Delia School of Canada? Hong Kong Academy? FIS ?

We are moving from Belgium to Hong Kong in a few months and are looking for a school for my daughter . Because my daughter (11 years old) doesn't speak much English yet (in Belgium French is the second language ) it's very difficult to find a place on an international school. For the moment we only make a chance at Delia School of Canada. We hope she can start there in January. I also want to apply Hong Kong Acadmy because they open a new campus in September 2013 in Sai Kung, where we will be looking for a place to live.
In oktober we will be visiting DSC and HKA and also the French International School. Hong Kong International School could offer us a place too in September but I think it's the American school system and don't know if they offer French as a second language?
Please can anyone help me in this difficult search and do you have any advice? I know there are a lot more schools but they seem to have all long waiting lists

French International offers both French and English (with French as a second language), which may be a perfect fit.

Delia has both French as a second language and supplementary English as a second language courses, and you are unlikely to face a waiting list with Delia.

HKA is in your neighborhood and offers French as a secondary language. It is North American curriculum.

HKIS offers French classes in Middle/High School, but curriculum is North American. It is also relatively far from Sai Kung (but not impossibly far)

Another school you may want to look at is German Swiss International School. They have a reputation for excellence in academics, and offer French as a secondary language.

Almost all schools are going to have intimidating waiting lists, but you already have your eye on a wide variety so I'm sure you will find something.

Best of luck!

GeoTeam

Does anyone have comment about DSC? I heard their teachers are from Ontario. Is it a good school in general?

It's a school where many children go when they first arrive, as they tend to have space. Also it takes a high % of children from countries where the native language is not English and the children are often not accepted at the other, more well known, international schools. They run an ESL program as I understand. Many kids move on to ESF and other international schools when their English is up to speed and places become available at ESF or other schools.

Like others had said, HKA is IB-curriculum with an American touch (or the other way around), HKIS is purely American. FIS has 3 streams, French, bilingual (French / English; mostly French speakers there) and the International section with many different nationalities. The first 2 streams give priority to French nationals followed by other French speakers, like the Swiss and the Belgians. However, from my French speaking friend from Belgium I understood they have lower priority than French nationals.

Personally I think it will be hard to get in a school if here English is not yet great, and in that case many end up at Delia for a year or so.

As I heard DSC have any Asian kids, would there be any concern about the English Standard in class?

Originally Posted by caroline.h

Please can anyone help me in this difficult search and do you have any advice? I know there are a lot more schools but they seem to have all long waiting lists

I am associated with The Harbour School which is located in Kennedy Town that, because of a recent expansion, has some places at certain grade levels. Contact Ms. Hilda Ngo for more information (852-2816-5222 or [email protected]).

Craig Blurton