Renowned for its progressive vision, Hong Kong Academy remains a leading force in Hong Kong’s dynamic international school sector. In this feature interview, Hong Kong Academy Principal, Ms. Virginia Hunt, shares how the school’s identity, academic pathways, and student-centred philosophy are shaping an exceptional learning experience.
At Hong Kong Academy, early childhood education forms the essential foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and connection. Ms. Hunt describes these early years as “such an important time in a young child’s life—it’s the foundation as they first enter school.” The school believes joyful learners are best equipped to thrive both now and in the future. From the first step on campus, the environment is thoughtfully designed to foster a deep sense of belonging, agency, and purpose.
Joy is viewed not as a happy accident of learning, but as its driving force. “Children who are joyful are going to be learning,” Ms. Hunt explains. A joyful learning environment is central to the school’s mission of creating a culture of belonging. Each morning, faculty and staff greet students warmly with the message, “We’re glad you’re here,” setting a positive tone before the day begins. In classrooms, teachers bring children together in circles, inviting every child to share their thoughts, interests, and experiences. These routines reinforce that every voice matters and that school is a place where children feel truly seen, heard, and valued.
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Relationships anchored in trust form another core pillar. Connections begin with families as they join the community and extend to teachers, peers, and the wider world. Through strong teacher-student bonds, children learn essential community skills: sharing, resolving conflicts, collaborating, and engaging respectfully with others. This relational approach expands gradually—from the classroom to the broader school, local community, regional networks, and even global contexts—helping students understand they are part of something much larger than themselves.
Language and inquiry are seamlessly integrated in the early years programme. In Pre-K, children experience a dual-language immersion model, with one teacher speaking English and another Mandarin throughout the day. Through this natural language immersion, children make meaning and learning connections across linguistic and cultural contexts daily. Inquiry-based learning enhances this with field trips and hands-on activities encouraging discovery, and helping students make connections between new experiences and prior knowledge. As Ms. Hunt notes, inquiry sparks children’s curiosity about “the world they’re growing into,” inspiring them to ask questions, organize information, synthesize ideas, and take meaningful action.
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Diversity and inclusion are woven throughout as a fundamental principle, not an addition. The school believes every child has unique gifts and deserves support to reach their full potential. Individuality—whether cultural, familial, or in learning needs—is celebrated, with fully integrated classes where all children learn together. Students explore their own identities while reflecting on their role in the classroom community. Ms. Hunt emphasizes that this focus is vital because “the world our children are growing into is still very much unknown,” requiring self-awareness and empathy to navigate successfully.
Ultimately, Hong Kong Academy goes beyond academic knowledge. From the earliest years, children develop the skills of lifelong learning: questioning, problem-solving, collaborating, and taking thoughtful action. They build resilience, confidence, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Rather than simply absorbing facts, they cultivate the dispositions and mindsets needed to adapt, innovate, and flourish in an unpredictable future—becoming the best versions of themselves.
Families are invited to attend HKA Exploration Day on 28h March 2026 (Saturday) from 9 am to 1:30 pm at the Sai Kung campus to gain first-hand insight into the school’s teaching, programmes, and facilities. The day will feature specialist activities, faculty-led workshops, admissions tips, and opportunities to meet teachers, students, and current parents — with the added bonus of an application fee waiver.
