Borneo International School vs Riam Hill International Secondary School
Borneo International School and Riam Hill International Secondary School are both in Sarawak. Both schools offer British, Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and Borneo International School also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge International AS Levels. Published annual fees are MYR 9,680 - 33,300 at Borneo International School and MYR 15,000 - 24,000 at Riam Hill International Secondary School, which puts Borneo International School roughly 10% higher. Borneo International School takes pupils from 6 to 18, and Riam Hill International Secondary School from 12 to 17. Borneo International School is the larger school, with around 600 pupils to Riam Hill International Secondary School's 52. Typical class sizes are 25 at Borneo International School and 18 at Riam Hill International Secondary School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
52
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
2022
Bus service
Bus service
—
Bus service
—
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Borneo International School is situated at Jalan Setia Raja in the Tabuan Laru area of Kuching. This is a well-developed suburban neighborhood that hosts a mix of residential, commercial, and educational facilities. The school’s campus is part of the Saradise development, a modern township with a focus on urban lifestyle, dining, and community spaces.
The location is approximately 10 minutes by car from Kuching International Airport and about 15 minutes from the Kuching city centre. It is also within reach of prominent areas like Tabuan Jaya and Stutong, both established residential zones.
Location
Riam Hill International Secondary School is located at Jalan Riam Willow, in the Riam suburb of Miri, in northern Sarawak. The school sits in a peaceful residential area near Taman Tunku and Taman Jelita, about 15 minutes by car from Miri city centre. It is easily accessible via Jalan Miri–Bypass and Jalan Riam, which connect the school to central Miri and major transport routes.
Stages
Stages
Borneo International School is divided into Primary School, Secondary School and Sixth Form.
Stages
RHISS provides education for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary.
School type
School type
Borneo International School is a co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.
School type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Students benefit from career counseling services and assistance with university applications through partnerships with organizations like MABECS and UCAS. A-Level students take part in a four-week work experience programme that provides exposure to professional environments. The school also runs masterclass seminars featuring guest speakers to connect classroom learning with real-world insights. Community service is a key part of student life, with regular activities promoting social awareness and civic responsibility. Small class sizes allow for individual attention, ensuring that students receive guidance tailored to their learning needs.
Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Borneo International School is a secular institution. There is no any religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
RHISS is a non-denominational school with no specific religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
General School Hours (by level and day):
Primary School
Monday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA) Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA) Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Secondary School (Years 7–9)
Monday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA) Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA)
Years 10 & 11 (IGCSE)
Monday: 8:00 AM – 3:40 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:40 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA) Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:40 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Extended for ECA)
Structure of the School Day:
Primary Level:
1.The day is divided into three sessions of approximately two hours each.
2.Includes scheduled morning breaks and a lunch break.
3.On two days per week, students can choose from a variety of activities or clubs, extending their day by one hour.
Secondary Level:
1.The regular day runs slightly longer than primary.
2.Two days per week include extended time for extracurricular activities (ECAs), adding 30 minutes to the day.
3.Students engage with teachers and coaches in settings beyond the classroom, fostering broader personal development.
School day structure
Monday to Friday 7:45am – 3:00pm
Reading and Attendance Taking 7:45am – 8:00am
Morning Break 10:00am – 10:30am
Lunch Break 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Extra-curricular Activities 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Thursday and Friday)
The school day begins with reading and attendance taking from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., followed by classes and scheduled breaks. Extra-curricular activities are held in the afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service.
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
One-Time Fees
Application Fee: RM200 Non-refundable; payable upon submission of the student application form. Assessment Fee: RM150 Non-refundable; applicable to students required to sit for a written assessment before admission. Admission Fee (One-time, non-refundable):
Security Fee: RM3,000 per student Refundable only if a written notice of withdrawal is submitted at least one full term in advance.
Annual and Per-Term Tuition Fees
Malaysian Students Year 1: RM9,680 annually / RM2,420 per term Year 2: RM9,680 annually / RM2,420 per term Year 3: RM9,680 annually / RM2,420 per term Year 4: RM9,972 annually / RM2,493 per term Year 5: RM9,972 annually / RM2,493 per term Year 6: RM9,972 annually / RM2,493 per term Year 7: RM12,052 annually / RM3,013 per term Year 8: RM12,052 annually / RM3,013 per term Year 9: RM13,916 annually / RM3,479 per term Year 10: RM18,876 annually / RM4,719 per term Year 11: RM18,876 annually / RM4,719 per term A-Level (Years 12–13, 18 months): RM27,750 total / RM4,625 per term
Non-Malaysian Students Year 1: RM11,616 annually / RM2,904 per term Year 2: RM11,616 annually / RM2,904 per term Year 3: RM11,616 annually / RM2,904 per term Year 4: RM11,968 annually / RM2,992 per term Year 5: RM11,968 annually / RM2,992 per term Year 6: RM11,968 annually / RM2,992 per term Year 7: RM14,464 annually / RM3,616 per term Year 8: RM14,464 annually / RM3,616 per term Year 9: RM16,700 annually / RM4,175 per term Year 10: RM22,652 annually / RM5,663 per term Year 11: RM22,652 annually / RM5,663 per term A-Level (Years 12–13, 18 months): RM33,300 total / RM5,550 per term
Refund Policy 1.All fees are non-refundable unless explicitly stated otherwise.
2.The Security Fee (RM3,000) is refundable only when a student withdraws with a full term’s written notice.
3.Late payments will incur a surcharge as determined by the school.
Payment Methods All payments must be made to Borneo Covenant Sdn Bhd and can be processed through the following options:
Cheque Bank draft Direct bank deposit Online banking Telegraphic transfer Credit card (in person at the Finance Payment Counter)
Fee details
The school does not have their fee structure publicly available.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Borneo International School offers a unified academic programme based on the Cambridge International Curriculum, providing a continuous educational journey from Year 1 through A-Level qualifications.
In the primary years (Years 1–6), the school follows the Cambridge Primary Programme, which emphasizes English, Mathematics, and Science, along with additional subjects such as Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu. This foundation prepares students for the structured progression into the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme in Years 7 to 9.
For students in Years 10 and 11, the focus shifts to the Cambridge IGCSE, a globally recognized qualification assessing academic knowledge across a broad range of subjects. Following this, students may enroll in the Cambridge AS and A-Level programme (Years 12 and 13), which prepares them for university admission both in Malaysia and internationally.
Curriculum details
RHISS offers a Cambridge International Curriculum for secondary education, specifically from Year 7 to Year 11. The school prepares students for the IGCSE examinations, which are conducted at the end of Year 11. During Years 7 to 9 (lower secondary), students are introduced to a broad curriculum that includes subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Life Skills, Coding, and Physical Education. In Years 10 and 11, students select subjects aligned with the IGCSE syllabus and focus on exam preparation.
In addition to Cambridge standards, RHISS incorporates elements of the Chinese curriculum, offering a bilingual and bicultural learning experience. This integration supports Mandarin language proficiency and cultural knowledge, particularly for students from Chinese-speaking backgrounds. The curriculum is designed to build strong academic foundations and prepare students for global tertiary education, though the school currently does not offer a pre-university programme like A-Levels or AUSMAT.
1. Application Submission. Download and complete the school’s Application Form. Attach a copy of your child’s most recent school report card and exam results when submitting the form.
2. Entrance Assessment. Schedule an appointment for your child to sit for the school’s entrance assessment examination.
3. Assessment Outcome. Within one week of the assessment, the school will notify you of the results and recommend an appropriate Year Group placement for your child.
4. Offer and Enrollment. If your child is successful, the school will issue an Offer of Acceptance letter. You will then be asked to complete and submit the Admission Form to finalize the enrollment process.
Admissions
1. Complete the student registration form available on the school's website. Submit the form along with the required documents, which include: A copy of the student's birth certificate A copy of the student's MyKad or passport Two recent passport-sized photographs A copy of the parent's MyKad or passport
2. Applicants for Years 7–11 are required to sit for an entrance test to assess their academic readiness. rhiss.edu.my
3. An interview may be conducted to further evaluate the applicant's suitability for the school's environment and curriculum.
4. The completed application and assessment results will be reviewed by the Principal. Parents or guardians will be notified of the admission decision upon completion of the review process.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Borneo International School offers scholarships for its A-Level programme.
Scholarships
Currently, RHISS does not offer a formal scholarship program. However, the school emphasizes providing affordable quality education, particularly targeting students from the M40 and T20 income groups. Additionally, the Sarawak government has expressed intent to collaborate with RHISS to support eligible Sarawakian students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, in accessing education at the school.
