Canadian International school of Hong Kong

What Canadian International school of Hong Kong does

Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) is a private, independent, not-for-profit international school established in 1990/1991 and registered under Hong Kong's Education Ordinance and as a non-profit with the Inland Revenue Department. It operates from a 40,000 square-metre main campus at 36 Nam Long Shan Road in Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, supplemented by an Early Years Centre at THE SOUTHSIDE shopping complex in Wong Chuk Hang. The school serves over 2,100 students from more than 40 nationalities across 16 grade levels (Nursery through Grade 12), supported by 350+ faculty and staff.

CDNIS delivers a full International Baccalaureate continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) — making it one of only eight IB continuum schools in Hong Kong. Upper School students (Grades 9–12) additionally complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) through annual inspection by the Ontario Ministry of Education, graduating with two diplomas. An English-Mandarin bilingual programme (50/50 immersion) was introduced in Early Years in 2022 and is expanding one grade per year toward full Nursery-to-Grade 5 coverage by 2028/2029. Curriculum and technology infrastructure include a 1-to-1 iPad programme (Grades 1–3), 1-to-1 laptop programme (Grades 4–12), a Design Studio with laser cutters and 3D printers, a teamLab Classroom, and an on-campus photovoltaic farm. Core technology vendors are Veracross (admissions, parent and student portals), Shopify (Timba Shop merchandise), Braintree (payments), Cloudflare (CDN/security), Weglot (translation), JotForm (forms), and Google Analytics.

CDNIS is governed by a Council of Members and a Board of Governors (chaired by Mr. Godwin Hwa), with no parent company or external shareholders. Revenue is generated through tiered annual tuition (HK$142,780 Nursery half-day bilingual to HK$261,500 Grade 11–12), a non-refundable annual capital levy of HK$43,000 for non-debenture holders, one-time entry fees of HK$12,500, debenture transfer economics (Capital Debenture indicative HK$2.8M; Gold Corporate HK$10M, no new issuance), reservation deposits of HK$80,000, application/assessment fees, and optional programmes (transport, catering, Experience Week, sports, and merchandise). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the school's own Admissions Office using the Veracross portal, campus tours, and webinars; no third-party agents or resellers are used. Customer outcomes are credentialed through IB results (Class of 2026 average 39; 13 consecutive years with a perfect 45) and accreditations from the IB, CIS, WASC, and environmental recognition.

Name

Canadian International school of Hong Kong

Legal name

Canadian International School of Hong Kong Limited

Website

https://cdnis.edu.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Private not-for-profit international school in Hong Kong offering full IB continuum education (PYP, MYP, DP) combined with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma to over 2,100 students from 40+ nationalities across 16 grade levels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• Private K-12 school
• Bilingual mandarin programme
• University preparatory
• Secondary school diploma

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged per grade level from Nursery through Grade 12, invoiced in two installments (or 11 monthly installments for Nursery). Core revenue stream for the not-for-profit school's operations.
2. Annual Capital Levy: Non-refundable annual fee of HK$43,000 charged to non-debenture holders in EY1 and above, used for campus development and infrastructure capital needs.
3. Entry Fee: One-time, non-refundable entry fee of HK$12,500 for new students in EY1 and above. Waived for students who left and return within two years.
4. Debenture Programme: Capital Debenture (HK$2,800,000 indicative transfer price), Gold Corporate Debenture (HK$10,000,000 indicative transfer price), and Canadian Consulate Debenture. Holders are exempt from annual capital levy. No new debentures issued; secondary market transfers facilitated by school.
5. Application and Assessment Fees: Nursery application fee HK$1,800. EY1 and above application fee HK$2,350 plus assessment fee HK$1,650. All non-refundable, non-transferable.
6. Reservation Deposit: Reservation deposit of HK$80,000 required for EY1 and above to secure placement. Non-refundable for new students; refundable for returning students if notice received by February/March.
7. Optional Programmes and Services: Revenue from optional programmes including field trips, Experience Week programmes (HK$1,500 to HK$60,000), school bus transportation, school lunch catering, and optional educational resources. Sports activity fee of HK$500 per sport for Timberwolves team players.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CDNIS delivers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum — Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes — from Nursery through Grade 12, augmented by the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) pathway and a bilingual English-Mandarin stream. Instruction is delivered across two physical campuses in Hong Kong (Aberdeen main campus and Wong Chuk Hang Early Years Centre) supplemented by university counselling, athletics, visual and performing arts, and optional paid transportation.

Product overview

CDNIS is a private, independent IB World School offering a continuum of three International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) across 16 grade levels from Nursery to Grade 12, combined with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) for students in Grades 9–12, resulting in dual-diploma graduates. The school also operates a bilingual (English/Mandarin) programme from Early Years 1 through Grade 5. Beyond academics, CDNIS offers the Timberwolves athletics programme, a Visual and Performing Arts programme housed in the Leo Lee Arts Centre, Extra-Curricular Activities, and Aquatics. Technology-enhanced learning is delivered through a Digital Literacy and Design curriculum (with dedicated Design Studio and teamLab Classroom facilities), Digital Literacy and Design DP courses (Computer Science, Design Technology, Film), and 1-to-1 device programmes (iPads for Grades 1–3, laptops for Grades 4–12). The school also operates the Timba Shop (Shopify-based merchandise store), parent/student portals (Veracross-based), an employee portal (Workforce Web), and a technology fee-inclusive tuition structure for Grades 4+. Sustainability is a strategic pillar, with CDNIS as a founding member of The Alliance for Sustainable Schools and recognized by the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IB World School Academic Programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) Full International Baccalaureate continuum delivered from Nursery through Grade 12, covering Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, designed to prepare students for global university admission.
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Canadian-track secondary diploma offered alongside the IB, allowing Upper School students to graduate with the OSSD credential in addition to or instead of the IB Diploma.
• Bilingual English-Mandarin Programme Standalone bilingual immersion stream from Early Years 1 through Grade 5 pairing native English and native Mandarin instruction; carries a distinct tuition premium over the standard programme.
• Timberwolves Athletics Programme School-based competitive and recreational athletics programme, including swimming and other team sports, available to enrolled students as part of the broader co-curricular offering.
• Visual and Performing Arts Programme Structured arts programme covering visual and performing arts disciplines, led by the Director of Visual and Performing Arts and integrated into the student experience.
• School Bus Transportation Service Optional paid bus service transporting students to and from school, available to families as a standalone add-on.
• Timba Shop Merchandise Store School-branded merchandise e-commerce store operated on the Shopify platform, selling apparel and accessories to the school community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Class of 2026 IBDP average score of 39 points (global average typically ~30); 48% of cohort achieved 40+ points
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Maxim's GroupminorOthersMaxim's Group provides catering services to the CDNIS school community through the school cafeteria. Food services are optional and available to students and staff.
• Waihong Environmental Services Ltd.minorOthersWaihong Environmental Services Ltd. provides cleaning services for the CDNIS campus facilities, maintaining hygiene standards across the school.
• Security and Safety LimitedminorOthersSecurity and Safety Limited provides security services for the CDNIS campus, managing access control and ensuring safety of students, staff, and visitors.
• Kwoon Chung Motors (KCM)minorOthersKwoon Chung Motors (KCM) provides school bus transportation services for CDNIS students. Transportation is optional but strongly encouraged for logistical, safety, and environmental sustainability purposes.
• Untold HorizonsminorOthersUntold Horizons is the exclusive supplier of CDNIS school uniforms. Uniforms are compulsory and available for purchase through their online store or physical location in TST, Kowloon. A secondhand uniform option is available through Retykle.
• The Alliance for Sustainable SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDNIS is a founding member of The Alliance for Sustainable Schools, a global network of schools committed to sustainability. As one of the first schools in Hong Kong to install solar panels and publish an ESG report, CDNIS contributes to and benefits from this network of sustainability-committed institutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hong Kong International School (HKIS): Long-standing premium international school in Hong Kong offering IB programmes across all grade levels, serving a comparable expatriate and affluent local family base. Directly competes with CDNIS for the same pool of families seeking premium IB education in Hong Kong.
• Chinese International School (CIS) Hong Kong: Direct competitor offering IB PYP/MYP/DP in Hong Kong with a strong bilingual (English-Mandarin) programme. CIS and CDNIS occupy nearly identical niches for families seeking bilingual IB education with a Canadian/Chinese heritage angle.
• Hong Kong Academy: IB continuum school in Hong Kong serving a similar affluent, internationally-minded student population. Direct competitor for bilingual and IB-track families, similar in size and tuition profile to CDNIS.
• Yew Chung International School - Secondary: Bilingual IB school in Hong Kong with both Chinese and English curricula alongside IGCSE and IB Diploma. Competes with CDNIS for Mandarin-English bilingual families at the premium end of the Hong Kong international school market.
• German Swiss International School (GSIS) Hong Kong: International school in Hong Kong offering bilingual German/English education with IB Diploma and German Abitur. Competes broadly in the premium international school market, particularly for families seeking rigorous bilingual immersion, despite its different language pair.
• Dulwich College Hong Kong: Premium British-curriculum international school in Hong Kong offering IGCSE/A-Levels with select IB pathways. Compares to CDNIS on facility quality, tuition level, and expat family positioning, though curriculum differs.

Regional players

• KGV School (ESF): English Schools Foundation (ESF) secondary school in Hong Kong offering IB DP and IGCSE. Operates at lower tuition than CDNIS under a non-profit aided model and competes for the same premium international school families, but under a subsidized public-private structure.
• Discovery College Hong Kong (ESF): ESF primary school offering PYP in Hong Kong. Functioning competitor in the Lower School bilingual space with subsidized ESF tuition, attracting families who might otherwise consider CDNIS Early Years and Lower School.

Broad incumbents

• Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS): Part of the global Nord Anglia network of premium international schools. Operates a Hong Kong campus with IB and English national curriculum tracks, comparable in tuition and family profile to CDNIS, backed by a multi-region operator with deeper capital base.

Emerging players

• Singapore Canadian International School: Canadian-affiliated international school in Singapore offering IB continuum. Direct curricular analogue to CDNIS in a sister market, enabling comparison of bilingual Canadian-IB positioning and providing a potential regional expansion template.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cdniscomm
• Facebookfacebook.com/CanadianInternationalSchoolOfHongKong
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/canadian-international-school-of-hong-kong
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdnishk/?hl=en
• Xx.com/CDNISComm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian International school of Hong Kong