YK Pao School Hong Kong is set to welcome its first students in August 2026, bringing a bilingual education model shaped by Chinese culture and international perspectives to Hong Kong.
The school was officially introduced at a launch ceremony on 29 May 2026 at the Asia Society. The event brought together education leaders, members of Sir YK Pao’s family, trustees, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and students from YK Pao School Shanghai and Hong Kong.
For parents considering international bilingual education, the new school offers a model that aims to connect academic learning with cultural understanding, character development and a wider global outlook.
The school is built around the philosophy “Learning with Joy, Living with Purpose”. It aims to develop the whole person while passing on Chinese cultural traditions and encouraging students to engage confidently with the wider world.
YK Pao School Hong Kong Begins A New Chapter
The launch ceremony marked an important step in the development of YK Pao School Hong Kong.
The school will build on the experience of YK Pao School Shanghai, which has developed its own bilingual educational model over the past two decades. The Hong Kong school aims to apply this experience within a local context.
The Education Bureau has supported the school’s development through the allocation of the campus at 4 Rose Street in Kowloon Tong. The Education Bureau had previously identified the site as part of its allocation of vacant school premises for international school development.
The school’s establishment also reflects Hong Kong’s continued efforts to strengthen its position as an international education hub.
At the launch, Dr Christine Choi, JP, Secretary for Education at the Education Bureau, highlighted the importance of education quality, students’ all-round development and talent development.
She also expressed support for the school’s approach to international bilingual education and its contribution to Hong Kong’s education landscape.
Learning With Chinese Roots And An International Outlook
YK Pao School Hong Kong’s educational philosophy is closely connected to the legacy of Sir YK Pao.
Professor Anna Pao Sohmen, eldest daughter of Sir YK Pao and founder of the YK Pao Education Foundation and both schools, reflected on the vision behind the organisation’s schools.
“I aspired to establish a school in China that was unlike any other, deeply anchored in Chinese values and culture, yet vibrantly open to the world. The YK Pao Schools stand as the finest continuation of Sir YK Pao’s philanthropic vision for education.”
Mr Philip Pao Sohmen, Co founder of the YK Pao Education Foundation and both schools, said the Hong Kong opening represents an important continuation of that educational model.
“We are advancing with the precision of a proven educational model, one that equips students with the cultural agility to navigate an increasingly complex world. Our vision and mission have not wavered; they have only grown more urgent and relevant.”
For families, this approach places cultural identity alongside international learning. Students will have opportunities to develop an understanding of their own heritage while building the skills and outlook needed to engage with different cultures.
Students Helped Shape The Launch
The launch event also highlighted the educational journey already taking place at YK Pao School Shanghai.
Students from the Shanghai school performed during the ceremony through a Chinese fusion orchestra. Their programme brought together Cantonese melodies and Western symphonic repertoire.
Two Year 12 students also shared their university destinations. They will continue their studies at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Northwestern University.
Their participation provided families and education stakeholders with an insight into the longer-term pathway that the YK Pao Schools aim to provide.
Meanwhile, the official kick-off ceremony unveiled the design of the future campus in Kowloon Tong and confirmed the school’s planned opening in August 2026.
A Legacy Of Connecting Education And Communities
The Hong Kong school is also part of a wider legacy established by Sir YK Pao.
His philanthropic work included founding Ningbo University in his ancestral home and establishing the Sino-British Friendship Scholarship. These initiatives helped students pursue educational opportunities across borders.
His support also extended to libraries, universities, institutions, swimming pools and other community facilities.
The YK Pao Education Foundation is now carrying this legacy into primary and secondary education.
For school leaders and educators, the development offers an example of how an established educational philosophy can be adapted to a new city while maintaining its core values.
What The Hong Kong School Could Mean For Families
The arrival of YK Pao School Hong Kong gives families another option within Hong Kong’s international and bilingual education sector.
The school’s emphasis on Chinese culture and international perspectives may appeal particularly to families seeking an education that combines both elements.
Additionally, its connection with YK Pao School Shanghai gives the new school an established institutional foundation rather than starting entirely from scratch.
The Education Bureau currently lists YK Pao School Hong Kong as a private co-educational primary school. Its temporary registration dates from 1 April 2026.
As the school prepares to welcome its first cohort, parents will be watching how its bilingual model develops in practice. Educators and school leaders may also be interested in how the school balances academic learning, cultural identity and international outlook.
Admissions And The Next Stage
The school is preparing to open its doors in August 2026, while enrolment for the 2027 to 28 academic year is expected to open in August.
As YK Pao School Hong Kong begins its first academic year, its development will be closely watched by families and educators interested in bilingual education in Asia.
Its challenge will be to turn a long-established educational philosophy into a distinctive experience for a new generation of Hong Kong students.
