Urgent help for school for the kids

[iris_ali78]

Hello everyone, I will move to hk with my two daughters(3 and 5). I heard all my friend said it's mission impossible to put them into the international school. Is that true? I want to put them into the CDNIS.Is that possible? Thanks for help.

 

[rani]

Schools start next week, and waiting lists are long for every school. Some of kindergartens may have space, and some have added P1 classes to accommodate the kids who were not offered a P1 place. Do you know where you will be living?

 

[iris_ali78]

Hi, rani, I want to rent in the area around the kids school. And also everyone is suggesting that I should decide where to live till the kids are Settle down for the school.

 

[MommyTo3]

First school, then house. Getting into the school you want can be very very difficult. So don't settle on a place to live just yet. I think a preschool should be fine (especially for your 3 yo) but for a 5 yo it can be very very hard to find a P1-type spot. Better start calling. Still people not having spots or temorarily in other schools waiting for spots in their preferred school. CDNIS will be very difficult as it is very popular.

 

[penguinsix]

Hi,

CDNIS school had a wait list of about 70 people for 5-year-old slots as of a month ago. Absent something to jump you up the list (i.e a debenture) I'd be shocked if you got offered a place there (or to be honest, any of the popular schools) for the school year starting next week. There are people literally leaving Hong Kong this month to move to Singapore as they cannot find a spot for their kids.

For school year '12-13, the application process starts in September so you'll need to be applying for that as well.

My advice is "any port in a storm"--find your 5 year old something (perhaps even a private kindergarten like Woodlands or Tutor Time, depending on his age). You can try various schools but in another thread we had a poster who went through the list and was not able to find any spots. You may get offered a spot in a few months at an international school.

International School waiting lists - help please?! - Hong Kong GeoExpat

 

[howardcoombs]

You will have a lot more choice and lot easier time if you would also consider private local schools (Cantonese language). Your kids 3&5 are at very good ages to learn the language.
If you are going to be here for more than 2 years, give it some serious consideration.

 

[iris_ali78]

Thanks for all. I just called CDNIS this morning. They told me for sure there is no place for 11-12. I can start to send application to them for year12-13. So I think the best for me is to apply for 12-13 primary at the same time to put my them in a private kg in the coming month. Any suggestion for the KG? Actually we plan to stay in Hk at least five years.

 

[MommyTo3]

It depends on where you live but in terms of international kg there is Tutor Time, Woodlands, Sunshine House, ESF and many more. Even there I would hurry, especially for the 5yo. Local could be an option like said before, but we didn't go that route.

 

[penguinsix]

If you are going private you'll have a bit more choice depending on your location. Woodlands, Tutor Time, etc. Give them a call and see which facilities have spaces.

I should also note when applying for 12-13 do not put your eggs in one basket. You should apply to five or six international schools along with your local ESF. Admission to any school is still hit or miss depending on many factors so if you just apply to the Canadian you might find yourself out of luck should they not have an opening.

 

[MommyTo3]

If you are going private you'll have a bit more choice depending on your location. Woodlands, Tutor Time, etc. Give them a call and see which facilities have spaces.

I should also note when applying for 12-13 do not put your eggs in one basket. You should apply to five or six international schools along with your local ESF. Admission to any school is still hit or miss depending on many factors so if you just apply to the Canadian you might find yourself out of luck should they not have an opening.

Completely agree. In terms of ESF, Central applications will take place in September for Y1 and this year will be for 2007 born to start in August 2012. Since your child is already 5, he/she is most likely born in 2006 (or 2005). 2006 born children are entering Y1 this month and 2005 born children will enter Y2 this August. Places are very hard to get by and if not central applications you apply directly to the school in your zone (see there website).

I've heard of too many people not even got accepted by CDNIS and even if they pass the interview ... they won't even get a spot.