Yew Chung (YCIS) Kindergarten Fees 2026: $134K-$254K/year | 5 Campuses Comparison
【2026 Latest】Yew Chung International School (YCIS) kindergarten fees: half-day $134,728/year, full-day $233,442-$254,177/year. IB curriculum, co-teaching model, through-train pathway. Complete 5-campus comparison and admissions guide.
About Yew Chung International School
Yew Chung International School (YCIS), founded in 1932, is one of Hong Kong's oldest international schools. YCIS operates 5 kindergartens in Kowloon City and Sai Kung districts, providing international bilingual education for children aged 2-6.
Key Features
- Co-teaching model: Each class taught jointly by one Western and one Chinese teacher
- IB curriculum: International Baccalaureate PYP (Primary Years Programme) inquiry-based learning
- Through-train pathway: Direct progression from kindergarten to YCIS primary and secondary
- Bilingual education: Balanced Chinese-English development
- Small class sizes: Teacher-student ratio approximately 1:4 to 1:6
For more group information, see the Yew Chung group page.
2025-26 Tuition Fee Overview
Campus Fee Comparison
| Campus | District | Half-day/year | Full-day/year | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YCIS (Main Campus) | Kowloon City | $134,728 | $233,442-$254,177 | Half/Full |
| YCIS (Waterloo Road) | Kowloon City | — | $233,442-$241,857 | Full-day only |
| YCIS (Kent Road) | Kowloon City | — | $233,442-$241,857 | Full-day only |
| Yew Chung KG (Somerset Road) | Kowloon City | — | $233,442-$241,857 | Full-day only |
| YCIS (Tseung Kwan O) | Sai Kung | $134,728 | $233,442-$254,177 | Half/Full |
Fee Breakdown by Level
| Level | Half-day/year | Full-day/year | Monthly (11 instalments) |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2 (Nursery) | $134,728 | $233,442 | Half $12,248 / Full $21,222 |
| K3 (Reception) | $134,728 | $241,857 | Half $12,248 / Full $21,987 |
| K4 (Year 1) | $134,728 | $254,177 | Half $12,248 / Full $23,107 |
Fees paid in 11 instalments. Source: EDB Fee Certificate dated September 2025.
Fee Highlights
- Uniform half-day fees: All levels charge $134,728/year for half-day
- Progressive full-day fees: Increasing from $233,442 (K2) to $254,177 (K4)
- 3-year total (full-day): Approximately $729,476 (tuition only)
- 3-year total (half-day): Approximately $404,184
Additional Fees
Beyond tuition, YCIS charges:
| Item | Reference Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $1,500 |
| Confirmation fee | $38,500-$50,000 |
| Capital Levy | $25,000-$50,000/year |
| School bus | Approx. $6,000-$12,000/month |
| Lunch fee | Approx. $1,500-$2,000/month |
| Uniform | Approx. $2,000-$3,000 |
Confirmation fee is a one-time non-refundable payment upon admission. Capital Levy is partially refundable.
3-Year Total Cost Estimate (Full-day)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-year tuition | $729,476 |
| Confirmation fee | $38,500 |
| 3-year Capital Levy | $75,000-$150,000 |
| School bus (36 months) | $216,000-$432,000 |
| 3-year total | Approx. $1,060,000 - $1,350,000 |
YCIS vs Other International Kindergartens
| School | Half-day/year | Full-day/year | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| YCIS | $134,728 | $233,442-$254,177 | Co-teaching, IB |
| Victoria | — | $98,890-$118,140 | IB, 8 branches |
| ESF | — | $101,300-$111,400 | IB PYP, 5 branches |
| CIS (Chinese Int'l School) | — | $183,600-$210,000 | Bilingual, top-tier |
| GSIS (German Swiss) | — | $178,200-$198,400 | German-English |
YCIS full-day fees place it in the mid-to-upper tier of international kindergartens, between Victoria/ESF and CIS/GSIS.
Admissions
Application Timeline
- Applications typically open June-September for the following year
- Rolling admission (waitlist available year-round)
Entry Ages
| Level | Entry Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PN (Pre-Nursery) | From age 2 | 1-year programme (4 campuses) |
| K2 (Nursery) | 2 years 8 months - 3 years 8 months | Entry point for 2-year programme |
| K3 (Reception) | 3 years 8 months - 4 years 8 months | — |
| K4 (Year 1) | 4 years 8 months - 5 years 8 months | — |
Campuses offering PN class: Waterloo Road, Kent Road, Somerset Road, Tseung Kwan O.
Interview Format
YCIS kindergarten assessment includes:
- Play observation: Assessing social and cognitive development in a play setting
- Parent interview: Understanding family educational philosophy
- Language assessment: Basic Chinese and English observation
Through-Train Pathway
YCIS offers a complete through-train education system:
Kindergarten → Primary (Year 1-6) → Secondary (Year 7-13) → IB DP
- Kindergarten graduates receive priority for direct advancement
- Primary and secondary campuses in Kowloon Tong
- Secondary school offers IB Diploma Programme
- Strong IB results; graduates admitted to top universities worldwide
Parent Reviews & Reputation
Based on parent forums and social media discussions, YCIS kindergarten feedback includes:
Positive Feedback
- Outstanding bilingual environment: "Bilingual teaching is exceptional — ideal for parents who want balanced Chinese-English development in a relaxed, non-competitive setting"
- Excellent facilities: The Tseung Kwan O campus is rated "the best private kindergarten hardware in TKO" — spacious classrooms, high-quality learning materials
- Zero-pressure interviews: "No assessment of literacy or language ability — no interview pressure at all"
- High attention per child: 1:4 to 1:6 teacher-student ratio ensures personalised attention
- Early entry via Playgroup: From 6 months old, year-round applications, easing transition into the YCIS system
Points to Note
- Slower academic pace: Some parents report "limited progress" as teaching leans toward free exploration with minimal teacher intervention
- High cost threshold: Tuition plus Capital Levy, bus, and lunch totals $1M-$1.35M over 3 years (full-day) — positioned for upper-middle-class families
- Single-track pathway: The through-train advantage is clear, but switching to the local school system mid-way can be challenging
Why Parents Choose YCIS
| Priority | YCIS Fit |
|---|---|
| Balanced Chinese-English | ✓ Co-teaching guarantees bilingual immersion |
| Relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere | ✓ No academic drilling, inquiry-focused |
| Stable education pathway | ✓ K-13 through-train |
| International social circle | ✓ Primarily foreign passport holders |
YCIS vs Victoria/ESF: How to Choose?
| Comparison | YCIS | Victoria (VIC) | ESF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee (full-day) | $233K-$254K | $99K-$138K | $101K-$111K |
| Bilingual model | Co-teaching (strongest) | IB bilingual | English-dominant |
| Progression | Through-train K-13 | No guaranteed progression | Associated Schools guarantee |
| Style | Relaxed inquiry | Moderate academic | Moderate inquiry |
| Best for | Bilingual priority, budget not a concern | Value for money, flexibility | Stable English-medium system |
FAQ
What's the difference between Yew Chung and Yew Wah?
Yew Chung (YCIS) and Yew Wah (YWIES) belong to the same educational network, but YCIS primarily serves students with foreign passports with English-medium instruction, while Yew Wah serves local and mainland Chinese students. Only YCIS operates kindergartens in Hong Kong.
Does tuition include lunch?
No. Lunch fees are charged separately at approximately $1,500-$2,000/month.
Can my child enter without an IB background?
Yes. At the kindergarten level, no academic background is required. Assessment focuses on the child's social adaptability and general development.
Tuition data sourced from EDB Fee Certificates. Other fees are reference figures; please refer to the school's latest announcements.