Discovery Bay International School, Hong Kong
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$17K – US$25K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3–18
Students: 1,000
Location: Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Discovery Bay International School is a British curriculum school established in 1983, serving 1,100+ students from 50+ nationalities across three campuses on Lantau Island. Teacher feedback reveals competitive pay but heavy workloads, while the school offers a more intimate alternative to Hong Kong's larger international institutions in a resort-like setting.
Located in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, DBIS operates as a through-train British curriculum school from Early Years to Year 13, offering GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level pathways alongside IB options. The three-campus structure emphasizes outdoor learning and small class sizes, serving families who appreciate the resort community atmosphere of Discovery Bay with its beaches, golf course, and car-free environment. Annual fees range from HK$132,500 to HK$196,900, positioning the school as a mid-tier option compared to Hong Kong's premium international schools.
Teacher experiences at DBIS reveal mixed perspectives on working conditions. Recent feedback describes the school as offering competitive compensation but demanding heavy workloads, with one teacher noting it provides 'great pay' but requires significant commitment. The parent community in Discovery Bay can be challenging, with some teachers describing entitled attitudes typical of expatriate resort communities. Despite these concerns, the school maintains steady enrollment and continues to attract families seeking British education in a unique island setting with ferry connections to Central Hong Kong.
What parents value
- –Established British curriculum school with 40+ years of operation in Hong Kong
- –Small class sizes and personalized learning environment across three campuses
- –Competitive teacher compensation packages
- –Unique resort island location with outdoor learning opportunities
- –Lower fees than many premium Hong Kong international schools
- –Diverse student body from 50+ nationalities
- –Ferry connections provide scenic commute to Central Hong Kong
- –CIS accreditation and established educational pathways
Points of consideration
- –Heavy teacher workloads reported by current staff
- –Challenging parent community with entitled attitudes
- –Limited recent academic outcome data or university placement statistics
- –Commuting from other areas of Hong Kong requires ferry travel
- –Smaller profile compared to Hong Kong's tier-one international schools
- –Discovery Bay's isolated location may not suit all families
- –Mixed feedback on curriculum implementation and school culture
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS-1 and FS-2 | 3 | 16,923 |
| Year 1 to Year 6 | 5 | 18,354 |
| Year 7 to Year 11 | 11 | 24,357 |
| Year 12 and Year 13 | 16 | 25,148 |
Fees converted from HKD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 255 |
| Standard School Development Levy (1st and 2nd child) | 7,663 |
| Standard School Development Levy (3rd child onwards) | 6,386 |
Photos
Academic Results
A Level Results (2024): 15% A , 38% A -A, 82% A -C, 98% A -E pass rate. IGCSE results are also noted but specific recent percentages for all grades are best viewed in the profile. Secondary School Profile 2024-25.
Extra Curriculars
Sports: Member of ISSFHK and FOBISIA; competitive teams in various sports. Arts: Thriving Drama Club, creative arts activities, peripatetic music programme. Other: 'Week Without Walls' (adventure/service trips to New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc.
Three campuses: Early Years, Primary/Secondary, and Sixth Form. Facilities include an artificial turf pitch, heated open-air swimming pool, netball court, covered sports area, age-appropriate playgrounds, two Forest Schools, roof garden, Drama and Music suites, Art rooms, Globe Theatre, science laboratories, Design & Technology/STEAM suites, library (20,000+ items), Discovery Centre, and on-site cafeteria. School Facilities.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Registered international school with Hong Kong EDB. Independent governance not ESF. Positive Teaching &
- Learning Gatehouse Inspection Report published.
Accreditations
- CIS Council of International Schools, COBIS Accredited Member CIS
- WASC mentioned in secondary sources unverified
- No NEASC, ISQM published
Memberships
- FOBISIA, ISSFHK, HKAYP Duke of Edinburgh
- No EARCOS, ACAMIS, Round Square, Apple Distinguished School published
Student Body
Enrolment: Over 1000 students across all phases, with over 70 in Sixth Form. Nationalities: Over 50 nationalities. Age Range: 3 to 18 years (Early Years to Sixth Form).
Leadership
Marc Morris - Principal
Marc Morris, originally from northwest England, holds a history degree and PGCE, beginning his teaching career in 1983—the same year DBIS was founded.
