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German Swiss International School - Pok Fu Lam

Hong Kong

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees HK$197,000 - 203,700
Ages 3 - 10 years
Pupil numbers 1250
Type Co-educational
Opened 1969
Bus Service Yes
Part of
German Swiss International School (GSIS)
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), German Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Latin, Mandarin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

The Pok Fu Lam campus of German Swiss International School (GSIS) is home to the Kindergarten and Lower Primary sections in both the German International Stream (GIS) and the English International Stream (EIS). The curriculum focuses on early learning, covering literacy, numeracy, language skills, and general subject knowledge appropriate for young students. In the German Stream, teaching follows the German curriculum adapted to an international setting, while in the English Stream, lessons are based on the UK curriculum. Facilities at the campus include classrooms designed for younger children, outdoor play areas, and spaces for art, music, and physical activity. Its location in Pok Fu Lam provides a quiet setting with access to open space. The campus gives younger students a structured start to school before they move on to the upper years at the Peak campus.

This campus is part of German Swiss International School (GSIS)

162 Pok Fu Lam Rd, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

The Essentials

German Swiss International School - Pok Fu Lam has 1,250 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
The Pok Fu Lam campus, located at 162 Pok Fu Lam Road near Pok Fu Lam Country Park, serves as the base for the Kindergarten and Lower Primary sections of the school. It is set in a suburban, green environment, providing a quiet and more spacious setting.

Stages
GSIS offers a full education pathway from Kindergarten through Primary.

Type
German Swiss International School is a co-educational, non-profit international day school. It does not provide boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
GSIS provides “holistic support,” which includes student well‑being programmes, learning enhancement teachers, and social‑emotional counsellors who work with students across all years.

They also have a Student Support Teacher role, especially in the English International Stream, who collaborates with subject teachers and parents to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs), monitor student progress, and make classroom interventions.

Country affiliation
GSIS has strong affiliations with both Germany and Switzerland. It is officially recognized as a German School Abroad, part of the network of international German schools worldwide. This status means it receives direct support from the German government, including funding and teaching staff. The German curriculum offered at GSIS leads to qualifications that are recognized in Germany, Switzerland, and internationally, giving students wide opportunities for higher education abroad.

Religious affiliation
GSIS is a secular school and does not have any formal religious affiliation.

School day structure
At the Pok Fu Lam campus, the German Stream typically runs from 7:40 am until 12:30 pm, while the English Stream often offers a shorter morning programme from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Bus service
The school does offer a bus service.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Catering is provided by Chartwells. The Three Mackerels Cafeteria, located on the Peak Campus, offers meals and snacks for GSIS students and staff, with a Primary Pre-Order Lunch Menu, Lunch Menu, and Snacks Menu available. Chartwells operates the catering while GSIS coordinates catering communications and queries.

House System
GSIS has a House System in which every pupil is allocated to one of four houses for the duration of their time at GSIS. Students wear house colours and participate in inter-house activities and events to foster teamwork, camaraderie, and positive competition.

Governance and Ownership
GSIS is operated by The German Swiss International School Association Limited, a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The Board of Directors guides the school's future strategy, and the Association is the sponsoring body; The German Swiss International School Foundation Limited manages fixed assets and the Debenture Capital Levy Scheme.
Fees

Annual tuition at German Swiss International School - Pok Fu Lam ranges from HKD 197,000 to HKD 203,700 for 2026/27.

1. Application & Assessment Fees
One-time, non-refundable application fee (paid upon application).

Assessment fee may apply for admissions testing.

2. Registration Fee
Equal to one month’s tuition fee.

Payable once a place is confirmed.

Deducted from the first instalment of tuition fees.

If student withdraws before the school year begins, the fee is forfeited.

For re-enrolment each year: families must complete online re-enrolment + pay registration fee to confirm a place.

3. Annual Tuition Fees (2025–2026)
Kindergarten (GIS: DKG1–DKG2 / EIS: KG1–KG2)
Total: HKD 197,000
1st instalment: HKD 118,200 (September–February)
2nd instalment: HKD 78,800 (March–June)

Primary (GIS: DVOR, K01–K05 / EIS: Y01–Y06)
Total: HKD 203,700
1st instalment: HKD 122,220
2nd instalment: HKD 81,480

Fees are in HKD and subject to Education Bureau approval.

Costs exclude bus fees, PE uniform, afternoon activities, exam fees, and overseas trips.

4. Debenture & Capital Levy

Mandatory: every student must be covered by a debenture or capital levy.

Standard Debenture: HKD 800,000

Refundable upon leaving, subject to debenture conditions.

If nominating an existing (unused) debenture, an upgrade payment to current value is required.

Withdrawal levy:

If a student withdraws within 6 months of starting (excluding July & August), 20% of the debenture value is charged.

Payable immediately upon invoice.

5. Refund Policy
No refund for:
Student absences

Class suspensions (e.g. typhoon, black rainstorm)

Switches to online learning

Registration fee is non-refundable if withdrawal occurs before start of school year.

No fee reductions in the first year of attendance.

6. Payment Methods
Online banking
Direct deposit

Late payment penalties:

1% monthly interest if overdue by more than 45 days

Legal recovery action if overdue more than 60 days
Academics

German Swiss International School - Pok Fu Lam teaches IB (DP), British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), German Curriculum for students aged 3 to 10.

Curriculum
German Swiss International School (Pok Fu Lam Campus) provides education from Kindergarten through to Secondary in two parallel streams: the German International Stream (GIS) and the English International Stream (EIS). In the German stream students work toward the German International Abitur (DIA), which involves instruction partly in German and partly in English, with immersion options for those without prior German. In the English stream students progress through IGCSE examinations and then the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The curriculum includes core disciplines such as languages (German, English, Mandarin, French, Latin), sciences, mathematics, social studies and the arts. The design seeks to balance academic content with supplementary programmes such as co‑curricular activities, well‑being and student support services.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
GSIS has proactive and reactive initiatives for student well‑being. Their Holistic Support system includes counsellors and programmes designed to build social and emotional resilience from early learners through secondary students.

They also use structured pastoral care, house systems, extra‑curricular programmes and camps (including “Discovery Week”) to enable students to interact outside of academic pressures, develop personal skills and build community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not offer any specialized SEN programme.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not have publicly available information on their EAL.

Mental Wellbeing
GSIS includes well‑being counsellors in its holistic support structure, which suggests they have staff dedicated to monitoring, intervening, and supporting students’ mental health.
The school also runs programmes and offers extra‑curricular activities (such as Discovery Week, camps) that help relieve academic stress, foster peer relationships, and build resilience.

Safeguarding
German Swiss International School (GSIS) upholds a strong commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all students and staff. The Board of Governors and the School Leadership Team take both moral and legal responsibility to ensure the well-being of every student throughout their enrolment.

Safeguarding at GSIS encompasses child protection, involving actions to prevent harm and to support children identified as at risk. The school fosters a respectful and secure environment where students feel valued, listened to, and protected from harm or ridicule.

GSIS adheres to Hong Kong legislation, while also drawing guidance from German laws. The policy is aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, underlining the collective duty of all adults to protect and promote children's rights and welfare.
Parent Experience

History
German Swiss International School (GSIS) was founded in 1969 by German and Swiss parents aiming to establish a bilingual German‑English school in Hong Kong.

It began modestly, and over time expanded to include both a Kindergarten/Lower Primary campus (Pok Fu Lam) and the Peak campus (Primary/Secondary) to accommodate growth in student numbers and programme offerings.

The school has maintained a “through‑train” model, meaning students can progress from Kindergarten all the way through Secondary in either the German International Stream or the English International Stream.

Community
GSIS has a diverse student population drawn from many nationalities (over 30) which contributes to its international character. The school arranges shared experiences such as “Discovery Week” where students engage in overseas and local trips, workshops and service learning, as well as art exhibitions and seasonal fairs where families participate.

The Parents’ Organisation for Community (POC) is active, and roles like volunteer parent groups work with the school leadership and Board of Governors to support community events, contribute to fundraising, and help maintain community spirit.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
GSIS has a formal organisation called the “Parents’ Organisation for Community (POC)” which is made up of parent volunteers who liaise with school management and the Board of Governors.

Governance at GSIS also involves GSIS Association Ltd, in which current parents, alumni or parents of alumni can participate by membership; this gives parents a voice in oversight through meetings and sub‑committees.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Pok Fu Lam Campus provides an enviable range of facilities. Its hero attraction is a large outdoor adventure playground for children to be entertained, play sports, and host activities. A well-resourced library serves German, English, and Mandarin books. Classrooms feature a treehouse to support interactive learning. The campus includes a dedicated indoor Physical Education room.

Sports Facilities
Large outdoor adventure playground suitable for sports and activities. A dedicated indoor Physical Education room supports a variety of fitness and movement sessions.

Academic Facilities
The Pok Fu Lam Campus serves Early Years, including Kindergarten and Lower Primary. Language of instruction is German and English. A well-resourced library houses German, English, and Mandarin books. Classrooms feature a treehouse to support interactive learning. Languages taught include German, English, Mandarin, Latin, and French.

Extra Curricular Facilities
GSIS offers a wide range of after-school and extracurricular activities at Pok Fu Lam. Arts programmes include art, drama, and music. The sports programme covers football, tennis, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, fencing, touch rugby, and more. Leadership opportunities include Head Students, Deputy Student Heads, Prefects, Class Representatives, House Captains, and student-run Academic Societies and the Global Initiatives Group.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a through-train, dual-language education from Kindergarten to Secondary. The German International Stream (GIS) leads to the German International Abitur Diploma (DIA), while the English International Stream (EIS) leads to IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). The language of instruction is German and English, and the languages taught include German, English, Mandarin, Latin, and French. Age range is 3–18 years old, with about 1,250 students from 27 nationalities.

Arts & Creative
The school provides arts education across the curriculum with opportunities in visual art, drama, and music as part of the broader curriculum and extracurricular activities.

Cultural & Language
The school operates two streams open to all passport holders: GIS and EIS, offering intercultural exchange and exposure to the culture of German-speaking countries.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular activities cover arts, sports, leadership, and service opportunities that complement academic study and encourage student engagement beyond the classroom.

Community & Service
Leadership and service opportunities are available across levels, including class responsibilities, House leadership, and student bodies that promote community involvement.

Leadership & Professional
Students can participate in roles such as Head Students, Deputies, Prefects, class representatives, House Captains, and school councils, fostering leadership and teamwork.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports and fitness programs include team and individual activities, with facilities and schedules designed to support physical well-being and a balanced school life.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is German and English. Languages taught include German, English, Mandarin, Latin, and French.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers dual-language through-train education in German and English from Kindergarten to Secondary, delivered through two streams: the German International Stream (GIS) and the English International Stream (EIS).
Reputation

Awards
Excellent German School Abroad Certification
GSIS has been officially certified as an “Excellent German School Abroad” by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), which is a distinction awarded to only the top-performing German international schools worldwide.

Accreditations
German Schools Abroad Network (DAS)
GSIS is officially recognised as one of over 135 German Schools Abroad under the oversight of the German government. This recognition ensures that the school adheres to the educational and administrative standards set by the German authorities.

International Baccalaureate (IB) World School
GSIS is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), allowing students to pursue an internationally recognised pre-university qualification.

German International Abitur (DIA)
GSIS is authorised to administer the DIA, a German university-entrance qualification that is globally recognised and academically rigorous.

Hong Kong Education Bureau Registered School
The school is fully registered with Hong Kong’s Education Bureau, ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards.
Admissions

Admissions
1.Application Submission
Families must begin by submitting an online application form through the official GSIS website. The application must specify whether the student is applying for the German International Stream (GIS) or the English International Stream (EIS).

2. Assessment Requirements
Depending on the stream selected and the age of the child, different assessments apply. For the German stream, applicants may be asked to complete a German-language assessment. For the English stream, students are typically assessed in English and Mathematics. These assessments help determine suitability and placement.

3. Interviews (if applicable)
Some applicants may be invited for an interview or additional assessments based on age or programme requirements. This step ensures a better understanding of the child's background and readiness for school.

4. Offer of Admission
Once assessments and interviews are completed, GSIS issues an offer letter to successful applicants, subject to space availability. Offers are usually time-sensitive and must be accepted within the timeframe outlined.

5. Acceptance and Payment
To secure the offered place, families must confirm acceptance and pay any required debenture or capital fees, as specified in the admission offer.

6. Waitlist Status
GSIS does have a waitlist system in place, particularly for high-demand year levels. If space is not available, applicants may be placed on the waiting list and contacted when a place opens.

Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.

Waitlist
The school does have a waitlist.Yes. After application submission, if a slot is not immediately available, students are placed on a sort of waiting list (or waiting queue) for that year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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