Founded in 1986 as the first Canadian international school in Hong Kong, DSC International School (DSC) has been fostering student success through holistic education for 35 years. At this significant milestone in its development, the school commences plans for campus enhancement to lay the foundations for future success, along with other forward-looking initiatives and celebratory events.
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Strategic development
With over 1,000 students encompassing over 45 nationalities, DSC takes pride in the multiculturalism that is at the heart of the school community. Last August, Delia School of Canada was renamed DSC International School at its 35th anniversary, with vision and mission statements updated, to better reflect the school’s balanced whole-child education, as well as its international network and global pathways to world-renowned universities.
While preserving its heritage and traditions, DSC has responded to changing education trends and embarked on a three-year campus redevelopment project to upgrade its facilities. Completed last September, the first phase of the overhaul sees an entire floor of separate classrooms merged to form the Creativity and Innovation Hub. Installed with the latest technologies, the integrated hub consists of ten purpose-built learning studios and will be the focal point of the young creative minds’ exploration in AI and Robotics, STEAM, Media Design, Performing and Visual Arts, and Hydroponics and Nutrition.
To meet diversified needs in physical education, extra-curricular activities, athletics @ DSC and community involvement, outdoor amenities on DSC campus will undergo refurbishment in support of wide-ranging healthy pursuits for the body and mind. As students delve into new endeavors and discover their passion at a young age, they build up confidence that translates into academic success in the classroom, and acquire social-emotional competencies to grow their character and develop positive relationships.
Inspiration from graduates
In celebration of this landmark anniversary, DSC alumni network rejoices and reunites with the school to trace back their alma mater’s illustrious history. The #DSC35 Alumni campaign features alumni’s journey at DSC and their sharing of life after graduation across social media and online platforms. While the diversity of career pathways that DSC alumni lead is impressive, above all it is the resilience shown toward unexpected encounters along the way that emboldens the current students to press on with the pursuit of their aspirations.
On the internetonal map
Sustainability and climate change are of growing importance on the global agenda, and the ECO-X initiative running from last October to November is to raise awareness on environmental issues and solutions, in line with one of DSC’s objectives in cultivating international-mindedness among the student population.
As part of CNN’s Call to Earth program, ECO-X creates a positive impact on students’ worldview and cultivates within them a passion to solve the most urgent issues facing the global community. Featured by CNN, ECO-X receives support from a number of non-governmental organizations such as FashionClinic by T, Redress, KIBO, Happy Baton, Fashionable Futures, Hong Kong Foodworks and Breadline, and V Cycle.
One of the highlights is the ECO-X Summit held on November 10, the #CallToEarth Day. Six keynote speakers and collaborators were invited to the Summit and inspired students with their entrepreneurial success in environmental advocacy. Grades 4 to 12 students took part in inquiry-based problem solving and presentation on their solutions that tackle alarming environmental and social issues. Younger learners engaged in upcycling and recycling workshops to turn old pieces of cloth into reusable food wrappers with beeswax.
Serving the community
In the spirit of giving back, DSC has been playing an active role in community outreach and charity events. Last year, the school raised a record-breaking HK$125,621 for an annual charity drive in Hong Kong, Operation Santa Claus, tripling the intended target of HK$35,000 and winning the title of Top School Fundraiser. Students and their families together with DSC’s parent organization, CTF Education Group, contributed to the fundraising effort through initiatives including the ‘Crazy Hat & Hair Day’ and the sale of candygrams.
Ontario Curriculum leads to successful university pathways
DSC is the first international school in Hong Kong with a Canadian root. Registered with the Ontario Ministry of Education, the through-train school offers the Ontario Curriculum, which is known for its academic rigor and flexibility in course combination that aligns with individual aptitudes of students and their post-secondary pathway interests. Upon completion of the Secondary Program, the school is authorized to award the widely recognized Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) to all students who meet the graduation requirements.
The High School (Grades 9 to 12) academic year is structured into two semesters. Semester 1 runs from September to January/ February while Semester 2 is from January/ February to June. Students typically take four courses per semester so that they can focus more time and effort on fewer courses in comparison to other non-semestered school models.
The Guidance Team at DSC plays an integral role in the career and post-secondary planning of Grades 7 to 12 students by devising an individualized program to ensure fulfillment of graduation requirements and social-emotional development with a whole-child approach. Comprehensive support, including workshops, seminars and one-to-one consultations, is arranged on a regular basis for students and parents selecting and applying to the universities and programs of their choice throughout the decision-making process.
DSC graduates have received admission offers for arts, sciences, engineering, business, and social sciences from the top 50 universities across the world. Popular destinations include the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia in Canada, and the London School of Economics in the UK, which are followed by the University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, and Columbia University in the US; Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh in the UK; as well as leading universities in Asia such as the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Tsinghua University.
OSSD+ takes learners to university and beyond
In the face of fierce competition in the application to degree programs, DSC launched the OSSD+ Signature Program in 2021 to help students gain a competitive edge and maximize their chances of success by equipping them with skills essential to making a positive impact in local and global contexts at the future workplace.
Targeting students with high motivation and commitment to academic success, this bespoke program establishes an advanced and rigorous academic framework that fits their interests, passions, and goals. Students concentrate on a specialized academic discipline, take part in enhanced community service and leadership development, and earn relevant real-world experience through career mentorship and work placement.
These experiences and academic credits illustrate grit and resilience in the learning voyage and are crucial to forging a remarkable personal brand, which benefits OSSD+ students in the preparation of university application as they map out their career pathway.
Experienced Canadian teachers
All Canadian-registered schools are required to have 80 per cent of their teachers registered in Canada. DSC’s teaching team has over 100 educators, with more than 90% being Canadian-trained teachers registered with the Ontario College of Teachers, the official organization that licenses, governs and regulates Ontario’s teaching profession in the public interest. A large percentage of teachers also hold advanced university degrees and additional qualifications, for instance: Reading, Math, Inclusive Education, and English as a Second Language from universities in Canada.
With an average of nine-plus years of teaching experience, all the teachers are qualified and well-equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver to students an authentic Canadian learning experience. Teachers demonstrate the same love of learning that they robustly advocate for within the DSC student community.
All-round academic excellence
DSC students attain outstanding results in the subjects of science, mathematics, business and arts. The Ontario Curriculum provides students an array of courses to choose and pursue subjects that match their interests and facility, for example: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Marketing, and International Business from Business Studies; Earth and Space, and Data Management from Science and Mathematics; and Drama, Fine Art, Dance, and Digital Media from The Arts, which involves a plethora of exciting performances and exhibitions for artists to shine.
Multilingualism is a valuable asset in the modern workplace. Since learning a second language can improve memory, enhance multitasking, and ultimately drive academic achievement, DSC offers three International Language options: French, Japanese and Putonghua. While the French stream adheres to the Ontario Curriculum, both Japanese and Putonghua follow the national curriculum in Japan and China respectively.
Virtual Open Days
Join DSC to take a virtual tour to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and learn more about their quality Canadian curriculum and global university pathways from the leadership team.
DSC will also be hosting multiple Spotlight Webinars throughout March to May to dive deeper into different topics such as University Guidance, Mathematics, International Languages, and many more.
Virtual Open Days
Register now to join a virtual tour to learn everthing about the school from the leadership team.
