Frequently Asked Questions

When will the school year begin?

All the grades in the Pre-School, with K1, K2 and K3 for 3 to 5 years old, will begin classes in September 2015.
All the grades in the Lower School, from Grades 1 to 6, and the Upper School, from Grades 7 - 12, will open in September 2017.

Can Chinese national Students register in the school?

Yes, MH Group will be holding two education licenses (International School License and Local School License) and thus enable both Chinese national students and foreign passport holders to register.

What criteria are most important to the Admissions Committee?

The Admissions process is selective at all grade levels and the nature of the assessment tools used is dependent on the grade level the student is applying for.

MHIS is interested in students of strong character, who have demonstrated at their prior school(s) that they have the intelligence, curiosity, and motivation needed to succeed in our classrooms. In addition, the Admissions Committee looks for students who have the ability to contribute to the extracurricular life of the School, be it artistically or athletically. The primary academic criteria are a student's grades, teacher recommendations and performance on MHIS's standardized tests. We seek for students that would be successful under the holistic development of MHIS.

Are there any preferences given to particular students for admissions?

Some preference will be given to children of Mission Hills' members and property owners, and siblings of enrolled students. However, please note that all candidates must be assessed and must meet entry criteria, and possession of a Mission Hills membership, property, or a sibling status does not confer an absolute guarantee of admission.

What are the benefits of co-educational education?

The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, said that coeducation creates a feeling of comradeship. He advocated the teaching of both young men and young women in the same institution without showing any discrimination in imparting education.

There are many reasons why almost 90 percent of independent school students choose to attend co-educational schools. It is clear that boys benefit enormously from learning in a co-educational environment. They develop stronger classroom discussion skills through their interaction with girls. Girls learn to take risks with their problem-solving through interaction with boys. Together, their social development grows in a more balanced manner. In the classroom, we plan educational opportunities that meet the different ability levels and learning styles, regardless of gender.

Coeducation is also intricately woven into our commitment to diversity; by immersing students in diverse learning experiences, and surrounding students with people from different backgrounds, cultures, habits of mind, and ways of life, we broaden our students' view of the world. We teach courage and empathy, understanding and forgiveness, risk-taking and caution, independence and teamwork, and critical thinking and questioning. Boys and girls learn these skills and practice these values alongside each other in daily life in the classroom and beyond, strengthening their understanding of themselves and others as they develop.

Ultimately, schools are charged with preparing students for success in the classroom and life beyond. Research and experience tell us that boys and girls possess unique strengths, which benefit one another. Working together, boys and girls develop natural friendships and interact in class, extracurricular activities, and free time. Academic collaboration between the sexes helps students develop the confidence to share their ideas and opinions in any situation and excel at university and beyond as leaders.

What is the boarding to day student ratio?

MHIS Pre-School and Lower School is 100% day school. For students entering into Upper school, students can choose to live on campus in one of the School's boys' and girls' dormitories. Our dormitories can accommodate approximately 70% of the Upper School students.

Dorms also reside faculty members and every residence (of 24 students) will have two faculty members - a Resident Master or Resident Mistress and a Resident Tutor, who help provide a comfortable place in which students can live and study. All new students are assigned roommates in the same grade.

Do you offer school bus services to and from MHIS?

We are currently in the midst of reviewing prospective school bus operators and will be made available upon sufficient demand. We will provide further details when available.

Does the school have a hot lunch program?

Yes, MHIS will leverage on Mission Hills' acclaimed chefs, exquisite dining menus and varied cuisines, to feature healthy, balanced, tempting and varied meals, in accordance to the seasons, to children and staff, within our own school canteens. Menus are changed periodically and three menu choices are available each day.

What is the school's homework policy?

Homework is an integral part of school life and helps children to understand that learning also takes place outside of school. Homework is relevant to class work and teachers give what they believe the child can handle comfortably and independently.

Parents are not expected to help students with their homework. However, parents of younger students are encouraged to read with their child as it forms an integral part of their child's language development.

Especially for Pre-School and Primary School students, how can parents help with their child's language learning?

Parental support is always very important for a child's learning and parents are encouraged to provide an environment at home which encourages their child to use both English and Putonghua at home.

Parents are also encouraged to maintain close contact with their child's homeroom teachers as well as attend MHIS workshops which we conduct from time to time to better understand their child's learning.

How does the school communicate with the parents?

At MHIS, we view effective communication with parents as an integral partnership to best enable the child's development. There are many different channels for parents to communicate with the school. The school sends out weekly notices every Friday informing parents of announcements concerning their child and the school. Teachers also send class notes via emails to parents on an individual or group basis, as needed. Parents are also free to contact their child's teachers by email or over the phone through the School Office. Various meeting sessions are also arranged during the course of the year such as Principal's Coffee Mornings and parent-teacher conferences.

Would there be significant noise disruption due to the construction of the new purspose-built campus of the Lower and Upper Schools?

The Pre-School building is ready and is currently undergoing interior fit out and will be ready for occupation several months before the Pre-school commences in September 2015.

Mission Hills has significant experience and excellent relationships in managing our construction partners. For the new Lower and Upper School campus, Mission Hills will endeavor to complete most of the noisy foundation and structural works before the Pre-School commences, and will begin the interior fitting out of the Lower and Upper School while the Pre-School is in session. Although the Lower School, Upper School and boarding facilities are in separate buildings from the Pre-School and located 80 meters away across a three-lane private school road from the Pre-School, we will keep interior fitting out noises to a minimum during school hours. The Lower School and Upper School construction area will be blockaded; we will be vigilant in our health and safety management procedures throughout the project and carry out additional risk assessments where appropriate.