A high-achieving school, with every effort being made to expand the German stream, GSIS is undoubtedly worthy of its status as one of Hong Kong’s top international schools. Places are like gold dust and parents will unashamedly fight tooth and nail to secure one.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 1,266
- Curricula
- International
- German
- British
- SEN provision
- Mainstream with SEN support
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- HK$ 183,100 - HK$ 230,700
Head of school
Principal
Alexandra Freigar
Since February 2024, Alexandra Freigang-Krause. With nearly thirty years of experience in education she has a keen interest in bilingualism and interculturality. A German national, she has links to Switzerland through her father.
Ms
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Learn what pupils and parents really think of this school, along with our expert opinion on the headteacher’s leadership style, the school’s academic results and facilities, the focus on pastoral care, and the range of extra-curricular activities.
Entrance
No surprise that GSIS gives priority to German, Swiss or Austrian nationals, as well as siblings.
Rolling admissions with assessment differing across streams. Once in, a student can swap streams if a place is available (though the school is
Exit
University destinations: United States 38.6 per cent (eg Claremont McKenna College, Columbia University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Loyola Marymount University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, Scripps College,
Latest results
2023 IBDP results; average score of 40, with five students gaining a bilingual diploma.
At IGCSE, 95 per cent of GSIS students achieved A*-A/9-7 grades.
At German International Abitur (DIA), average score – 1.78. Top scorer – 1.2
In 2022,
Teaching & learning
Two parallel streams - English International Stream (EIS) and German International Stream (GIS) - run from kindergarten through to secondary, leading to the IB Diploma and German Abitur respectively.
Produces consistently high-ranking results.
- Curricula & qualifications
- International - International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
- German - German International Abitur Exam (DIAP)
- German - German State Curriculum
- British - International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
- Bilingual programmes
- German/English
Learning support & SEN
One-to-one or small group assistance in primary, group ‘catch-up’ lessons available in secondary. Individual plans established with the support teacher and classroom teacher.
Language support
To open the German stream up to a wider audience, the school has introduced the Clippy (primary) and Fast Track (secondary) language programmes for non-native speakers.
In primary, the language programme is also supported by DaF (German as a
Arts & extracurricular
Parents tell us art is ‘inspirational’; we whole heartedly concur. Artwork is of a high standard and is proudly displayed across the three light-filled art rooms. We spotted painting, crochet making and 3D model making all within the space of a few
Sport
A fine array of sporting options seen across all year groups. Basketball, hockey and football in primary; fencing, archery, equestrian and tennis in secondary. Spin bike, yoga and even Zumba offered as year 12 and 13 PE modules (some at an additional
Ethos & heritage
Established in 1969, the school was set up by Swiss and German parents looking for a German education in Hong Kong, and it is located on two separate campuses on Hong Kong Island: Pok Fu Lam and The Peak.
Pok Fu Lam houses the early years:
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care is on the rise with a solid team on hand to help address individual and group needs across all divisions. Parents address concerns in the first instance to the class or ‘head of division’ teacher. School counsellor on hand for social
Classroom & community
A wide mix of nationalities (27 in total). Thirty-four per cent hold a HK or Chinese passport, the remainder from across the world with a good representation of German, Swiss and Austrian students, as you might expect.
German and English speakers
- School year
- August - June
- School hours
- 07:40am – 15:20pm
- Student nationalities
- 34% Chinese and 66% other nationalities
- Student nationalities - total
- 27
- Uniform requirements
- Yes for P.E. only
Money matters
Tuition fees surprisingly not as expensive as some of the other big hitters, making this school an attractive option with its reliable results.
- Annual fee range
- HK$ 183,100 - HK$ 230,700
- Fee information
- SEN, class trips, school bus, afternoon activities
The last word
A high-achieving school, with every effort being made to expand the German stream, GSIS is undoubtedly worthy of its status as one of Hong Kong’s top international schools. Places are like gold dust and parents will unashamedly fight tooth and nail
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- None (school may be licensed, or may be "inspected" by its own owner, but it is not independently accredited or inspected by recognised agency or organisation)
Authorised by International Baccalaureate Organization (not to be confused as an inspection or accreditation agency)