The Harbour School, Hong Kong
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$26K – US$33K
Curriculum: International
Age Range: 5–18
Students: 26
Location: Hong Kong
Updated February 2026
In Brief
The Harbour School is a progressive American curriculum school serving 280 students across three Hong Kong Island campuses, known for its small class sizes, project-based learning, and inclusive approach. While it offers modern facilities and experiential programs like sailing excursions, the high fees (HKD 181,000 plus HKD 400,000 debenture) and limited visibility in Hong Kong's competitive international education market raise questions about value proposition.
Founded in 2007, THS has grown from 11 to approximately 280 students across three campuses on Hong Kong Island: Harbour Village (Kennedy Town) for ages 4-5, The Grove (Ap Lei Chau) for primary Grades 1-6, and The Garden (Ap Lei Chau) for secondary. The school follows AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards with a progressive, project-based approach featuring mixed-age classrooms, facilitators rather than traditional teachers, and hands-on learning experiences including sailing on the school's boat 'The Black Dolphin' and real-world excursions from Grade 1.
The Grove campus reopened in August 2017 after extensive renovation, featuring modern facilities including a makerspace with 3D printers and laser cutters, adaptable classrooms with movable walls, a library with slide, and rooftop play areas. The school emphasizes inclusivity, welcoming both gifted students and those with special needs through programs like STARS (Social Training and Relationship Skills). Despite these features, teacher discussions describe it as a 'holding school' for students trying to transfer to more established institutions, and its minimal presence in parent forums suggests limited recognition within Hong Kong's expatriate community compared to tier-one schools like HKIS or CIS.
What parents value
- –Small class sizes and high teacher-to-student ratios for personalized attention
- –Modern facilities including makerspace, adaptable classrooms, and experiential learning tools
- –Inclusive approach welcoming both gifted students and those with special needs
- –Hands-on learning experiences including sailing excursions and real-world projects
- –Progressive educational philosophy emphasizing creativity and critical thinking over testing
Points of consideration
- –High fees (HKD 181,000 plus HKD 400,000 family debenture) compared to other Hong Kong options
- –Limited visibility and discussion among Hong Kong expatriate families
- –Described by some as a 'holding school' for students seeking transfer to established institutions
- –Small size (280 students total) may limit extracurricular and social opportunities
- –Non-exam focused approach may not suit families seeking traditional academic credentials
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Grade 1 | 6 | 25,876 |
| Grade 1 to Grade 6 | 6 | 30,934 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 8 | 12 | 32,045 |
| Grade 9 to Grade 12 | 14 | 33,144 |
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 | 319 |
| Entry Fee (first child) | 2,044 |
| Entry Fee (additional children) | 766 |
| Family Admissions Right | 57,475 |
Photos
Academic Results
The Harbour School follows an American curriculum based on the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards. The school does not offer traditional Advanced Placement (AP) courses but prepares students for AP exams through its rigorous course design. Specific academic scores, pass rates, and GPAs are "Not published" as per school policy to emphasize learning over testing.
Extra Curriculars
Extra-curricular offerings include the Black Dolphin Sports competitive program, the F. I. S.
The school operates across three campuses: The Grove (Primary), The Garden (Secondary), and The Harbour Village (Prep). Facilities include The Black Dolphin (a 50-foot wooden ketch sailboat used as an outdoor classroom), a Marine Science Center with a teaching pool and marine lab, The Foundry (makerspace), a Blackbox Theater, a treehouse, and an extensive library featuring a slide. The Grove campus alone spans approximately 6,000 square meters (Campuses, Marine Science Center).
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Listed on official EDB international schools directory
- no specific inspection or quality review published. Not an ESF school
Accreditations
- WASC Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Memberships
- EARCOS member, ISSFHK participant sports federation.
Student Body
The school serves students from Junior Grade 1 to Grade 12 (ages 4 to 18). High school enrollment is reported at 108 students. The student body is diverse, representing 20 nationalities including Hong Kong, USA, China, UK, Australia, and Canada.
Leadership
Dr. Jadis Blurton - Head of School
Dr. Jadis Blurton holds a Ph. D in Developmental Psychology, Master's Degrees in Special Education (gifted) and Psychology, and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Qualified Teacher in Hong Kong, and certified Montessori Teacher.
