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ESF vs international school, especially Kennedy

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    1

    ESF vs international school, especially Kennedy

    My family will be moving to HK from the US this summer for my husband's job. Our number one concern is to find a good school for our nine year old daughter. After some initial research, we put in an application for year 5/year 6 (2012) at Kennedy. Just received a notice from school yesterday asking us to bring her over for an interview this Friday. That means we have to fly back to HK asap.

    On one hand, we are happy that a space has opened up, but it happened so fast that I am not sure we're ready to commit.

    For one, we have to make a special trip, quick, to make the interview. Also, if she is accepted, we have to pay for the tuition from March to June to hold the space even though our daughter won't join the school till after summer. (I wanted her to finish her current school year before moving, also need time to prepare for the move, even though my husband has already started his job.)

    I am also a little bit uncertain since we haven't toured the kennedy yet, nor did we get the chance to fully explore other international school options.

    Would like some advice here:

    1) Are ESF schools general good? We do want a school with high expectation on academic though not too much of drilling like many local HK schools. Lots of extra-curriculum activities would be desirable. How would you compare them to other international schools (i.e. Canadian international, French international, etc.)?
    2) Specifically, any comments re Kennedy? We also have an option to do a corporate surety that allow us to pick another ESF school. And we are open to live anywhere to be close to the school. Is any ESF better than other?

    I kind of want to know if we should grap the space fast even though we haven't got the chance to explore other options, and to pay the extra amount of money (like $40000 including the airfares) in order to hold the space till next school year.

    3) Also, my daughter is a shy girl. Is the interview tough? Any advice on how to prepare her?


    Any tips and advices would be highly appreciated. Thank you again!


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Aug 2002
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    Hong Kong
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    139

    >> Are ESF schools general good? We do want a school with high expectation on academic though not too much of drilling like many local HK schools.

    In general they're good. The kids I've run into ( we're ESF/ Kennedy parents ) are rock solid and generally well rounded. I am not convinced that they're all equally good though, specially at the primary levels. Kennedy might offer you a completely different experience from say Gleanealy or Quarry Bay schools.

    Best to try and talk to as many parents as possible.

    >> Specifically, any comments re Kennedy? We also have an option to do a corporate surety that allow us to pick another ESF school.

    All I can say is if you have the option, take a look at the other ESF schools too. Best to hedge your bets and not put all your eggs in one basket. I've been very impressed with Glenealy and Quarry Bay - both seem to have management that embrace parents as partners and I'd rate their communications / style very highly.

    Canadian is an excellent school and so is French International - the only problem is waiting lists.


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    HK Island
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    307

    Wow, didn't know they could that. Never heard of that at our school. Does she have a 2002 birthday, so entry for Year 6 in August 2012?

    We're personally very happy with ESF. Our 3 children attend Quarry Bay School and so far we've been more than happy. But I do know they're not all the same, and there are quite some differences. Although I am biased I do think QBS is a very good school with great teachers and hard working staff. All ESF schools have 30 children in their classes which may not be ideal for all children. They also follow the IB, something your child may not be familiar with, which could be quite hard when starting in Year 6 (though I see children adapt very quickly too, I guess it depends on the teaching style they're used to). On the island, from what I've heard, seen, etc. I would prefer QBS, Peak and Glenealy for ESF. But that's a personal vibe I have.

    I am quite surprised that they're expecting you to fly back from the States. Not something I heard of before. I can only imagine it's not an easy decision knowing you need a space next summer. Although the level in Hong Kong is in general quite high, I think ESF is very fair when it comes to interviewing, etc. They take a very wide range of children, including individual and special needs, so they're definitely very open minded when it comes to that. Pokfulam offers some nice family living so that shouldn't be a worry either. My friends lived at Scenic Villas which is basically next to the school.

    Good luck with your decision.

    P.S. Not sure about your budget, but Americans who have followed prior education in the US, get priority at HKIS as well. My kids are American too but we really like the IB-curriculum, plus from a financial perspective, ESF is way more attractive. I can almost send 3 kids to ESF for the price of 1 at HKIS.


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 2002
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    Hong Kong
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    Is your daughter in a public or private school in the US? If you're in a private school you may be disappointed with ESF and I would look at the other schools.

    To be honest I would stay in the US for another year, and apply for secondary schools (Y7) next year. This will give you some time to explore and tour the schools in HK and see which would be a better fit for your daughter.

    Academically speaking - GSIS, HKIS and Canadian Int'l are all good schools.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    DB, Hong Kong
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    77

    ESF uses IB, an international education program which is on par, if not better than some of the private school programs I have looked into. I disagree with PPs in that I think you should take the spot if offered. I made the mistake of turning down an ESF Kindy spot and as a result it took us 14 months for a place to become available at an ESF primary.

    You can always change schools after you get here if it doesn't work out but as she doesn't have long before high school I think you will find you will be happy.


  6. #6

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    Sep 2002
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    Hong Kong
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    MommyTo3 - Am surprised you recommended the Peak. The Mums I have spoken to have all applied to Harrow.


  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    HK Island
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    I know a few moms at Peak and they're all happy. Could be a few other ones, I guess.

    In the end it's a personal choice and it also depends on your budget.


  8. #8
    KNB
    KNB is offline

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    Feb 2012
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    ESFMum - Not sure what you have heard about Peak School but my son goes there and we think it's a wonderful school. Teachers are great and my son is going well and would definitely recommend.


  9. #9

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    Sep 2002
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    Good to know KNB that some Years are ok. The Mums I spoke to are in the Upper primary classes and they are disappointed in the lack of communication and Unit of Inquiry documents.


  10. #10

    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Discovery Bay
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    15

    yes, agree that you will find waitlists at all the good international schools, so I would take the place now and then come over to have a look later at other schools.


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