The International Montessori School: Pioneer of Bilingual Montessori Education in Central & Western 2026

School Overview

The International Montessori School (IMS), established in 2002, is a non-profit international kindergarten located in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong. Situated at Tung Fai Gardens on Po Yan Street in Sheung Wan, IMS provides authentic Montessori education to children aged 1 to 12 from over 40 countries.

As the only internationally accredited Montessori primary school in Greater China, IMS operates four campuses across Hong Kong Island, dedicated to creating a caring, supportive, and respectful learning environment that helps children develop their individual gifts.

Basic Information	Details
Established	2002
School Type	Non-profit, Co-educational
Languages	Bilingual (English & Putonghua)
Student Nationalities	40+ countries
Curriculum Type	Non-local (Montessori)
Free Quality Scheme	No

Montessori Educational Philosophy

The International Montessori School embraces Dr. Maria Montessori's educational philosophy, believing that every child possesses an innate drive to learn. The school's core mission is to nurture this intrinsic motivation by providing optimal learning environments for bright, engaged, and inquisitive students.

Teaching Characteristics

Mixed-Age Classrooms: Children of different ages learn together in the same classroom. Older children assist younger ones, developing leadership and empathy, while younger children learn through observation.

Self-Directed Learning: Classrooms are carefully designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities, encouraging children to explore independently while teachers offer guidance at the appropriate moments to ensure optimal learning outcomes.

Individualized Instruction: Tailored learning support is provided based on each child's developmental pace and interests, allowing every student to reach their full potential.

Unique Bilingual Programme

IMS has pioneered a unique, individually tailored Chinese curriculum based on Montessori's multi-sensory and interactive approach, considered one of the world's leading Montessori dual-language programmes.

Bilingual Teaching Model

Each IMS classroom is led by a team of two teachers:

One English-speaking teacher
One Putonghua-speaking teacher

This immersive bilingual learning environment enables students to naturally acquire and master both English and Chinese through daily social interactions, achieving true bilingual fluency.

For second language learners, the mixed-age and bilingual environment provides comprehensive support, allowing students to enhance their language communication skills and confidence through daily social interactions.

Age-Appropriate Programmes

Montessori First Steps (Ages 1-2)

Led by Montessori experts, this programme provides a bilingual learning environment for parents and toddlers, supporting optimal development for growing children.

Foundations Groups (Ages 2-3)

In a cozy, language-rich, and highly interactive environment, toddlers are encouraged to explore creatively—the best preparation for learning.

Casa dei Bambini Programme (Ages 3-6)

Supports children in moving towards mastery of self and environment, cultivating independent and autonomous learning abilities. The Mid-Levels Campus features 3 bright classrooms equipped with a large play area, children's kitchen, library, and vertical garden.

Primary Programme (Ages 6-12)

Takes full advantage of children's developing capacity to reason, encouraging them to learn all subjects from multiple directions across all disciplines. IMS is the only accredited Montessori primary school in Greater China.

Facilities and Environment

The school features:

4 classrooms
Indoor playground
Children's kitchen
Library
Vertical garden (green wall)

The bright classrooms and rich facilities at the Mid-Levels Campus provide wonderful campus experiences for the youngest students.

Student Support Services

Language Learning Support

Second language learners receive comprehensive support in the mixed-age bilingual environment
Primary applicants may receive additional English language learning support if needed
Non-Chinese speaking students benefit from additional teaching staff to support Chinese learning

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support

The school may require families to provide psycho-educational evaluation reports to determine the type of special support needed. In individual cases, additional support by a Montessori teacher or assistant is arranged during class time.

Emergency Financial Support

Tuition support is available for enrolled students experiencing sudden financial distress.

Graduate Outcomes

IMS graduates successfully stream into top international secondary schools in Hong Kong and around the world, demonstrating enhanced academic and social skills along with a very strong foundation in both Chinese and English.

Admission Information

Application Fees

Application Fee: HK$ 2,000

Contact Information

Phone: 2857 7007
Fax: 2566 7188
Website: https://www.ims.edu.hk
Address: M/F & Office 1 of 1/F, Tung Fai Gardens, 17 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

2026 Admission Recommendations

For parents interested in applying to The International Montessori School, we recommend:

Understand Montessori Education: Visit the school website or schedule a campus tour to gain in-depth understanding of the Montessori teaching method
Consider Language Environment: The school provides immersive bilingual education, suitable for families seeking Chinese-English bilingualism
Assess Financial Capacity: The school does not participate in the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme; tuition must be self-funded
Value International Environment: Students come from 40+ countries, ideal for families valuing multicultural exchange

References

Information current as of April 2026. For detailed tuition fees and latest admission information, please contact the school directly.