West Island School began when the English Schools Foundation recognized a need for a new school on Hong Kong Island in the late-1980s; after Island School and South Island School. This was because of the recent residential boom in Discovery Bay, then which had no secondary school to cater for the growing need of secondary school education. After government approval of a site and funding in November 1990, plans for West Island School began in earnest, with the school operating as an offshoot of Island School at a temporary home; the old military hospital in Borrett Road, Mid-Levels. West Island's first intake was in September 1991, when eighty-four Year 7 students were enrolled in four classes. In the meantime, work progressed on a purpose-built school in Pokfulam, designed by award-winning architect Patrick Lau, who was responsible for two other international schools in Hong Kong, the Lycée Français International Victor Segalen in Tai Hang and the AmericanHong Kong International School in Tai Tam. In September 1994, the new purpose-built building opened. This consisted of a ten-story building consisting of three blocks: housing classrooms, laboratories, an auditorium and a 25-metre indoor pool, linked together by open-air walkways and air-conditioned faculty-corridors. Over the years, renovations further increased the usability of the building, although by 2001 the school was getting rather crowded with over 1000 students enrolled; paving the way for the creation of a fourth block. This new addition opened for use in September 2003.
Curriculum
The school offers secondary education from Years 7 to 13, for pupils aged 10–19. West Island School students follow the International General Certificate of Secondary Education program in Years 10-11 and pursue the IB Diploma and BTEC Extended Diploma in Years 12–13. The schools also offers AS-Level courses for Year 10 students pursuing in the study of critical thinking and entrepreneurship. The grades achieved by West Island students in IGCSE and IB examinations place them generously above similar schools across the world. In 2011, around 60% of IGCSE passes were at A* or A. West Island also offers extracurricular activities run by both staff and students. Furthermore, students also have the opportunity to compete with other teams from other international schools as well as local schools from across Hong Kong and the region. West Island School also participates in sports, with the school's track, swimming, field hockey, volleyball, martial arts, and netball teams placing well in HKSSF rankings. West Island School's football team has participated in 4 HKSSF finals in the last 5 years, and won three gold medals. In 2011, the school won the BOCHK Bauhinia Bowl, as the highest ranked co-educational school in Hong Kong.
Facilities
The four blocks that comprise West Island School house a range of academic departments and support facilities in its ten floors. The campus also houses a canteen, coffee shop, an indoor gym, two multi-purpose halls, auditorium, indoor swimming pool, and rooftops used as playgrounds and outdoor sports pitches. In 2011, a new "Arena" facility was constructed, providing access to a dance studio as well as a gym for use by students. West Island School also makes use of the nearby University of Hong Kong's Stanley Ho Sports Centre at Sandy Bay, including astro-turf and natural grass pitches, an athletics stadium, outdoor swimming pool and several tennis courts.
Management
WIS is a member school of the English Schools Foundation. WIS is governed by the "School Council" composed of teachers, parents, and management staff.
Popular culture
A scene in the 2007 Hong Kong filmHappy Birthday was shot at West Island School.
