Austin Heights Private & International School vs R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru
Austin Heights Private & International School and R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru are both in Johor Bahru, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Austin Heights Private & International School also offers IPC and British, and R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru also offers EYFS. Published annual fees are MYR 12,000 - 21,000 at Austin Heights Private & International School and MYR 13,020 - 28,450 at R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru, which puts R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru roughly 26% higher. Austin Heights Private & International School takes pupils from 3 to 17, and R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru from 3 to 16. Austin Heights Private & International School is the larger school, with around 1,300 pupils to R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru's 500. Typical class sizes are 25 at Austin Heights Private & International School and 20 at R.E.A.L Schools - Johor Bahru.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
1,300
Pupils
500
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2008
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Austin Heights Private & International School is located in Taman Mount Austin. This area is highly accessible via major roads such as the Pasir Gudang Highway and Eastern Dispersal Link, making commutes easy for families, including those crossing the border from Singapore (approximately 30–40 minutes by car). The school is also connected by local bus routes like P111 and T11. Mount Austin boasts a rich variety of amenities including AEON Mall, Toppen Shopping Centre, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment hubs like the Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park. Nearby medical facilities such as Sultan Ismail Hospital add to the area’s appeal, making it ideal for families seeking convenience and lifestyle amenities.
Location
REAL International School is located in Masai, in the eastern part of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The campus is about 25 minutes from the Johor–Singapore Causeway and is accessible via the Pasir Gudang Highway. The area is mainly residential with nearby shops and amenities, and transport links support commuting from central Johor Bahru and surrounding suburbs.
Stages
Stages
The school offers a structured educational journey for early years, primary and secondary levels.
Stages
The international school is structured into four main stages: Early Years (ages 3–5), Primary (ages 5–11), Lower Secondary (ages 11–14), and Upper Secondary (ages 14–16). Students progress through the Cambridge International Curriculum, culminating in IGCSE examinations in Year 11.
School type
School type
Austin Heights is a co-educational day school. The school does not offer boarding facilities.
School type
It is a co-educational international school offering day schooling only. There are no boarding facilities at the Johor Bahru campus.
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 additional learning support by having Blackboard Learn, an online learning platform that allows students to review lessons, complete assignments, and access resources anytime, making learning more flexible and easier to refer to whenever its needed.
Additional learning support
The school provides limited additional support for students with mild learning needs, typically managed within the classroom by teachers. There is currently no dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) department or specialist staff indicated on the school’s site.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Austin Heights does not have any formal religious affiliation and operates as a secular school.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation and operates as a secular institution.
The school day begins at 8:00 AM for all levels. Early Years finishes at 1:10 PM from Monday to Thursday and at 12:00 PM on Fridays. Primary students attend until 3:40 PM Monday to Thursday and 12:40 PM on Fridays. Secondary students have the longest schedule, ending at 4:10 PM Monday to Thursday and 1:10 PM on Fridays. Breaks and lunch are incorporated between morning and afternoon lessons.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Austin Heights provides a school bus service for its students.
Bus service details
The school offers a private bus service covering various residential areas around Johor Bahru. Transport routes and pricing are managed by third-party providers in coordination with the school. Parents are advised to confirm availability and stop locations directly with the campus during enrollment.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Tuition Fees (Annually) Early Years 1 & 2 (Age 3–4): RM 12,000 Years 1–3 (Age 5–7): RM 15,600 Years 4–6 (Age 8–10): RM 17,400 Years 7–9 (Age 11–13): RM 20,400 Years 10–11 (Age 14–15): RM 23,400 Years 12–13 (Age 16–17): RM 21,000
Refund Policy Security Deposit: A refundable deposit equivalent to one term’s tuition fee is required upon enrollment. This deposit is refundable upon withdrawal, provided all dues are cleared and the required notice period is observed.
Application & Registration Fees: Both are one-time, non-refundable payments.
Miscellaneous Fees: Typically non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payment Methods Bank transfers Credit/debit cards Online banking Cash or cheque payments
These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, except the deposit, which is refundable under the terms of the Admission Contract.
Annual Tuition Fees (Payable Termly)
Early Years * Tuition: MYR 10,620 * Supplementary Fee: MYR 2,200 * Tech Fee: MYR 200 * Total: MYR 13,020 per year
Primary (Years 1–6) * Year 1–2: MYR 21,280 * Year 3: MYR 19,600 * Year 4: MYR 22,900 * Year 5: MYR 19,890 * Year 6: MYR 23,190
Secondary (Years 7–11) * Year 7: MYR 24,620 * Year 8: MYR 25,360 * Year 9: MYR 25,690 * Year 10–11: MYR 28,450
Each year’s fee includes tuition, a MYR 2,800 supplementary fee, and a MYR 500 tech fee, except for Early Years.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms * Fees can be paid annually (by August) or termly, with due dates in August, January, and April. * A 2% monthly surcharge applies to late payments. * A 3% discount is available for full-year payments made via bank transfer or cash before August.
Other Costs * Uniforms, books, visa fees (for international students), and administrative charges are not included in the tuition fees and are charged separately as applicable.
Refunds * Tuition, registration, and application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. * Deposits are refundable under specific conditions outlined in the admission policy.
Payment Methods * Annual Payments: Bank transfer and cash. * Termly Payments: Bank transfer, cash, credit card, and cheque. * Payments should be made to R.E.A.L Education Group Sdn Bhd, and proof of payment must be submitted via email or fax.
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
Austin Heights offers a dual-track education system that caters to both local and international students. The International Stream follows the British curriculum, incorporating programmes such as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP), Cambridge Lower Secondary, and ultimately leading to the Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Years 10 and 11. This stream emphasizes inquiry-based and thematic learning, preparing students with critical thinking and global awareness. Alongside this, the school also offers a Private Stream that follows the Malaysian National Curriculum (KSSR/KSSM), making it an excellent choice for families who prefer a local syllabus but still want a strong co-curricular and English-medium education.
Curriculum details
REAL International School Johor Bahru follows the British Cambridge curriculum across all school stages. In the Early Years (ages 3–5), the school adopts the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), focusing on learning through play and development in communication, numeracy, and creativity. The Primary School (Years 1–6) uses the Cambridge Primary Programme, which covers English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, and ICT, along with Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin. In Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), students follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum with more subject specialisation. The Upper Secondary (Years 10–11) prepares students for the IGCSE examinations, typically taken at age 16, in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, ICT, and Business Studies. Co-curricular subjects like Art, Music, Physical Education, and Robotics are integrated throughout all stages.
1. Application Submission: Prospective students must complete the Admission Form and pay a non-refundable application fee of RM100.
2. Entrance Assessment: Applicants are required to sit for an entrance assessment to evaluate their academic proficiency.
3. Interview session: Following the assessment, an interview with the Principal or a designated staff member is conducted to assess the applicant's English language proficiency and behavioral attributes.
4. Document Submission: Applicants must provide necessary documents.
5. Admission Decision: Admission is contingent upon satisfactory performance in the assessment and interview, as well as the availability of places.
6. MOE & Immigration Documentation: The school assists in submitting necessary documents to the Ministry of Education and, for international students, provides letters to support visa applications.
Admissions
1. Book a school tour or attend an Open Day (optional but encouraged). Families can arrange to visit the Johor Bahru campus to view the facilities, observe classroom settings, and speak with school staff. Tours are typically arranged directly with the admissions team and provide a clearer understanding of the school environment.
2. Submit an application form and required documents. Families will be asked to complete a formal application form and provide relevant documents such as academic records, passport copies, birth certificate, and immunisation records. A one-time application fee of MYR 1,500 is payable at this stage.
3. Student assessment and interview. Applicants may be asked to complete a placement assessment or attend an interview, depending on the year level and prior academic background. This helps the school determine appropriate class placement and any additional support needed.
4. Offer and acceptance. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter. Upon acceptance, families must pay a registration fee (MYR 5,000), deposit (MYR 10,000), and the first term’s fees. The Admissions Office will then guide families through onboarding, uniforms, and other first-day preparations.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
REAL International School Johor Bahru does not currently advertise academic or other scholarships on its official platforms. Fee reductions may be available through sibling discounts and promotional rebates for early or full-year payments. Families are encouraged to check directly with the school regarding any available financial incentives or temporary offers at the time of application.
Waitlist
Waitlist
If no immediate placement is available, applicants are placed on a waiting list. The school reserves the right to assign admission priorities based on its criteria.
Waitlist
REAL International School Johor Bahru does not publicly operate a pool system or formal waitlist. Admissions are generally processed on a rolling basis, subject to availability in the requested year group. In cases where classes are full, the admissions team may offer to place a student on an informal waiting list and notify families if a place becomes available.
