Hong Kong Academy

What Hong Kong Academy does

Hong Kong Academy (HKA) is a non-profit, independent international school operating in Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR since its founding in 2000. The school delivers a through-train educational pathway from Playgroup (age 2) through Grade 12, authorised to offer all three International Baccalaureate programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). HKA serves a multicultural student body spanning 40+ nationalities, with curriculum and co-curricular programmes designed around IB frameworks, an inclusive co-learning model, and a merit-based scholarship programme for Grades 9-11. The school is the first whole-school campus in Hong Kong to receive Gold BEAM Plus sustainability certification, and features purpose-built facilities including a 350-seat professional theatre, 800-seat gymnasium, science labs, and performing arts studios on a single Sai Kung campus.

HKA's core technology infrastructure is built on Veracross for admissions and student information management, and ManageBac for academic programme management; no proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or developer-facing APIs are offered. The school's business model is direct-to-consumer family enrolment, with revenue generated primarily through tiered annual tuition (HK$119,000 for Pre-K1-K2; HK$229,500 for K-G5; HK$252,600 for G6-8; HK$263,300 for G9-10; HK$273,900 for G11-12), a one-time Family Debenture of HK$630,000 that exempts one student from the annual capital levy, an annual HK$32,000 capital levy for non-debenture families, one-time entrance fees (HK$25,000 first child, HK$12,500 additional), and auxiliary services including hkaEATS food service, hkaSHOP uniforms, school bus, 100+ after-school activities, 55 sports teams, summer programmes, and facility rentals. HKA is entirely self-funded except for land and a capital loan provided by the Hong Kong government, with no private equity ties and no international school network affiliation.

The school runs rolling admissions with year-round intake, accepts applications up to 18 months in advance, and distributes via on-campus and virtual tours, weekly admissions committee review, online information sessions, and a multi-channel digital presence including social platforms and earned media. HKA's GTM motion is fully direct-to-consumer within Hong Kong, with supplementary international recruitment for overseas families. The institution is governed by The Hong Kong Academy Educational Foundation Limited and is recognized for sustainability leadership (Gold BEAM Plus), inclusive education (15% supported learner co-learning model), and a 300+ alumni network placing graduates at competitive global universities.

Name

Hong Kong Academy

Legal name

Hong Kong Academy

Website

https://hkacademy.edu.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hong Kong Academy (HKA) is a non-profit, independent international school in Sai Kung, Hong Kong SAR, delivering IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) from Playgroup through Grade 12 to a 40+ nationality student body. Revenue is generated via tiered tuition, a HK$630,000 family debenture, capital levies, and auxiliary services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• Early childhood education
• Primary school programs
• Secondary school programs
• Performing arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Sai Kung

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged by grade level, payable in two semesters. Covers books, learning materials, and local field trips.
2. Family Debenture: One-time purchase of HK$630,000 upon admission. Exempts one student from paying the annual capital levy. Can be resold when the family leaves the school.
3. Annual Capital Levy: Annual fee of HK$32,000 per student not nominated by a debenture. Used for capital improvements and facility enhancements.
4. Entrance Fee: One-time non-refundable fee upon admission: HK$25,000 for first child, HK$12,500 for each additional child.
5. Auxiliary Services: Additional revenue from school meals (hkaEATS), uniform sales (hkaSHOP), school bus services, after-school activities, field trips, IB Diploma exam fees, summer programmes, and facility rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hong Kong Academy is a non-profit independent international IB World School delivering through-train education from Playgroup (age 2) through Grade 12 on a single Sai Kung campus. The school is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme, supplemented by 100+ after-school activities, a competitive sports programme with 55 teams, a performing arts programme with professional-grade theatre facilities, and ancillary paid services including summer programmes, food service, uniform shop, and bus transportation.

Product overview

Hong Kong Academy is a non-profit international IB World School offering a through-train educational pathway from Playgroup (age 2) through Grade 12, authorised to deliver the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school's core educational offerings are organised by learning pathway (Early Childhood, Primary G1-5, Secondary G6-12) and supplemented by extensive co-curricular activities including the After School Activities (ASA) programme with over 100 activities, the Sports 'Dragonflies' programme competing across four seasons, and a comprehensive Performing Arts programme with professional-grade theatre facilities. The institution provides additional services including the Summer Programme hosted on campus, hkaEATS food service, hkaSHOP uniform shop, and merit-based scholarships for Secondary students. The school operates a student transportation service in partnership with Synergy Travel and admits students through the Veracross admissions portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education (Playgroup, Pre-K, Kindergarten)

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ graduates studying and working globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017HKA has been a proud member of ISTA since 2017, participating in theatre festivals, workshops, and performances across international schools.
• Good Schools GuideminorOthersHKA is featured in The Good Schools Guide international review platform.
• OWN AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for OWN Inspiration Camp summer programme for students aged 9-13, offering industry masterclasses and overnight camp experiences.
• FezEdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for EDventuring School summer programme featuring immersive mystery-based learning experiences for students aged 7-13.
• Lina FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing fully-funded Little Friends Music Discovery (ages 4-7) and Horizon in Motion Summer Academy (ages 10-20) music programmes at HKA campus.
• GO! PARK SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for GO! Summer Athletic Sports Adventure Camp offering diverse sports programmes for children aged 6-12.
• PTCO (Parent Teacher Community Organization)coreOthersActive parent community organization providing volunteer opportunities and community events throughout the school year.
• Sai Kung Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Sai Kung District Community Centre, local charities, sports clubs including Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Sai Kung Stingrays, and Asia Pacific Soccer School.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• English Schools Foundation (ESF): Largest provider of international education in Hong Kong operating multiple schools across the territory. Serves as a broad incumbent with significant scale, brand recognition, and government backing that HKA competes against for family enrollment.

Direct peers

• Hong Kong International School (HKIS): One of Hong Kong's largest and most established American-style international schools offering K-12 education. Directly competes with HKA for the same expatriate family segment in Hong Kong, with a longer operating history and multiple campuses (Tai Tam and Repulse Bay).
• Discovery College: ESF-affiliated international school in Hong Kong offering IB programmes from Primary through Diploma. Operates as a direct competitor in the same IB curriculum and expatriate family market.
• Yew Chung International School Hong Kong: Non-profit international school offering IB programmes with bilingual emphasis. Competes with HKA for globally-minded families seeking through-train IB education in Hong Kong.
• Renaissance College Hong Kong: ESF-affiliated through-train IB World School in Ma On Shan offering PYP, MYP, and DP. Closely comparable to HKA in curriculum model, IB authorization, and target family segment.
• Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS): Non-profit international school in Hong Kong offering IB programmes from K-12. Directly comparable to HKA in mission, IB curriculum delivery, and target expatriate family segment.
• Chinese International School (CIS): Leading private international school in Hong Kong offering IB programmes alongside a bilingual Chinese-English pathway. Competes directly with HKA for premium expatriate and local families seeking rigorous international education.
• German Swiss International School: International school in Hong Kong offering German, Swiss, and IB streams. Competes for expatriate families seeking premium international education, with a more established brand in European expatriate circles.

Regional players

• Singapore International School (Hong Kong): Singapore-affiliated international school in Hong Kong serving families seeking Singapore-based curriculum pathways. Operates as a competitor in the expatriate family market with a different curriculum model.

Emerging players

• Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong: Newer UK-style independent school in Hong Kong offering British curriculum. Represents an emerging competitor in the premium expatriate family segment, though newer to the market than HKA.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HongKongAcademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/hongkongacademy/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/HongKongAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hong-kong-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/hongkongacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Hong Kong Academy