School options for my son who was born in November, 2001

[grace777]

Hi, everyone:

We are moving to HK from the States the end of next May. My son will turn 6 years old this November. Currently he is attending the first grade in a very small class-sized private christian school.

We will live on Chinese University of HK campus in ShaTin area. Would you please answer the following questions? Thank you very much!

1. What kind of schools can my son go when we move there? What are the procedures?

2. Which grade will he be in? Do they offer placement test to put him in the right class?

3. Is there any good international schools in ShaTin? Any christian schools?

4. Can we go to a local school half-day and homeschool half-day?

Honestly we are quite nervous about moving to HongKong. Any of your feedback will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[rani]

Hi Grace,

Here's a list of Int'l schools in Kowloon/New Territories

http://www.geokids.hk/directory/education/primary-schools/kowloon-and-new-territories/

- Each school has a website with details on the application procedures.

You son should be in Primary 2 (P2)

- In Shatin there's Shatin Junior School. It's an ESF school and has a fairly good repuation. Our son is also at an ESF school in our area and I went to ESF school myself. Class sizes are bigger, approx 30 with 1 teacher and an assistant

There is a Int'l Christian School in Fo Tan. Sorry don't know much about it. You can check the website for more details.

3. Met another Christian family last year who had their kids in local school and the mother was homeschooling the kids in the afternoon. Homeschooling is illegal in HK but it is being done.

 

[Linda&Hanley]

The age requirement for different grades in different schools varies. For example, Primary 2 in English Schools Foundation (ESF) schools and Chinese International School (CIS) is equivalent to Primary 1 in all local schools and many other international schools. But since your child is born in Nov 2001, some schools may suggest placing him in the same level as those born in 2002.

For homeschooling, as far as I know, it is illegal only if a child aged from 6 to 14 is not attending any formal schools, whether half-day or full-day.

Linda

 

[VictoriaClare]

Hong Kong homeschooling

We're going there too, in January 2008, with girls born Nov 2000 and Dec 2002. They're also currently in a small Christian school, mornings only and we're homeschooling in the afternoons. We'd love to carry that on, we're going to see how that might be possible when we get there...we'll let you know!!