Canadian International School of Hong Kong

Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) is an international school in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. Founded in 1991, the school provides an education for over 1,800 students representing more than 40 nationalities from Early Years 1 to Grade 12.

Canadian International School of Hong Kong
香港加拿大國際學校
Location
Map
36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen

Hong Kong
Coordinates22°14′33″N 114°10′02″E / 22.24250°N 114.16722°E / 22.24250; 114.16722
Information
TypePrivate, Comprehensive, International, Primary, Secondary, Co-educational
MottoTo inspire excellence, cultivate character, and empower engagement locally and globally.[1]
Established1991
School districtSouthern District, Hong Kong
PrincipalLief Erickson (Lower school)
David Butler (Upper school)
Head of schoolTim Kaiser
Staff300[2]
Faculty170+[2]
GradesEY1 – Grade 12
Enrollment1880[2]
Education systemInternational Baccalaureate, Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Campus size42,337 metres (138,901 ft)
Colour(s)   
AthleticsTimberwolves
Athletics conferenceSouth East Asia Student Activity Conference
MascotTimberwolves
Websitecdnis.edu.hk
Canadian International School of Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese香港加拿大國際學校
Simplified Chinese香港加拿大国际学校

Curriculum edit

CDNIS is one of seven International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools in Hong Kong authorised to deliver three IB programmes – the Diploma Programme (DP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Primary Years Programme (PYP). In addition to the IB Diploma Programme, students are also eligible to receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma upon graduation.

The language of instruction is English, with Mandarin, French, and Spanish taught as second languages. Additionally, the Early Years programme now supports two teaching streams: Bilingual and International. In the Bilingual stream, students will receive equal instruction in both Mandarin and English. Whereas the international stream will focus on 80% English and 20% Mandarin instruction. The Bilingual programme commenced at the start of the 2022 school year in both Early Years 1 and 2. The school will roll out the bilingual programme one more grade level each school year all the way up to Grade 5[1].[3] The school has also announced a bilingual nursery programme which will launch in August 2024 (pending EDB approval) at THE SOUTHSIDE. https://www.cdnis.edu.hk/academics/nursery-eng

Lower School edit

The Principal of the Lower School is Mr. Lief Erickson and the Vice Principals are Nick Staffa and Karen Lindner.https://www.cdnis.edu.hk/about-cdnis/leadership Students from Early Years 1 to Grade 5 are part of the Lower School and makeup just over 60% of the student body. Students in Early Years 1 and Early Years 2 attend school for either the morning or afternoon session, while Prep to Grade 5 students attend school all-day.

Students as young as three and four-years-old attend the half-day Early Years 1 and Early Years 2, programmes, designed to provide an introduction to school life. While the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme (PYP) is officially used from Early Years 1, students also take part in regular Mandarin, performing arts and physical education classes, which are taught by specialist teachers. In August 2019, the school unveiled its Early Years Environment (EYE), a purpose-built environment for the school's youngest learners.[4]

Upper School edit

The Upper School consists of students from Grades 6 to 12, with a current enrollment of just over 820 students, making up almost 40% of the student body.[5] Students in Grades 5–9 take part in the Middle Years Programme (MYP), while students in Grade 10–12 take part in the Diploma Programme (DP). The Principal of the Upper School is Dr. David Butler and the Vice Principals of the Upper School are Duff Douglas, Ailee Lee and Ange Molony.

Starting in August 2020, CDNIS began the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grade 6.[6]

CDNIS has one of the largest DP cohorts in Hong Kong. 100% of the 104 students in the Class of 2023, the 13th cohort of IB graduates, were awarded the IB Diploma. Four students were awarded a maximum of 45 points out of 45, while 26 students achieved a score of 40 or above. The Class of 2023 IB score average was 37 points.Link CDNIS graduates are accepted into post-secondary institutions around the world.Link

History edit

Canadian International School of Hong Kong was founded in 1991 by a group of Canadians living in Hong Kong who volunteered their time to establish an international school offering the Canadian curriculum. When the school first opened its doors to the first 81 students, the school campus was located in a small rented facility in Causeway Bay.

By 1994 it became popular with international families wishing to expose their children to Chinese languages in their education.[7]

The school continued to grow, and by 1999 has reached the "through-train" objective, providing education from Reception to Grade 12. The school produced its first graduates at the end of the 1998/1999 school year. During the 1999 school year, Canadian International School moved to its present location Aberdeen, being architecturally designed with a uniquely Canadian style and spirit. CDNIS was and remains to this day a non-profit organisation.

The Head of School is Dr. Tim Kaiser.[8] The school celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2016–2017 school year. The school received its full IB re-authorisation in 2018 and full CIS/WASC accreditation in 2018. Over the summer of 2019, the school installed 349 solar panels on two of the school's roofs - making CDNIS’ photovoltaic farm the largest solar farm of any school on Hong Kong Island.[9]

Construction of Aberdeen Campus edit

The school campus, designed by Canadian architect Norman Grey-Noble, was built in three main phases over a period of several years. The first phase, often referred to as the main building and used mainly by the Upper School, includes floors one to nine completed in 1999. Along with numerous classrooms on every level except the first floor. A swimming pool is located on the first floor, two gymnasiums and an outdoor playground are on the third floor, a design studio, the main school cafeteria and another outdoor playing surface, which is covered in artificial turf, is on the sixth floor and the main school office is on the ninth floor.

The second phase, which was finished in 2002, is used mainly by the Lower School and includes floors nine to 14. Besides numerous classrooms, this area also includes the school library, a science and innovation lab (The Hive), a covered playground on the 11th floor, and another cafeteria on the 12th floor. The third phase, the Leo Lee Arts Centre (LLAC), was completed in the spring of 2008. The LLAC is a HK$100 million facility with a 604-seat auditorium and teaching facilities for music, drama, dance and visual arts.[10] The fourth phase includes the Green Roof Garden and Chinese Cultural Centre, which were completed in August 2015[11] In August 2019, the school created the Early Year Environment (EYE) and installed 349 solar panels to create the 2nd largest Photovoltaic Farm on Hong Kong Island.[9][12] Following the summer of 2020, the school unveiled its newly renovated main cafeteria and its newly renovated spaces for Grade 5 and 6 students as part of its Transition Years Programme.[13]

Curriculum edit

By 1994 the school added studies of Chinese culture to its curricula, and the school had instruction in the Mandarin language.[7]

Notable alumni edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Core Statements". Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Facts". Canadian International School of Hong Kong. 2010. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Early Years Programme: Bilingual and International Tracks" (PDF). Canadian International School of Hong Kong. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Early Years Environment (EYE) | Canadian International School of Hong Kong". www.cdnis.edu.hk. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Upper School – About Us". Canadian International School of Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  6. ^ CDNIS. "Red and White" (PDF).
  7. ^ a b Forestier, Katherine (27 March 1994). "Where to go for an early start". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Welcome Messages". Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Renewable Energy @ CDNIS | Canadian International School of Hong Kong". www.cdnis.edu.hk. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  10. ^ "School History". Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  11. ^ "CDNIS History | Private, Independent School on Hong Kong Island".
  12. ^ "Campus & Facilities | Canadian International School of Hong Kong". www.cdnis.edu.hk. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  13. ^ "the Canadian International School of Hong Kong". ISSUU.
  14. ^ "Raz Gal-Or". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  15. ^ "The Totem (November 2017)". Canadian International School of Hong Kong. p. 8. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Who To Follow". ABS-CBN Sports.

External links edit