1. What happens if an applicant’s priority status changes?
An applicant’s priority status may change, for example, through making a Nomination Rights application or as a result of a sibling gaining entry to an ESF school. In such cases, the applicant will be placed on the waiting list in their newly acquired priority group according to the date the priority change occurred.
2. When should I submit applications to ESF schools for my children?
Parents may submit one online application for admission for the current academic year or for the following academic year for ESF primary or secondary, Discovery College or Renaissance College. There are waiting lists at each of our schools and the offer of a place is dependent on vacancy being available.
Central Applications for 2024/25 Year 1 (born in 2019) for ESF primary schools, Discovery College and Renaissance College and Year 7 (born in 2013 for ESF secondary schools) will open in September 2023. For parents who wish to apply, please click Year 1 or Year 7 for the latest application information.
Those who are applying for years other than Year 1 and Year 7 need to apply through General Applications.
Applicants to ESF International Kindergartens should refer to our website for further information on admissions procedures.
3. What are the selection criteria of ESF schools for applicants?
Admission is through interview/assessment and depends above all on the student’s ability to benefit from an ESF education. Please click here to see further details on ESF’s Admissions Policy.
For ESF’s two all-through Private Independent Schools (PIS), Discovery College (DC) and Renaissance College (RCHK), the admissions policy has to be in line with the Hong Kong Government’s requirements for all Private Independent Schools (PIS):
- Any student residing in Hong Kong can apply to attend.
- When the Colleges are at full capacity, at least 70% of the total students enrolled must have Hong Kong permanent resident status.
Please click on the links for the two Private Independent Schools (PIS): Renaissance College and Discovery College.
4. How should I apply for school places other than Year 1 or Year 7?
For General Applications, parents may submit an online general application for admission for the current academic year or the following academic year for an ESF primary or secondary school or Discovery College or Renaissance College. There are waiting lists at each of our schools and the offer of a place is dependent on vacancy being available.
5. What is the process for reapplication for the next academic year?
Applicants on the current waitlist will be sent a system email in February or March inviting them to reapply. (No reapplication fee is required.) If no reapplication is received, the application will be considered withdrawn.
6. The one form application asks for four preferences of schools. The options are ESF primary or secondary schools. Do I need to fill in ALL four preferences of schools?
You may choose one school or up to four schools. Parents must be prepared to attend any of the schools selected. Once the application is submitted, the preference may not be altered. The interview/assessment will only be for one school.
For General Applications, the applicant is placed on the wait list of your first preference school. For Year 1 and Year 7 Central Applications, the applicant will waitlist for the first preference school if they are no availability for an interview/assessment.
7. Can an applicant be considered at an alternative school if there are no places for the first preference school?
If there is availability, we will look at this option to direct applicants who have indicated they are willing to go to an alternative school. Parents are responsible for transportation to school as there may not be PTA bus serving their area.
Updated on: 27 July 2023