We believe that every child is capable, competent and creative and our Early Years programme promotes independence and natural curiosity.
We know that learning happens best in the early years through play, exploration and inquiry. Our Playgroup and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms offer environments that are interactive, safe and fun for every child. Our teachers have developed a play-based curriculum that inspires curiosity, collaboration and enthusiasm. This is complemented by our specialist teachers who provide rich, engaging opportunities for our youngest learners to express themselves through movement, art, music, language and literacy. The Early Years learning environment is sensory-rich and visually appealing, inviting children to take the lead and drive their own exploration through the use of a range of materials.
The early years are the first building blocks of a child’s learning journey. As they begin to develop an awareness of the rituals and routines of school life, students in our Early Years programme are encouraged to express themselves through a wide range of structured and unstructured experiences. We also recognise the important role of these first few years as a stepping stone to future learning and our programme provides a solid foundation for learners that is cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing. Each child is empowered to understand themselves and others and feel confident about their potential as a learner.
COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE
Language skills bloom in the early years, and our language-rich programme encourages every child to flourish. Early Years teachers lead their classes in English and a Mandarin-speaking co-teacher collaborates to infuse Mandarin into the programme throughout the day, as well as during dedicated Mandarin sessions. Developmentally appropriate play-based learning is initiated by students and teachers in an inquiry rich environment that fosters early language development. Every interaction with both adults and peers provides an opportunity for students to learn through language, whether listening to a read aloud, describing a piece of art they are creating or chatting to classmates during community snack. In addition to classroom libraries containing regularly updated collections of English and Mandarin books, our Primary School library offers an incredible range of books curated to spark a love of learning in every child.
Grounded in the most current research about the many ways in which children learn, our early years spaces provide captivating indoor and outdoor environments that engage all the senses. Each classroom is flexible in its design, inviting children to lead their own exploration of concepts and ideas in numerous breakout spaces and with a wide range of materials. Our outdoor playscapes offer developmentally appropriate challenges to extend children’s physical, social and cognitive learning. An organic garden, adventure playscape, mud kitchen and water features contribute to an inviting, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing environment. In each of these spaces, children are encouraged to immerse themselves in creative physical activity and diverse sensory exploration, develop problem-solving skills as they interact with one another and learn through both quiet and active outdoor play.
INVITING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
A TIME oF DISCOVERY & JOY
With every thought, feeling and question, children develop and grow as individuals. Through our Early Years programme, students are encouraged to discover their interests and passions as learners, developing a strong sense of self and empathy for others. Learn more about how to apply to join our community here.
PREPARING LEARNERS FOR THEIR NEXT STEPS
Our Early Years programme invites students to grow and explore, and provides an opportunity for every child to begin establishing their individual learning pathway. Please visit our Primary Years page to learn more about how this programme continues to support student learning.
Day 2: Half the class come in for 1 hour 30 minutes 8am – 9:30am with the other half from 10am – 11:30am. There will be an 8:00am and 11:30am bus available.
Day 3: Half the class come in for 1 hour 30 minutes 8am – 9:30am, with the other half from 10:30am – 12noon. There will be an 8:00am and 12:00pm bus available.
Day 4: All students in, 8am – 10:30am. Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 5: All students in, 8:00 – 10:30am. Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
For children applying to Grade 2 and up, current grade level will also be a factor in grade placement decisions in addition to age.
Kindergarten
Day 1: First Day of School 8am – 12noon. Students will have scheduled group sessions of 30 minutes with the teachers and parents (3 students in a group). No bus available.
Day 2: Half the class in school morning and other half in an afternoon session without parents. 8am and 3pm bus available.
Day 3: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including eating snack in the classroom). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 4: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including lunch at school). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Day 5: All students attend half-day 8am – 12noon (including lunch at school). Arrival and Dismissal bus available.
Grade Level Equivalencies
For children applying to Grade 2 and up, current grade level will also be a factor in grade placement decisions in addition to age.
For other country grade level comparison inquiries please see here or contact our admissions team.
SCHOLARSHIP
ANNUAL FUND
Donations in support of ROAD
CAPITAL PROJECTS
LEARNER SUPPORT
CLUBS
Our Secondary School students have many opportunities to pursue their interests during lunchtime and after school clubs. Faculty and staff offer a variety of activities such as Math Competitions, Young Investors Club, and Student Media Team. Students can also join student-led groups and leadership teams that are supervised by faculty. These include Action for Refugees, Project Plastic, Sai Kung Stray Friends, ImpactHK, Dragonfly Council, Student Council and GCD Student Leadership Team.
ANNUAL FUND
The Annual Fund is a general fund that supports HKA’s operational budget. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund help us realise additional innovative school projects not fully covered by tuition and the operational budget. Giving to the Annual Fund is a powerful way to support creative ideas and initiatives that bring HKA’s mission to life.
DONATE NOW
LEARNER SUPPORT
HKA’s Learner Support programme caters to a wide range of students with diverse learning styles and needs. Inclusive education is at the heart of our mission, and HKA’s leadership in this area is known throughout the international school community.
15% of the student body is supported by this programme.
The Learner Support programme operates on an 80% recovery model. HKA is committed to subventing the remaining 20%.
HKA’s Learner Support programme is designed to ensure that all students can thrive in our rigorous learning environment. Inclusive education is at the heart of our mission, and HKA’s leadership in this area is known throughout the international school community. The Learner Support programme operates on an 80% recovery model. HKA is committed to subventing the remaining 20%.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion includes socio-economic inclusion. Families may apply for a range of means-tested scholarships. HKA also offers financial assistance to families experiencing short-term challenges.
HKA offers scholarships at the 30, 60 and 90 percent levels.
The school will offer as much scholarship support as funding allows.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
HKA seeks to stay ahead of the curve by investing in capital projects that enhance our capitivative learning environment. We strive to implement a new learning initiative capital project, community artefact, or renovated building infrastructure on an annual basis. These multi-phased, costly projects are not included in the annual operating budget. They are critical to the long-term viability and sustainability of the school.
get involved test 3
HKA is committed to diversity and inclusion, including socio-economic inclusion. Families may apply for a range of means-tested scholarships. HKA also offers financial assistance to families experiencing short-term challenges.
HKA offers scholarships at the 30, 60 and 90% levels.
The school offers as much scholarship support as funding allows.
How to Get Here
The following information will assist you in arriving at our campus. If you have any issues while travelling, feel free to call our Main Office on 2655 1111 for more advice.
“Sai Kung Rocket”: Mong Kok <-> Sai Kung ‘red-top’ from Dundas Street
MTR & Taxi
The nearest MTR stations are Wu Kai Sha, Choi Hung or Hang Hau and all are approximately 20/25min away by taxi. Click here for an image to show the taxi driver with the school address in English & Chinese (香港新界西貢惠民路33號).
Private Car
There is no parking on campus but there are 2 public car parks, one opposite and one behind the campus.