Our History
Founded in 2000 as an international school offering an inclusive, child-centred and inquiry-based education, we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2020. We are proud of our history and many achievements. From establishing an outstanding Pre-K to Grade 12 programme to building and moving into our award-winning sustainable campus, we have accomplished much as a community and look forward to many more years of growth in the future.
HKA Through The Years
HKA’s founders, Teresa Richman and Ben Frankel, had a vision for creating a nonprofit international school with a mission to provide an outstanding international education for children in Hong Kong SAR.
The original Stubbs Road campus, located on Hong Kong Island, opened with three Primary School students and one teacher. This campus was known for the number of steps that needed to be climbed to reach the red front doors.
HKA was one of the first schools in Hong Kong to be awarded International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorisation. The school later achieved IB Diploma Programme (DP) authorisation in 2010 and Middle Years Programme (MYP) authorisation in 2013.
Our longest standing community event was originally called the Cultural Food Festival. Today, the HKA Community Fair welcomes over 1,000 faculty, staff, parents and students who share and celebrate our international and cultural diversity through food, activities and performances.
After a decade at Stubbs Road, we transitioned to our second temporary campus, located in Kennedy Town. HKA resided in this location on the west side of Hong Kong Island for three years.
HKA student athletes, known as the Dragonflies, began to represent the school in local ISSFHK sports leagues, having also joined ACAMIS and SCISAC divisions bringing competition with athletes in China and Mongolia.
In 2012, we celebrated our first graduating class of seven students. Most HKA graduates opt to pursue the full IB Diploma in addition to completing the requirements for the HKA Diploma.
In August 2013 we moved into our current home in Sai Kung in the New Territories. After many years of planning, preparing and dreaming, and with HK$17million of building costs contributed by our community, we were proud to open our purpose built campus designed to bring learning to life for every student.
The Global Citizen Diploma (GCD) consortium offers member schools a framework to validate the many ways in which their students grow into global citizens. HKA is the only GCD school in Hong Kong and the administrative centre for the consortium.
HKA was the host of the ISTA Academy from 2017 – 2022. As a member school we continue to encourage our students to connect with other like minded young people, and collaborate with others to create and produce socially responsible art.
HKA was the first whole-school campus to be awarded Gold BEAM Plus status by the Green Building Council of Hong Kong. Recognizing the many ways in which we adhere to rigorous environmental operational principles, we were proud to receive full marks in the Innovations and Additions category.
Initially accredited by WASC in 2006 and CIS/WASC in 2012, the 2018 visiting team reported, “HKA is a mission-driven school and at all levels of governance, leadership, and operation the mission defines the culture and ethos of the school and is at the heart of decision-making.”
Our 20th anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate the past, honour the present and embrace the future. This commemorative edition of hkaVOICES showcased a number of stories highlighting the strength and dynamism of the HKA community.
HKA’s merit-based scholarship programme is launched. These scholarships underpin HKA’s commitment to inclusion and are designed to promote and celebrate the diverse range of skills and talents students demonstrate in the pursuit of their pathways to individual excellence. Learn more here
Hong Kong Academy’s mission statement was updated to reflect our growth and evolution as an educational leader.
