When British families research Hong Kong schools before relocating, they often encounter the suggestion that "it has become much easier to get into international schools since 2019." This is partially true — and partially misleading. The reality is more nuanced, and acting on an oversimplified version of it could leave a family without a school place.
This guide provides an honest account of what has changed, what has not, and what the picture looks like in mid-2026.
What Changed from 2021 to 2023
Between 2021 and 2023, Hong Kong experienced a significant wave of emigration. British, Australian, American and some local Hong Kong families left — prompted by political changes, uncertainty about the city's future and, for UK nationals with eligible Hong Kong backgrounds, the availability of BNO visas for relocation to the UK.
The visible effect on schools was notable. School populations fell. Some international schools that had previously maintained long waiting lists found themselves with available mid-year places. A number of schools ran below their historic enrolment. The Education Bureau estimated that the six-year-old cohort will decline from approximately 49,600 in 2024 to around 34,100 by 2030 — a 31% fall in the primary-age population.
At the local school level, 15 primary schools were told in March 2026 that they could not open Primary One classes due to insufficient enrolment numbers.
What Did Not Change: The Demand Shift
The more important part of the picture is often underreported.
As Western and British expat families left, local Hong Kong families moved in. Affluent local families, previously concentrated in the best local schools, increasingly sought international school places. Ten international schools reported a 26% annual increase in applications from local Hong Kong families (as of early 2026).
The consequence is that the overall reduction in demand at the most prestigious schools has been far smaller than raw emigration numbers suggest. The waiting list has not emptied — the composition of applicants has changed.
School-by-School Assessment: What Is and Is Not Available
ESF Primary Schools (Y1 Entry)
The ESF Y1 central application process (September window) remains competitive at the most popular catchment schools. Bradbury School (Happy Valley), Glenealy (Mid-Levels) and Kennedy School (Pokfulam) serve some of the most sought-after residential areas in Hong Kong. These catchment zones have attracted local as well as expat families, and places remain constrained.
Less prominent catchment zones — Clearwater Bay, Sha Tin, Kowloon Junior School — may have more availability, but the question of where you can realistically live also shapes where you can apply.
The safest route remains the ESF K1 kindergarten, which guarantees primary and subsequent secondary placement. ESF is opening three new kindergartens in 2026 (at Renaissance College, Quarry Bay School and West Kowloon), adding capacity at this strategic entry point.
ESF Secondary Schools (Y7 Entry)
The central Y7 application is subject to the same September window and catchment-based processing. ESF secondary schools — Island School, King George V, South Island School, Sha Tin College, West Island School — absorb pupils from the linked primaries as a priority. Outside that pipeline, places are less predictable.
Anecdotally, some ESF secondaries have seen slightly more mid-year availability than at the pre-2019 peak. But this is not consistent across all schools or all year groups.
Kellett School
Kellett has maintained its selectivity. The school has a fixed number of places and a consistent pool of British expat families competing for them, supplemented by local families seeking a British curriculum. Y7 entry at Kellett remains competitive, and the school conducts an assessment process. Families should apply 12 to 18 months ahead of intended entry.
Preparatory (primary) entry is somewhat more predictable, but even here the school does not have unlimited capacity.
GSIS English International Stream
GSIS's English stream has also remained competitive. Its IB results are exceptional — a 2025 average of 41.0, one of the highest globally — and that reputation attracts demand. The school is selective at secondary entry. For IB DP specifically (Y12–Y13), competition for places is sharp.
HKIS
Hong Kong International School, located on Hong Kong Island South, serves a largely American expat community and uses AP courses for a US university pathway. It has maintained demand but offers a waiting pool system. An optional HKD 3,000,000 debenture improves waiting pool priority without guaranteeing a place.
Mid-Tier and Smaller International Schools
Schools outside the top tier — smaller independent schools, less established international schools in the New Territories — are genuinely more accessible than they were at the 2018-19 peak. A family willing to consider a school outside the ESF/Kellett/GSIS core network will find more options and shorter wait times than a few years ago.
Harrow International School HK
Harrow's location in Tuen Mun in the New Territories is a self-selecting factor. Families who choose Harrow are typically committed to the location or the boarding proposition. Day pupil applications at secondary are generally manageable with reasonable lead time. The school has not been insulated from broader demographic changes.
New Schools Adding Capacity in 2026
Two new schools are entering the market in 2026, which will create additional places at secondary and sixth form level:
Nord Anglia International School HK — Sixth Form Centre (Hung Hom, opening August 2026): The first school in Hong Kong to offer both IB Diploma and A-Levels in the same sixth form. This is a new addition rather than a school with a long track record, but Nord Anglia as a group is well established.
NLCS Hong Kong (North London Collegiate School): A sixth global campus for the UK school ranked first in the UK in 2025 IB results. The HK campus is targeting a 2026 opening. NLCS internationally has strong academic credentials, and this will add a new tier of high-performing provision to the city.
These additions will modestly increase supply at secondary level, though they will also attract demand from families specifically seeking them out.
Practical Guidance: What to Do
If your child is three or younger: Apply for ESF K1 kindergarten. This is the most reliable route to securing ESF primary and secondary places without competing in the annual central application.
If your child is at Year 1 entry age: Apply in September of the relevant year. Identify your catchment zone before selecting accommodation. Consider the INR route if your preferred school is out-of-zone.
If your child is at secondary age (Year 7): Apply to Kellett and ESF simultaneously and early. For Kellett, start the process 12–18 months ahead. For ESF, apply in the September window and include your catchment school.
If you are arriving mid-year: Contact ESF schools directly for mid-year applications. Contact private schools on a rolling basis. Be realistic that Year 7 mid-year entry to Kellett or GSIS will be harder.
If your preferred school has a waiting list: Ask for your position, ask how quickly it typically moves, and ask about the school's policy for guaranteeing a place once offered.
For detailed admissions procedures, see our guide to applying to international schools in Hong Kong. For the impact of school choice on where to live, see best areas in Hong Kong near schools.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments helps families relocating to Hong Kong make informed property decisions that take school catchment zones and school waiting lists into account from the outset. We know which neighbourhoods offer ESF catchment access, which are close to Kellett and GSIS, and how property availability aligns with school timelines. Speak to our advisers early — the lead time on both school applications and property decisions in Hong Kong is longer than most families anticipate.
This guide is for general information only. School fees, ESF admissions criteria, debenture structures, and entry requirements change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Are international school waiting lists shorter in Hong Kong now?
It depends on the school. Mid-tier international schools and some ESF secondary schools now have more available places than in 2018–19. However, top-tier ESF primary schools in sought-after catchments, Kellett School and GSIS remain competitive because local Hong Kong families have increasingly sought international school places, filling the gaps left by departing Western expats.
Why have local Hong Kong families started applying to international schools?
Following changes to the local education system from 2019 onwards, including new curriculum requirements in government and aided schools, a growing number of affluent local families have turned to international schools. Ten international schools reported a 26% annual increase in local family applications as of early 2026.
What is the safest way to guarantee an ESF school place?
The ESF K1 kindergarten route is the most reliable path. Enrolling a child at ESF kindergarten level (age three) guarantees a primary place at the linked school and a subsequent secondary place. This bypasses the competitive central Year 1 application.
Is Kellett School easier to get into now?
No. Kellett has remained competitive, particularly at Year 7 entry. The school has a fixed number of places and demand has not softened materially despite the broader emigration wave. Apply at least 12 to 18 months ahead of the intended entry date.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.