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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
South Island School is an English-medium, Years 7–13 secondary on Hong Kong Island’s south side (Deep Water Bay/Aberdeen). It offers the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7–9, IGCSEs (Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel) in Years 10–11, and three senior pathways in Years 12–13: IB Diploma Programme, IB Career-related Programme (including BTEC options), and the SIS Diploma.
The campus includes a renovated School Hall that seats 400+ for performances and a rugby-appropriate AstroTurf pitch. The language of instruction is English, with Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean offered through multiple pathways. A distinctive feature is the school’s Making a Difference ethos, seen in community projects within the MYP and whole-school events such as International Evening, TEDxTSIS, and service-oriented programmes.
South Island School has 1,400 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.
Location
South Island School is located at 50 Nam Fung Road, Deep Water Bay / Aberdeen, on Hong Kong Island. It is in a semi-rural green setting, backed by Mount Nicholson and facing the South China Sea, yet connected via local bus routes (e.g. Citybus 76, 41A) and taxi access (though campus gates are closed during school hours).
Stages
The school serves Years 7 to 13. Within that span, it provides middle years (7–9), IGCSE (10–11), and senior years (12–13) programmes
Type
South Island School is a co-educational day school.
Additional learning support
SIS operates an inclusive model of support, with tiered “Levels of Adjustment” (LOA) from 1 through 4 for students requiring accommodations. Students at LOA 3–4 can access more specialised provisions via the Learning Support Centre, small-group classes, or alternative curricula. In some cases, the school may request a private Educational Assistant to support a student’s classroom access or care.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
The official school hours vary by day: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays the day runs 7:55 am to 3:15 pm; on Tuesdays the start is later, and Fridays end earlier (7:55 am to 12:55 pm).
Bus service
The school provides a bus service operated by Kwoon Chung Bus Services across Hong Kong Island. Students are typically picked up near homes or public transport nodes (it is not purely door-to-door). The bus application, route information, and fee payments are managed via an online platform.
Fees
Annual tuition at South Island School ranges from HKD 167,600 to HKD 181,100 for 2026/27.
Application Fee
A one-time, non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,800 per applicant. This covers admissions administration and must be paid at the time of application.
Tuition Fees (per year, payable over 10 months)
Years 7–10: HKD 181,100 Year 11: HKD 159,400 Years 12–13: HKD 167,600
Billing and Payment Schedule
Tuition fees are paid in ten monthly instalments (August to May) by mandatory direct debit. Payments are due on the first day of each month.
Deposit
A deposit equivalent to two months of school fees must be paid when a place is accepted. Half of this deposit is offset against the first month’s fee, while the remainder is credited against the last month’s fee (if withdrawal notice conditions are met).
Other Charges
Non-Refundable Capital Levy (NCL): A one-off, sliding-scale fee, ranging from HKD 26,000 for Year 7 to HKD 3,800 for Year 13, payable when joining ESF schools. Families may also choose Individual Nomination Rights (INR) or Corporate Nomination Rights (CNR) for interview priority.
Refund Policy
Deposits are only offset against tuition (not refunded as cash). Fees remain payable if a student goes on leave during term.
Payment Options
Payments are made by direct debit for tuition. Application fees are paid via credit card or PayPal.
Academics
South Island School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 11 to 18.
Curriculum
Students in Years 7 to 9 follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), which combines subject learning with skills development and community projects. In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for external examinations through a mix of Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE subjects. At the senior level, Years 12 and 13, the school offers three distinct pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), and the SIS Diploma. The IBCP includes vocational options such as BTEC qualifications, providing flexibility for students with different interests and strengths. Across all stages, English is the main language of instruction, and students study additional languages including Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean. This structure allows progression from broad foundational learning in the middle years to specialised qualifications in the senior years.
South Island School delivers SEL mainly through its Pastoral Learning Curriculum (PLC), which explicitly includes wellbeing, values, and citizenship strands. Tutor groups in Years 7–9 integrate SEL activities into daily routines, and students work with a consistent tutor who monitors their development. The school also runs Values in Action (VIA), where students engage in projects that build empathy, teamwork, and responsibility. Leadership opportunities, such as the Student Council and Diversity Council, also provide practical contexts for developing social and emotional skills.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school operates an inclusive model using “Levels of Adjustment” (LOA 1-4) to tier support within mainstream classes, with Educational Assistants for LOA 3 and 4. The Learning Diversity / Individual Needs Department collaborates with teachers to plan adjustments and interventions. Students needing greater support may attend Learning Support Centre (LSC) classes, follow bespoke curricula, and use alternative programmes (e.g. ASDAN, TQUK) especially in senior years. Exam access arrangements are provided to eligible students under regulatory bodies (IB, exam boards) based on documented need. The school is not a specialist SEN institution, but a regular school with inclusive provisions.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
South Island School refers to such students as Bilingual or Multilingual Learners (BMLs) and offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes and enrichment programmes to help them develop language competence. Teachers receive training in strategies for bilingual/multilingual learners to support them in mainstream classes. New Y7 students are assessed to identify support needs in reading, writing or speaking English; those needing help may be scheduled into pull-out or targeted support.
Mental Wellbeing
The vice principal is responsible for overseeing well-being systems, and the school states that well-being is at the “heart” of its practices. The school uses surveys and reflective tools (especially within DEI and inclusion work) to monitor belonging and psychological safety. The Family Leadership Team (FLT) collaborates with staff to provide multi-layered support to students.
Safeguarding
South Island School states that ESF “upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm,” and anchors actions in strong policy, proactive and responsive measures, and collaboration with families. The school maintains a Child Protection Officers Network as part of ESF’s system. The school’s policies (e.g. via its “Key School Policies” page) include safeguarding, privacy, and conduct guidelines.
1. Online Application Submission Families submit an online application through the ESF admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee.
2. Assessment / Interview / Testing Applicants (for years other than entry levels) are invited to attend assessments or interviews to evaluate their readiness for the English-medium curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified with schedules for testing and interviews.
3. Offer of Place & Acceptance If successful and if a vacancy exists, the school issues an offer of place. The family must accept by a deadline, after which a deposit or building levy may be required.
4. Onboarding & Entry Requirements Once accepted, the student is integrated into the school system, including orientation, registration, and payment of fees per the school’s billing schedule. Families may also be asked to submit supporting documents (previous school records, medical records, etc.). (No explicit public detail on every onboarding step is given beyond the above, so some of this is inferred from standard practice and the admissions overview.)
5. Waitlist Consideration If no immediate place is available, the candidate may be placed into a waitlist or pool (see below). Offers from the waitlist may be made when places become available.
Scholarships
South Island school does not provide information about any financial assistance via scholarships or aid.
Waitlist
SIS (via ESF) does maintain a waiting list / pool system for school places when demand exceeds vacancies. Applicants are placed on the waitlist in priority order, and if a vacancy arises, offers may be extended from the waitlist by date of application and priority group.
FAQs
What curriculum does South Island School follow?
Students in Years 7 to 9 follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), which combines subject learning with skills development and community projects.
What are the tuition fees?
**Application Fee**
* A one-time, non-refundable application fee of **HKD 2,800** per applicant.
* This covers admissions administration and must be paid at the time of application.
Where is South Island School located?
South Island School is located at 50 Nam Fung Road, Deep Water Bay / Aberdeen, on Hong Kong Island. It is in a semi-rural green setting, backed by Mount Nicholson and facing the South China Sea, yet connected via local bus routes (e.g.
What age groups does the school serve?
The school serves Years 7 to 13.
Does the school support students with SEN?
The school operates an **inclusive model** using “Levels of Adjustment” (LOA 1-4) to tier support within mainstream classes, with **Educational Assistants** for LOA 3 and 4.
Is there a school bus service?
The school provides a bus service operated by Kwoon Chung Bus Services across Hong Kong Island. Students are typically picked up near homes or public transport nodes (it is not purely door-to-door).
What are the school hours?
The official school hours vary by day: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays the day runs 7:55 am to 3:15 pm; on Tuesdays the start is later, and Fridays end earlier (7:55 am to 12:55 pm).
How does admissions work?
1. **Online Application Submission**
Families submit an online application through the ESF admissions portal, selecting up to four ESF school preferences. The application includes the non-refundable administration fee.
2.
What accreditations does the school hold?
* **Council of International Schools (CIS)** — an international accreditation body that evaluates schools on governance, curriculum, teaching quality, and student outcomes; SIS underwent its five-year CIS review and earned an extension.
What languages are taught?
English is the medium of instruction. World Language classes are offered, including Chinese.
What wellbeing support is available?
South Island School delivers SEL mainly through its Pastoral Learning Curriculum (PLC), which explicitly includes wellbeing, values, and citizenship strands.
What facilities does the school have?
The ESF South Island School campus is located at 50 Nam Fung Road, Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong. The campus sits on the green southern side of Hong Kong Island with views toward Mount Nicholson and the South China Sea.
When was South Island School founded?
South Island School was founded in 1977 as part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), Hong Kong’s largest English-medium school system.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Drama and Music programmes offer opportunities to develop creativity and public performance.
