Parent's Review of Yew Chung International in Kowloon, Hong Kong

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Yew Chung International

In what town or city is this school located?

Kowloon

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

British and local international

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Kindergarten to the IB programme

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Since they come from all over Hong Kong, all forms of transport are used. There are several campuses within the Kowloon area. The train station is 5 minutes walk from three of their kindergartens, the lower and upper primary sections. The secondary section is more difficult to get to but school buses are provided from many Hong Kong locations and there is a free shuttle bus from the lower primart section for those who wish to use it.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The educational facilities are excellent - IT is very well provided for and great emphasis is placed on music and arts. They run an additional arts and music programme after school and Children can take individual music lessons during class time on a rotational basis (The arts programme and individual lessons are at extra cost). Crafts, sports, scouts and community work are also included in the after school programme. The school has its own farm in Fanling and students and parents are invited to rent a small plot (optional, first come first serve basis), which is managed by the school. In a city like Hong Kong, this provides extra opportunities to learn about the environment and ecosystem. Sports facilities are average and could be better, but few schools in Hong Kong have the space expats are accustomed to.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

My children were all born here. The thing Yew Chung has given them is a genuinely bi-lingual and bi-cultural education. They are fully fluent in English and Cantonese, and also study Mandarin. The medium of teaching in the primary and secondary levels is English, with the exception of (obviously) the Chinese lessons. The British system is used, and the IB is offered after IGCSEs. They are currently building a 6th form college.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

Sadly, these are limited - the majority of students are Chinese and mixed (like mine, whose father is local and me English). Most mothers go out to work and working hours here are often long. There are parent groups and some social activities are arranged, often in Cantonese. The school do arrange parent seminars where experts are invited to share their knowledge with parents.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Yew Chung is a good choice if you are Christian, as they have a moral education division and their own pastor. However, they welcome all faiths. They emphasise social responsibility as well as academic performance. It is a good school if you want your children to learn the culture and language without the pressure of the local Chinese schools, but expat children may feel a little isolated by the language barrier with the other children - note, though, that use of English in the classroom is strictly enforced and use of English during play time is often rewarded. It is also a good school for balancing academic achievement with the joy of learning. Children are taught independent learning and responsibility for their own performance. My daughter loves it there. However, the school is very expensive and could only be considered if you have a good income or package. They do run scolarship programmes and if more than one child is enrolled the price for the second and third child drops.

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