Chinese International School (CIS) opened in 1983 and is one of the most sought after schools in Hong Kong. It moved to its Braemar Hill campus in the Eastern District in 1991 and now teaches more than sixteen hundred students from Reception to Year 13. Its defining feature is a bilingual English and Mandarin programme, paired with the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, which sets it apart from the city's English only internationals.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Bilingual English and Mandarin programme from Reception, leading into the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma; a Year 10 residential term in Hangzhou |
| Stage range | Reception to Year 13 (roughly ages 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1983, on the Braemar Hill campus since 1991 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma, which it introduced in 1992 |
| Fee band | Premium band for Hong Kong, broadly HK$216,100 to HK$342,800 across the year groups |
| Campus area | Braemar Hill, Eastern District, Hong Kong Island |
Curriculum and academics
CIS is built around bilingualism. From the early years, children learn in both English and Mandarin, so that fluency in two languages is woven through the school rather than taught as a subject on the side. That bilingual foundation feeds into the IB framework, with the Middle Years Programme in the secondary school and the IB Diploma in the final two years, introduced as far back as 1992.
A distinctive feature is the mandatory Year 10 residential term in Hangzhou, which immerses students in mainland China for a sustained period rather than a short trip. For how the IB Diploma works and compares with A Levels and Advanced Placement, see our IB curriculum guide. Ask the admissions office for the latest Diploma results and university destinations rather than relying on older figures.
Budgeting for a premium bilingual place?
Use our fee calculator to combine tuition, the capital levy and the usual extras into one realistic annual figure before you shortlist.
Chinese International School fees
CIS sits in the premium band of the Hong Kong market. Published annual tuition falls broadly between HK$216,100 and HK$342,800 across the year groups, rising into the secondary and Diploma years. Treat any single figure as indicative, since fees are reviewed each year, and confirm the current schedule with the school before budgeting.
Beyond tuition, families should expect a capital levy and the school's debenture arrangements, which are common at the top of the Hong Kong market, along with the usual extras for the Hangzhou residential, trips and activities. Our Hong Kong international school fees guide shows how tuition, levies and debentures compare across the city so you can see where CIS sits among the premium schools.
Admissions
The main intakes at CIS are Reception and Year 7, with roughly ninety six Reception places and about fifty eight Year 7 places offered each year, so competition is intense. Applications run ahead of the August start, and the school assesses for readiness and fit with its bilingual, internationally minded ethos rather than attainment alone. Demand routinely outstrips supply at the main entry points.
Because places are scarce, applying early and understanding the assessment is essential, and debenture arrangements can shape priority. Confirm the current intake months, assessment format and debenture terms with the admissions office before you plan a move around a CIS place.
Location and who goes there
CIS occupies a striking campus on Braemar Hill in the Eastern District, above North Point, with views over Victoria Harbour. That puts it within reach of the eastern Island neighbourhoods such as North Point, Quarry Bay and Tai Hang, while road links connect it to the wider Island. The hillside setting gives the campus more room than many central sites.
The community is international with a strong draw for families who want their children to grow up fluent in Mandarin as well as English, including many local, returnee and mainland Chinese families alongside the wider expat mix. To weigh CIS against the other Island options nearby, including fees and where families live, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of the best international schools in Hong Kong.
Chinese International School reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for Chinese International School. 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 CIS, we would value your first hand account of the bilingual teaching, the Hangzhou term 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 Chinese International School fees?
CIS sits in the premium band of the Hong Kong market, with published annual tuition broadly in the region of HK$216,100 to HK$342,800 across the year groups. A capital levy and debenture arrangements also apply. Confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does Chinese International School follow?
CIS runs a bilingual English and Mandarin programme from Reception to Year 13, leading into the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma. A residential term in Hangzhou is part of the Year 10 experience.
Is Chinese International School an IB school?
Yes. CIS is an authorised IB World School offering the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, which it introduced in 1992, within its bilingual framework.
When do Chinese International School applications open?
The main intakes are at Reception and Year 7, with roughly 96 Reception places and about 58 Year 7 places offered each year. Applications run ahead of the August start, and demand is high, so apply early.
Where is Chinese International School located?
CIS is on Braemar Hill in the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island, above North Point, with views over Victoria Harbour.
