Admission guides
From allocation to interviews — Hong Kong's most confusing admissions processes, broken into step-by-step guides.
Choosing a School
School nets, school types, through-train links and selection strategy.
How to Choose a Kindergarten: Day Type, Vouchers, Curriculum & Distance
Day types, the voucher subsidy, scheme vs private/international, Quality Review reports, and the KG-to-primary through-train myth.
School Open Days: What to Look For, What to Ask, How to Compare
A complete before/during/after checklist for school open days — plus how to compare schools afterwards.
Kindergarten Curricula Compared: Local, Montessori, Reggio, IB & International
Local, Montessori, Reggio, Waldorf, IB and international approaches compared — who each suits, the fee connection, and open-day questions.
IB vs IGCSE/A-Level vs AP: International Curricula & University Pathways
The structure, assessment and university pathways of the IB, British IGCSE/A-Level and American AP systems compared.
Applying to International Schools in Hong Kong: ESF, Timing & Admissions
How to apply, the ESF system, application timing and waitlists, and the role of debentures and nomination rights.
Government, Aided, DSS, Private & International Schools Compared
Fees, curriculum, admissions and progression pathways compared.
Through-train, Nominated & Feeder Schools: The Three Linkage Types
How the three linkage types differ — and what they mean for secondary allocation.
School Nets Decoded: How Hong Kong's 36 Nets Work and Why They Matter
How the 18 districts' nets work, which are most contested, and cross-net options — in one place.
Admissions
Applications, registration, and POA/SSPA allocation explained.
Transferring Schools in Hong Kong: Timing, Documents and Process for KG, Primary and Secondary
Transfer windows, document checklists, test and interview prep for all three stages — plus what to think through before switching.
Knocking on Doors for Primary One: Timing, Documents & Strategy
What door-knocking is, when it starts, what to prepare, the all-or-nothing choice, and the reality of success rates.
The Kindergarten Registration Certificate (RC), Explained
What the RC is, who needs it, the Sep–Jan timeline, and why each child can secure only one K1 place.
The P1 Points System, Explained: How Discretionary Places Are Scored
The 'Category A' guaranteed group and 'Category B' points table, the one-item-per-group rule, and how to choose realistically.
PN / N-class Application Guide: When to Apply, How to Choose, and the K1 Link
When to apply, how to choose, vouchers, half/full day and the intake process.
Secondary (S1) Allocation: Discretionary Places, Central Allocation & Banding
Discretionary places, central allocation, knock-the-door timing and banding.
Primary One Admission, Explained: Discretionary Places, Central Allocation & Points
Discretionary vs central allocation, Part A/B strategy and school-net scoring — all in one place.
Interview Prep
Interview formats, common questions and prep checklists.
The School Interview Question Bank: What Kindergarten and P1 Interviews Really Ask
Common N/K1 and P1 interview questions by type, what each really assesses, and how to practise without drilling.
The Primary One Interview: Who Interviews, When, and How to Prepare
When P1 interviews happen, multi-round formats, the parent meeting, portfolio guidance and common pitfalls.
Kindergarten Interview Prep: Format, Common Questions & Parent Tips
The interview format, common questions, a parent prep checklist and where families lose points.
Fees
Tuition and subsidies across kindergarten, primary, secondary and international.
Debentures, Nomination Rights & Capital Levies at HK Schools, Explained
How debentures, nomination rights and capital levies differ, whether they guarantee admission, refundability, with an ESF example.
Hong Kong School Fees Compared: Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary & International
Fee levels across kindergarten, primary and secondary, plus voucher subsidies and the extras.
Parenting & Readiness
School readiness, independence and family-life tips.
School Readiness: Self-Care and Social Skills Before K1
Self-care, social, communication and routine skills to build at home before starting school, with a six-month countdown and practice ideas.
Reading Together: Building Language, Focus and a Love of Books at Home
The benefits of shared reading, choosing books by age, five dialogic prompts, library tips, bilingual homes and screen time.
Separation Anxiety: A Parent's Guide to Settling Into School
What separation anxiety is, a four-week preparation plan, drop-off strategies, the first-month timeline, and when to seek help.
Special Needs (SEN)
Choosing schools, integrated education and support for SEN.
Integrated Education or a Special School? Choosing for a Child with SEN
Integrated education vs special school, types of special school, how SEN students are allocated, and a school-choosing checklist.
Early Identification: Assessing Developmental Delay Before School
Developmental surveillance at MCHCs, assessment by the Child Assessment Service, and the SWD's pre-school rehabilitation services.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support in Hong Kong: An Overview
The nine SEN categories, integrated education, the 3-tier model and IEPs, plus the Learning Support Grant and SENCO.
Latest News
Admission timelines, policy updates and results-day news.
2026/27 Hong Kong Admission Key Dates: Kindergarten, Primary One, Secondary One
Application, results and registration dates for K1, Primary One and Secondary One, with the key 2026 milestones.
2027/28 Hong Kong Admission Key Dates: Kindergarten, Primary One, Secondary One
Application, results and registration dates for K1, Primary One and Secondary One for the 2027/28 school year.
Secondary One Results on 7 July: Results Day, Registration and Knocking on Doors
Results-day flow on 7 July, eSSPA access, registration and a knocking-on-doors checklist.