Cities / Hong Kong / Ichk Kindergarten and Primary Hong Kong
Ichk Kindergarten and Primary Hong Kong
Located in the scenic Hong Lok Yuen valley in Tai Po, ICHK HLY operates from a unique natural campus that includes a giant playing field, mini forest created using the Miyawaki method, and dedicated outdoor classrooms.
In brief
ICHK Kindergarten and Primary is a small, parent-governed school of around 400 pupils aged 3–11 on the Hong Lok Yuen estate in Tai Po, founded in 1983 and accredited by the Council of International Schools. Teaching follows the IB Primary Years Programme alongside the International Primary Curriculum, with Chinese-language teaching built in from kindergarten. The full-time annual fee runs at HKD 145,110 from nursery through Year 6, plus a one-off capital levy of HKD 75,000; part-time nursery and a three-afternoons-a-week pre-nursery place cost less.
Community and joy are the words that recur in parent comment. Families credit the parent-elected board and strong parental involvement, and cite Forest School, outdoor time, minimal homework and a curriculum that does not over-emphasise the academic. One parent said teachers "understand students' talents as well as shortcomings and bring out the best in them", and the accreditor described the primary as "a welcoming and friendly place with a strong sense of community".
The school finishes at age 11, with secondary continuation running to its sister secondary campus in Sha Tau Kok.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Nursery (3 afternoons/week) | 2 | HK$25,170 |
| Part-time Nursery | 3 | HK$83,500 |
| Full-time Nursery | 3 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 1 | 5 | HK$145,110 |
| Reception | 5 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 2 | 6 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 3 | 7 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 4 | 8 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 5 | 9 | HK$145,110 |
| Year 6 | 10 | HK$145,110 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Interview Charge | HK$800 | |
| Application Charge | HK$1,850 | |
| One-off Capital Levy | HK$75,000 |
Reviews
- Parents describe ICHK Hong Lok Yuen as a small, community-led primary built around the Hong Lok Yuen estate, with a parent-elected board and strong parental involvement.
- Two words come up repeatedly in parent comment: community and joy.
- Forest School, outdoor time and a curriculum that does not over-emphasise the academic are cited as strengths, alongside minimal homework.
- One parent said teachers "understand students' talents as well as shortcomings and bring out the best in them".
- The Council of International Schools called the primary "a welcoming and friendly place with a strong sense of community".
- Chinese-language emphasis is built in from the outset; secondary continuation goes to ICHK Secondary in Sha Tau Kok.
Positives
- Community and pastoral. Parent-founded, parent-governed school; community and joy are the words that recur.
- Outdoor and Forest School. Outdoor learning and Forest School cited as differentiators; the site has space to support this.
- Workload and ethos. Minimal homework and an inquiry-led approach noted; not pitched as a pressured academic primary.
- Chinese language. Chinese-language instruction baked into the model from kindergarten upwards.
- External recognition. Council of International Schools cites strong community, fairness and mutual respect.
Leadership
Derek Pinchbeck
Anita Simpson serves as Head of School at the American International School of Hong Kong, focusing on maintaining the school's vision and fostering a culture of learning and innovation from Early Childhood to Grade 12.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- Result IB DP average 33.4 points 2025
- Result 97% IGCSE grades A*-C 2025 (Results shared with partner ICHK Secondary)