Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
Number of students |
Over 2,000 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
18 |
Most common nationality |
Hong Kong, Chinese |
Ratio of local students to international students |
88% permanent HK residents |
Languages
Native English and Chinese speaking teachers |
Yes |
Language support for students not fluent in English and Chinese |
ISF is a bilingual school and we strive to equip our students with the language skills required to engage with the curriculum in both Chinese and English. In the Pre-School and Primary School, students are taught in mixed ability classes with Chinese as the dominant language of instruction. Teachers are expected to differentiate to meet the needs of our students. From Grade 2 onwards students seeking to enrol at ISF will need to have age-appropriate levels of fluency in both Chinese and English to perform well in the curriculum. In the Secondary School, students are placed into either a Language A or Language B program in accordance with their ability level. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Latin and Greek are offered through ISF’s exclusive Shuyuan program |
Classroom
Max. number of students per class |
22 |
Average number of students per class |
21 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
EdTech is well equipped and prepared to support any circumstances that require the Academy to switch to remote learning with technology, equipment and online resources to meet educational and operational goals. Students are supported by One-to-One electronic device program appropriate for their grade level with Academy-installed software or online resources under the guidance and supervision of their teachers. |
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
Academics
External examinations or assessments available |
IB Diploma |
Results in these examinations |
Class of 2021 International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Results: The full IB Diploma was pursued by all 60 students in the class of 2021. Diploma fulfilment rate was 100% with 76% of students awarded the Bilingual Diploma. Results overview by number of students:
|
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Approximate hours of homework given |
Homework is an integral part of school life and helps children to understand that learning also takes place outside of school. Homework is relevant to class work and teachers give what they believe the child can handle comfortably and independently. The amount for homework varies from by year level. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
Student support
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes, guided by ISF core values, the Eight Virtues + One, the overarching goal of The ISF Inclusion (SEN) Policy is to ensure that every ISF learner can reach success in a safe, caring and supportive learning environment. |
Learning support offered |
The ISF Academy employs a team of multi-disciplinary professionals to provide comprehensive learning support services for students from Foundation Year to Grade 12.
|
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
The LST initiates a Gifted and Talented Identification process from Grade 4, based on prior attainment, parent nomination, teacher nomination and the Cognitive Abilities Test: Fourth Edition (CAT4) issued by the GL Assessment Group. 6.2. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programs are also made available for Grade 2 - 12 students and families. |
Student access to education psychologist |
Yes, through the LST |
Admissions
Entry evaluation for students |
To be eligible for consideration of enrollment, every applicant must pass the admission assessments, complete the entire admissions process and fulfill all the admissions requirements. There are no language requirements for the Foundation Year, while appropriate grade-level proficiency in both Chinese and English must be met by Grade 1 to 11 prospective students. |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
FOUNDATION YEAR
GRADE 1
GRADE 2 TO GRADE 11
For further details, please refer to https://academy.isf.edu.hk/index.php/welcome-from-dean-of-admissions/admissions-policy/admissions-assessment-process/ |
Waiting list |
In selected grades |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Foundation Year - Monday, September 20, 2021
ISF adopts a rolling admissions process for grades with vacancies, generally accepting students from August of the current year to February of the same academic year. Parents are requested to contact our Admissions Office to check availability. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School day
School start time |
8:00 am |
School finish time |
Kindergarten: 2:00 pm
|
Supervised care before/after school |
No |
School bus service available |
Yes |
School provided lunches |
Yes |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Vegetarian options available on a rotational menu |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Athletics, battle of the books, honor orchestra, badminton, basketball, chess, Chinese art and craft, Chinese dance, computer coding, debate team, drama, engineering and robotics, English creative writing, English speech and debate, football, gifted and talented lecture series, gymnastics, mathematics team, Model United Nations, netball, outdoor exploration society, tennis, swimming, volleyball, table tennis, wushu, strength and fitness, Young Ambassador Program, Experiential Learning Program, music instrument classes |
Sports activities included |
Physical education. The curriculum is designed to develop each student’s motor skills and athletic abilities. The program focuses on health and personal responsibility, along with teaching safety and developing solidarity through group sport activities. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
Facilities
Facilities at the school |
Charles Kao Square - a well-equipped multifunctional space; Shirley Lee Memorial Terrace - a biodiversity garden; Yidan Chinese Cultural Center for the appreciation of Chinese language, art and history; The Clifford C. F. Wong Primary and Secondary Library; Music Room; The H. J. Zhang Black Box Theatre; a 785-seat Auditorium; Makerspaces for STEM; Molecular Biology Labs; Product Design Labs; Science Labs; Exhibition Foyer; Cafeteria |
Sports facilities at the school |
Multi-purpose Sports Courts, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Playground, Basketball Courts, Squash Courts, Wushu Center, Fitness Room, Climbing Walls and Running Track |
About the school
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The ISF Academy is an internationally accredited non-profit private independent IB World School, founded our core values of the Eight Virtues + One, offering a unique immersive Chinese and English education with a global perspective in a well-appointed, purpose-built campus in the verdant environment of the Southern District. Our learners are independent thinkers and global stewards inspired by a vision and pursuit of all-round excellence and contribution to a brighter future. Our dedicated faculty and personalized University Guidance and Counseling see our graduates complete their journey with outstanding IBDP results to make further achievements in higher education and lifelong learning. |
Teaching approach of the school |
The ISF Academy has a strong, future focused vision of education that is well grounded in traditional Chinese cultural values, where the world is a classroom, and learning is not constrained by differences of language and culture. The global perspective of each learner is also shaped by the unique curriculum, based on the solid foundation of the IB Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme and enhanced by the school's ISF Shuyuan Classics and Sciences courses. Experiential learning provides an essential 'real world' counterpoint to ISF's demanding academic courses. ISF's commitment to The ISF Academy community is to work in partnership with each family to develop the individual potential of each child, to share the journey with its trials and challenges, and turn today's dreams into tomorrow's achievements. |