Financial Considerations and Parental Decision-Making for Enrolling Children in International Schools

It is well known that international schools or private schools offering international curricula in Hong Kong have high tuition fees. However, many parents are still willing to apply for admission for the sake of their children's future prospects.

When considering enrolling children in international or private schools, parents not only compare school ranking and teaching quality but also need to pay attention to the level of tuition fees and bond prices. This is because once the decision is made to send children to international schools, long-term financial planning is required as the complete primary and secondary education system lasts at least 12 to 13 years. If enrollment starts from kindergarten, the financial burden will be even larger. Therefore, when choosing a school, parents must carefully weigh their family's financial situation and research the differences in tuition fees and other expenses among different international schools in order to make informed decisions.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees of international schools vary greatly depending on the school, grade level, and curriculum offered. In general, international schools have higher tuition fees, ranging from HKD 90,000 to over HKD 320,000 per year (2024-2025). The specific amount may differ based on the school's reputation, facilities, geographical location, or the curriculum offered (such as IB or IGCSE).

Bonds, Capital Levy, and Nomination Right

Individual and corporate bonds, capital levies, or nomination rights are common financial means of supporting school operations or funding new projects in international schools.

Some schools may require parents to purchase bonds or nomination rights so that their children's admission applications can receive priority consideration. The prices of these bonds range from HKD 70,000 to HKD 10,000,000. Parents need to have a clear understanding and be mentally prepared for the bonds, as their value may depreciate over time, and not all bonds can be transferred or appreciate in value.

Additionally, some international schools may also require a capital levy, which is a one-time fee or donation collected by the schools to fund significant infrastructure projects or facility improvements. It is separate from tuition fees and is usually charged to families upon student enrollment or periodically during the student's education. The capital levy contributes to the school's development plans and capital expenditures to improve the learning environment for students.

Other Expenses

After enrollment, in addition to basic expenses such as textbooks and school uniforms, most schools require students to participate in various school trips, e.g. camping or overseas study trips involving the entire grade level. The cost of these trips varies depending on the activities or location, ranging from a few hundred Hong Kong dollars to tens of thousands of dollars per trip.

It is hoped that this summary provides a preliminary understanding of international schools. If parents are interested in learning more about international schools and private schools, please feel free to contact us.