About Us

LOWER SCHOOL

Principal's Message

Welcome to Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS). If you are visiting our website for the first time, we sincerely hope you take the opportunity to visit us in person. We look forward to sharing our unique and wonderful international community and school with you!

We believe the early years of a child’s education are the most significant and important. The Lower School is a vibrant and exciting community and ‘home’ for almost 1,050 children from ages 3 to 12 years in Pre Reception through Grade 6. We have a total of 68 teaching faculty who have joined us from all corners of the globe. As a school community we represent 40 unique nationalities.

The Lower School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) curriculum framework. The Lower School was authorized to teach the IBPYP in April 2009. As a result, we are now listed as an IB World School. We are exceptionally proud of this achievement and excited to be part of an international network of IB schools.

A generalist classroom teacher delivers instruction for English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Information Technology, Visual Arts and Drama. These elements of the curriculum are often referred to as the homeroom programme. Students also attend classes in transdisciplinary subjects including Physical Education, Performing Arts and Library (Information Literacy). Single subject teachers aim to build transdisciplinary skills and make meaningful connections to the homeroom programme through their subject area. These connections serve to widen children’s perspectives and deepen their understanding and knowledge.

One of the great gifts of joining an international school community is sharing culture and language. Although our programme of instruction is English, children in the Lower School are exposed to two additional languages: Mandarin and French. The Mandarin language programme begins in Pre Reception, our entry-level class for three year olds, and is designed for both native and non-native Mandarin speakers. Instruction in French begins in Grade 5 and is primarily for non-native French speakers.

The social and emotional well-being of both students and staff at CDNIS underpins the core conditions for creating an engaging, risk-free and exciting learning community. Take a look into our classrooms and you will find students and teachers engaged, challenged and happy. Parents are also engaged as both active participants and volunteers throughout the Lower School. This partnership is essential and serves as a cornerstone to our aims of creating a child centered school and culture. We want parents to share in their child’s learning experiences and celebrate the important moments and memories that occur daily.

Children in the Lower School have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of learning activities and programmes ‘beyond’ the classroom. Various field trips, guest speakers, regular assemblies and concerts are a core extension and enrichment to our classroom programmes. We have an excellent and diverse range of extra-curricular activities (ECA’s) and athletic programme outlets for students to experience new challenges and develop their talents. Grades 4-6 students attend annual camps and take on challenges to build self-confidence and team based skills.

Should you wish to learn more about us, please contact our Admissions Office, make an appointment to join our weekly school tour or simply contact me directly. Thank you for your interest in the Lower School at CDNIS.

Yours truly,