Asia Pacific International School vs Sri Bestari International School
Asia Pacific International School and Sri Bestari International School are both in Kuala Lumpur, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and EYFS programmes. Asia Pacific International School also offers IPC and British, and Sri Bestari International School also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are MYR 17,424 - 53,892 at Asia Pacific International School and MYR 17,575 - 38,555 at Sri Bestari International School, which puts Asia Pacific International School roughly 27% higher. Asia Pacific International School takes pupils from 2 to 16, and Sri Bestari International School from 3 to 16. Asia Pacific International School is the larger school, with around 1,700 pupils to Sri Bestari International School's 830. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
1,700
Pupils
830
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2012
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
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Location
Sri Bestari International School is located in Bandar Sri Damansara, a township in Kuala Lumpur. It is situated conveniently between several popular residential areas, including Desa ParkCity, Kepong, and Petaling Jaya, making it accessible for families living in these neighborhoods and well-connected to major highways.
Stages
Stages
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Stages
The school is divided into three main sections: Early Years for children aged 3 to 5, Primary School for ages 5 to 11, and Secondary School for students aged 11 to 16.
School type
School type
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School type
SBIS is a co-educational day school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides tailored support for students with additional learning needs through small group sessions and personalized learning plans. Specialist staff work with teachers to help students overcome learning challenges, particularly in areas such as literacy and numeracy. Specific facilities for additional support are integrated within the school environment to ensure inclusivity.
Additional learning support
The school has an "Education and Learning Support Academy" (ELSA) that provides support for students with mild autism, mild dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is not formally affiliated with any country.
Country affiliation
SBIS is a Malaysian school and does not have a specific affiliation with another country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation and offers a secular education environment.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically begins around 8:00 AM and finishes by 3:30 PM. There are scheduled breaks in the morning and a lunch period around midday to allow students time to rest and eat. After-school activities and co-curricular programmes usually run following the core academic day.
School day structure
The school day starts at 7:45 AM for all levels. The end of the day varies by year group.
Lower Primary ends at 2:35 PM from Monday to Thursday and 12:15 PM on Fridays, while Upper Primary and Secondary end at 3:20 PM from Monday to Thursday and 12:15 PM or 12:50 PM on Fridays. The day includes a morning break and a lunch break.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Asia Pacific International School offers a school bus service for families within Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas. The buses are managed by a contracted provider with scheduled pick-up and drop-off points to cover key residential zones. The service aims to provide convenience and safety for students commuting to and from school. Parents can request routes and timing details directly from the school admissions team.
Bus service details
The school offers a school bus service for students. This service is provided by an independent company. Information on routes, costs, and how to apply are not available publicly.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Early Years (Ages 2-4)
Pre-Nursery: - Deposit: RM 5,808 - Tuition fee per term: RM 17,424 - Annual tuition fee: RM 52,272 (3 terms) - Note: Fees exclude toiletries, diapers, and milk formula
Nursery & Reception: - Tuition fee per term: RM 7,280 - Resources fee per year: RM 1,300 - Annual tuition fee: RM 21,840 - Total annual fee: RM 23,140
Primary Years (Ages 5-11)
- Year 1: RM 7,952 per term, annual total RM 25,156 - Year 2: RM 9,200 per term, annual total RM 28,900 - Year 3: RM 10,320 per term, annual total RM 32,260 - Year 4: RM 11,592 per term, annual total RM 36,076 - Year 5: RM 12,536 per term, annual total RM 38,908 - Year 6: RM 13,336 per term, annual total RM 41,308
All primary years include a RM 1,300 annual resources fee.
Secondary Years (Ages 11-16)
- Year 7: RM 14,196 per term, annual total RM 43,880 - Year 8: RM 15,400 per term, annual total RM 47,500 - Year 9: RM 16,700 per term, annual total RM 51,400 - Year 10: RM 17,068 per term, annual total RM 52,504 - Year 11: RM 17,964 per term, annual total RM 55,192
Secondary years include a RM 1,300 annual resources fee (except Year 7).
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees
* Application Fee: MYR 1,200 (non-refundable, payable before assessment). * Registration Fee: MYR 8,000 (one-off, non-refundable, payable upon acceptance). * Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s school fee, refundable with one term’s written withdrawal notice.
Tuition Fees (3 terms per year)
* Reception 1–2: MYR 5,858–5,860 per term / approx. MYR 17,575 per year. * Year 1–2: MYR 7,197 per term / MYR 21,590 per year. * Year 3–4: MYR 7,666 per term / MYR 23,000 per year. * Year 5–6: MYR 8,174 per term / MYR 24,520 per year. * Year 7: MYR 11,615 per term / MYR 34,845 per year. * Year 8: MYR 11,995 per term / MYR 35,985 per year. * Year 9–11: MYR 12,851 per term / MYR 38,555 per year.
Other Fees
* Meal Plan: MYR 750 per term (Reception to Year 6). * Society Fee: MYR 150–180 per term (compulsory for Reception to Year 3). * Additional costs (not included): uniforms, books, special activities, trips, laptops, lockers, and external exam fees.
Payment Terms
* Fees may be paid annually or termly (September, January, April). * A 2% discount applies for full-year payments made two weeks before term start. * Sibling discount of 5% applies to younger children. * Payments accepted via cash, cheque, bank draft, online transfer, or major credit cards. * A 5% late fee applies to overdue payments.
Refund Information
* Application and registration fees are non-refundable. * Deposits are refundable in line with the school’s withdrawal policy.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
APIS' curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum, tailored to an international context. For Early Years (ages 2-5), the program focuses on purposeful play and foundational life skills within a trilingual environment, incorporating English, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. In the International Primary School (ages 5-11), students follow an enhanced English National Curriculum alongside the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), fostering skills for life through theme-based learning.
The International Secondary School (ages 11-16) comprises Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11). Key Stage 3 builds a strong academic foundation, preparing students for their two-year International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program, which begins in Year 10. Students then sit for the Cambridge IGCSE exams at the end of Year 11, with options across Sciences, Arts, and Humanities.
Curriculum details
Sri Bestari International School offers a curriculum based on the British system, which is structured into three distinct stages. The Early Years (ages 3-5) follow the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), which is designed to be engaging and play-based. Following this, the Primary School (ages 5-11) implements the Cambridge Primary curriculum, covering Key Stages 1 and 2, which provides a broad and balanced education.
For Secondary School students (ages 11-16), the curriculum is structured across Key Stages 3 and 4. This phase of their education prepares them for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations, a globally recognized qualification. The school offers a range of subjects for the IGCSEs, allowing students to choose a variety of subjects based on their interests and future academic plans.
Attend an open house or school tour. The school regularly organizes open house events and individual tours, providing an opportunity for families to visit the campus, meet staff, and learn more about the curriculum and facilities. Booking a visit helps parents assess if the school environment fits their child’s needs.
Submit an application form. After deciding to proceed, parents complete the application form, providing relevant documents such as previous school reports, birth certificates, and passport copies. The school may require additional information depending on the applicant’s age and program.
Assessment and interview. The school conducts an age-appropriate assessment and an interview with the student and family. This helps evaluate the child’s academic level, language proficiency, and readiness to join the school community.
Offer and acceptance. If successful, the school sends an offer letter outlining terms, fees, and enrollment conditions. Parents confirm acceptance by completing necessary paperwork and paying any required deposits or fees.
Orientation and enrollment. Once accepted, the school provides orientation information to help new students and families settle in smoothly, including details on school uniforms, timetables, and support services.
Admissions
1. Application Submission Submit the completed and signed Application Form, Personal Data Protection Act Notice, and SBIS Fee Category & Agreement, along with the required documents on the checklist. Pay the Application Fee; it is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. Assessment Round Admissions will schedule an entrance assessment and interview. Reception (Early Years): written assessment, interview with Deputy Principal/Head of School, and classroom observation. Primary: English & Mathematics test, interview (Year 1 includes classroom observation). Secondary: English, Mathematics & Science tests plus interview. Placement depends on space availability, prior records, and assessment performance; international students must have a valid Student Pass or Dependent Pass before enrolment.
3. Review Once assessments (and any necessary reference checks) are complete, the admissions committee reviews the application. Decisions are typically made within 5–7 working days, though peak periods may take longer. The school may contact previous schools or relevant professionals to verify information. Final placement level is determined by the school based on age and readiness.
4. Confirmation of Acceptance Successful applicants receive a Letter of Offer (or Conditional Letter). To secure the place, pay the Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable), the Refundable Deposit, and the Term Fee by the deadline stated in the offer. If an application is unsuccessful, a place is not offered and the family is informed of the outcome.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Asia Pacific International School offers a limited number of scholarships based on academic merit, leadership qualities, and community involvement. Interested families must submit a scholarship application alongside the admissions form, providing supporting documents and references. Scholarships are reviewed by a committee and awarded annually, potentially covering part of the tuition fees. Specific criteria and deadlines are shared with families during the admissions process.
Scholarships
There is no specific information available on the Sri Bestari International School website about scholarships. Although, they do post about scholarships on their socials.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school operates a waitlist system when places are limited. Applicants who meet entry criteria but for whom immediate places are unavailable are placed on a waiting list. The school contacts families in order of the waitlist as spaces open up, typically prioritizing siblings and earlier application dates.
Waitlist
The school does operate a waiting list. If a place is not available at the time of application, successful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The school will then contact parents/guardians when a place becomes available.
