By: Melissa Stevens
There are many reasons parents should consider the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) when weighing up secondary school options, according to Upper School Principal Tim Kaiser. Tim, who has been at the school for 22 years, shares four of these reasons here.
#1 Dual Diploma
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and IB programmes run concurrently for all Upper School students. “This gives a tremendous advantage to students when they reach the final stages of secondary school and can apply to postsecondary institutions with two sets of marks,” Tim says. “Both the IB and OSSD are centred on a broad-based curriculum that provides students opportunities to grow and excel in multiple ways – a broad range of subjects combined with university-level research opportunities and community service thrusts.”
#2 Student Support
When it comes to supporting Upper School students as they navigate school and life, CDNIS has six full-time guidance counsellors along with a Learning Support Convenor and a school psychologist. “Four of our counsellors have expertise in university counselling and are assigned to our senior students starting in Grade 10,” he says. “These counsellors stay with the same students for three years and work side-by-side with them in the college application process, opening doors for them to the finest universities in the world.”
#3 Project Innovate
CDNIS has been an innovator in education in Hong Kong for many years. The school’s Project Innovate aims to have students taking their learning to the next level through creative pathways such as robotics, coding, VR, 3-D printing and laser cutting. “The project isn’t just about gadgets and technology,” Tim says. “It’s empowering students and teachers to think creatively, even to come up with a new way of thinking. This often means combining or connecting old ideas in unique or unusual ways.”
#4 Extracurricular Programme
“CDNIS Upper School students have terrific options in the arts and sports, wonderful facilities in which to perform, and amazing teachers with whom to work,” Tim says. “Last year, for example, four of our sports teams were in competition on the same weekend in high level overseas international tournaments. We came home with one gold, two silvers and one 3rd place finish – and three of the four awards for top sportsmanship! In my mind it doesn’t get any better than this, and it exemplifies the CDNIS student: talented, disciplined, supportive, fun-loving, gracious in victory and respectful in defeat.”
The application deadline for students wishing to join Grades 3 to 12 in 2018 is 31 January. The Canadian International School of Hong Kong is located at 36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen. Call 2525 7088 or email admissions@cdnis.edu.hk for more information. cdnis.edu.hk
This article first appeared in the December/January 2017/18 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
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