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Victoria Shanghai Academy

Hong Kong

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees HK$181,200 - 255,600
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2000
Type Co-educational
Opened 2004
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 21
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Victoria Shanghai Academy in Hong Kong is a bilingual, independent day school located in Shum Wan, Aberdeen. The school delivers the full International Baccalaureate curriculum, beginning with the Primary Years Programme, continuing through the Middle Years Programme, and culminating in the Diploma Programme. Primary classes are taught bilingually in English and Putonghua, while secondary instruction is mainly in English with a strong Chinese component. The campus includes specialist facilities such as science laboratories, libraries, a performing arts center, sports halls, outdoor playing fields, and dedicated spaces for design, robotics, and other STEAM activities, providing students with resources that support both academic and extracurricular learning.

19 Shum Wan Rd, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

The Essentials

Victoria Shanghai Academy has 2,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 21, instruction in English.

Location
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) is located at 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, adjacent to Aberdeen Harbour. The campus lies in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, roughly a 15‑minute walk from MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station (Exit B). Buses and minibuses stop nearby at a public transport terminus about five minutes’ walk from the school.

Stages
The school offers curriculum from Primary (PYP) through Middle Years (MYP) to Diploma Programme (DP).

Type
VSA is a day school with no boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
VSA states that it is “sensitive to students’ individual needs” and provides support for those with language or learning needs, physical or medical conditions, or social, emotional, and behavioural issues.

Country affiliation
The school does not have any country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation.

School day structure
School hours are Monday to Friday, 8:25 am to 3:40 pm.

Bus service
VSA provides a school bus service.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a private independent, non-denominational, co-educational day school; there are no boarding facilities.

Food Options
The school operates a cafeteria, cafe and kiosks. Chartwells PLC runs the catering. The main cafeteria has an on-site kitchen and provides freshly cooked breakfasts, snacks and lunches, with a Quality Assurance Manager and dietician ensuring hygiene and nutritional value.

House System
There is a house system with House Captains; students participate in house leadership roles.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a School Board (Board of Directors) with an Executive Director of the Academy. It is a private independent, non-denominational day school formed by the University of Shanghai Alumni Association and Victoria Education Organization.
Fees

Annual tuition at Victoria Shanghai Academy ranges from HKD 181,200 to HKD 255,600 for 2026/27.

Primary Years Programme (Years 1–5)
The annual tuition fee for Year 1 is HK$181,200, payable in 10 installments.

Middle Years Programme (Years 6–10)
Year 6 tuition fee is HK$200,700, payable in 10 installments.
Year 7 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments.
Year 8 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments.
Year 9 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments.
Year 10 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments.

Diploma Programme (Years 11–12)
Year 11 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 10 installments.
Year 12 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 9 installments.

Other Fees
Refundable Capital Levy: A one-off payment required from all parents of newly admitted students (Years 1–11), unless holding a debenture.

Miscellaneous Fees: May include costs for field trips, online learning licenses, and learning materials.

CAS Trips: Fees apply for compulsory local or overseas Creativity, Activity, Service trips.

Technology Requirement: Students from Years 7 to 12 must purchase their own Apple MacBook through an authorised reseller or the school’s partnered vendor.

Refund Policy
For the Capital Levy (the one-off payment by non-debenture holders), the Capital Levy Agreement states that if a parent withdraws the student before school starts or the student does not attend, no refund of the Capital Levy will be made.

Partial refunds are possible under certain conditions: after the student completes the first term, HK$30,000 of the Capital Levy is refunded; the remaining HK$30,000 is refunded either at graduation from secondary school or upon early withdrawal with at least 45 school days’ notice.

Payment Method
The school does not have their payment method publicly available.
Academics

Victoria Shanghai Academy teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
Victoria Shanghai Academy delivers a through‑train IB curriculum offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

In primary years (Years 1–5), the curriculum is inquiry‑based around six transdisciplinary themes (e.g. Who We Are, How the World Works, etc.). Teachers design units of inquiry that cross subject boundaries, integrating literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and expressive arts.

In secondary school, the MYP is organised around global contexts and concept‑based learning, with eight subject groups and “Approaches to Learning” that develop skills across disciplines. Students engage in inquiry, reflection, and connection of traditional subjects to real‑world contexts.

For IB Diploma (Years 11–12), VSA students take the full IB programme recognised by universities globally. The school also emphasises bilingualism: primary is bilingual in English and Putonghua; secondary instruction is primarily English complemented by a strong Chinese programme.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Through its IB framework, VSA incorporates “Service as Action”, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), and student‑initiated action programmes, which engage students in social responsibility, reflection, empathy, and collaborative learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
VSA asks for psychoeducational assessments in order to provide appropriate support for learners with special educational, behavioural, or emotional needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not have publicly available information on their EAL.

Mental Wellbeing
VSA has student services infrastructure, including counselling roles. For example, a person listed as an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Coordinator is a school counsellor for students from Year 5 to 12. The school also runs broad student services (health, transit, etc.), and uses its co‑curricular programmes to balance academic pressure.

Safeguarding
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) outlines a clear safeguarding framework. The school adheres to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and follows international child protection guidance from the International Task Force on Child Protection. VSA incorporates child safeguarding in its recruitment processes, ensuring safe hiring practices. It also implements access control measures such as requiring alumni visitors to be accompanied by staff.

Safeguarding Policy
Parent Experience

History
Victoria Shanghai Academy traces its roots to the Victoria Educational Organisation (VEO), founded in 1965, with the aim of offering bilingual education in Hong Kong. In 1984, the first primary school (C.S. Victoria English Primary) was established, and over time the institution evolved, relocated, and expanded, culminating in the establishment of VSA as a through‑train (primary to secondary) bilingual IB school. In 2012, VSA became a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Community
VSA fosters a bilingual, international community. Many families, staff, and students come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The school’s vision emphasizes engaging parents, staff, and students collaboratively. The school maintains a Whole School Management Committee that includes leadership from various domains, enhancing transparency and parent involvement in school governance. The school hosts communications such as the VSA Pulse newsletter and public messages from leadership to keep the community informed and connected.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school does have a Parent‑Teacher Association. It also engages parents through the Whole School Management Committee and publishes periodic newsletters, indicating regular parent‑school interaction.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Victoria Shanghai Academy is located at 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, beside Aberdeen Harbour. The school serves over 2,100 students aged 6 to 18 and offers an IB continuum with PYP, MYP and DP. The Primary Programme provides English and Putonghua bilingual education, while the Secondary Programme is delivered in English with a strong Chinese programme. A campus expansion project introduces state-of-the-art facilities to support learning and growth. The Dr Maggie Koong Performing Arts Centre is part of the campus, and a virtual tour is available to explore facilities.

Sports Facilities
Sport teams and competitions are offered. Swimming galas are part of the athletic program. The Learning Beyond The Classroom program includes sport teams and competitions. The school participates in regional and international competitions as part of student development.

Academic Facilities
The school libraries are central to learning and host a collection of more than 100,000 items in English and Chinese. The library supports IB-related projects, including the PYP Exhibition, MYP Personal Project and DP Extended Essay. The school runs a 1:1 MacBook Programme for the MYP and DP. Digital literacy is supported through wireless connectivity and a high ratio of iPads, desktops and laptops in every classroom. Digital literacy coaches work with students and staff in classrooms and the ICT Hub, and digital portfolios evidence learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
VSA provides abundant learning opportunities beyond the school. CAS Week Trips, Camps, Environmental Groups, Field Trips, and House Days are offered. International Schools Theatre Association Activities, Model United Nations, Musical Groups and Competitions, and Project Week are available. The program includes Regional and International Competitions, Science Groups and Competitions, Speech Festivals, Sport Teams and Competitions, and Swimming Galas.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Victoria Shanghai Academy is a through-train IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme to develop students holistically through inquiry-based learning. The Primary Years Programme is taught bilingually in English and Putonghua, while Secondary is delivered in English with a strong Chinese programme. The IB framework at VSA emphasizes the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning to foster inquiry, critical thinking and lifelong learning. The school serves about 2,000 students aged 6 to 18, with a teacher–student ratio of 1:10 and a faculty representing 19 nationalities; more than 400 university offers have been made to recent graduates, with about 61% of those offers coming from the world's top 100 universities.

Arts & Creative
VSA offers a broad range of arts and creative activities through co-curricular clubs and programs, including Campus TV and Film Clubs, Creative and Visual Arts Clubs, Chinese Cultural and Music Programmes, Technology, Robotics and Coding Clubs, Entrepreneurial and Economics & Business Clubs, and Drama, Music Ensembles and Stage Management Clubs. The school provides exhibitions and performances such as Christmas and Chinese New Year Shows, the Whole School Musical, Grade Level Showcases and Secondary Theatre, Music Evenings, and Visual Arts Week and Exhibitions. All Diploma Programme students participate in the CAS (Creativity, Activity & Service) programme, and the school hosts a dedicated Dr Maggie Koong Performing Arts Centre for performances and events.

Cultural & Language
The Primary Years Programme operates with dual-language immersion, with two class teachers—one for Mandarin Chinese and one for English—for Years 1–5. In the Middle Years Programme, instruction is in English with Chinese Language and Literature and Chinese as Additional Language options, and all MYP students take both English Language and Literature and Chinese Language and Literature. Additional language options in the MYP include Chinese Additional Language, English for Academic Purposes and Language Acquisition in French or Spanish. In the Diploma Programme, students take two or three languages and are expected to enrol in both English and Chinese Language and Literature, with French or Spanish available as options.

Social & Hobbies
VSA provides extensive social and hobby opportunities through its co-curricular program and CAS activities. On-campus sports facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium and multiple outdoor courts, with participation in HKSSF and ISSFHK competitions. Students can engage in Campus TV and Film, Creative and Visual Arts, Chinese Cultural and Music programmes, robotics and coding clubs, entrepreneurial and business clubs, and drama and music ensembles. Leadership and teamwork are fostered through a wide range of clubs and activities beyond academics.

Community & Service
PYP emphasises action with local and overseas charity involvement. MYP centers on service as action and community engagement, encouraging long-term, sustainable service. DP CAS requires students to undertake creative, physical and service projects across local, national and international contexts. Service opportunities include Uniform Groups, AnimalsAsia Club, Caritas Service Club, Global Issues Club, UNICEF Club and local charities, as well as student-led initiatives such as the Victorian student newspaper and various charity committees.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is a core part of VSA, with ample opportunities for students of all ages to develop leadership skills. Roles include Student Council, Prefects, House Captains, Team Captains, student-run CAS Clubs and student-run publications, as well as Uniform Groups. These positions help students build confidence, problem-solving and communication abilities, and some students have achieved notable recognitions such as awards for outstanding student contributions.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
VSA supports sports and physical well-being through on-campus facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium and various outdoor courts, with active participation in school sports competitions. The co-curricular program includes a broad range of activities from sports such as football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track and field, to racket sports and more, with continued emphasis on balance and well-being as part of the IB learner profile.
Languages

Language Provision
English and Chinese (Putonghua) are core languages across the programmes. In the Primary Years Programme, there is dual-language immersion with two teachers (Mandarin and English). In the Middle Years Programme, English Language and Literature and Chinese Language and Literature are taught, with Chinese Additional Language and a third language option. In the Diploma Programme, students take two or three languages, typically including English and Chinese, with potential study of French or Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides a bilingual education in the Primary Section in English and Putonghua. The Secondary School programmes are delivered in English and supplemented by a strong Chinese programme. Victoria Shanghai Academy is an IB World School offering the IB continuum: PYP, MYP, and DP. The school serves students aged 6 to 18.

Immersion Programs
In the Primary Years Programme, all students have two class teachers, one Mandarin Chinese and one English, with co‑taught lessons to support dual language immersion from Years 1–5. In the Middle Years Programme, the language of instruction is English, with Chinese Language and Literature and Chinese as Additional Language classes. All MYP students are enrolled in both Chinese Language and Literature and English Language and Literature, and a third language class is selected from options including Chinese Additional Language, English for Academic Purposes, French, or Spanish. In the Diploma Programme, two or three languages are taken, which can include French or Spanish.
Reputation

Awards
The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.

Accreditations
IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP)
VSA is authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to offer the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. This allows students to follow a structured, internationally recognised curriculum from early years through secondary school.

NEASC Accreditation
The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). This US-based accreditation ensures that VSA meets recognised international standards for school governance, teaching, and student support.

CIS Accreditation
VSA also holds accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). This confirms that the school meets global benchmarks in areas such as curriculum design, safeguarding, leadership, and ongoing school improvement.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Online Application Submission
Parents can apply through the VSA online application portal, uploading photo ID, birth certificate or passport, and previous two years’ academic reports of their children.

2. Payment of Application Fee
A non‑refundable and non‑transferable application fee of HKD 2,000 is required upon submission to initiate the review process.

3. Document Verification and Review
Applications with missing documents will be held pending complete submission. If documents are not submitted within one month, the application is considered withdrawn.

4. Assessment / Interview
Candidates undergo assessments (e.g. for English, mathematics) and possibly interviews depending on the grade level applied for.

5. Admission Results Notification
The school shares results within about one month after the assessment, or after interview. Accepted, waitlist, or declining outcomes are communicated.

6. Enrollment Procedures
Once accepted, families complete enrollment formalities (sign contracts, pay fees) within the deadlines specified in the offer letter.

Scholarships
VSA has a scholarship programme for both internal and external students. These scholarships cover categories including academic excellence, leadership, performance, and improvement.

Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
School Events
The school has not added events
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