Since 2012, the number of international schools in Malaysia has been steadily increasing, giving parents a lot of options to choose from.
Different international schools offer different types of curriculum and their learning methodologies differ too, so parents have to do quite a lot of research to find the best fit for their children.
One of the advantages of studying at international schools is that they offer easy transfer to other schools and universities outside of Malaysia.
This makes it easy for students to pursue their chosen career once they graduate. The reason is the curriculum; these international schools follow international curriculums that are accepted in schools worldwide and recognised by most reputed universities.
There are four types of such international curriculums that are most popular and offered by many international schools in Malaysia – American, Australian, British and International Baccalaureate (IB).
However, creating global citizens takes more than just curriculum, it also takes good teachers, great facilities and proper learning methodologies to offer world-class education.
Here are four international schools in Malaysia that offer such a world-class education:
1. Raffles American School (RAS), Johor
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, this international school is accredited by the US Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) that offers an American curriculum for their students ranging from kindergarten until Grade 12.
In order to support their future graduates, RAS provides their students in the secondary programme with a counsellor who offers them guidance and continuous support as they design a graduation plan that fits their interests and career goals.
Known for their rigorous, standards-based system and learning outcome approach, students who successfully complete the American Curriculum receive an American High School Diploma.
This is recognised as a valid qualification for entry to all universities in the US as well as other major universities worldwide.
Penn State and Boston are among the many universities that offer placement for RAS graduates.
2. Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur
Established in 1946, this international school follows the British curriculum and is accredited by the UK Department of Education as an outstanding British School Overseas.
This international school is open to children as young as three years old until 18 years old, offering (I)GCSE and A-Levels for their students.
Once they graduate, students can easily enroll at their preferred universities worldwide as both (I)GCSE and A-Levels work as a valid qualification for their entry.
According to the school’s website, for the past three years, students who graduated from Alice Smith School have progressed to top-ranked universities in the UK, US and other countries worldwide, such as the University of Oxford, Cambridge as well as Yale.
3. Australian International School Malaysia (AISM), Seri Kembangan
Situated in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, AISM offers Australian curriculum for their students from the age of three until 18.
Using the Visible Learning Approach for their students, AISM is recognised as the first Certified Visible Learning school in the world.
While academics are the most crucial part in education, students at AISM are offered a broad range of enriching experiences such as leadership development, thinking skills, co-curricular, internationalism, service learning, career planning and character-building programs.
Students who graduate from this international school will receive a New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) which also leads to being awarded an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which is a credential for applying to universities all over the world.
4. The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
Established in 1965, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is the first fully accredited international school in Malaysia and is home to more than 1,500 students from over 60 countries.
The school is open to children from the age of three until 18 and offers American curriculum as well as International Baccalaureate.
Students in high school are allowed to take university-level courses to prepare for their university entrance.
Students who choose to do IB courses can apply to their preferred universities once they complete their Diploma, since IBDP is widely known around the globe as a valid qualification for university entrance.
According to the school’s website, the graduating class of 2019 received more than 400 acceptances from over 200 universities in 14 countries spanning four continents and received over US2.1 million in scholarships.
There are certainly many other international schools in Malaysia that parents can consider other than these four.
However, the most important thing is to choose a school that fits well with your children and their capabilities.
School Advisor provides information on private and international schools, extra-curricular activities as well as other education-related topics in Malaysia.
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