French International School of Hong Kong

Established in 1963, there is no international school like it in Hong Kong, the French International School of Hong Kong (FIS) is a model of academic excellence and cultural diversity. The school offers two streams, French and International, the latter being delivered in English by native English-speaking faculty; these exist in a cohesive environment where pupils can thrive and be themselves. With its strategic vision aimed at fostering global citizens, FIS is much more than a school for French families but also a melting pot of nationalities, languages, and perspectives. You do not need French to join.

Diverse and inclusive community

One of the most remarkable aspects of FIS is its diverse student body. The school enjoys a genuinely international community catering to 2,800 students from more than 45 nations. This multicultural environment enriches the learning experience, fostering mutual respect and understanding among students from different cultural backgrounds. Their curriculum fosters cross-stream collaboration between the bilingual French Stream, and their English classmates in doing collaboration and sharing projects on a consistent basis. 

Academic and collaborative facilities

FIS caters to students aged three to 18 across its four expansive campuses at Jardine’s Lookout, Blue Pool Road, Tseung Kwan O and Chai Wan. Each campus offers state-of-the-art facilities and outdoor spaces to encourage a healthy school life for the children. Modern classrooms are enabled with key technology to help assist effective learning.  The school also has sport facilities and creative arts spaces, including two swimming pools, two 350 seat auditoriums, three gymnasiums, and a newly renovated early years outdoor playground. A central pillar of the school’s strategic vision is to provide a supportive and academic learning environment in order to enable quality learning. 

FIS is committed to cultivating sustainable practices in its operations and in the lives of its students. The school is a pioneer in sustainability. It is a founding member of The Alliance of Sustainable Schools. With a range of age-appropriate activities to raise student awareness about environmental issues, including large eco-gardens on campus, collaboration with environmental NGOs, on-site gardening clubs, and impressive recycling and composting programmes at its campuses.  The school’s eco/sustainability garden projects enable students to learn about horticulture and their standing as global citizens and how they impact the environment. It will also be undergoing a school-wide sustainability audit this year that will help it to craft its next steps for how to increase its activities towards ESG initiatives. 

Do you need French?

There is absolutely no requirement for you or your child to be French or a native French speaker to join FIS. The school offers a unique dual curriculum, allowing students the flexibility to join either the French or International Stream. FIS provides the best of both worlds for French speakers, ensuring that students maintain an excellent standard of written and spoken French while learning English intensively in class and during extracurricular activities. To call it a French stream is somewhat misleading as it is bilingual. Meanwhile, the International stream is conducted in English, allowing students to join without prior French knowledge. French is introduced as a foreign language (FLE) from the beginning of student life at FIS. Fulfilling our promise to provide coherent and consistent pathways to multilingualism. The international stream is composed of faculty that are international professional educators.  They are experienced educators who are typically Native English speakers, coming from the UK, Australia, and the US.

Students from non-French-speaking families also have the option to join the French stream, being brought up to speed through the school’s French Accelerator programme. Graduates typically leave FIS with proficiency in both English and French, with some students proficient in three or four languages—popular additional languages include Mandarin, Spanish, and German. This multilingual approach enhances cognitive abilities and opens doors to global opportunities.

Dual curriculum

FIS was the first school in the region to receive the International Baccalaureate accreditation. This programme is highly regarded worldwide and aligns perfectly with the school’s mission to provide a holistic, internationally-minded education. Today, it remains the only school in Hong Kong that offers the IEYC, IPC, IGCSE, and IBDP curriculum. 

Students in the French Stream follow the French national curriculum set and accredited by the Ministry of Education, from kindergarten to Terminale. Teachers have worked in France or other French international schools, meaning that students receive a similar education to those living in France and gain the same qualifications. 

Students in the International Stream follow a programme based on the English National Curriculum. The two streams coexist on shared campuses with plenty of interaction, creating a cohesive school community that provides invaluable opportunities to learn from each other. 

Strategic vision for a global society

Last year, to mark its 60th anniversary, FIS unveiled its strategic vision, a route map for the years ahead that goes far beyond traditional education. This strategy is organised around the school’s five petals of vision (students, team, learning environment, community, and governance) and centred on three key cultural levers (collaboration, growth and accountability, and sustainability). It details close to 20 strategic objectives that will ensure FIS remains extraordinarily ambitious when designing the education of future graduates. The strategic vision is the framework that the school leadership uses to integrate its different initiatives. This enables collaboration and a shared language cross-departmentally working towards the benefit of the students.

Community engagement and global citizenship

FIS places a strong emphasis on community engagement and social responsibility. Through various service projects and partnerships with local and international organisations, students are encouraged to develop a sense of global citizenship. These experiences instil values of empathy, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Strong parental involvement

FIS recognises the vital role that parents play in the educational journey. The school fosters a collaborative relationship with parents, involving them in school activities, decision-making processes, and community-building events. This strong partnership enhances the overall school experience and ensures that students receive consistent support at school and home.

Looking ahead

FIS has a proud past, a dynamic present and an exciting future. The French International School Hong Kong is more than just an educational institution; it is a vibrant community dedicated to shaping well-rounded leaders of tomorrow. With its strategic vision focused on global citizenship, a diverse and inclusive environment, and a commitment to academic and personal excellence, FIS stands out as an excellent choice for families of all nationalities seeking a world-class education in Hong Kong. 

French International School has campuses in Chai Wan, Blue Pool Road, Tseung Kwan O and Jardine’s Lookout. fis.edu.hk