The Middle School years are a time of exploration, discovery, and growth. Middle School students undergo many changes in their intellectual, physical, and emotional development, and we tailor our curricula and programs to meet their unique needs. 

Middle School is where students grow and change as they learn about themselves.

Casey Faulknall, Middle School Principal

A Community of Belonging

The Middle School is located on the Tai Tam campus and is adjacent to the High School campus at 1 Red Hill Road. Home to over 700 students from Grades 6 to 8, this sprawling outdoor campus features spacious classrooms across six floors and many community spaces for students to socialize, play sports, and share a meal. 

Middle School Communities

Students take academic and elective classes with students across their whole grade and sometimes mixed grades. However, every student belongs to a House and a Pastoral Care Group (PCG) to foster community and school spirit. 

The Middle School is supported by three counselors, one for each grade level. Each counselor stays with your child’s grade through the entire Middle School journey. When the Grade 8 counselor sends their students off to High School, they cycle back to receive the incoming Grade 6 cohort. Counselors get to know students as individuals, learners, and school community members, striving to support their mental health & well-being as well as their social and emotional needs. 


Wellbeing Spaces

Student Services Center
Student Services Center
Peace Garden
Peace Garden
Dragons Cave
Dragons Cave
Amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
Gymnasium
Gymnasium
2 Cafeterias
2 Cafeterias
Outdoor Eating Area
Outdoor Eating Area

Shared Spaces with High School

1 Sports Field
1 Sports Field
Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool

Meet Our Team

Student and Parent Support

The MS Counseling team provides proactive and responsive support services which may include individual counseling, group counseling, or a family meeting. In addition to this, counselors will support students in life transitions e.g. a new student joining the HKIS community, or supporting an HKIS student as they prepare to move to a new location. 

Counselors also provide support to parents through individual consultation, as well as parent education opportunities such as our 5-week parenting course, or monthly coffee mornings.  We firmly believe that establishing and maintaining positive parent partnerships is a critical component in raising healthy, balanced, and motivated children. 

middle school counseling

A Day in the Life

At HKIS, every child is loved, and every child has a purpose.  An HKIS Middle School typical day is filled with opportunities to learn more about yourself and to grow socially and emotionally. Building community is a priority in the Middle School. As you seek out your interests and passions, our hope is that you will find belonging at school, no matter how big or small the community.


Student Learning

The Middle School academic program offers a wide range of courses in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, Chinese, Spanish, religious education, physical education and health, design, visual arts, culinary arts, band, choir, strings, and theater. These courses challenge and inspire our students to develop their skills, knowledge, and creativity in various disciplines. 

In the Middle School, all students will take required courses and choose from a selection of elective courses.  

Learning Spaces

20 Core Classrooms
20 Core Classrooms
6 Science Labs
6 Science Labs
6 Chinese Classrooms
6 Chinese Classrooms
2 Art Studios
2 Art Studios
Band Hall
Band Hall
2 Choir Rooms
2 Choir Rooms
2 String Classrooms
2 String Classrooms
Black Box Theatre
Black Box Theatre
Culinary Arts Studio
Culinary Arts Studio
Idea Studio
Idea Studio
Library
Library

 
 

SPICE ROTATION

In Grade 6, students rotate in groups through six different subjects called a SPICE rotation. Each student group attends class for one subject every day for 6 weeks before they rotate to the next subject. Subjects include Visual Arts, Theater, Culinary Arts, Health, Religious Education, and Computing to Learn. The SPICE rotation gives students a taste of elective courses available in 7th and 8th grade.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: PEAK

PEAK (Program of Experiential Activities for Kids) is a weeklong Middle School experiential learning program.  Students engage in off-campus learning experiences that help them to understand the world around them and bring to life the learning that occurs throughout the year on campus. PEAK calls upon students to live out HKIS’s mission and vision and engage with the school’s Student Learning Results (SLRs). PEAK is a required component of the HKIS Middle School experience and is designed with options that are inclusive for all students.

 
 

SELF-MOTIVATED LEARNING (SML) PROJECTS

The Middle School Self-Motivated Learning Project gives each Middle School student a chance to delve into a passion or a curiosity while extending their learning beyond the classroom. Time will be dedicated to supporting students in pursuing an area of interest.  At the end of the project period, all students share their project and their learning journey with parents, teachers, and fellow students. 

Philosophy of Assessment

The purpose of assessment is to promote learning. Assessment is a process of gathering a variety of evidence to identify a student's level of attainment of learning goals. The evidence helps students understand their strengths and how they can improve their learning and helps teachers understand how they can improve instruction. In addition, assessment forms the basis of reporting to students and parents the current level of students’ attainment of learning goals. A robust assessment system is relevant, accurate, ongoing, informative, timely, and understandable.


Student Life in Middle School

Student Life at HKIS Middle School involves a spirited community where all students endeavor to find a sense of belonging no matter how big or small the community. Students have the opportunity to explore passions that not only spark their love of learning but allows them to connect with others who share the same interests. At HKIS, we care about the whole child. 

Pastoral Care Groups (PCG)

Each student is placed in a small group of 11-13 students along with a teacher to form a Pastoral Care Group (PCG). PCGs are committed to creating a safe and supportive space where all students can thrive. We aim to foster a sense of belonging and community by promoting positive peer and adult relationships. Our mission is to support the holistic development of each student by addressing their social, emotional, and academic needs. We strive to empower students to be their best selves by providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for growth. Students will meet with their PCG every day and for extended periods three days per week.

house spirit

House Spirit

Each student belongs to one Middle School House, named after significant locations across Hong Kong. Each has a unique color and is supported by teachers who also belong to that house. The house structure helps create a sense of community, promotes healthy competition, and provides opportunities for leadership and teamwork. Every Friday, students wear house t-shirts and accessories in their house color, which earn spirit points for their house. Throughout the year, the whole Middle School community participates in spirit events to earn house points, and a winning house is awarded at the end of the year.

Chapels

Chapels are an opportunity for the proclamation of God’s love and one of the ways that the school shares its Christian identity. Chapels are a regular part of student life. They are inclusive gatherings for the entire Middle School community, and all are welcome to engage with respect, reverence, and joy. In Chapel, every student hears the affirming message that they are cherished as beloved children of God and that their lives hold significant purpose.

middle school student during Chapel

Middle School students also have many opportunities to participate in co-curricular and athletic activities that enrich their learning and foster passions and interests. Whether in sports, clubs, service, or leadership, students can find something that suits their talents and goals. At HKIS, Middle School is a time to learn, grow, and have fun. 

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