The International Montessori School - South Horizons Campus

The International Montessori School (IMS) South Horizons Campus is situated in a residential area of Hong Kong, offering easy access to public transportation and community facilities. The campus is designed for young learners in the school’s early years programmes. Families benefit from convenient travel options and a calm neighbourhood environment suitable for preschool education.

This campus serves children aged 1 to 6 years through three Montessori programmes: Montessori First Steps (ages 1–2), Foundation Group (ages 2–3), and Casa dei Bambini (ages 3–6). Students progress from toddler and preschool levels to kindergarten age before continuing at IMS’s Stanley Campus for Elementary and Middle School.

IMS South Horizons is a co-educational day school. It follows the bilingual Montessori approach in English and Putonghua (Mandarin). The school does not offer boarding, and all programmes run on a day-school basis.

The school promotes an inclusive environment and pastoral care across its programmes. However, IMS does not publicly detail specialised facilities or programmes for students with identified Special Educational Needs (SEN) on its website. Families requiring dedicated SEN provision should contact the school directly for clarification.

The school has no affiliation with any particular country. It is an international institution registered in Hong Kong, following an authentic Montessori curriculum.

IMS has no religious affiliation and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

The school day varies by age group and programme. Montessori First Steps runs for about 1.5 hours per day, Foundation Group classes for 2 hours per day, and Casa dei Bambini offers half-day or full-day schedules. The exact daily timetable is confirmed individually with families upon enrolment.

IMS contracts an independent bus company to provide a network of school buses covering most of Hong Kong Island. The service operates on morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off routes. Bus fees are billed directly by the provider and are payable in half-year segments. Families can select routes based on their home location, subject to seat availability.

The International Montessori School (IMS) South Horizons Campus follows an authentic bilingual Montessori curriculum, taught in English and Putonghua (Mandarin) with one teacher for each language in every classroom. The campus serves children aged 1 to 6 years, offering three key programmes: Montessori First Steps (ages 1–2), Foundation Group (ages 2–3), and Casa dei Bambini (ages 3–6). Learning is hands-on and individualised, guided by AMI-trained Montessori educators who introduce early literacy, numeracy, sensorial, and practical life concepts through self-directed activities. The curriculum emphasises independence, focus, and social development within a mixed-age setting. Students who complete Casa dei Bambini may continue into the Elementary and Middle School Montessori programmes at IMS’s Stanley Campus, ensuring continuity through to age 14.

IMS emphasises the development of independence, self-discipline, and cooperation as part of the Montessori approach. These qualities are nurtured through daily classroom routines and mixed-age group interaction, which encourage empathy, responsibility, and respect. At the Elementary level, IMS mentions ongoing wellbeing initiatives such as student wellbeing surveys and pastoral monitoring to support emotional growth. However, the school does not publish campus-specific SEL programmes or staff roles for the South Horizons campus.

The school’s website does not publicly disclose specific information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) support. IMS states that it provides a nurturing environment for children of varied abilities but does not identify itself as a specialist SEN institution. Details about learning support staff, facilities, or accommodations for particular learning needs are not available on public pages.

IMS operates as a bilingual English and Putonghua (Mandarin) Montessori school. The website does not mention any specific English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme or targeted language support. Instruction is conducted in both languages, but no additional EAL provision is described for non-native speakers.

The school’s Elementary section references the use of student wellbeing quizzes and a pastoral system to monitor and support mental health. This suggests structured oversight for older students’ emotional well-being. However, the school does not provide published details of formal mental health staff, counselling services, or initiatives specific to the South Horizons campus, which serves younger children.

IMS states that it operates under Hong Kong’s Education Bureau regulations and that families can access full safeguarding information through its Parent Handbook. A dedicated safeguarding or child protection policy is not publicly available on the school website. No further details are provided about the staff responsible or the training undertaken in safeguarding practices.

1. Initial Enquiry and Campus Visit
Families are encouraged to attend an Open Day, Montessori Trial, or Campus Tour to understand the school’s learning environment and bilingual Montessori approach. Visits are held throughout the year and can be booked directly through the school’s website.

2. Application Submission
Applications are accepted year-round through the school’s online Admissions Portal. Parents submit the completed form along with supporting documents and the non-refundable Application Fee, which includes any assessment fees.

3. Assessment and Interview
Once an application is received, the admissions team arranges an age-appropriate observation or meeting. For younger children, this may involve a short classroom visit to assess readiness and comfort within a Montessori setting.

4. Offer and Enrolment
Successful applicants receive a formal Offer of Admission, after which parents must confirm acceptance within the time frame provided. Families are then required to complete relevant paperwork and select one of the school’s Contribution Options (Annual Capital Levy, Personal Nomination Right, or Capital Note) to secure the place.

5. Orientation and Start
Before the first day, parents receive joining instructions, uniform details (for Casa students), and transport arrangements. The school provides orientation sessions to help children and families settle into the Montessori routine.

The school’s website does not publicly disclose any scholarship or financial aid programmes. All places are fee-paying, and enrolment requires participation in one of the IMEF Contribution Options. There are no published details regarding merit-based, needs-based, or sibling scholarships.

IMS does not publicly state the use of a formal waitlist or pool system. The website notes that applications are accepted throughout the year and processed on a rolling basis. Admission decisions depend on age group availability and the completion of all required steps.