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Kingston International School - Upper Primary logo

Kingston International School - Upper Primary

Hong Kong

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Mandarin
Fees HK$165,000 - 175,000
Ages 8 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 260
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service No
Availability Are there places?
Part of
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages English, Mandarin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Kingston International School’s Upper Primary is a bilingual IB Primary Years Programme delivered in English and Putonghua, using traditional Chinese characters. Classes are small, with a stated maximum of two teachers to 22 students, and learning spans language, mathematics, social studies, science, arts, and PSPE through a transdisciplinary programme. Students take part in performances, including a Year 6 musical, and have opportunities to join Choir and Orchestra. Service is encouraged through the Kingston Environmental Group, which leads sustainability initiatives across both primary campuses. Sport is part of the routine with PE twice per 6-day cycle, an annual Sports Day, and school teams. Upper Primary is led by Principal John Harper, and the campus is located at 105 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong.

This campus is part of Kingston International School

113 Waterloo Rd, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

The Essentials

Kingston International School - Upper Primary has 260 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English, Mandarin.

Location

Kingston International School’s Upper Primary campus is located at 105 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is known for its concentration of international schools and family housing. It has good access to public transport, including the Kowloon Tong MTR station and several bus routes. The campus is within walking distance of the school’s Lower Primary site, creating a connected learning community.

Stages

The Upper Primary campus serves Years 4 to 6, catering to children aged 8 to 11 years. It forms the second stage of Kingston’s bilingual IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which spans from Year 1 through Year 6. The Upper Primary years build upon inquiry-based learning from the Lower Primary, with increasing subject depth and responsibility for projects and performances.

Type

The school is a co-educational day school.

Additional learning support

The school does not publicly disclose any specific information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, specialist staff, or learning-support programmes. There is no evidence that it operates as a specialist SEN institution.

Country affiliation

The school is not affiliated with any country.

Religious affiliation

The school has no religious affiliations.

School day structure

Classes generally run Monday to Friday, following a standard full-day primary schedule (8:00AM to 3:00PM).

Fees

Annual tuition at Kingston International School - Upper Primary ranges from HKD 165,000 to HKD 175,000 for 2026/27.

Application Fees
A non-refundable and non-transferable application fee of HKD 500 is required at the time of online application. This covers administrative and payment processing costs.

Tuition Fees by Year Group

Year 3 to Year 4: HKD 16,500 per month / HKD 165,000 per year (10 months).
Year 5 to Year 6: HKD 17,500 per month / HKD 175,000 per year (10 months).
School hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Each class maintains a maximum ratio of two teachers to twenty-two students.

Capital Levy
A one-time capital levy applies to all new students entering the Primary section:

Entry from Year 4 to Year 6: HKD 69,000.
This levy is non-refundable and supports the school’s campus and programme development.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
Tuition is paid monthly in advance via autopay for ten months (no fees are charged for July and August). Fees cover notebooks, textbooks, and arts and crafts materials.

Additional Costs
Uniform costs are not listed separately but are required. Lunch and transport are arranged privately by parents.

Refund Policy
All school fees and capital levies are non-refundable.

Payment Options
Payments are made via bank autopay. No information is published on credit card or alternative payment options.
Academics

Kingston International School - Upper Primary teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 8 to 11.

Curriculum

The Upper Primary campus follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), taught bilingually in English and Putonghua (Mandarin) using traditional Chinese characters. Each class is co-taught by an English-speaking and a Putonghua-speaking teacher, ensuring equal exposure to both languages. The curriculum integrates transdisciplinary themes that connect subjects such as language, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and personal, social, and physical education. Students also receive specialist instruction in music, visual arts, and physical education. In the final year (Year 6), students complete the PYP Exhibition, a collaborative research project that marks the culmination of their primary learning journey. This programme provides a structured transition from the Lower Primary stage and prepares students for secondary-level studies in bilingual or international settings.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Kingston encourages personal growth, reflection, and a sense of belonging through activities such as student leadership (via the Student Representative Council) and community participation. Students take part in projects and performances that promote collaboration and confidence. In the Lower Primary years, teachers integrate circle-time discussions, mindfulness activities, and group work to help children build empathy and communication skills. However, the website does not provide a structured or stand-alone SEL curriculum.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, dedicated staff, or specific programmes. There is no mention of SEN facilities, resource teachers, or details about the types of learning needs supported. Kingston International School is not identified as a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school operates a bilingual English and Putonghua curriculum but does not publish information about targeted English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes or support staff.

Mental Wellbeing

The school’s wellbeing section refers to mindfulness practice, outdoor activities, and creative arts as part of daily routines that nurture student wellbeing. Students are encouraged to reflect and express themselves through art, music, and community participation. However, there is no mention of in-house counselling, psychologists, or a formal mental-health programme. Kingston promotes general wellbeing through its community ethos rather than through dedicated mental-health services.

Safeguarding

The school does not publicly disclose detailed information regarding safeguarding and child-protection policies.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Prepare Documents and Apply Online
Parents must first prepare the required documents, including a passport-sized photo, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and the most recent school report. Applications must be submitted through Kingston’s online application system, which collects personal, family, and academic information.

2. Application Review
Once submitted, the admissions team reviews the application and may contact parents for additional details if needed. When a space becomes available in the requested grade, the child will be invited for an interview and assessment.

3. Interview and Assessment
All applicants complete assessments in English, Mathematics, and Putonghua (Mandarin), including oral components in both languages. For Year 1, interviews take place in November and December of the year before entry, and if necessary again in May. These focus on oral skills, social skills, and fine motor skills.

4. Application Outcome
Following the interview, parents receive a written notification of the result — accepted, wait-listed, or not accepted. Offers must be accepted and confirmed within the timeframe stated in the school’s notification.

5. Payment of Application Fee
A non-refundable and non-transferable online application fee of HKD 500 is required at submission. This fee covers administrative and e-payment processing costs. Children moving from Kingston International Kindergarten (4-year-old class) to Year 1 are exempt from this fee.

6. Withdrawal Terms
Parents withdrawing a child must provide three full calendar months’ written notice (delivered in person). The summer vacation does not count toward this notice period, and full fees are charged for the three months following notice.

Scholarships

The school does not publicly disclose any scholarships, bursaries, or financial-aid programmes for Lower Primary students.

Waitlist

The school states that after the interview and assessment, parents will be notified in writing of the child’s outcome: accepted, wait-listed or not accepted. The wording emphasises that placement is “subject to space availability in the grade level applied for”. The school does not publish detailed criteria for how wait-listed candidates are selected, how long they may remain on the list, or what priority is given to siblings or other criteria.

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