Hi Roger, are you referring to local school? K1 or K2? For the parents who does want to apply for local, should they apply in September? Yes, lots of mainland babies born in HK few years ago so now they become 'cross border students.' From what I heard, ppl living on the north side of NT is having trouble getting spots and the government is actually "borrowing" spots from other districts, so sone kids has to travel across region themselves now to get to school (much like their mainland counter parts).
Admission in Kindergarten
- Thread starter Hemakshi
- Start date
I was referring to K1. Normally kindergartens start in August. However I would recommend applying the previous year. In addition, the EDB has made arrangements for North District because of the demand. However I believe parents actually living in the district are given priority. The school and kindy places issue for North District is however, still a work in progress.
For the really popular local kindies which this original thread was referring to, it is best to apply exactly 1 year ahead, otherwise the chance of getting in is really slim.
For example, St. Catherine at Kowloon Tong would announce on their website by each autumn the method of obtaining an application form by mail, and the window usually lasts less then 2 weeks. If you miss the cut off date, there is no way you can even get an application in, even if you know and go talk to their ex principal (happened to a friend of mine once). Of course, you cannot apply earlier either.
Many local kindies require that the parent go and line up for the application form. The queues usually are so ridiculously long, that my brother actually took a photo and sent it to me last year. Therefore, for those wanting to go the local pretiguous path, expect and be ready for the application battle in September.
Yup, K1 is the mass intake, although many schools do have pre-nursery now (please check each target school ahead of time), and a very few only starts at K2 (such as CCKG).
For example, St. Catherine at Kowloon Tong would announce on their website by each autumn the method of obtaining an application form by mail, and the window usually lasts less then 2 weeks. If you miss the cut off date, there is no way you can even get an application in, even if you know and go talk to their ex principal (happened to a friend of mine once). Of course, you cannot apply earlier either.
Many local kindies require that the parent go and line up for the application form. The queues usually are so ridiculously long, that my brother actually took a photo and sent it to me last year. Therefore, for those wanting to go the local pretiguous path, expect and be ready for the application battle in September.
Yup, K1 is the mass intake, although many schools do have pre-nursery now (please check each target school ahead of time), and a very few only starts at K2 (such as CCKG).
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seethelight
Registered User
Jomama, what you describe sounds so crazy. I'm considering a move to HK. The timing is flexible, and my daughter's schooling plays a factor. She is 3 years old this June and from my understanding it's already too late to apply to any kindergartens.
What happens to kids who cannot get into any kindergartens?
What happens to kids who cannot get into any kindergartens?
Catan, your child can definitely get into a kindergarten here in HK. I am only referring to the local pretiguous schools as per the original question posted. For a regular neighborhood kindie (both local & int'l) I am sure they will have some spots at least in the PM classes.
What at you really need to concern yourself with is a primary school spot, which you will have time for school visits and research when you're in HK. The process is totally different for international & local schools, so feel free to ask away if you know which path you want to go for. Note also that the mass intake for through-train IS usually happens at K2, so if you plan to stay in HK for at least several years, this is the best time to come (before application deadline around Sept - Oct). Wishing your family all the best in your decision makings!
What at you really need to concern yourself with is a primary school spot, which you will have time for school visits and research when you're in HK. The process is totally different for international & local schools, so feel free to ask away if you know which path you want to go for. Note also that the mass intake for through-train IS usually happens at K2, so if you plan to stay in HK for at least several years, this is the best time to come (before application deadline around Sept - Oct). Wishing your family all the best in your decision makings!
seethelight
Registered User
Jomama, thank you for your response. Right now Chinese-medium local school is my preference, as I want her to be immersed in a Chinese-speaking environment with local people.
My daughter is very intelligent but I'm sure she won't be able to pass any kindie interviews, as she's lacking in some social aspects.
I'm wondering how important it is for admission into through-train schools at kindergarten. How can you tell if your child is suited for a particular school? I myself was in a local chinese-medium primary school for 2 yrs, local english-medium secondary school for 3 yrs, and then international school for the last 3 yrs of high school. I've seen many students struggle in the secondary school, even though they were educated in the associated primary school (I apologize I don't know all the correct terms). Most students I know went to tutoring classes after school, even me. It's not the kind of childhood I'd want for my daughter.
I guess I am hoping to get some perspective on the whole process to help me work out what the best decision is.
This is all beyond the scope of this original post, and I'm sorry to thread-jack. Please advise me if I should start a new thread.
My daughter is very intelligent but I'm sure she won't be able to pass any kindie interviews, as she's lacking in some social aspects.
I'm wondering how important it is for admission into through-train schools at kindergarten. How can you tell if your child is suited for a particular school? I myself was in a local chinese-medium primary school for 2 yrs, local english-medium secondary school for 3 yrs, and then international school for the last 3 yrs of high school. I've seen many students struggle in the secondary school, even though they were educated in the associated primary school (I apologize I don't know all the correct terms). Most students I know went to tutoring classes after school, even me. It's not the kind of childhood I'd want for my daughter.
I guess I am hoping to get some perspective on the whole process to help me work out what the best decision is.
This is all beyond the scope of this original post, and I'm sorry to thread-jack. Please advise me if I should start a new thread.
It's total alright Catan, and since you are looking into Chinese-medium local school, you are not thread-jacking at all! I guess your decision of what kind of school to put your daughter in also depends on long you are planning to stay in Hong Kong as well.
[For our family, we are planning to stay in HK for a longer term (probably close to retirement). I studied 4 years in a local primary and the rest of my school lives in Canada, and personally i prefer the non-Asian way much better. My son is very much a DNA replica of me character-wise, plus given he has sensory integration, we are pretty sure IS is the way to go for our family. For people planning to go IS, gaining admission into a through-train school at kindergarten has nothing to do with difficulty or easiest of studying (studying is difficult and takes hard work no matter where you go), but the amount of placements available in the top Int'l schools. Ever since the wonderful mainland/local government tried to introduce "national education" (pro-china brain washing) into the local school cirruculum, the number of local students trying to jump into International schools has escalated, and i can foresee this to get worse and worse as the years progress when ppl realize mainland intervention on education is not going away. Finding a good through-train school now can prevent the child the need to fight for school places each step of the way. Yes, tutoring classes after school is inevitable in HK even in IS, but at least a child can concentrate on learning at one's own pace instead of aiming to please school entrance exams and doing extracirriculars just for a good looking profile for school entrance purposes.]
For local schools, if you are planning to keep her there until high school graduation, then you need to find a good (pretigious) local school just so she has a chance for University entrance. If you are planning to stay for just a few years and return home thereafter, then any chinese medium school should be fine. Again, let me know which category you fall under, so that the right advise can be given
[For our family, we are planning to stay in HK for a longer term (probably close to retirement). I studied 4 years in a local primary and the rest of my school lives in Canada, and personally i prefer the non-Asian way much better. My son is very much a DNA replica of me character-wise, plus given he has sensory integration, we are pretty sure IS is the way to go for our family. For people planning to go IS, gaining admission into a through-train school at kindergarten has nothing to do with difficulty or easiest of studying (studying is difficult and takes hard work no matter where you go), but the amount of placements available in the top Int'l schools. Ever since the wonderful mainland/local government tried to introduce "national education" (pro-china brain washing) into the local school cirruculum, the number of local students trying to jump into International schools has escalated, and i can foresee this to get worse and worse as the years progress when ppl realize mainland intervention on education is not going away. Finding a good through-train school now can prevent the child the need to fight for school places each step of the way. Yes, tutoring classes after school is inevitable in HK even in IS, but at least a child can concentrate on learning at one's own pace instead of aiming to please school entrance exams and doing extracirriculars just for a good looking profile for school entrance purposes.]
For local schools, if you are planning to keep her there until high school graduation, then you need to find a good (pretigious) local school just so she has a chance for University entrance. If you are planning to stay for just a few years and return home thereafter, then any chinese medium school should be fine. Again, let me know which category you fall under, so that the right advise can be given
seethelight
Registered User
Jomama, thank you for your reply. You have given me a lot to think about. I will start a new thread since I have a lot of questions...