Chinese International School

Chinese International School
漢基國際學校
Location
1 Hau Yuen Path

,
Coordinates22°17′2.91″N 114°11′50.94″E / 22.2841417°N 114.1974833°E / 22.2841417; 114.1974833
Information
TypeReception-Year 13 (ages 4–18), private, international, mixed-sex
Established1983
School districtEastern
HeadmasterSean Lynch (from August 2018–present)
GradesReception (= UK Kindergarten, or US pre-K) -
13 (= UK A-Levels, or US Grade 12)
Enrollment1,660+
ColoursRed and Gold    
MascotPhoenix
Websitewww.cis.edu.hk
Chinese International School
Traditional Chinese漢基國際學校
Simplified Chinese汉基国际学校
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHàn Jī Guójì Xuéxiào
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpinghon3 gei1 gwok3 zai3 hok6 haau6

Chinese International School is a private international school in Eastern District, Hong Kong. It offers a dual-language English–Mandarin programme from Reception to Year 13, the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), and a mandatory Year 10 residential programme in Hangzhou, China.[1][2]

History

The school opened in 1983, with an initial intake of approximately 75 students in Years 1 to 3. Its first location was at 7 Eastern Hospital Road in Causeway Bay.[3]

In 1986 and 1989, the school expanded to additional sites at 10 Borrett Road and 26 Kennedy Road. In 1991, the school moved to the current campus on Braemar Hill.[4]

In 2013, the school opened Hangzhou CIS, a one-year residential programme for Year 10 students hosted at Greentown Yuhua School, focused on China immersion, character, challenge, and community.[5]

In 2016–17, the school completed a campus redevelopment ("Phoenix Soaring"), adding an approximately 11-storey academic building with sports centres, laboratories, design studios, collaborative learning spaces, and sustainability features.[6][7]

In 2024, an adjacent site at 9 Hau Yuen Path (formerly the Hong Kong Japanese School) was allocated for CIS's primary expansion; the project is planned to open in August 2028 to house Years 2–6 and expand capacity.[8]

Academics

Student body

The student body numbers over 1,660 students across Primary and Secondary in Hong Kong and Year 10 in Hangzhou; the school employs over 400 staff across educational and operational roles.[9]

Curriculum

CIS introduced the IB Diploma Programme in 1992 and the IB Middle Years Programme in 2002; Years 10–11 follow a school-developed bridging programme prior to the IBDP.[10][11]

In the 2025 IB Diploma Programme examinations, CIS students achieved an average score of 38.95 out of 45 points, with a 99% pass rate and 49% of students scoring 40 or above. In 2024, the average was 39.7 out of 45 points with 63% of students scoring 40 or above, and a 98.4% pass rate.[12]

Admissions

CIS's main intake years are Reception and Year 7; approximately 96 Reception places and about 58 Year 7 places are offered annually. Applications are assessed for bilingual readiness; priority may apply to siblings, staff children, alumni families, and debenture holders.[13][14]

CIS offers a financial aid programme (generally for students aged 12+) covering tuition and related expenses for eligible families, alongside merit-based awards in defined areas.[15]

School management

Administration

The school is overseen by a Board of Governors with approximately fifteen members. The Board has been chaired by Andrew Brandler, a parent of the school. Theodore S. Faunce served as Headmaster from 2006 to 2017. Deputy Head of School Li Bin served as Interim Head of School in 2017–18. In August 2018, Sean Lynch was appointed Head of School.[16]

CIS was re-accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) in 2021 and is a member of the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools.[17]

Campus and facilities

The Braemar Hill campus includes an 11-storey academic building (Phoenix Soaring) with two multi-purpose sports centres, laboratories, design studios, flexible classrooms, and collaborative spaces. Facilities are designed around three courtyards with views of Victoria Harbour.[18]

CIS Hangzhou provides academic and residential facilities for the Year 10 cohort, integrated with Greentown Yuhua School.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About CIS". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  2. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  3. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  4. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  5. ^ "CIS Hangzhou". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Campus & Facilities". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  7. ^ "CIS New Extension". RLP Asia. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  8. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  9. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  10. ^ "IB DP Results". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  11. ^ Lee, Moosung; Kim, Hyejin; Wright, Ewan (January 2022). "The influx of International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes into local education systems in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea". Educational Review. 74 (1): 131–150. doi:10.1080/00131911.2021.1891023 – via EBSCOhost.
  12. ^ "IB DP Results". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Reception Applicants". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Admissions Process". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Financial Aid". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  16. ^ "History & Governance". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  17. ^ "CIS re-accreditation". Council of International Schools. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Campus & Facilities". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  19. ^ "CIS Hangzhou". Chinese International School. Retrieved 3 November 2025.