The International Montessori School: Hong Kong's Only Accredited Montessori Primary - 2026 Admission Guide

School Overview

The International Montessori School (IMS) was established in 2002 as a non-profit international school located in the Eastern District of Hong Kong. With four campuses across Hong Kong Island, IMS is the only accredited Montessori primary school in Greater China, providing quality Montessori education for children aged 2 to 12 from over 40 countries.

Basic Information

Item	Details
School Name	The International Montessori School
Chinese Name	蒙特梭利國際學校
Address	Shop 6, 2/F, I-Uniq Grand, 155 Shau Kei Wan Road, Hong Kong
District	Eastern, Hong Kong Island
Founded	2002
School Type	Non-profit-making
Gender	Co-educational
Curriculum Type	Non-local
Website	https://www.ims.edu.hk
Phone	2156 9033

Important Note: This school does not participate in the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme. For 2026 admission details, please contact the school directly.

Educational Philosophy and Mission

Established in 2002, IMS's mission is to enable children to develop their individual gifts in a caring, supportive and respectful community. The school's goal as Montessori educators is to embrace children's innate drive by providing optimal learning environments for bright, engaged and inquisitive students.

Unique Bilingual Programme

Individually Tailored Chinese Curriculum

IMS pioneers a unique, individually tailored Chinese curriculum based on Montessori's multi-sensory and interactive approach, and is considered one of the world's leading Montessori dual-language programmes. The school's classrooms provide an immersive bilingual learning environment for the natural acquisition of both Chinese and English languages.

Bilingual Teaching Teams

Each IMS classroom is led by a team of two teachers—an English-speaking and a Putonghua-speaking teacher. The classrooms are carefully designed to give children opportunities to engage in meaningful learning with the proper balance of autonomy and guidance for optimal learning outcomes.

Age-Stage Programmes

Foundations Groups (Ages 2-3)

Activities in the bilingual Foundations Groups encourage toddlers to explore creatively in a cosy, language-rich and highly interactive environment—the best preparation for learning. This stage focuses on:

Language-rich learning environment
Multi-sensory exploration activities
Developing independence and self-care skills
Social skills development

Casa dei Bambini Programme (Ages 3-6)

The Casa dei Bambini programme supports children in moving towards a mastery of self and the environment, developing independent learning abilities. Programme features include:

Mixed-age learning environment
Montessori materials manipulation
Practical life skills training
Sensorial education and math foundations
Language and cultural learning

Elementary Programme (Ages 6-12)

The IMS elementary programme encourages children to learn all subjects from many directions through all disciplines by taking full advantage of their developing capacity to reason. Students at this stage:

Develop critical thinking skills
Engage in in-depth project research
Cultivate independent research abilities
Master advanced academic skills

Campus Facilities

Aldrich Bay Campus (Ages 2-6)

Aldrich Bay Campus is IMS's newest campus, specially designed for young children, featuring:

Large floor-to-ceiling windows with abundant natural light
Spacious play area
Children's kitchen
Reading corner
Vertical garden
3 bright Casa dei Bambini classrooms
Spacious Foundations Group classroom environment

Overall Facilities

According to Education Bureau records, the school has:

3 classrooms
Indoor playground
Capacity: 72 students

Student Support Services

Academic Support

Second language learners are supported well in a multi-age, bilingual classroom, where they can be successful in social settings while gaining confidence in English or Chinese. Admissions after age 6 may require additional support for English language learning.

Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) Student Support

The school provides comprehensive support for NCS students, including:

Appointing additional teaching staff/teaching assistants to support NCS students learning Chinese
Creating an inclusive learning environment to facilitate students' integration
Montessori environment with a dedicated teacher speaking Chinese in the classroom creates an enriched language environment for mastery of all aspects of the Chinese language—reading, writing, listening, and speaking

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support

For needs beyond ESL, IMS may require a therapist or psycho-educational evaluation to assist in the application process and determine the type of special support needed to support the individual child. In many such cases, additional support by a Montessori teacher or an assistant is required for some period of time to assist the child to meet academic targets.

Financial Support

Sudden financial distress support is available for enrolled children in emergency situations.

Graduate Outcomes

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

Admission Information (2026)

Application Fees

Application Fee: $2,000
Tuition Fees: This is a non-scheme school. Please contact the school for detailed fee information.

Contact Information

Phone: 2156 9033
Fax: 2566 7188
Website: www.ims.edu.hk

Parents are advised to contact the school directly to learn about the latest admission arrangements, tuition fees, and application procedures for the 2026-27 school year.

Why Choose IMS?

1. Only Accredited Montessori Primary School

IMS is the only accredited Montessori primary school in Greater China, offering complete Montessori education for ages 2-12.

2. World-Class Bilingual Programme

The school's individually tailored Chinese curriculum is considered one of the world's leading Montessori dual-language programmes, establishing a solid foundation in both Chinese and English.

3. Multicultural Environment

With students from over 40 countries, IMS provides a truly international learning experience for children.

4. Quality Teaching Staff

Each classroom is co-led by English and Chinese-speaking teachers, ensuring quality bilingual instruction.

5. Comprehensive Student Support

The school offers comprehensive academic support, NCS student support, SEN support, and emergency financial assistance.

6. Excellent Graduate Outcomes

Graduates successfully gain admission to top international secondary schools in Hong Kong and worldwide.

Campus Visits and Inquiries

Interested parents can schedule campus visits through the school website or by phone to experience IMS's Montessori teaching environment firsthand. The school regularly hosts open days and information sessions, providing parents with opportunities to learn more about the school.

Understanding Montessori Education

The Montessori method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, emphasizes:

Child-centered learning: Respecting each child's individual development pace
Prepared environment: Carefully designed classrooms that encourage exploration
Mixed-age groupings: Promoting peer learning and social development
Hands-on learning: Using concrete materials to develop abstract concepts
Intrinsic motivation: Fostering natural curiosity and love of learning

IMS implements authentic Montessori principles while incorporating a strong bilingual component, making it unique in the Hong Kong education landscape.

Location and Accessibility

Located at I-Uniq Grand in Shau Kei Wan, the school is easily accessible by public transportation. The Eastern District location provides a quieter learning environment while remaining connected to Hong Kong's urban amenities.

References

Information is current as of April 2026. Tuition fees and admission details are subject to official school announcements. Parents are advised to contact the school directly for the latest admission arrangements.