Apply Online To CDNIS | CDNIS Student Applications Online

Canadian International School of Hong Kong seeks to admit students who will benefit from our balanced and well-rounded education and who will flourish in our inquiry-based conceptual programme in the Lower School and a rigorous university-preparatory programme in the Upper School.

Prospective families are encouraged to review our Admissions Policy and Procedures prior to applying to CDNIS. Additionally, we recommend attending a school tour, which take place each Tuesday when school is in session, or watching our informative webinars for Nursery, EY1-Grade 2, Grade 3-5 and Upper School to gain a deeper understanding of our programmes and community.

Parents interested in our bilingual programmes should review our FAQs prior to submitting their child's online application.

If you are unable to join a scheduled tour or have further questions, please contact our Admissions Department.

Application

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

1. Apply online

Potential parents should click "New Application" to begin the application process. Please allow 45 minutes to one hour to complete the application process. You may save your data and return to your child(ren)'s application(s) at a later stage, if necessary. Existing CDNIS parents and parents who have already created an account in our Admissions Portal should apply via the "Admissions Portal" using your existing Veracross Login.

The admissions application period for the 2024/2025 school year has passed. Applications for the 2025/2026 school year (Grade 3 - Grade 11) are currently being accepted, while applications for Nursery will be accepted November 1-30, 2024.

New Application

Admissions Portal

2. Required documents

Please have the following documents/information ready for the online application:

Nursery application

Scanned copy of birth certificate
Scanned copy of passport
Scanned copy of a valid Hong Kong visa (if applicable)
Scanned copy of Hong Kong Identity Card (if applicable)
One passport size photograph (2 x 3 inches or 150 pixels X 225 pixels in JPG format)
Scanned copy of playgroup report(s)/school performance or attendance proof (if applicable)
Credit Card information for application fee payment

EY1 to Grade 11 application

Scanned copy of birth certificate
Scanned copy of passport
Scanned copy of a valid Hong Kong visa (if applicable)
Scanned copy of Hong Kong Identity Card (if applicable)
One passport size photograph (2 x 3 inches or 150 pixels X 225 pixels in JPG format)
Scanned copy of school report(s) for the previous and current school years.
(Early Years 1/Early Years 2 candidates can submit this when it becomes available)
- Please scan multiple pages of school report(s) into a single PDF file, or compress multiple reports into a single zip file for upload. - If reports are not issued in English, please also provide a translated copy in English.
Scanned copy of transcript (for Grade 10 and above applications)
Credit Card information for application fee payment

Please note that your child’s application will not be processed if the required information and/or required documents are incomplete.

3. Student Reference Form

4. Application and assessment fees

Nursery application
The application and assessment fee of HK$1,800 will be collected for processing your child's application and assessment scheduling. It is important to note that it is non-refundable, non-transferable and non-deferrable. The fee will be collected through our online admissions portal.

EY1 to Grade 11 application
Please note the application fee of HK$2,350 and assessment fee of HK$1,650 (should your child be selected for an assessment) are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-deferrable. Both fees are required to be submitted through our online system.

5. Confirm receipt of application

6. Parental Agreement

Parental Agreement

Upon successful submission of the application, it is confirmed that Parent(s)/Legal Guardian understand and agree to the following:

CDNIS requires that all enrolled students are living with and supervised by a parent/legal guardian who are full-time residents of Hong Kong.
In accordance with regulations of the Hong Kong Education Bureau and Hong Kong Immigration Department, all students joining CDNIS must hold a valid Hong Kong ID card and/or a valid passport with authorized residency status to be eligible for a place at CDNIS. A visitor visa does not entitle the holder to attend any school in Hong Kong.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian give CDNIS permission to obtain records from the applicant’s current and previous schools.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian are providing true and accurate information for this application. CDNIS reserves the right to restrict entry into, or withdrawal of a place from, the school.
CDNIS reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if it is found that any relevant reports have been withheld.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian understand data collected will be used for processing the admission application only. Take a moment to learn more by reading our Privacy Policy.
Application/Processing Fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-deferrable and valid for the applied academic year only. Collection of the application/processing fee constitutes no assurance that a school place or an admissions assessment will be offered.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/legal guardian to make appropriate visa arrangement for the student(s) prior to start of school.

ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENTS

Admissions Assessments and Interviews for Academic Year 2025/2026

Applicants who complete their application and submit all required documentation, while also meeting our academic standards, will be scheduled for an admissions assessment. The assessment format - on-site, online, or a hybrid interview - depends on the grade level applied for. Typically, Early Years through Grade 2 assessments occur in November/December, while those for Grade 3 and above take place in March/April. Nursery assessments are slated to begin in January/February.

School Tours

Age Requirements

Grade level	age Range
Nursery (Early Childhood, Bilingual, AM/PM)	September 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023
Early Years 1 (Early Childhood, PYP, Bilingual, AM/PM)	September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022
Early Years 2 (Early Childhood, PYP, Bilingual)	September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021
Preparatory (Early Childhood, PYP, Bilingual)	September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020
Grade 1 (PYP, Bilingual)	September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019
Grade 2 (PYP, Bilingual)	September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018
Grade 3 (PYP)	September 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017
Grade 4 (PYP)	September 1, 2015 – August 31, 2016
Grade 5 (PYP)	September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015
Grade 6 (MYP)	September 1, 2013 – August 31, 2014
Grade 7 (MYP)	September 1, 2012 – August 31, 2013
Grade 8 (MYP)	September 1, 2011 – August 31, 2012
Grade 9 (OSSD, MYP)	September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011
Grade 10 (OSSD, MYP)	September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010
Grade 11 (OSSD, DP)	September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009
Grade 12 (OSSD, DP)	Applications Closed**

Placement in Nursery, Early Years 1, Early Years 2, and Preparatory is determined primarily by age, as outlined in the "Age Range" table. For Grade 1 and above, age remains the key factor, but exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director of Admissions, Deputy Head of Admissions, and the respective Principals, taking into account the applicant's educational attainment.

**Given the two-year structure of the IB Diploma Programme, Grade 12 applications are typically only considered for students who are already enrolled in an IB Diploma Programme.

Assessment Selection Criteria

Applicants who successfully submit their application, required documentation, and meet our academic standards will be scheduled for an admissions assessment. A member of our Admissions Team will contact the applicant's parent(s) or legal guardian to coordinate the date and time for this assessment. Please note that all admissions assessments and interviews are conducted by our admissions and academic staff.

Nursery & Early Years
Preparatory to Grade 12

Nursery & Early Years

While academic reports are not mandatory for Nursery and Early Years applications, due to the high volume of submissions, priority for scheduling assessments and interviews will be based on the following criteria. Applicants who fulfil one or more of these conditions will be scheduled for an assessment interview, provided all required documentation is submitted by the October 2 deadline. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted or considered.

Applicants who are nominees under the Capital Debenture Programme/potential debenture holder
Siblings of students enrolled at CDNIS
Applicants who hold Canadian citizenship/Canadian passport (please provide a copy of citizenship certificate or passport with application)
Children of alumni and staff
Applicants who passed the admissions assessment and were placed in the waiting pool of the preceding school year

Preparatory to Grade 12

Preparatory through Grade 12 applications received before the deadline will be reviewed and considered for an admissions assessment/interview. However, applications for Preparatory, Grade 1, and Grade 2 received after the October 2 deadline will not be accepted or considered. For Grade 3 and above, applications submitted after the January 31 deadline may not be considered, subject to enrollment availability.

Assessment Format

Once an application is submitted, the applicant may be invited to our campus for an admissions assessment. A member of our Admissions Team will coordinate with the applicant's parent(s) or legal guardian to schedule a date and time for this assessment. Please note that all admissions assessments are conducted by our admissions and academic staff.

Nursery
Assessments are held in January/February and on-site at the CDNIS Early Years Centre (residing in Hong Kong) or via video assessment (overseas candidates).

EY1
Assessments are held in November/December and on-site at the CDNIS Early Years Centre (residing in Hong Kong) or via video assessment (overseas candidates).

EY2 - Grade 2
Assessments are held in November/December and on-site at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus (residing in Hong Kong) or via video assessment/online interview (overseas candidates).

Grades 3-5
Assessments are held in March/April and on-site at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus (residing in Hong Kong) or via online interview (overseas candidates).

Grades 6-12**
Assessments are held in March to May and on-site at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus (residing in Hong Kong) or via online interview (overseas candidates).

**Regardless of the applicant's place of residence, Grade 8 and above candidates may only be scheduled for an online interview, at the school's discretion.

Nursery & Early Years 1

The Nursery and Early Years 1 assessments will be conducted at the CDNIS Early Years Centre. The assessment format will consist of a play-based activity designed to observe the applicant's progress across various developmental areas, including cognitive and motor skills and interaction with parents.

Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Play-based interview, group activities and chance for beginner's English/Mandarin conversation opportunities
Review of playgroup/kindergarten school report(s) and school reference (if applicable)

Early Years 2 & Preparatory

Admissions assessments for Early Years 2 and Preparatory will begin in November/December at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus for applicants who applied on or before October 2 of the preceding school year. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted or considered.

Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Play-based interview, group activities and chance for basic English/Mandarin conversation opportunities
Review of playgroup/kindergarten school report(s) and school reference (Student Reference Form)

Grades 1-2

Admissions assessments for Grade 1-2 will begin in November/December at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus for applicants who applied on or before October 2 of the preceding school year. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted or considered.

Duration: 60 minutes
Interview designed for the grade level with individual and group work activities
An in-house designed work paper, which includes vocabulary, writing, reading, comprehension, mathematics and conversation skills
Review of school reports and school reference (Student Reference Form)

Grades 3-5

Admissions assessments for Grades 3 and Grade 5 will begin in March/April at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus for applicants who applied on or before January 31 of the entering school year. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Onsite Assessment

Duration: 60 minutes
Group activities and/or;
Literacy test to write a short piece about a prescribed topic and/or;
One-on-one interview with admissions/academic staff
Review of previous and current school year reports, current school year "graded" English writing sample and math classwork, school reference (Student Reference Form)

Online Interview*

Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
One-on-one interview with admissions/academic staff
Review of previous and current school year reports, current school year "graded" English writing sample and math classwork, school reference (Student Reference Form)

*An online interview will be held if an onsite assessment cannot be scheduled for applicants not residing in Hong Kong.

Grades 6-12

Admissions assessments for Grades 6 to 12 will begin in March/April at the CDNIS Nam Long Shan campus for applicants who applied on or before January 31 of the entering school year. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Onsite Assessment

Duration 1 to 1.5 hours
Group activities and/or;
Literacy test to write a short piece about a prescribed topic and/or;
One-on-one interview with admissions/academic staff
Review of previous and current school year reports, current school year "graded" English writing sample and math classwork, school reference (Student Reference Form) and official transcript (for grades 10 and above)
Current school year standardized test result to be provided (optional)

Online Interview*

Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
One-on-one interview with admissions/academic staff
Review of previous and current school year reports, current school year "graded" English writing sample and math classwork, school reference (Student Reference Form) and official transcript (for grades 10 and above)
Current school year standardized test result to be provided (optional)

*An online interview will be held if an onsite assessment cannot be scheduled for applicants not residing in Hong Kong.

**Regardless of the applicant's place of residence, Grade 8 and above candidates may only be scheduled for an online interview, at the school's discretion.

Acceptance Screening Process

The screening takes place in two stages. Applicants who do not meet the Stage 1 requirements will not undergo the Stage 2 process.

Stage 1

The following criteria are considered, the weighting of which varies, depending on the applicant’s age/entering grade:

Admissions assessment/interview results
Previous and current school results
Student Reference Form (not applicable to Nursery admissions)

Applicants will then be ranked as follows:

Excellent: exceeds the school’s expectations for the grade level to which the application is made
Good: meets expectations
Marginal: approaching expectations; only admitted in extenuating circumstances
Not suitable: does not meet school expectations for the grade level to which the application is made

Stage 2

Applicants ranked under Excellent and Good will proceed to Stage 2 of the screening process. Applications and priorities are weighted according to the following criteria:

Debenture holder/potential debenture holder
Sibling(s) attends CDNIS
Applicant holds Canadian citizenship/Canadian Passport

The Director of Admissions, Deputy Head of Admissions and respective Principals of each of the Lower and Upper Schools make admissions decisions for their respective schools.

Acceptance Procedures

Once a student has been accepted, pending available seats, they will be offered placement through written notification to their parents or legal guardian. If the applied-for grade level is full, the accepted student will be placed in the waitpool. Applications and waitpool status do not carry over to subsequent school years. Waitlisted applicants must apply again if they wish to enroll in future years.

Nursery Acceptance
Pending available seats, successful applicants will receive a placement offer via email to their parents or legal guardian. To secure the placement for the 2024/2025 school year, the acceptance letter must be accompanied by payment of the application and assessment fee, as well as the reservation deposit, through our online enrollment process. Please refer to the Tuition & Fees page for additional details.

It's important to note that there is no direct promotion from Nursery to Early Years 1 (EY1). All Nursery students must undergo an internal assessment to advance to EY1, for which a related assessment fee will be collected in due course.

EY1 to Grade 12 Acceptance
Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance, your child's placement will be confirmed upon payment of the reservation deposit and completion of the online enrollment process. The reservation deposit will then be credited towards the first term's tuition fee and capital levy.

For students accepted for immediate enrollment, full payment of the prorated tuition fee is required prior to the start of classes. Please refer to our Tuition & Fees page for additional details.