For students moving from Mainland China to Hong Kong, understanding a school's curriculum is only one part of preparation. Parents also need to establish the appropriate year level, how previous learning will connect with the new curriculum, and whether their child can participate in lessons in the language required.

The planned Yew Wah School of Hong Kong and Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong (YCIS Hong Kong) offer different considerations. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong is expected to open in the 2028–2029 school year and can be considered in future plans for moving to Hong Kong. YCIS Hong Kong already has admissions and placement assessment arrangements. Information about their curricula and support needs to be understood accordingly: plans for a school in preparation, and arrangements at an existing school. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong's actual opening date and admissions arrangements remain subject to the school's official announcements. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong overview, YCIS Hong Kong admissions overview

1. Which year level should your child apply for in Hong Kong?

When contacting a school, provide your child's month and year of birth, current year level, curriculum and intended entry date. Schools may use different year-level systems and teach topics at different stages, so matching year-level numbers alone is not enough.

YCIS Hong Kong's admissions guidance states that placement considers factors including academic performance, English proficiency, previous schooling, date of birth and learning needs. Assessment determines the appropriate year level and programme and may include an interview, a written assessment or an English test. A place also depends on availability, even after assessment. YCIS Hong Kong admissions and placement guidance

The year levels offered in Yew Wah School of Hong Kong's first year have yet to be announced. Its specific admissions assessment methods also remain unconfirmed. Parents can explain their intended entry year and their child's current learning stage, then ask the admissions team about the arrangements. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong application guidance

One useful question is: “Based on my child's current curriculum and learning progress, which year level would you recommend applying for? Which areas of learning can they build on, and which may need further preparation?”

Studying in Hong Kong also involves identity documents and application eligibility. Check these separately from year-level placement. Once eligibility is established, a more detailed discussion of curriculum transition can help the family plan its time.

2. What support is available if speaking English is easier than reading and writing?

Bring recent examples of your child's English reading and writing to the conversation. Ask separately whether they can understand subject content, contribute to discussions and complete written tasks. Being comfortable in everyday conversation and being able to learn a subject in English are different questions.

The two schools currently describe the following approaches to support:

Sources: Yew Wah School of Hong Kong learning and support plans, YCIS Hong Kong admissions FAQ.

Ask about entry requirements and support after admission separately. YCIS Hong Kong notes that the IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) stages require a high level of English; applicants should ask the admissions team about the specific requirements. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong's language requirements for admission remain unconfirmed.

Ask the school to relate its answers to your child's work: do they mainly need to develop reading, writing or classroom expression? Is support integrated into everyday lessons? How does the school report progress to parents? These answers are more useful for judging suitability than simply asking whether English support exists.

3. How does preparation differ at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary stages?

The following are suggestions for school enquiries. Individual arrangements still depend on the school's assessment.

At primary level, start with subject foundations and learning habits. Bring the textbooks your child uses, recent assignments and teacher feedback. Ask about progress in Chinese, English and mathematics, and how pupils are expected to complete classroom tasks.

Yew Wah School of Hong Kong plans to build on the Chinese National Curriculum, combining bilingual learning with YCYW teaching approaches. For children already studying the Chinese National Curriculum, this is a transition worth exploring. It does not mean that textbooks or teaching progress will be identical to those at their current school. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong curriculum plans

At lower secondary level, consider subject knowledge alongside language skills. For example, does your child understand mathematical and scientific concepts, and can they explain how they solved a problem in the language used in class? Ask the school to review recent work and identify subject topics and reading or writing skills that may need further preparation.

At upper secondary level, check the point of entry and the time needed to complete the programme. YCIS Hong Kong offers a one-year IB Pathway in Year 11 within its own year-level system, preparing students for the subsequent two-year IBDP. It focuses on skills such as research, writing, time management and independent learning. Suitability for an individual student still requires assessment by the school. YCIS Hong Kong IB Pathway

Yew Wah School of Hong Kong's plans include IGCSE and A Level. When its upper secondary programmes will first open remains unconfirmed. Students who need an upper secondary place soon should not treat this future plan as an existing admissions option. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong upper secondary curriculum plans

As a reference for curriculum transition within Mainland China, Yew Wah International Education School of Guangzhou (YWIES Guangzhou) currently offers a two-year IGCSE programme followed by a two-year A Level programme, with English as the main language of instruction for A Level. Families can use this example to identify questions about moving from their current curriculum into an international upper secondary programme, such as the point of entry, English preparation and subject choices. However, Guangzhou's arrangements cannot be applied directly to Yew Wah School of Hong Kong, nor do they establish an automatic transfer or progression route between the two schools. YWIES Guangzhou upper secondary curriculum

4. What can families prepare now if they are considering Yew Wah School of Hong Kong for the future?

Families hoping to continue with a Chinese curriculum after moving to Hong Kong while developing Chinese and English can organise information around their child's circumstances:

• Learning history: The current curriculum, textbook contents, recent results and representative assignments.
• Language use: Languages used in everyday life, and strengths and difficulties in Chinese and English reading and writing.
• Learning and adjustment needs: How the child asks for help and takes part in group activities, plus any existing teacher recommendations or relevant assessments.
• Family timetable: The expected move to Hong Kong, intended entry year and everyday care arrangements.

These are suggestions for preparing an enquiry. Formal application documents should still be submitted according to the school's requirements.

If your child is used to simplified Chinese, ask Yew Wah School of Hong Kong about the transition between traditional and simplified characters. The school plans to provide materials in both forms, supporting pupils who learn traditional characters to recognise simplified characters, and vice versa. Parents can ask about textbooks and writing requirements for their intended year level. Yew Wah School of Hong Kong plans for traditional and simplified Chinese

When comparing Yew Wah School of Hong Kong and YCIS Hong Kong, ask their admissions teams to address the same child's circumstances: which year level to apply for, how previous learning will connect with the new curriculum, what support is needed, and what the family should prepare in advance.

For families considering Yew Wah School of Hong Kong in the future, these materials can help turn broad concerns into clear questions. Once formal admissions arrangements are announced, review each point against your child's learning at that time.