Choosing a suitable school for your child possibly tops the list of most complex decisions you will have to make as a parent. The multitude of factors that influence this decision are wide enough to give you a splitting headache. Being a parent in Malaysia, the range of options are even more perplexing with the multifarious public, private and international schools available.
What used to be the norm here, where most children attended public or private schools, is now a thing of the past. Not that public and private schools have transformed into deserted, abandoned buildings, but more and more parents prefer to have their precious tots attend international schools, starting right from preschool.
After placing much emphasis on finding the “perfect” school, then comes the limitations. It is an open fact that international schools are notorious for their exorbitant fee structures. No matter how well matched international schools are to the requirements of parents when it comes to their children’s education, there may well be financial constraints for most.
Good news is, with the proliferation of new international schools in the country especially over the last few years comes a broader range of fee options, giving parents the access to more study savings opportunities.
Listed below are some of the international preschools, within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, at the lower end of the cost scale:
Established in mid-2018 and strategically located at Bandar Baru Klang, Acmar International and Private Schools have earned a reputation of being the top in its category owing to its wholesome holistic approach in guiding its students to emerge as creative and critical thinkers with indispensable 21st century skills. These inevitably equal to owning top-notch facilities that are conducive for students to hone knowledge and timely skills on droning, robotics, coding and more.
Tuition Fees: From RM8,010 (USD1,700) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3 years
Location: Klang
Campus Rangers International School, Kuala Lumpur offers a supportive learning environment where students will benefit from an intimate school setting that brings out the absolute best in every child. It started as an IGCSE learning centre in 2012 by a husband-and-wife duo, who are both experienced educators with a vision to inspire and transform students’ lives. For many students, if not all, the personalised learning experience was transformational; they managed to perform much better in ways that they were unable to in other schools. Seeing these exceptional achievements, the founders sought to expand their vision. Here it is today, with a bigger campus while maintaining the same close-knit community.
At Campus Rangers, students learn across a continuum of programmes guided by the British educational framework. “We equip students with holistic and quality education, impact them with Godly values and practices, and transform lives through love, care and counselling. We ensure No one is left behind,” Mr. Ho, founder of Campus Rangers International School.
Tuition Fees: From RM14,440 (USD3,000) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3+ years
Location: Kuala Lumpur
At Cranbridge, they seek and practice inventive ways in engaging with students in the ever evolving education scene, meeting their academic goals as well as emotional and social needs. They stay guided by the core belief that “All Children Can and Will Learn”. The school offers quality British Education, from Primary to A Levels. They aim to remain socially and emotionally connected, providing seamless dynamic education, both online and in the classroom. Their small student-teacher ratio has proven to be effective in earning world-class awards like "Best in World for IGCSE."
Tuition Fees: From RM14,460 (USD14,460) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 4 years
Location: Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur
At Hua Xia International School, students are inspired to aim high, beyond academic accomplishments, and never lose sight of embracing their own uniqueness and talents. The teachers work hard to arm them with skills that are vital to becoming successful global citizens, so that they will be ready to face the future with confidence, independence and leadership.
Tuition Fees: From RM9,000 (USD1,900) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 2 years
Leo International promotes independent critical thinking and embrace creativity. Their primary curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England, supported by language education in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin. The learning process focuses a lot on encouraging students to participate and ask questions to boost their confidence. A comprehensive range of co-curricular activities form an integral part of a well-rounded curriculum that aims to help students learn essential skills, discover a range of interests and develop the confidence to pursue new challenges.
Tuition Fees: From RM7,500 (USD1,600) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 4 years
Location: Putra Heights
At Maple Leaf Kingsley Early Years Department (EYD), its mission is to provide excellence in quality education. The EYD maximizes the positive aspects of all children by creating an environment where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated and where all children are given an opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. The school provides this foundation for children to thrive and develop at their own pace.
Throughout the Early Years Foundation stage, children's learning is developed through taking part in a wide variety of fun and play-based activities. All of these activities are carefully planned and directed by teachers while at other times children follow their interests, plan, and create their own activities with teachers observing, encouraging and extending their play. These children will be provided with rewarding and enjoyable experiences in which they can explore, discover and create the foundation for their future learning.
Tuition Fees: From RM16,000 (USD3,400) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3 years
Location: Putra Heights
Pine Hills recognises that all students are individuals who have their own unique strength and weaknesses, gifts, and talents. The school believes that every child has the right to be included in a broad, balanced, and relevant curriculum, and that each student is entitled to have the best possible opportunities to obtain an education which challenges, motivates, and rewards them, so that they can fulfil their individual potential.
Tuition Fees: From RM9,990 (USD2,100) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3 years
Sri Bestari International School (SBIS) welcomes students from the tender age of 3 years until 15 years. The school sits in a 15-acre campus that is very well equipped with spacious classrooms, labs, performing studios, sports field, tennis court, swimming pool and auditorium. Experienced teachers with diversified experiences guide students to gear up for the 21st century.
Tuition Fees: From RM16,080 (USD3,400) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3+ years
Location: Sri Damansara
St. John’s International School (SJIS) is a private-funded international school which is an associate La Salle School in collaboration with the De La Salle Brothers in Malaysia. The establishment of SJIS is in keeping with one of the priorities of the La Sallian Family in Malaysia to cater the needs of young Malaysians, and also link the school with a Lasallian organisation that has an outstanding and reputable long history of delivering excellent education not only in Malaysia but in 82 countries worldwide.
St. John’s International School offers world-class programmes from preschool up to pre-university. Students actively engage in fun activities guided towards developing mentally appropriate learning goals.
Tuition Fees:From RM12,000 (Malaysians) ; RM13,000 [USD 2,800] (Non-Malaysians) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 4 years
Location: Bukit Nanas
Founded in 2010 by a group of dedicated educationalists, Rafflesia Schools are ‘new generation’ international schools built in cutting-edge and eco-friendly facilities designed to support progressive teaching and learning environment and, most importantly, to deliver an internationally-minded curriculum.
Taught by highly qualified and experienced international educators from overseas and Malaysia, the programmes of study offered are designed to serve the needs of the next generation of global thinkers, shapers and leaders. With the philosophy of providing a holistic yet individualised education for each learner, Rafflesia International Schools prepare students to realise their full potential within a stimulating and challenging international learning community.
Tuition Fees: From RM15,030 (USD3,200) per annum
Curriculum: British
Age: From 3+ years
Location: Bandar 16 Sierra, Puchong
The information provided in this article is current as of April 2024. Fees mentioned are subject to change at the discretion of the schools. Kindly get in touch with the school for the most up-to-date information upon application and enrolment.
