Hong Kong private secondary sector expands as local universities’ reputation grows

Hong Kong's private secondary school sector has experienced a significant expansion over the past five years, with the number of institutions increasing by over half, from 16 to 25. This growth is attributed to rising demand for alternative curricula and the city's increasingly prestigious universities, according to education authorities and school principals.

The trend is further fueled by growing interest from both mainland Chinese and overseas students in Hong Kong's universities, which have gained a stellar global reputation amid geopolitical concerns.

The education bureau attributes the surge in private schools to a stronger local economy and shifting parental preferences for diverse educational choices. Private schools that cater to non-local students, charging tuition fees between HK$100,000 and HK$300,000 annually, are not subject to government land grants and have no limitations on the proportion of local to non-local students.

In contrast, international schools typically maintain fixed ratios of non-local students, while private independent schools, which receive government land grants, must enroll at least 70% local pupils.

St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College is one of the new private schools set to join the sector, with plans to open in the 2027–28 academic year in West Kowloon's Coronation Circle. Founded by David Cardwell, former pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Cambridge, the college offers A-level and International General Certificate of Secondary Education programmes.

Cardwell predicts that St Bees' graduates will pursue higher education both within Hong Kong and internationally, citing Hong Kong's status as a city housing five universities within the global top 100 as a compelling reason for families to choose the city over other locations.

The school aims to enroll 150 students in its first year and has a capacity of 500. Cardwell's co-chair, Danny Wang Tak-chi, expressed the desire to maintain a local student majority while recruiting internationally, although the school does not intend to impose a cap on international student enrollment. Wang also noted the impact of recent changes to Hong Kong's visa policy for dependents of incoming talent, which encourages their contribution to society rather than discouraging their arrival.

Kellett School, an international institution offering the A-level curriculum, has also experienced an uptick in applications from students seeking to attend universities in Hong Kong. This year, 34 of the school's 85 graduates submitted a total of 112 applications to Hong Kong universities, the highest number in recent years. Principal and CEO Paul Tough attributes the increased interest in Hong Kong universities to the city's status as a hub for education in Asia, its proximity to the US and the UK, and the soaring costs of university education in those countries.

The school currently enforces a 70:30 ratio of non-local to local students within its Sixth Form Centre, which accommodates 240 students with 225 currently enrolled.