Application for ESF K1, Years 1 & 7 commences on September 1

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) welcomes applications from parents of children born in 2015 for K1, 2013 for Year 1 and 2007 for Year 7 places starting August 2018. ESF is the largest provider of English-medium education in Hong Kong and serves a rich diversity of cultures. Applications should be submitted through the online admissions system on www.esf.edu.hk/application-form from 1 to 30 September 2017.

Dual applications are permitted to ESF and the two private independent schools (PIS). Applications to Discovery College and Renaissance College are through separate application processes, detailed on each of the college’s websites. (As the Education Bureau is still reviewing the HK$2,000 application fee for Discovery College and Renaissance College, the new ‘one form’ application system will not be launched for admissions processing for 2017-18.)

School zoning (www.esf.edu.hk/esf-zones/) applies to ESF primary and secondary schools based on residential address at the time of application. ESF International Kindergartens, Discovery College and Renaissance College remain zone free.

Individual Nomination Rights (INR) are available for parents who wish to gain interview priority for their children. The Nomination Rights Scheme, including corporate and individual plans, provides a fast track entry route for children into ESF schools and the two private independent schools given that they meet the admissions requirements. The scheme will be open for applications on Monday, 4 September 2017, 10 am at ESF Centre for those who are applying for ESF Years 1 or 7 for the 2018-19 academic year. Website: www.esf.edu.hk/esf-nomination-rights. Parents should apply separately for INR schemes for Discovery College and Renaissance College.

ESF is an all-through system. All Year 6 students enrolled in an ESF primary school by 1 December are guaranteed a place in an ESF secondary school in the next academic year, upon completion of Year 6.

“Over the past five decades, ESF’s schools have focused on both the quality of learning and teaching and on students’ welfare and learning experiences. We are proud of ESF’s strong position as a world-leader in education, our record of exceptional academic results as well as our reputation for creating a learning environment where our students thrive. We provide world-class education for all of our students, enabling them to be the best that they can be. Our students leave ESF as well-educated and internationally-minded individuals who are equipped to play full and constructive roles in society,” Belinda Greer, ESF Chief Executive Officer said.

The five ESF International Kindergartens, Abacus, Hillside, Tsing Yi, Tung Chung and Wu Kai Sha offer an English medium education for children aged 3 to 5 years. Children attending an ESF International Kindergarten with a minimum of two-term attendance requirement will receive priority for Year 1 interview at all ESF schools, including Renaissance College and Discovery College.

“ESF schools provide a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students engage actively and interact warmly with their peers and teachers,” said Julie Wong, ESF Admissions Manager. “Successful admission depends on a candidate’s ability to benefit from an ESF education. Applicants must demonstrate, through interview and assessment, that they are capable of accessing an English medium curriculum.”

To ensure that our school facilities are conducive to achieving the highest possible standards of teaching and learning, parents of students joining ESF are required to pay a one-off non-refundable levy. The cost of the levy, which applies to ESF’s nine primary schools, five secondary schools and our special school, is HK$38,000 for Year 1 students and is reduced on a sliding scale for those students who join in later years. There are also non-fundable capital levy schemes for the Private Independent Schools.

The annual tuition fees for ESF schools for 2017-18 are HK$106,500 for Years 1 to 2, HK$89,200 for Years 3 to 6, HK$122,900 for Years 7 to 11 and HK$129,100 for Years 12 and 13. For the latest information on ESF fees, please refer to the website: http://www.esf.edu.hk/school-fees/