The Foundation was founded in 2000 as a registered charitable organization in response to a pressing need in Hong Kong to provide diversity in choice of education for local students. In 2003, the Foundation established The Independent Schools Foundation Academy (The “ISF Academy” or the “Academy”), a not-for-profit private independent school catering to students from Foundation Year to Grade 12, with a vision of nurturing learners who are independent in thought and action, deeply rooted in Chinese culture, global in understanding and experience, and excellent in all endeavors.

Starting with just 56 students in Grade 1 to 4, the Academy quickly outgrew the temporary campus in Wanchai, necessitating the addition of a second temporary campus in Causeway Bay by 2006. Within a year, the Academy secured its permanent campus in Pokfulam and kickstarted Phase I of the campus development plan, which was completed in 2008 with 60 classrooms, a gymnasium, two libraries, and a number of special rooms in the Primary and Secondary buildings. That same year, the Foundation launched the Aspire Campaign, a fundraising drive that aimed to raise HK$300 million to fund Phases II and III, in order to construct new facilities, expand student and professional development programs and provide additional scholarship and financial aid resources over six years. Thanks to overwhelming support, the establishment of many state-of-the-art facilities including a 500-seat dining hall (Jessie’s Kitchen), the Auditorium, the Vibrant Inspirations Student Center, the Yidan Chinese Cultural Center, The H. J. Zhang Black Box Theater, an indoor swimming pool and more were made possible.

In 2018, the Foundation launched the Inspire Campaign with a goal to raise HK$500 million over five years to fund strategic projects across learning, leadership, infrastructure, and support systems and resources. Please click here to learn more about the Inspire Campaign.

From 2024-29, to coincide with the third 5-year Strategic Plan of ISF, we launch the Insight Campaign development fund.  An achievable target of HK$200 million has been set over the next five years to support education innovation in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.