The French International School of Hong Kong, widely known as FIS or the Lycee Francais International, is the only accredited French school in Hong Kong and one of its oldest international institutions. Founded in 1963 when French engineers arrived to build the Shek Pik dam, it became the first IB World School in the city in 1988. It teaches more than two thousand students across two parallel streams.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | French national stream leading to the brevet and the French Baccalaureat; English international stream based on the British curriculum, leading to IGCSE then the IB Diploma |
| Stage range | Early years to the end of secondary (roughly ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1963; first IB World School in Hong Kong (1988) |
| Accreditation | Recognised by the French education authorities and the AEFE network; authorised IB World School; Cambridge IGCSE in the international stream |
| Fee band | Premium private international, upper band for Hong Kong |
| Campus area | Several campuses including Happy Valley, Jardine's Lookout, Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O |
Curriculum and academics
FIS is built around two streams that run in parallel. The French stream follows the French national curriculum and leads to the diplome national du brevet and the French Baccalaureat, taught in French within the AEFE network of French schools abroad. The English international stream is based on the British curriculum and leads to IGCSE in the upper secondary years and then the IB Diploma.
Having pioneered the IB in Hong Kong in 1988, FIS has a long track record with the Diploma in its international stream, while the French stream gives genuinely bilingual or Francophone families a path that keeps a child inside the French system. Our IB curriculum guide explains how the Diploma compares with the French Baccalaureat and the British route.
Weighing FIS against another Hong Kong school?
Put your shortlist side by side with our compare tool, from curriculum and stage range to fees and campus location, so the trade offs are clear.
French International School of Hong Kong fees
As a long established and selective institution, FIS sits in the upper band of the Hong Kong market, above the ESF foundation schools and in line with the city other premium private internationals. Tuition differs between the French and international streams and between year groups, so treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Typical line items at schools of this type include a registration or application fee, a refundable caution deposit, and a capital or building levy or debenture, on top of annual tuition. Our Hong Kong international school fees guide explains how these extras work, and our Hong Kong school fees for 2026 update tracks where the premium schools sit this year.
Admissions
Admission depends on the stream. The French stream follows the French academic calendar and gives priority to children continuing within the French system, while the international stream admits on a rolling basis with assessment appropriate to the year of entry. Places in popular year groups are limited, so early contact helps.
Families should decide early which stream suits their child, since the language of instruction and the qualification route differ sharply. Register interest, confirm the current criteria for your chosen stream, and arrange a campus visit.
Location and who goes there
FIS operates across several campuses rather than a single site, which is unusual for the city and lets it serve families on both sides of the harbour. Sites have included Happy Valley and Jardine's Lookout on Hong Kong Island and campuses at Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O, with the school organising stages and streams across them.
The community draws heavily on the French and Francophone expatriate population, alongside international families who want a bilingual environment or the IB route in the international stream. To see how FIS fits the wider city, start with the Hong Kong city hub.
French International School of Hong Kong reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for the French 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.
If your child attends or has attended FIS, in either stream, your first hand account of the teaching, communication and value for money would help other families. Share it through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are French International School fees?
FIS sits in the upper band of the Hong Kong market, with tuition differing between the French and international streams and by year group, plus extras such as a registration fee, a refundable deposit and a capital levy or debenture. Confirm current rates with the school.
What curriculum does the French International School follow?
Two parallel streams: a French national stream leading to the brevet and the French Baccalaureat, and an English international stream based on the British curriculum, leading to IGCSE then the IB Diploma.
Is FIS an IB school?
Yes. FIS was the first IB World School in Hong Kong, in 1988, and offers the IB Diploma in its international stream.
When do French International School applications open?
The French stream follows the French academic calendar, while the international stream admits on a rolling basis. Contact the school early to confirm the window for your chosen stream.
Where is the French International School located?
FIS runs several campuses, including sites at Happy Valley and Jardine's Lookout on Hong Kong Island and at Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O.
