The ISF Academy is a non profit, bilingual private independent school in Hong Kong, founded in 2003 by the Independent Schools Foundation and now settled on its Pok Fu Lam campus on the west of Hong Kong Island. It teaches from the early years to Grade 12 and is best known for an immersive Mandarin and English model rooted in Chinese culture, paired with the full IB framework. It is a fixture on our IB schools in Hong Kong hub.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB World School: IB Middle Years Programme and a compulsory IB Diploma; bilingual Mandarin and English immersion |
| Stage range | Early years to Grade 12, ages roughly 4 to 18 |
| Founded | 2003, by the Independent Schools Foundation (established 2000) |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School; registered Private Independent School in Hong Kong |
| Fee band | Mid to upper for Hong Kong, plus an annual capital levy |
| Campus area | Kong Sin Wan valley, Pok Fu Lam, Island South, near Cyberport |
Curriculum and academics
The ISF Academy runs as an authorised IB World School, offering the IB Middle Years Programme through the middle years and the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12. Unlike schools that stream only some students into the Diploma, ISF makes the IB Diploma compulsory for all senior students, which sets a single demanding standard across the cohort. The early and primary years build towards this through the school's own bilingual framework rather than a separate brand programme.
What most distinguishes ISF is the depth of its Mandarin and English bilingual immersion, which is woven through every year group and grounded in Chinese language and culture. Many graduates leave with the IB bilingual diploma, a recognition of genuine academic fluency in two languages. For how the IB Diploma compares with the British and American routes, and what the MYP builds towards, see our IB curriculum guide.
Comparing ISF with another bilingual or IB school?
Use our fee calculator to estimate the true cost of a place over the years, including levies and extras, before you commit to a shortlist.
ISF Academy fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Primary (Foundation to G5) | HKD 240,320 |
| Secondary (G6 to G10) | HKD 279,210 |
| Secondary (G11 to G12) | HKD 303,530 |
Source: The ISF Academy (academy.isf.edu.hk). Annual tuition, billed in 10 instalments. Excludes the Capital Contribution Scheme and application fee. 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.
The ISF Academy sits in the mid to upper band for Hong Kong. Published tuition for the 2025/26 year runs from roughly HK$152,880 in the lower years to around HK$241,110 in the senior years, rising with each stage. Treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school, since rates are reviewed annually.
On top of tuition, families pay an annual capital levy of about HK$40,000 and a one off application fee, and should budget for the usual extras of uniform, the school bus, devices, exam entries in the Diploma years and trips. Against the city's most premium private internationals the ISF fee is more moderate, though the compulsory Diploma and bilingual programme make it a distinctive proposition. Our Hong Kong international school fees guide shows where ISF sits and how the levy and extras add up.
Admissions
The ISF Academy admits for a main August start through a central process, with a non refundable application fee and age appropriate assessment. Because the school is bilingual and the senior years require the IB Diploma, admissions look for a genuine fit with the Mandarin and English model and the readiness to take on a full Diploma later, alongside school reports and references.
Places are competitive, particularly at the main entry points, so applying early helps. Register interest, confirm the current criteria and arrange a visit, especially if your child would be joining the middle or senior years where the bilingual workload and Diploma expectations are highest.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits in the Kong Sin Wan valley in Pok Fu Lam, on the west of Hong Kong Island near Cyberport, in a purpose built setting the school moved into in 2007. That location suits families living in Pok Fu Lam, the western Mid Levels and the Southern District, who want a green, self contained campus within reach of the central business district.
The community blends international families with Hong Kong households who specifically want a serious bilingual education for their children, which makes ISF different in feel from the more Anglophone international schools. To weigh ISF against the other IB and bilingual options nearby, including fees and where families live, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of IB schools in Hong Kong.
ISF Academy reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for the ISF Academy. 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 the ISF Academy, we would value your first hand account of the teaching, the bilingual programme 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 ISF Academy fees?
Published 2025/26 tuition at the ISF Academy runs from roughly HK$152,880 in the lower years to around HK$241,110 in the senior years, placing it in the mid to upper band for Hong Kong. There is also an annual capital levy of about HK$40,000 and an application fee. Confirm current rates with the school.
What curriculum does the ISF Academy follow?
The ISF Academy is an IB World School offering the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma. The Diploma is compulsory for all students in Grades 11 and 12, and the school's bilingual model means many graduate with the IB bilingual diploma in Mandarin and English.
Is the ISF Academy a bilingual school?
Yes. The ISF Academy is built around a Mandarin and English bilingual immersion model rooted in Chinese culture, running across all year groups, with many senior students graduating with the IB bilingual diploma.
When do ISF Academy applications open?
The ISF Academy admits for an August start through a central process with an application fee and age appropriate assessment, including an interest in the bilingual programme. Register early and confirm the current window with the admissions office.
Where is the ISF Academy located?
The ISF Academy is in the Kong Sin Wan valley in Pok Fu Lam, in the Island South district on the west of Hong Kong Island, near Cyberport.
