Canadian International School Hong Kong (CDNIS) opened in 1991 and has grown into one of the largest schools in Hong Kong, with more than two thousand students from over forty nationalities on its Aberdeen campus. It is a full continuum IB World School, running the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes from Nursery to Grade 12, and it adds a Canadian dimension through the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. That makes it a fixture on our IB schools in Hong Kong hub.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full continuum IB World School, teaching the IB PYP, MYP and Diploma; graduates can also earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
| Stage range | Nursery to Grade 12 (roughly ages 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the PYP, MYP and Diploma; recognised by the Ontario Ministry of Education for the OSSD |
| Fee band | Premium band for Hong Kong; capital building levy and debenture options apply |
| Campus area | Aberdeen, Southern District, Hong Kong Island |
Curriculum and academics
CDNIS is one of only a handful of Hong Kong schools authorised to deliver all three core IB programmes. The Primary Years Programme shapes the junior school through inquiry led learning, the Middle Years Programme carries students through the lower secondary years, and the Diploma Programme prepares them for university in the final two years. This continuous IB pathway means a child can move through the whole school without changing educational philosophy.
The Canadian connection is the school's signature. Diploma graduates can also be awarded the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, which can ease applications to Canadian universities while the IB Diploma keeps options open worldwide. For how the Diploma works and compares with A Levels and Advanced Placement, see our IB curriculum guide, and ask the admissions office for the latest cohort results rather than relying on older numbers.
Working out the full cost of a premium IB place?
Use our fee calculator to combine tuition, the capital levy and the usual extras into one realistic annual figure before you shortlist.
Canadian International School Hong Kong fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1 (half-day) | HKD 185,780 |
| Grade 1 | HKD 260,200 |
| Grade 9 | HKD 287,800 |
| Grade 12 | HKD 304,500 |
Source: Canadian International School of Hong Kong (cdnis.edu.hk). Annual tuition. K1 is half-day. Plus a one-time entry fee and either an annual capital levy or debenture. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
CDNIS sits in the premium band of the Hong Kong market. Tuition rises by grade through the school, and the most premium fees are at the Diploma end. Because rates are reviewed each year, we do not quote a single figure here, and you should confirm the current schedule directly. As a large, established IB school its fees are towards the upper end of the city's range rather than the most accessible.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a capital building levy and for the school's debenture options, which can bring priority in admissions, along with the usual extras for uniforms, buses and trips. Our Hong Kong international school fees guide shows how tuition, levies and debentures compare across the city, which helps put the CDNIS commitment in context against its peers.
Admissions
CDNIS accepts applications through the year, with offers made subject to space and an age appropriate assessment, and the academic year starts in August. As a large school it has several entry points, but the popular junior and Diploma intakes fill, and debenture holders and siblings can affect availability. Applying ahead of your intended start is the safest approach.
The school looks for a fit with its inquiry led, internationally minded ethos as much as raw attainment, so the assessment and any interview are about readiness for IB learning. Confirm the current criteria, intake months and debenture terms with the admissions office before you commit to a move.
Location and who goes there
CDNIS occupies a vertical campus in Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, in the Southern District. That puts it within reach of the south side neighbourhoods such as Wong Chuk Hang, Pok Fu Lam and Repulse Bay where many international families live, while road and bus links connect it to the rest of the Island. The campus design makes the most of a compact urban site.
The community is genuinely international with a notable Canadian and North American presence, alongside the British, Australian and local families who settle on the Island. To weigh CDNIS against the other IB options nearby, including fees and where families live, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of the best IB schools in Hong Kong.
Canadian International School Hong Kong reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we can confirm reviews come from real families. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your child attends or has attended CDNIS, we would value your first hand account of the teaching, the IB continuum and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Canadian International School Hong Kong fees?
CDNIS sits in the premium band of the Hong Kong market, with tuition rising by grade and a capital building levy, plus debenture options that bring priority in admissions. Exact rates are reviewed each year, so confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does Canadian International School Hong Kong follow?
CDNIS is a full continuum IB World School, teaching the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes from Nursery to Grade 12. Graduates can also earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma alongside the IB Diploma.
Is Canadian International School Hong Kong an IB school?
Yes. CDNIS is one of a small number of Hong Kong schools authorised to deliver all three core IB programmes, the PYP, MYP and Diploma, across the full age range.
When do Canadian International School Hong Kong applications open?
CDNIS accepts applications through the year subject to space and assessment, with the academic year starting in August. Main entry points and popular grades fill early, so applying ahead helps.
Where is Canadian International School Hong Kong located?
The school is in Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, on a vertical campus that serves families across the Southern District and the wider Island.
