Hong Kong parents weighing international education options will have an opportunity to hear from educators and school leaders on some of the biggest questions facing families today, from the growing role of artificial intelligence in classrooms to the pressure students face to succeed academically.
The Standard’s International Schools Fair 2026 will take place on September 5 at the Cordis Hotel in Mongkok, bringing together 22 participating institutions for a day of panel discussions, information sessions and activities aimed at helping families make informed decisions about their children’s education.
The free event will run from 10.30am to 4pm and feature five expert led sessions covering artificial intelligence, career development, international curricula, student wellbeing and entrepreneurship.
Schools confront the rise of AI in education
The programme begins with a discussion on how artificial intelligence is changing the way children learn.
The opening panel, titled “Raising AI Native Children”, will bring together representatives from Saint Too Bloom Academy, Christian Alliance International School and Hong Kong Academy. The session will examine how schools are responding to the rapid spread of generative AI and what that change means for students, teachers and parents.
Artificial intelligence has moved quickly from a specialist technology to a tool that many students can access from home and school. Generative AI systems can now produce written answers, explain concepts, generate ideas and assist with research within seconds. That has left schools facing difficult questions about how technology should be used without replacing the learning process itself.
For parents, the issue is no longer simply whether children should use AI. They also need to understand how schools are teaching students to use it responsibly, assess information critically and distinguish their own work from material generated by a machine.
The panel will provide families with an opportunity to hear how participating schools are approaching those questions and what parents should consider when evaluating an institution’s approach to technology.
From the classroom to future careers
The second panel will shift attention from technology to the longer journey from school education to employment.
“From Classroom to Career” will feature the American School Hong Kong, the English Schools Foundation and Fairchild Kindergarten. The discussion will look at how international schools prepare students for future professional opportunities and how educational choices made during childhood can influence later academic and career pathways.
The traditional idea of education as a straight route from primary school to university has changed considerably. Students now encounter a wider range of academic programmes, international qualifications and career options than previous generations.
Schools are also placing greater emphasis on skills that extend beyond examination results. Communication, collaboration, independent thinking and the ability to adapt to new technologies are increasingly part of discussions about what students need after graduation.
For families considering an international school, understanding how a school connects classroom learning with later opportunities can be as important as comparing fees, facilities and examination results.
The panel will allow parents to hear how different institutions approach that transition and what they believe students need to develop before entering higher education or the workplace.
Comparing IB, AP and A Level programmes
Curriculum selection will receive dedicated attention during an information session hosted by Lee Educational Consulting.
The session will compare three widely recognised academic pathways: the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and A Level systems.
Choosing between the three can be difficult for families because each programme has its own structure, assessment methods and approach to subject selection. The decision can also have implications for university applications, particularly when families are considering institutions in different countries.
The International Baccalaureate is known for its broad academic structure and emphasis on independent learning. Advanced Placement courses allow students to pursue university level subjects while still at school, while A Levels traditionally provide a more specialised subject based route.
There is no single programme that suits every student. Academic strengths, learning preferences, future university plans and the availability of subjects at a particular school can all affect the decision.
Lee Educational Consulting’s session is therefore expected to be of particular interest to parents who are comparing schools and trying to understand which academic route may best suit their children.
Student wellbeing takes centre stage
The afternoon programme will turn to one of the most closely watched issues in education: how schools can balance academic achievement with students’ mental and emotional wellbeing.
“The Wellbeing Excellence Balance” will feature Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School, Korean International School and Harrow Little Lions Kindergarten.
The discussion will address a concern shared by many parents. Children are expected to perform well academically, but they also need time, support and a healthy environment in which to develop socially and emotionally.
Hong Kong’s education system is often associated with academic competition and high expectations. Families choosing international schools may therefore want to know how institutions support students beyond grades and examinations.
Questions around workload, school culture, pastoral care and the relationship between academic performance and wellbeing have become increasingly relevant for schools and parents alike.
The panel will examine whether students can maintain strong academic performance while also developing the emotional resilience and personal skills needed to cope with challenges inside and outside the classroom.
For parents comparing institutions, the discussion could offer useful insight into how schools define success and the measures they use to support students who may be struggling with pressure.
Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset
The final panel will explore a different set of skills: innovation, problem solving and the willingness to take calculated risks.
“The Entrepreneurial Mindset” will feature Malvern College Hong Kong and The King’s School Qianhai Shenzhen. The session will examine how schools can encourage students to think independently, develop ideas and approach problems from different perspectives.
Entrepreneurship education does not necessarily mean preparing every student to start a company. It can also involve teaching young people how to identify problems, test solutions, respond to setbacks and turn ideas into practical projects.
Those skills have gained attention as employers increasingly look for people who can adapt to changing technology and working environments.
For students, developing confidence in decision making and problem solving can have value well beyond business. Such abilities can support university study, creative work, scientific research and many other professional fields.
The panel will give parents a chance to explore how schools incorporate these skills into education and how students can be encouraged to become more independent thinkers.
Free admission for families
Alongside the panel discussions, the International Schools Fair 2026 will offer children’s workshops, giving families an opportunity to combine information gathering with activities for younger visitors.
Admission to the panel discussions and children’s workshops is free. However, places are limited and organisers are encouraging families to register early.
The event is designed to bring multiple schools and education specialists together in one location, allowing parents to compare approaches without having to visit each institution separately.
For families already considering international education, the fair also offers a chance to ask questions directly rather than relying solely on school brochures or online information.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 5, from 10.30am to 4pm at the Cordis Hotel, 8/F, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok.
With discussions ranging from AI literacy and curriculum selection to career preparation, student wellbeing and entrepreneurship, the fair is aimed at parents trying to understand not only where their children should study, but also what skills and support they will need as education continues to change.