CDNIS or HKIS??

[happyhk66]

My kid got the CDNIS offer in May, and we accepted it right away. Today, HKIS inform us that an offer for my kid is available now. Could you guys please kindly share the pros and cons about CDNIS and HKIS? I heard the Mandarin program in CDNIS is really good. How about the Mandarin program in HKIS? Also, the graduate placements??

We used to live in Canada, so we want to send her to the universities in US or Canada after high school. In addition, wish my kid could speak both English and Mandarin very well. Many thanks in advance.

 

[rani]

Congratulations!! How lucky you get to choose.

How old is your child? Are you looking at the Primary or High School?

CDNIS does have a strong Mandarin program. Unfortunately I haven't heard anything about the program at HKIS, so can't really comment.

CDNIS is following the IB curriculum and from speaking to several students who have just sat the exam, they all agree its too challenging and requires 2 yrs of dedication and hard work. However, have also heard that US universities prefer SAT scores over IB results.

HKIS has published the list of universities last year's graduating class have been accepted to

Hong Kong International School

Unfortunately I couldn't find any similar info on CDNIS's website. But I did hear they have employed 3 guidance counselors specializing in UK, Canada and US universities.

HTH

 

[Canucker]

Congrats! You are very fortunate to have the choice between these two great schools. I agree with ESFMum, consider if you want your child to do IB or US curriculum. CDNIS has 4 guidance counsellors dedicated to helping students pick their top uni in Canada, USA, UK, HK and elsewhere. Here are some stats. http://cdnis.edu.hk/facts/university-placement.html

 

[penguinsix]

First, you won't make a mistake going to either school.

HKIS Mandarin program for the lower primary is broken into two streams, a Mandarin for Near Native Speakers and Mandarin as a Foreign Language. I think in my son's class of 17 kids in R2 probably 4 went to Mandarin Native and the rest were in the other section. I think in R2 it was once or twice a week (though HKIS uses a 6-day school week) but in Grade 1 it is going to be daily (but don't quote me on that--not sure yet). What grade are is your child?

CDNIS has a good reputation for their Mandarin program but I don't have any first hand experience.

 

[GeoDerek]

If you seriously want your child to learn to speak Mandarin while studying in Hong Kong you should realize that the classes he or she take in school will be supplementary to lessons outside of school.

In other words, you should hire a private tutor or enroll in extra classes outside of regular school hours, no matter how lauded a school's Mandarin program is.

From experience I would say this is a rule (with a few individuals who are excepted). In terms of high end international schools in Hong Kong, Chinese International School is the only institutional exception I know of (CIS is bilingual [Mandarin is not just a class it is a teaching medium]).

HKIS is a great school with great facilities. CdnIS is a great school with great facilities.

Faculty and staff in both places are great. Both are generally held in high regard.

If you choose HKIS there will be no option to enroll in the IB Diploma program (to my knowledge). If you choose Canadian, on the other hand, your child will have the option to sit the SAT's (should you want those results to apply for US universities).

If money is not an issue it's a coin toss really.

I would say Canadian International School, but I may be biased because I'm an HKIS alum

 

[happyhk66]

Thanks for all the kind replies. It was a "good" problem I decided to stay with CDNIS.

 

[MommyTo3]

Thanks for all the kind replies. It was a "good" problem I decided to stay with CDNIS.

I would have taken CDNIS as well. Although my kids are American (and European), I really do like the IB (PYP) although it's not perfect.