American International School

AIS is at 125 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, a short walk from Kowloon Tong MTR (Kwun Tong & East Rail lines) and served by multiple KMB bus routes and green minibuses. The site lists step-by-step public transport directions and notes on drop-off/pick-up.

AIS is a single-campus “through-train” school with four divisions: Early Childhood 1–Grade 1 Junior, Elementary (Grades 1–4), Middle School (Grades 5–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).

AIS operates as a day school.

AIS states it does not have support programs for English as a Second Language or for students with special learning needs; applicants are expected to learn in a regular English academic environment. Student wellbeing is supported by a counseling team in Elementary, Middle, and High School.

The school is not affiliated with any country.

The school has no religious affiliations.

Published hours: Elementary 8:00–15:30, Middle 8:00–15:30, High 8:00–15:40. Early Childhood 1 offers AM (8:00–12:00), PM (12:30–15:30) or full-day (8:00–15:30); Grade 1 Junior runs 8:00–15:00. Students may be dropped off from 7:30.

AIS uses California Coach Limited (the school’s long-standing independent provider) with routes across Kowloon, the New Territories, and Hong Kong Island. Families book online via the school’s link; contact and coverage details are provided on the FAQ page, which also lists private options for areas not served.

AIS follows a U.S. standards-based program from Early Childhood to Grade 12; in Early Childhood the play-based curriculum is delivered primarily in English with specialist lessons in Mandarin, music, art and PE, alongside the Second Step social-emotional program.

In Elementary (Grades 1–4), core subjects are English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, with specialist classes in PE, music, Mandarin and art.


Mandarin is compulsory from Early Childhood through Grade 8.


Middle School (Grades 5–8) uses American-based standards and offers core classes in Humanities (ELA/Social Studies), Math, Science, Mandarin and PE/Health, plus Visual Arts, Music, Performance, and Engineering & Design; learning features project-based units, an Intensives Project Period, and a required Outdoor Education & Leadership “adventure week.”

High School (Grades 9–12) is credit-based (24–28 credits) across English, math, science, humanities/social studies, world languages, PE/health, visual & performing arts, and computer science & technology, with electives; a minimum of five Grade 12 or AP course credits is required for the diploma.

High School offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and requires community service (10/10/20/20 hours from Grades 9–12); OELP includes a week-long “Service in Action” trip for every high school student.

AIS runs a schoolwide Guidance Curriculum based on the International School Counseling Model (ISCM), covering academic, personal, global, and university/career domains.

In Elementary, SEL is delivered through the Second Step program in Early Childhood–Grade 4 under the leadership of the Elementary School Counselor.

Middle School delivers daily advisory lessons (35 minutes) coordinated by the Middle School Counselor, with transition and planning activities in Grade 8.

In High School, SEL and guidance are embedded in advisory, with family webinars offered monthly to support parents. AIS publicly names division counselors as part of its wellbeing support. The school has also hosted wellbeing initiatives such as therapy-dog (Professor Paws) visits.

AIS states that it does not have support programs for students with special learning needs; applicants must be able to learn in a regular English academic environment. During admissions, students may be declined when AIS “lacks a program to meet their individual needs,” indicating it is not a specialist SEN institution.

AIS states that it does not have support programs for English as a Second Language (EAL). The language of instruction is English, and students are expected to be proficient users of English appropriate to their grade level.

AIS emphasizes emotional wellbeing as part of the Guidance program and uses advisory time to build healthy habits and self-awareness. Examples of wellbeing activities include relaxation sessions for seniors and Professor Paws therapy-dog visits. The counseling team leads family webinars across the year to help parents support their children. Division counselors (Elementary, Middle, High School) are publicly identified and available to students.

AIS publishes a Safeguarding page outlining its duty of care, commitment to embedding policies, procedures, and guidelines, and clarifying the purpose of its child protection policy.

Campus measures include a single main gate staffed by professional security, CCTV across campus, faculty ID badges, and guest registration with visible lanyards.

1. Online application & documents. Create an online account and complete the form. Upload required items: student photo, birth certificate, passport page, HKID (if available), valid study visa (if applicable), parent passport/HKID, school reports for the last 2–3 years, and the non-refundable application fee. Grades 1–12 must also submit Student Reference Form(s) completed by current teachers/counselor (different forms by grade band). AIS notes that it does not offer EAL or special learning needs programs; families must disclose any relevant reports.

2. Entrance assessment & (if granted) interview. Applicants complete grade-level placement tests (EC1–G1Jr: language readiness. Tests draw on U.S. standardized measures in English and Mathematics; some applicants write a short piece. A personal interview for the student/family may follow on a separate day; overseas applicants may arrange an online assessment. English is the language of instruction; students are expected to be age-appropriate proficient in English.

3. Offer decision. The Admissions Committee reviews school records, assessment results, and (if applicable) the interview to determine fit. The school may accept, accept conditionally/probationarily, or decline; reasons for decline include academic/behavioral record, insufficient English proficiency, or lack of a program to meet individual needs. Final decisions rest with the school administration.

4. Acceptance & enrollment. Accepted families receive an email offer and must pay required fees by the deadline stated in the offer to secure the seat; placement is confirmed on receipt of tuition and the capital levy. Tuition may be paid annually or in four installments; payments are accepted via e-payment or telegraphic transfer.

Additional placement notes: EC1–G1 placements are based on age as of 31 December; mid-year transfers generally remain in the same grade for the remainder of the AIS academic year. AIS operates rolling admissions and encourages early application because places are limited.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarships or financial aid on its admissions pages.

AIS runs a wait list once a class reaches maximum size. To reserve a wait-list place, families must pay a deposit within 7 days of the offer; the deposit is credited toward the first tuition if a place is offered. If no opening arises within 3 months, the deposit may be refunded in full; if an opening does arise within 3 months and the family declines, the deposit is non-refundable. Waiting status ends after third-semester enrollment is finalized in late March; families may reapply for the following year.