles English as an Additional Language support beyond general student support provisions.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported under the broader “holistic support” umbrella, with counsellors available to students for emotional and social challenges. The staff may also facilitate small-group or individual interventions as needed. Beyond counselling, the learning enhancement role contributes to reducing academic stress by offering scaffolded support.	Mental wellbeing The Health Services team includes health assistants who provide interpersonal, educational and health-care support, working closely with teaching staff and other support services. Students and parents can make confidential appointments with a student counsellor for support and guidance.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding GSIS follows Hong Kong and German legislation, and is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to uphold child protection and welfare. The school states that all adults in the school are obligated to protect children’s rights and promote safety. Policies and procedures are in place to promote reporting, welfare, and protection as a fundamental principle.	Safeguarding The school’s Student Services and Health Services teams contribute to student safety and protection by developing a “supportive and caring environment” where the well-being of each student is monitored. The school also publishes a safeguarding and child-protection policy.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy View document
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Peak Campus comprises the Upper Building for the Primary School and the Middle and Lower Buildings for the Secondary School. It is located at 11 Guildford Road, The Peak, Hong Kong, and overlooks The Peak. The campus features indoor multi-purpose sports halls, a year-round indoor swimming pool, outdoor basketball and football courts, and multiple playgrounds. It also includes an auditorium dedicated to drama and music performances, libraries with over 20,000 resources in German, English, and Mandarin, a dining hall with natural daylight, and classrooms equipped with smartboards.	Facilities overview Blue Pool Road Campus is the secondary campus of the French International School of Hong Kong, located at 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. It serves students in Year 7 to Year 13 and hosts both the French Stream and the International Stream. The campus provides dedicated receptions for each stream, health services, university guidance and exams, Vie Scolaire, a canteen, and school bus services. It forms part of an all-through school offering the French national curriculum in the French Stream and the English National Curriculum in the International Stream, within a bilingual, multicultural environment.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Indoor multi-purpose sports halls; a year-round indoor swimming pool; outdoor basketball and football courts; multiple playgrounds.	Sports facilities Blue Pool Road Campus integrates sport and physical education into the curriculum and offers a broad range of extracurricular activities, including sports and arts, to support student development.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Libraries with over 20,000 resources in German, English, and Mandarin; classrooms equipped with smartboards.	Academic facilities The campus offers two streams: the French Stream follows the French national curriculum from kindergarten through to the French Baccalauréat; the International Stream follows a programme based on the English National Curriculum and enhanced for an international setting, leading to IGCSE and the IB. The school provides education from kindergarten through upper secondary.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Art: arts programmes include art, drama, and music, providing opportunities to express creativity. Sports: a diverse programme including football, tennis, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, fencing, and touch rugby, with non-competitive activities also available. Leadership and Service: leadership roles are available across levels, including House Leaders, Head Students, Prefects, and School Council, with opportunities to participate in Academic Societies and the Global Initiatives Group.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities form an integral part of school life, including sports, arts, culture and educational activities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History German Swiss International School (GSIS) was founded in 1969 by German and Swiss families seeking a bilingual education in Hong Kong. The first campus was in a house on Barker Road with 73 students; by 1975 the school opened its Peak campus on Guildford Road. GSIS is operated under two legal entities: GSIS Association Ltd, which handles academic and administrative operations, and GSIS Foundation Ltd, which owns and manages the Peak campus property	History The school was founded in 1963, initially functioning in a small French-language setting with around 30 students in Pok Fu Lam. It later expanded and in March 1999 the Blue Pool Road campus was opened to accommodate the secondary school. Governance is via a not-for-profit structure, with a board including elected parent members and French Consulate representation.
Community	Community GSIS nurtures a community culture through frequent events such as its annual Christmas Bazaar, which gathers students, parents, and staff around stalls, games, and cultural food. The school’s Parents’ Organisation for Community (POC) works to unite the school community and raise funds for school-wide cultural and educational programming.	Community The school community is comprised of students, families, staff, alumni and partners from many nationalities (over 45 countries) across its campuses. Community and cultural events include large family fairs, community festivals and events that celebrate sustainability and multicultural heritage.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association GSIS’s parent organisation is called the Parents’ Organisation for Community (POC). It is comprised of parent volunteers who collaborate with school management and the Board of Governors to organise events and foster community ties. The POC helps run fundraising and cultural events like bazaars, food fairs, and community gatherings. The POC also supports educational initiatives and works to facilitate parent-school communication.	Parent teacher association Parent involvement is organised through the French International School Community Association (FISCA), which invites parent volunteers to collaborate with students, staff and teachers. FISCA runs “Meet & Greet” breakfasts (e.g., “Get-to-Know FISCA Breakfast”) to bring parents together. It also organises events such as the Uniform & Book Fair at the Blue Pool Road campus (June 2024) to buy/sell used uniforms and books, with proceeds to charity. Parent volunteers may join committees via WhatsApp groups and contribute time according to their availability. Through the year, FISCA hosts social events such as Quiz Nights and community-connection evenings to engage families.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The Blue Pool Road Campus is the secondary campus of the French International School of Hong Kong, located at 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. It serves Year 7 through Year 13 and supports both the French Stream and the International Stream.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The Languages of Instruction are German and English. Languages taught include German, English, Mandarin, Latin, and French. The Peak Campus serves Kindergarten to Secondary with GIS (German Stream) and EIS (English Stream); Primary classes are GIS (DVOR K04) and English Stream (Year 1-6), and Secondary classes are GIS (K05–K12) and English Stream (Year 7–13).	Language provision Languages taught include French and English. The French Stream follows the French National Education curriculum. The International Stream follows a programme based on the English National Curriculum. The school emphasizes bilingual proficiency, with non-French speakers continuously exposed to French, and French-speaking students learning English intensively.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The Peak Campus offers two streams: the German International Stream (GIS) and the English International Stream (EIS). GIS provides a bilingual education through Kindergarten to Secondary, with no prior knowledge of German required for some age groups.	Bilingual teaching The school operates two streams: French Stream and International Stream. The French Stream follows the French National Education curriculum. The International Stream follows a programme based on the English National Curriculum. The school aims for all students to achieve excellent proficiency in both French and English.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Bilingual education is delivered through GIS, and the school operates two streams to support language immersion: GIS (German) and EIS (English).	Immersion programs The school offers an immersive bilingual curriculum (BIM).
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards * Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule: Awarded the seal of “Excellent German School Abroad” by the German government, affirming compliance with rigorous educational and quality benchmarks.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations * Supported by the Swiss Government: GSIS receives official recognition and partial funding from the Swiss Federal Government for providing Swiss-standard education abroad. * CIS (Council of International Schools) Member: The school is accredited by CIS, an international education organisation that evaluates schools on global standards of learning, safety, and governance. * IB World School: GSIS is authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to offer the IB Diploma Programme, a globally recognised pre-university qualification. * Schulen: Partner der Zukunft (PASCH): Recognised as a “School: Partner of the Future,” a German Federal Foreign Office initiative that promotes the German language and international educational exchange. * WDA (World Association of German Schools Abroad): Member of the global network of officially recognised German international schools maintaining high academic and cultural standards. * DAS (Deutsche Auslandsschulen International): Officially recognised as a German School Abroad, part of a worldwide network of over 140 schools offering German curricula overseas. * Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK): Accredited by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of Germany, ensuring GSIS curricula and diplomas meet German educational standards. * Youth Development Partner (BVB 09 Borussia Dortmund): Recognised collaboration promoting youth sports and leadership through football development programmes.	Accreditations The French International School (Blue Pool Road Campus) holds several international and national accreditations, reflecting the dual-stream nature of its curriculum and commitment to sustainable education: * AEFE (Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Étranger): Recognised as a partner school of the French Ministry of Education’s AEFE network, which oversees French schools abroad and ensures alignment with the French national curriculum. * IB World School: Authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to deliver the IB Diploma Programme (Years 12–13). * Cambridge International School: Accredited by Cambridge International Examinations to deliver the Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10–11. * ICA Accreditation (2021–25 and 2022–26): Accredited by the International Curriculum Association for the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), validating quality of teaching and assessment standards. * Metanoia Sustainability Audited: Certified under the Metanoia Sustainability Audit, which assesses schools on environmental impact and sustainable operations. * The Alliance for Sustainable Schools – Founding Member: Founding member of this regional network promoting sustainability practices and collaboration among schools in Asia.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial inquiry / Pre-Application Prospective families complete an online Pre-Application form (via GSIS’s Admissions portal) which grants access to the admissions pack and enables scheduling of a campus tour or visit. 2. Submission of Full Application / Waitlist Placement Once the application is complete (personal, academic, and residency documentation), GSIS sends an acknowledgement email and places the applicant on a waitlist (or shortlist) for their year group. 3. Entrance Assessment / Interview For many year levels (especially in the English International Stream), applicants are invited to an assessment (English, Mathematics, verbal comprehension etc.) and sometimes an interview, depending on year group. 4. Offer of Place and Debenture / Capital Levy If a place is available and the student passes assessment, GSIS issues an offer letter. The family must decide on and pay debenture (refundable or non-refundable) or capital levy (where applicable) by a deadline. 5. Enrollment and Orientation After acceptance and payment, parents complete enrollment formalities. Students may attend orientation, meet teachers, receive timetables, and integrate into their cohort before classes begin.	Admissions 1. Application Preparation Parents first determine whether their child will apply to the French Stream or International Stream, and to which year level. Required documents include the child’s passport or birth certificate, Hong Kong visa, and recent school reports (for applicants from Year 2 and above). The non-refundable application fee of HK $2,200 must be paid at this stage. 2. Online Application Submission Applications are completed and submitted online through the FIS admissions portal, where supporting documents are uploaded. Once submitted, parents receive confirmation of receipt and processing status. 3. Assessment and Interview Most applicants are invited for an assessment or interview appropriate to their age group and language stream. The evaluation considers academic readiness, previous school reports, and in some cases, language ability. 4. Offer of Admission When a place is available and the application successful, an offer letter is issued. To secure the place, parents must pay a non-refundable advance payment of HK $25,000 and acquire a debenture (either corporate or private). 5. Enrolment and Orientation Following confirmation, parents receive joining details, including guidance on uniforms, school transport, medical forms, and orientation sessions for new families.
Scholarships	Scholarships GSIS does not publicly offer traditional, broad-based scholarships (such as merit scholarships) on its website. However, the school does have a financial aid / fee reduction program, considered on a case-by-case basis, thereby reducing school fees for certain students whose families demonstrate need.	Scholarships FIS offers a limited number of scholarships and grants: * IB Academic Excellence Scholarship: Covers the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for outstanding students entering Year 12. Selection is based on academic merit, school reports, and a personal statement. * French Government Scholarships (AEFE): Available to eligible students in the French Stream, administered through the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong. * Thierry Dubois Family Debentures: Provide limited financial relief and priority admission for selected students through corporate sponsorship.
Waitlist	Waitlist GSIS operates a waitlist (or shortlist) system rather than immediate acceptance. After a full application is submitted, the applicant is placed on a waitlist in the appropriate year group. When a vacancy arises, GSIS contacts the next student on the waitlist to check continued interest, and may arrange a new assessment or interview before confirming the place.	Waitlist The school uses a waiting-pool system rather than guaranteeing immediate placement. When an assessment is successful but no place is available, applicants are placed in the waiting pool and contacted once a vacancy opens.
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