The Independent Schools Foundation Academy(The ISF Academy)

History and Vision, Mission & Values

History

The Independent Schools Foundation Academy opened with just 56 students in Grade 1 to 4 in August 2003 to cater to the increasing demand for a high-caliber Putonghua and English education in an inquiry-based environment.

In February 2008, the school commenced its Foundation Year program and our first class of Grade 12 students graduated in June 2012.

Our Vision

The Independent Schools Foundation Academy is a community of learners, independent in thought and action, deeply rooted in Chinese culture, global in understanding and experience, and excellent in all endeavors.

Our Mission

The ISF Academy:

• Educates learners in a Chinese-English bilingual environment;

• Anchors its values on the Eight Virtues + One;

• Nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning; and

• Builds life skills through experiential learning.

Students are known for their strong inter-personal skills and their effective communication skills in English and Chinese (Putonghua). In their final two years, our students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) with its broad and balanced curriculum. In addition to its academic rigor, our students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to community service, gaining valuable experience outside the academic world. In our short history, we are proud of our graduates who have received offers from leading universities all around the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Mainland China.

We are a through-train K-12 school that seeks diversity in our student body – racial, ethnic, religious, and above all socioeconomic.

Admissions Policy

The ISF Academy welcomes people of all nationalities and backgrounds. We seek a talented and diverse student body, particularly for the lower grades, to promote the robust exchange of ideas and experiences and enhance learning opportunities.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

To be eligible for admission to The ISF Academy, the following criteria must be met:

Parents/Guardians

• Agree with The ISF Academy’s educational philosophy;

• Agree to collaborate with The ISF Academy and be a part of our learning community to support their child’s learning and development; and

• Agree to abide by the school’s rules and regulations.

Students

• Possess Hong Kong residency OR a foreign passport with a parent/legal guardian who is employed and resides in Hong Kong with a valid work permit;

• Demonstrate satisfactory social skills (e.g. willingness to communicate, curiosity to learn, teamwork); and

• Achieve satisfactory results in the admissions assessments.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Foundation Year

Preference is given to applicants whose language abilities the school believes will enable them to succeed in our bilingual curriculum.

Grade 1 to Grade 11

Appropriate proficiency in both Chinese (Putonghua) and English.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Students should be the correct age for their grade as shown below: