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When it comes to school applications, timing is everything.
School applications can feel like a whole extra subject to study, especially when every school seems to run on a different timeline. From international school deadlines and rolling admissions to ESF, local kindergarten, primary and secondary applications, here’s when to apply — and which dates you really don’t want to miss.
Jump To:
Hong Kong International School Application Deadlines 2027–28
International Schools With Rolling Admissions
ESF Applications And Deadlines
Local School Applications In Hong Kong
Read More: Hong Kong International School Fees — Compare Tuition, Levies And Extra Costs
Hong Kong International School Application Deadlines 2027–28
Planning ahead can make Hong Kong school applications a whole lot less stressful. Here are the key international school application deadlines and dates to put in your calendar for 2027–28 entry.
| School | Entry | Applications Open | Deadline / Key Date |
What Parents Need To Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian International School of Hong Kong | Nursery to Grade 11 | Online applications | No single deadline | For 2027–28, assessments are generally held from November to December for EY1 to Grade 2, January to February for Nursery, and March to April for Grade 3 upwards. |
| Chinese International School | Reception | 1 September, two academic years before entry | 1 October in the year before entry | Reception has a defined early application window. Applications for other year groups are accepted subject to available places. |
| English Schools Foundation (ESF) | K1, Year 1 and Year 7 | September | 1 to 30 September in the year before entry | This is the main central application period. Applications for other year groups are accepted throughout the year and placed on waiting lists. |
| French International School of Hong Kong | Various year groups | Applications accepted from birth | No fixed deadline | Admission is subject to assessment, priority criteria, availability and the purchase of a debenture. |
| German Swiss International School | Kindergarten to Secondary | Applications accepted throughout the year, including from birth | No fixed deadline | Applicants are placed on the relevant waitlist, with admission subject to assessment, priority and availability. |
| Harrow International School Hong Kong | Nursery to Year 10 and Year 12 | Open | 10 October 2026 for August 2027 entry | Late overseas applications may be considered subject to availability. |
| Hong Kong International School | Reception 1 to Grade 12 | 1 May 2026 | 1 October 2026 for Reception 1 to Grade 5; 1 November 2026 for Grades 6 to 12 | Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
| Kellett School | Prep and Senior School | Prep applications accepted from birth; Senior applications up to two years in advance | No fixed deadline | Applications are accepted throughout the year, though places may already be full for some year groups. |
| Singapore International School | Various year groups | Annual application cycle | 30 September | Applications received by 30 September generally receive a guaranteed assessment. Later applications are considered subject to citizenship status and availability. |
| Victoria Shanghai Academy | Year 1 | September | Annual application period runs from September to February | Applications for Years 2 to 11 are subject to vacancies, assessment and published deadlines. |
Read More: Hong Kong International School Calendars
International School With Rolling Admissions
Not every international school in Hong Kong works to a fixed application deadline. Many offer rolling admissions, which means families can apply throughout the year, with places offered subject to availability, assessment requirements and waiting-list priority.
Schools including American School Hong Kong, Discovery Bay International School, Hong Kong Academy, Malvern College Hong Kong, Nord Anglia International School, The Harbour School and Yew Chung International School accept applications on a rolling basis. Some also allow families to apply well ahead of their intended start date, so it is still worth checking the individual school’s admissions timeline early — particularly for popular year groups.
Sassy Mama Tip: Rolling admissions doesn’t necessarily mean there will be spaces available at any point in the year. If you have a preferred school or entry year in mind, applying early can give you more options.
Read More: The Most Affordable International Schools In Hong Kong
ESF Applications And Deadlines
For families applying to an English Schools Foundation (ESF) school, the key dates to know are for K1, Year 1 and Year 7 entry. Central applications for these year groups are generally open from 1 to 30 September in the year before entry. Applications submitted outside this window, or for other year groups, can still be made throughout the year and are placed on the relevant waiting list, with offers dependent on availability.
Families apply through ESF’s central admissions system rather than directly to individual ESF primary and secondary schools (this also applies to ESF Discovery College and Renaissance College).
Read More: ESF Now Offers A Guaranteed Pathway From K1 to Year 13
Applying To ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School
The admissions process for ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School is different. Places are not allocated through the standard Year 1 or Year 7 admissions route. Instead, applications are considered through ESF’s Admissions and Review Process, which looks at the child’s individual support needs and whether the school has the appropriate provision and an available place.
Families considering Sarah Roe should therefore follow ESF’s specialist admissions process rather than relying on the standard September application window.
Read More: Special Education Needs — SEN Resources In Hong Kong
Local School Applications In Hong Kong
Going the local school route? Kindergarten, primary and secondary applications each work a little differently in Hong Kong, so here’s what you need to know about the main school application pathways.
Read More: Local vs International Schools — How To Make The Best Choice For Your Child
Applying To Local Kindergartens
Kindergarten applications in Hong Kong are made directly to individual schools, so there’s no single application form or deadline. Each kindergarten sets its own admissions process, including application dates, interviews and fees, so it pays to check your preferred schools early.
You can compare local kindergartens by district, curriculum and whether they participate in the Kindergarten Education Scheme using the EDB’s Profile of Kindergartens and Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres.
Read More: International Pre-Nursery, Kindergarten And Preschools In Hong Kong
Applying To Hong Kong Primary Schools
Applications to Hong Kong government and aided primary schools go through the Primary One Admission (POA) System.
Parents first apply for a Discretionary Place at one school of their choice. Children who do not receive a place then move to Central Allocation, where families rank school choices and places are allocated according to those preferences, the child’s school net and a computer-generated random number.
Applications and results can be managed online through the EDB’s Primary One Admission e-Platform.
Read More: Bilingual Primary, Secondary And All-Through Schools In Hong Kong
Hong Kong Secondary School Applications
Most students moving into Secondary 1 apply through Hong Kong’s Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System. Families first have the chance to apply directly to participating government, aided and DSS schools for a Discretionary Place. Those who do not secure a place then move on to Central Allocation.
Sassy Mama Tip: Hong Kong has local secondary schools that use English as the medium of instruction (EMI) for some or most subjects, including government, aided and DSS schools. These can be a more affordable alternative to international schools, but admissions are competitive.
Read More: Understanding Hong Kong’s Latest IB Results
