The International Montessori School - Aldrich Bay Campus

The International Montessori School – Aldrich Bay Campus is located in the Aldrich Bay area on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. The neighbourhood is largely residential and well connected to other parts of Hong Kong by the MTR, bus routes, and nearby tram services. The area provides convenient access for families living in Sai Wan Ho, Shau Kei Wan, and Quarry Bay. The campus is part of IMS’s network of four Hong Kong Island campuses.

The Aldrich Bay Campus offers the Foundation Group (ages 2–3) and Casa dei Bambini (ages 3–6) levels within IMS’s bilingual Montessori programme. Students in these early years programmes typically attend between two and five days a week, depending on age and schedule. Older year levels (Elementary and Middle School) are located at IMS’s Stanley campus.

The school is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls. IMS operates as a day school only and does not provide boarding facilities. The Aldrich Bay Campus focuses on early childhood and kindergarten-aged learners.

The IMS website does not publish specific details about support for students with additional or special learning needs. Based on publicly available information, there are no references to a dedicated SEN department or specialist staff. Therefore, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding its provision for Additional Learning Needs.

The International Montessori School is a Hong Kong-based independent international school with no formal affiliation to any other country.

The school is non-religious and does not follow or promote any particular faith or belief system.

The Aldrich Bay Campus runs half-day and full-day programmes depending on the age group. Foundation Group students attend 2-hour sessions in the afternoon, while Casa dei Bambini students follow either a half-day or full-day schedule. The specific start and end times are not publicly stated on the school’s website.

IMS provides a school bus service through a contracted private bus company that covers most areas of Hong Kong Island. Bus fees are billed directly by the provider in half-year segments. The service is optional and designed to help families with daily transportation to and from school. Uniforms are also required for Casa dei Bambini students, and families can purchase them online or on campus.

The International Montessori School (IMS) follows an authentic Montessori curriculum accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), delivered through a bilingual English and Putonghua (Mandarin) immersion model. Each classroom is led by two fully qualified Montessori teachers, one native English speaker and one native Putonghua speaker. At the Aldrich Bay Campus, the curriculum covers the Foundation Group (ages 2–3) and Casa dei Bambini (ages 3–6), focusing on independence, sensory exploration, early literacy, and numeracy through hands-on learning. The Montessori approach allows children to progress at their own pace within a structured environment designed for self-directed learning. IMS’s broader curriculum continues through Elementary and Middle School levels at other campuses, integrating subjects such as mathematics, language, science, cultural studies, and daily Chinese language instruction grouped by ability.

The International Montessori School (IMS) embeds social and emotional learning within its Montessori environment. The Montessori method itself encourages independence, self-regulation, and collaboration through mixed-age classrooms and self-directed activities. Teachers guide students in resolving conflicts peacefully and developing empathy as part of daily routines. However, the IMS website does not describe any dedicated SEL programme, specialist staff, or specific initiatives by name. Therefore, beyond the embedded Montessori practices, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding any formal SEL framework or staff roles.

IMS does not publish any information about a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) department, policy, or inclusion framework on its website. There are no details about specialist staff, types of needs supported, or individualised learning provisions. The Montessori approach at IMS offers differentiated, self-paced learning materials, but this is part of the standard curriculum rather than a specialised SEN service. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN provisions or support programmes, and it is not described as a specialist SEN institution.

IMS delivers a bilingual English and Putonghua immersion programme with two qualified teachers in each classroom—one native English speaker and one native Putonghua speaker. While this approach may support language acquisition for children learning in a second language, the IMS website does not mention any separate EAL programme, additional staffing, or targeted language support services. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a dedicated EAL support programme.

There is no publicly available information on the IMS website describing any mental health or well-being programme, counselling service, or pastoral care staff. The Montessori model naturally encourages calm, respectful interactions and a focus on each child’s individual development, which may contribute to emotional well-being. However, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding any formal mental well-being policy, counselling provision, or mental health initiatives.

IMS does not publish a safeguarding or child protection policy on its public website. There are no references to designated safeguarding officers, training, or specific reporting procedures. As a registered school in Hong Kong, IMS would be expected to comply with Education Bureau standards for student safety, but the school does not publicly disclose information regarding its safeguarding or child protection procedures.

1. Enquiry and Campus Tour
Parents begin the admissions process by submitting an enquiry or registering for a campus tour through the IMS website. Tours are available at all campuses, including Aldrich Bay, and allow families to observe Montessori classrooms in session. These visits are recommended to help parents understand the bilingual Montessori approach and the specific programmes offered at each campus.

2. Application Submission
Applications are submitted online through the IMS Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,000 per child is required at this stage, which also covers any assessment fees. Parents must upload supporting documents, such as copies of the child’s birth certificate and passport, as part of the application process.

3. Assessment / Class Visit
Once the application is received, the school schedules an age-appropriate assessment or classroom visit. For younger children (Foundation Group and Casa dei Bambini), this may take the form of a short observation session in a Montessori environment to assess readiness and adjustment. IMS does not publicly specify the duration or detailed criteria of these assessments.

4. Offer of Place and Acceptance
Successful applicants receive an offer of admission via email. To confirm enrolment, families must pay the required tuition deposit and select one of the Contribution Options (such as the Annual Capital Levy, Personal Nomination Right, or Capital Note). Once fees are settled, the school issues confirmation of the student’s place.

5. Orientation and Start of School
Before the start of the term, new families are invited to attend an orientation session introducing the Montessori philosophy, school routines, and classroom expectations. This helps children and parents transition smoothly into the bilingual Montessori environment at Aldrich Bay or other assigned campuses.

The International Montessori School does not list any scholarships or financial aid programmes on its official website. There is no mention of merit-based, need-based, or special talent awards for students. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding the availability or operation of scholarships.

The IMS website does not provide any public information about the use of a waitlist or pool system. There are no details regarding how applications are prioritised or how available places are allocated if a year group is full. Therefore, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding the operation of a waitlist or pool system.