Big News For ESF Applications: A Guaranteed Pathway From K1 To Year 13

Starting from the 2027/28 academic year, children entering an ESF kindergarten will be offered a guaranteed pathway to an associated ESF school, to complete the through-train model from K1 all the way to Year 13.

For many Hong Kong parents, choosing a kindergarten is just the beginning. Before your child has even started kindergarten, you’re already thinking about primary school applications, secondary school options and what comes next. That’s why ESF’s latest announcement is such significant news for families.

For parents, it means less uncertainty around key transition years, more confidence when planning for the future and the reassurance of knowing their child’s educational journey is mapped out from the very beginning.

Whether you’re considering ESF for your preschooler or already have a child in the system, here’s what the new model means for your family.

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How will the ESF changes work?

For families, the biggest benefit is knowing where the road ahead leads. One of the most significant changes is for families hoping to join Kennedy School in Pok Fu Lam. Under the new model, West Kowloon Kindergarten becomes an associated kindergarten of Kennedy School, creating a clear pathway from K1 through to West Island School.

Meanwhile, parents who secure a place at Hillside International Kindergarten will know from the outset that their children will have a place at Glenealy, Peak or Bradbury Schools, before continuing on to Island School and South Island School.
Families in other districts will also benefit from greater certainty. For example, children attending Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten can progress to one of the two associated primary schools, Sha Tin Junior School, and then Sha Tin College.

Rather than navigating multiple application points and transition periods, families can make one decision early on and enjoy the confidence of a connected educational journey through to graduation.

What benefits does ESF’s new through-train model bring?

While the guaranteed pathway will undoubtedly bring peace of mind to parents, ESF says the benefits extend well beyond admissions. By linking kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools more closely, educators across each stage of a child’s learning journey can collaborate more effectively, sharing insights, specialist expertise and support services. This means transitions become less about starting over and more about building on existing knowledge of each child’s strengths, interests and learning style.

That translates into a smoother move between schools, greater continuity in learning and a stronger sense of belonging within one connected educational community from K1 right through to graduation.

For parents, the biggest takeaway is simple: one decision at age three can now provide a clear, connected educational pathway all the way to graduation. View the educational journey planner online, to see exactly how the new process works for your family.

Contact ESF for more information on what this means for your 2027/28 application.