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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
Part of
Kingston International School
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).
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Upper Primary follows Kingston International School's uniform policy. Students wear neat, clean uniforms every day, including during field trips. Primary School summer uniform options include a White Shirt with Kingston Logo; girls wear skorts; white cotton sleeveless jumper; boys wear shorts. Summer PE comprises PE shirts in Green, Blue, Red, or Yellow with navy PE shorts, white socks, white sneakers, and a Kingston hat. Winter uniform features a Blue Shirt with Kingston Logo; black cotton trousers; ivory cardigan with Kingston lettering; navy pea jacket; Winter PE includes long-sleeve PE tops, a PE jacket, and matching trousers.

House System
Upper Primary participates in a House League as part of the athletics program; a House League Floor Hockey team exists for upper primary students, with both non-competitive and competitive levels available.

Governance and Ownership
The school has a school board that governs Kingston International School.
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.

Academic calendar
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.
Parent Experience

History
Kingston International School was founded in 1996 as the Kingston Children’s Centre and expanded in 2001 to include the Lower Primary campus. The Upper Primary campus was opened in 2010 to complete the school’s bilingual Primary Years Programme pathway. Kingston was the first school in Hong Kong to be authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) in 2004. The school is privately owned and operates as an independent, non-boarding institution across three campuses in Kowloon Tong.

Community
The school community celebrates both local and international traditions through events such as the Chinese New Year Flower Market, Mid-Autumn Festival activities, and yearly concerts featuring student performances. Students also take part in creative projects, environmental initiatives, and group performances that foster teamwork and school spirit. These activities bring together students, teachers, and families across the different Kingston campuses.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
While parents are encouraged to engage with the school through community events and open-house activities, there is no publicly available information about a structured PTA body, leadership committee, or specific PTA-organised initiatives.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Upper Primary campus serves Year 4 to Year 6 as part of Kingston International School's Kowloon Tong campus network. The bilingual programme uses English and Putonghua as languages of instruction, with one native-speaking English teacher and one native-speaking Putonghua teacher in each class. Kingston maintains small class sizes and a high teacher-to-student ratio. The programme is delivered through the IB-PYP framework, emphasising inquiry-based learning across subjects. The Library is central to the programme and supports experiential education.

Sports Facilities
Physical education and athletics are included as part of the Upper Primary curriculum. PE and sport are integrated into the programme to support holistic development. Kingston presents athletics as a core component of student life within the primary school structure. The curriculum aligns sports with broader aims of well-being and personal growth.

Academic Facilities
Kingston Upper Primary follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) in a bilingual English/Putonghua setting. Instruction is delivered in English and Putonghua, with each class having a native-speaking English teacher and a native-speaking Putonghua teacher. Students spend portions of the day learning in both languages, guided by the bilingual approach. The programme is structured as a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry across language, mathematics, social studies, science, arts and PSPE. The school aims for native fluency in both languages within a supportive learning environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Kingston offers clubs and extra-curricular activities as part of student life. Experiential education is incorporated into learning beyond the classroom. The school emphasises student well-being and community involvement through clubs and activities. Participation in extracurricular activities is aligned with the IB-PYP framework and the bilingual programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Upper Primary program follows the IB-PYP bilingual framework (English/Putonghua). The Upper Primary campus serves students in Year 4 to Year 6. Kingston maintains small class sizes and has an English and a Putonghua teacher in each class to support differentiated learning. The programme emphasises inquiry-based learning within the IB-PYP framework.

Arts & Creative
Arts on the Kingston Primary programme covers Drama, Design, Music, and a Performing Arts component. All students participate in performing arts, with Year 6 involved in musical productions; upper primary students may audition for performing arts and perform for the Kingston community. There are dedicated arts offerings such as the Kingston Choir and Kingston Orchestra for upper primary students.

Cultural & Language
Putonghua and English are the languages of instruction. Each class has one native-speaking Putonghua teacher and one native-speaking English teacher. Students spend portions of the day immersed in English and Putonghua, with the remaining time spent working in both languages. The bilingual approach aims for native fluency in both languages.

Social & Hobbies
Upper Primary participates in a range of student clubs and activities. Club offerings include the Kingston Student Representative Council (SRC), Kingston Choir, Kingston Orchestra, Kingston Newspaper Club, Kingston Environmental Group (KEG), English Battle of the Books Team, Chinese Debate Team, and Chinese Battle of the Books Team.

Community & Service
The Kingston Environmental Group (KEG) operates at both primary campuses and leads sustainability initiatives. KEG activities include food composting and other environmental projects across campuses.

Leadership & Professional
A Student Representative Council (SRC) brings together Year 3 to Year 6 students who are elected to lead school actions and represent the student body. SRC members plan events, mentor peers, and model IBPYP Learner Profile Attributes.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical education is conducted twice per 6-day cycle, with opportunities for active play during snack and lunch times. The school hosts a yearly Sports Day with a variety of track and field activities. Upper Primary participates in Floor Hockey, with a House League (non-competitive) and a Competitive Team; Kingston founded the Hong Kong Primary School Floor Hockey League in 2023.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are English and Putonghua. The IB-PYP bilingual programme runs for students aged 1 to 11, with an Upper Primary campus for Year 4 to Year 6, and each class has a native English and a native Putonghua teacher.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses bilingual teaching in English and Putonghua.

Immersion Programs
Students are immersed in English and Putonghua each day, with portions spent in English and Putonghua and the remainder spent working in both languages.
Reputation

Awards
The school’s website does not list any awards granted to the institution within the past five years.

Accreditations
* International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP): The school is authorised to run the IB PYP, meaning it meets the IB Organisation’s standards for an inquiry-based international curriculum.

* Hong Kong Education Bureau School Registration: The school appears on the formal list of international schools in Hong Kong, confirming its operation under the local regulatory framework.
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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