If you want bang for your buck, then this is the place. The complete re-model of both campuses, completed within a decade, take it into the higher echelons of international school wonder. A truly American school experience within Hong Kong, the star-spangled banner will be flying for generations to come.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 3,100
- Curricula
- American
- SEN provision
- SEN considered case by case
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- HK$ 224,800 - HK$ 394,950
- Ownership
- Not-for-profit school
Head of school
Interim head of school
Dr Ron Roukema
Since 2017, Dr Ron Roukema BA MSA EdD. A natural and popular choice to lead the school, stepping up from his former roles as associate head of school for academics and before that upper primary principal. Hailing from the US, Dr Roukema was born to
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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
Rolling admissions (online), guaranteed assessment for applications received by the priority deadline, one year in advance of entry. A wait pool as opposed to a wait list; places assigned to those who will 'best fit the school community' regardless
Exit
Vast majority head to university. Strong submissions to US (places offered at nearly all Ivy League colleges every year) and the school is an official SAT centre. UK acceptances include Russell group (eg Durham, Manchester, Cambridge, LSE), with many
Latest results
In 2025, AP results: 79 per cent of students received scores of 4 or 5, 95 per cent received 3 or more.
In 2024, AP results: 82 per cent of students received scores of 4 or 5, 95 per cent received 3 or more.
Rare for students to not have enough
Teaching & learning
School follows a US-style curriculum. In lower and upper primary, five core subjects are taught by the homeroom teacher: literacy (founded on NAEYC and American Common Core State Standards), maths, religious studies, social studies and educational
- Curricula & qualifications
- American - American high school diploma (College Preparatory)
- American - Advanced Placement (AP)
- American - American elementary (or primary) curriculum
- American - American middle school curriculum
Learning support & SEN
Transparency required on application for students with educational needs - school can support mild needs in up to 10 per cent of total student population. Student service centres (across all divisions) oversee support and enrichment, working
Language support
English language screening takes place on admission for determined level of proficiency. No additional support on offer.
Arts & extracurricular
Annual performances for middle and high school (separate), typically a play in the fall and musical in the spring. Past performances include The Thirty-nine Steps, Seussical the Musical and Grease (‘outstanding’, we hear).
Innovation spaces, The
Sport
Extensive offering (the best we have seen), to be enhanced by the new student activity centre.
The school has the largest sports field in Hong Kong, the envy of many a space restricted school on the Island; complete with batting cage for
Ethos & heritage
Established in 1966 with help from the Lutheran Church. Originally located on one campus the school now sits on two prime sites: Repulse Bay (lower and upper primary) and Tai Tam (middle and upper school) with views of the ocean and mountains. Run as
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Student care is key here. Teachers are pro-active, according to parents, particularly at dealing with any issues. Counsellors play a big part at every level right from lower primary with separate emotional and college counsellors in middle and high
Classroom & community
American passport holders (majority third culture kids) and alumni families (around a quarter each year) make up a large proportion. Parents in primary tell us there is a noticeable change in recent years in admissions with an exponential increase in
- School year
- Mid-August – early June, with two semesters
- School hours
- 7:45am – 3:10pm
- Student nationalities
- 41%, Hong Kong: 19%, Canada: 11%, Others: 8%, Australia: 6%, UK: 4%, China: 4%, South Korea: 4%, India: 2%
- Student nationalities - total
- 48
- Uniform requirements
- Yes
Money matters
Three debenture options (not mandatory, capital levy an alternative) propel families to the top of the wait pool. A ‘family debenture’ can be transferred to the purchaser’s children or grandchildren, forever strengthening alumni ties.
School fees
- Annual fee range
- HK$ 224,800 - HK$ 394,950
- Fee information
- Application fee: HK$ 2,000
Application Fee: HK$ 2,000;
Entry Fee (one-off): 15,000;
Mandatory Outdoor Programmes: 2,000 - 26,000 (depending on number and age)
The last word
If you want bang for your buck, then this is the place. The complete re-model of both campuses, completed within a decade, take it into the higher echelons of international school wonder. A truly American school experience within Hong Kong, the
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Memberships
- EARCOS. Registered by US State Department.