French International School (FIS) Hong Kong Review
Overview of the School
Founded in 1963, French International School Hong Kong (FIS) is Hong Kong’s oldest international school offering a dual-stream education from Kindergarten (age 3) to Year 13 / Terminale. It operates across four campuses, Blue Pool Road (Happy Valley, with a focus on secondary), Jardine’s Lookout, Chai Wan, and Tseung Kwan O, delivering the French national curriculum in the French Stream (taught in French, leading to the Brevet and Baccalauréat) and the International Stream (English medium with the English National Curriculum to IGCSE followed by the IB Diploma Programme).
The school serves over 2,800 students from 45 nationalities in a warm, inclusive, and multicultural community. FIS emphasises global mindedness, critical thinking, personal development, and social responsibility, nurturing confident, multilingual global citizens under its ethos of being “Culturally French, Globally Minded.”
Academic Strengths
FIS provides a high quality, dual language education through its two parallel streams, promoting rigorous inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, and holistic development in an international context. The French Stream offers the structured excellence of the French national curriculum, while the International Stream follows a challenging British based pathway leading to IGCSE and the IBDP. Small class sizes (average around 25), highly qualified teachers from diverse backgrounds, differentiated learning, and a strong emphasis on bilingualism (French and English) support a wide range of learning styles and needs. The school achieves outstanding results — 100% success in the 2025 Baccalauréat and DNB, and 94% in the IBDP — leading to excellent university placements worldwide, including top institutions in the UK, France, Hong Kong, and beyond. This prepares independent thinkers, confident communicators, and lifelong learners equipped for success in a global context.
Pastoral Care and Community Life
Pastoral care lies at the heart of FIS’s ethos, creating a nurturing environment where every student feels valued. Dedicated Student Services and Health Services teams, personalised guidance, and strong parent partnerships foster confidence, meaningful friendships, and a true sense of belonging in its “One School, Two Streams” community. This supportive atmosphere is especially welcoming for French and French-speaking families seeking a values driven bilingual education, as well as international and local families who appreciate the blend of academic rigour, cultural heritage, warmth, and global outlook.
Co-Curricular Life
FIS offers a vibrant co-curricular programme. Activities include sports, performing arts, visual arts, music, drama, leadership programmes, cultural and educational initiatives, and community service, with many running after school in French and/or English led by professional coaches.
Through the IB CAS framework in the International Stream and school wide initiatives, students are encouraged to explore their passions and develop a genuine commitment to making a positive difference locally and globally. These programmes foster personal growth while reinforcing the school’s values of excellence, intercultural understanding, and community.
Why We Recommend French International School Hong Kong for Our Students
We recommend French International School Hong Kong for families seeking a high quality, dual stream (French-English) education in a supportive, multicultural environment with excellent academic outcomes. It is ideal for French and French-speaking families in Hong Kong (or those connected to French communities), as well as international families who value cultural roots alongside international perspectives, personalised pastoral care, and an education that develops passionate global citizens.