Imagine stepping back in time to 1966. Hong Kong International School was just a vision. It was a proposal by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
Hong Kong International School or HKIS is a co-educational private school. It serves students from Reception 1 to Grade 12. HKIS has campuses in Tai Tam and Repulse Bay. Lower and Upper Primary Divisions are in Repulse Bay. The Middle and High School Divisions are in Tai Tam.
In 1964, a survey showed Americans favored an American school. They anticipated 100 new families arriving each year. By 1965, land and loans were approved for construction. The Lutheran Church matched the land grant. The American business community raised more capital.
With companies like Dow Chemical and Pan Am arriving, more American families came in 1966. The HKIS Board of Managers created a provisional elementary school. It was in a leased apartment at Chung Hom Kok. It could hold 195 students.
In April 1966, the groundbreaking was held for the first building. It was in Repulse Bay. It had a cafeteria a library and a gymnasium. It was the first Hong Kong school with a U.S. education program. The school was completed in 1967. The Church of All Nations was also on campus.
HKIS officially opened in Repulse Bay in 1967. There were over 600 students from kindergarten to grade 12. By 1969, there were 900 students from 26 nationalities. Eighty percent were U.S. citizens. The campus was dedicated in 1975. In 1971, HKIS became WASC accredited.
In 1985, the Hong Kong Government approved land in Tai Tam. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus was in 1986. The campus was completed in 1989. Hong Kong Governor Sir David Wilson dedicated the new campus. By 1989, the school had grown to 1711 students. They occupied two campuses.
In 2001, the student count was 2650. In 2003, HKIS and BrainPop collaborated on a SARS/MERS episode. By 2004, HKIS had a large summer school program.
The Middle School completed a new annex in 2009 or 2010. It overlooked Tai Tam Bay. It included offices classrooms and a meeting space. The Middle School developed five houses: Tai Tam Peak Lantau Central and Shek-O. In 2024, a new house will be developed for Lamma Island.
In 2011, HKIS announced redevelopment of the Lower Primary building. In 2013, lower primary students moved to the Tai Tam campus. Work began in 2014. The new campus featured a pool auditorium and learning spaces.
The school renovated the Lower and Upper Primary Campus in 2017 and 2018. The Lower Primary school received six new playgrounds a pool and a Wonder Lab. The Upper Primary school received larger classrooms. It also got art science and Design Garage rooms.
During the 2016–2017 year HKIS celebrated its 50th anniversary. The school is divided into four divisions. These are Lower Primary Upper Primary Middle School and High School. Lower Primary and Upper Primary are in Repulse Bay. Middle School and High School are in Tai Tam.
In 2023 and 2024, there were over 2800 students. They came from over 40 nationalities. There were 500 faculty and staff. Four libraries housed 200000 books and technological resources. In 2000, HKIS had the highest pay scheme in Hong Kong.
HKIS follows an American curriculum. It offers French Spanish and Chinese. Chinese language study is mandatory for younger students. High School students study English maths sciences social studies and a world language. They also study fine arts religion American history Asian studies physical education and wellness. HKIS is a member of the Association for Music in International Schools. HKIS’s high school has also hosted the annual Southeast Asia Honor Band Program. The High School Wind Ensemble earned first place at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival in 2005.
In 1988, the school began operating its own bulletin board system called Dragon BBS. In 2010, HKIS became a 1:1 school. Every student from grade 5 upwards got a MacBook Pro. Currently all Grades 6 to 12 students are required to bring their own MacBook to school every day.
Alumni include author Charlotte Agell journalist Keith Bradsher and filmmaker Adi Shankar. Athletes include NBA player Joe Alexander and swimmer Jamie Yeung. Entrepreneurs include Jess Lee and Kevin Poon. Entertainers include Edison Chen and singer Bishop Briggs. Erik Weihenmayer was the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest.
Hong Kong International School stands as a beacon. It shines as a light of international education. It has grown from humble beginnings to a leading school.