As part of its focus on developing future-ready leaders, The International Montessori School (IMS) in Hong Kong incorporates real-world entrepreneurship into its Middle School curriculum, empowering teens to run their own business. From “Shark Tank”-style pitches to the recent launch of a student-run café, we find out from the IMS team how students are mastering leadership, resilience and other essential 21st-century skills.
HK’s first Montessori Middle School programme
For nearly 25 years, The International Montessori School (IMS) has been a pioneer in bilingual education, appreciated by families for its unique bilingual (English and Mandarin) approach. Now, IMS is taking its “learning by doing” philosophy to the next level.
In August 2025, the school launched Hong Kong’s first-ever Montessori Middle School programme for 12-to-14-year-olds. The results are already making waves. Here, the traditional classroom is replaced by an environment where applied academic rigour meets purposeful, hands-on application and entrepreneurship.
Redefining education: from passive listening to active contribution
Dr Maria Montessori famously described adolescence as the “social birth” of a human being. It’s a critical phase for finding one’s place in society. The IMS Middle School curriculum is meticulously designed around this transition.
Moving beyond the confines of traditional exam-driven models, the programme utilises Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning (PBL) to provide students with authentic experiences. This is where future-ready leadership is forged. It’s about using real-world challenges and entrepreneurial skills to master complex academic concepts in mathematics, science and the humanities.
Within just a few months of the programme’s launch, students have already immersed themselves in the vibrant pulse of Hong Kong. For example, they have ventured into Chungking Mansions to research the contributions of different ethnic groups to local culture. They’ve also embarked on a three-day expedition in an adventure camp to master team collaboration and resilience.
Their studies even extend to the school’s business ecosystem. By visiting local farms and social enterprises to study Aquaponics, students are not just learning on the specific topic – they’re discovering potential supply chains to support their own Middle School business.
The launch of Cosmic Café
The crown jewel of the curriculum is real-world entrepreneurship through the school’s student-run business, Cosmic Café. The café officially opened its doors in December 2025. This is far more than a simulation; it’s a live business experiment. Since August, students have navigated every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, including the following:
- Market research and financials. This stage included defining the brand and business model, and also selecting products and calculating unit costs.
- The funding pitch. In a high-stakes environment akin to Shark Tank, students presented their formal business proposals to the Head of School, Founders and potential investors to secure startup capital.
- Real-world operations. Students addressed tough questions from investors, setting (and defending) price points, and justifying market strategies. In addition, they designed the brand’s visual identity and logo from scratch.
Renowned local coffee brand Cupping Room supports the Cosmic Café initiative by providing premium coffee beans and coffee capsules to support the business. Today, the café serves artisanal coffee as well as fresh juices alongside student-baked treats.
To balance their studies with business, students even created a digital pre-order system, showcasing exceptional time management and operational savviness. By managing these professional standards, they develop the kind of future-ready leadership skills that AI cannot replicate.
Entrepreneurial DNA
The confidence seen in IMS Middle Schoolers isn’t accidental. Rather, it’s rooted in real world entrepreneurship that begins in Primary school. While many schools introduce service and creative projects (like Creativity, Action and Service – or CAS) in Secondary school, IMS integrates these concepts at the Primary level.
In the Primary years, IMS students are already forming teams, designing products, and selling them at school and local markets. This early exposure to the “entrepreneurial spirit” allows them to transition seamlessly into the complex challenges of the Middle School business model.
Mentorship over lectures – the Montessori difference
The teenage years are a period of immense change. They require a delicate balance of independence and guidance. To support this, IMS has recruited a world-class team, with AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Adolescent-trained educators and curriculum directors from around the world.
In the PBL environment, these teachers act as “mentors” rather than “lecturers”. They understand the unique temperament and strengths of each student, ensuring everyone finds their role at any given time – be it the visionary CEO, the meticulous accountant, or the creative designer. By providing a safe, respectful space to take risks, IMS mentors help students build self-worth that is rooted in real achievement rather than just grades.
About the school
The International Montessori School is Hong Kong’s first through-train Montessori school. It’s aimed at parents who are looking for an education system that balances academic depth with real-world readiness. You can book a visit to one of the four IMS campuses to see the school’s students in action and discover how they’re becoming confident, globally-minded young entrepreneurs.
IMS has four campuses across Hong Kong Island, including Stanley, Mid-Levels, South Horizons and Aldrich Bay. The Middle School is at Phase III Ma Hang Estate, Stanley.
2566 7196 | ims.edu.hk
Enjoyed this? You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription of Expat Living, or read the digital version free now.
Want your company to feature in this a story like this, or interested in knowing about other editorial options? Email us at advertising@expatliving.hk.
