Brighton International School vs St. Marian's

	B Brighton International School Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	St. Marian's Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 11,100 - 23,400	Fees / year MYR 14,400 - 24,000
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 350	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2015	Opened 2016
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is situated just ten minutes from downtown Kuala Lumpur, within the established Taman Setiawangsa neighbourhood. It benefits from access to Kuala Lumpur's public transport system, including buses and the LRT (Line 5), making travel within the city straightforward.	Location St. Marian's Home School is located at No. 4, Lorong Dungun, Bukit Damansara, a quiet and affluent residential suburb of Kuala Lumpur. The campus is situated near the Semantan MRT station, offering convenient access for families living in the city center or nearby neighborhoods like Bangsar and Sri Hartamas.
Stages	Stages The school is divided into Pre-school, Primary (Lower and Upper), and Secondary (Lower and Upper) levels.	Stages The school accepts students from ages 4 to 17, covering the entire educational journey from Pre-Primary through to Secondary school. The structure includes Early Years (Ages 4–5), Primary (Year 1–6), Lower Secondary (Year 7–9), and Upper Secondary (Year 10–11).
School type	School type Brighton International School is a co-educational institution. The school also offers boarding facilities, which are exclusively available to international students and those from outside the local area. These facilities provide modern amenities and are supervised by live-in House Masters, with 24/7 security.	School type St. Marian's is a co-educational day school (homeschool center) that operates without a boarding facility. Notably, the school does not require a uniform, fostering a more relaxed environment where students are grouped by ability in specific subjects rather than strictly by age.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 80% local 20% expats/foreigners
Additional learning support	Additional learning support BIS provides an English Enhancement Program (BEEP) for students who require additional English language support to succeed in their English-based curriculum. Beyond language support, the school aims to provide an inclusive learning environment and targets areas of learning that require extra support through continuous assessment.	Additional learning support The school supports students with Additional Learning Needs (SEN) on a case-by-case basis, assessing each child individually to determine if they can be accommodated.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows a British curriculum although it is not affiliated with any particular country	Country affiliation The school follows a hybrid international model, utilizing the British Cambridge curriculum for most subjects while adopting the Singapore Education syllabus specifically for Mathematics and Science.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Brighton International School has no religious affiliation. It is a non-denominational school that welcomes students from all religions and faiths.	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure	School day structure For Pre-school students, the school day runs from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM from Monday to Thursday, and from 8:00 AM to 12:10 PM on Fridays. Primary students (Year 1 to Year 6) attend from 8:00 AM to 3:10 PM from Monday to Thursday, and from 8:00 AM to 12:10 PM on Fridays. Secondary students (Year 7 to Year 13) have a slightly earlier start at 7:55 AM, finishing at 3:25 PM from Monday to Thursday, and at 1:00 PM on Fridays.	School day structure The school follows the National school calendar for its academic terms. While specific start and end times are not listed on the website, the daily schedule includes two breaks of 30 minutes each.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a bus service for its students, which is operated and managed by the school itself. The buses are air-conditioned, equipped with CCTV for safety, and have seat belts. Prefects are assigned to buses to help avoid incidents, and the service is supervised by school staff. The service is currently limited to the Klang Valley area.	Bus service details The school does not mention a dedicated bus service on its website. Parents typically arrange their own transport, taking advantage of the school's location near the Semantan MRT station.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Entry Fees -Application Fee: RM 500 (non-refundable, one-time payment upon application submission) -Registration Fee: RM 2,500 (Years 1-13, non-refundable, payable upon receiving offer letter) -Security Deposit: Equivalent to 1 term's tuition fee (refundable with one full academic term's written notice) Annual Tuition Fees Pre-School -Pre-School 1: RM 11,100 per year (RM 3,700 per term) -Pre-School 2: RM 11,100 per year (RM 3,700 per term) Primary School -Grades 1-3: RM 17,400 per year (RM 5,800 per term) -Grades 4-6: RM 19,500 per year (RM 6,500 per term) Secondary School -Grades 7-9: RM 21,300 per year (RM 7,100 per term) -Grades 10-11: RM 23,400 per year (RM 7,800 per term) A-Levels Programme -A-Levels (2-year programme): RM 35,200 total (RM 8,800 per term over 4 terms) -Lab Fees: RM 300 per subject per term (additional cost) Payment Structure -Tuition fees are split into 3 equal terms per academic year -A-Levels programme runs over 4 terms across 2 years -Security deposit required equivalent to one term's tuition fee -Additional lab fees apply for A-Level subjects	Fee details Tuition fees: Early years : RM14,400 per year KS 1 (Grade 1 & 2) : 17,400 per year KS 2 (Grade 3-6) : RM18,000 per year KS 3 (Grade 7-9) : RM21,600 per year KS 4 (Grade 10 & 11) : RM24, 000 per year Additional costs: Registration fees, personal accident insurance, materials / events, books, ECA
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement St. Marian's requires students to wear their STM Tshirt daily
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school operates a small in-house cafe where students can purchase food and drinks. The available options include basic snacks such as burgers, hot dogs, and packed nasi lemak.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is owned and operated by St. Marian's Scholars Sdn Bhd, a private limited company registered in Malaysia. The institution was founded by Priya Michael, who currently serves as the Principal.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Brighton International School delivers a curriculum based on the internationally recognized Cambridge Curriculum, rooted in the UK National Curriculum. For the Early Years (ages 3-5), the focus is on communication, cooperation, and stimulating intellectual development through play-based learning, preparing children for the educational environment. In Key Stage 1 (Grades 1-3), the program continues with the UK National Curriculum, with subjects including Mathematics, Science, English as a First Language, Languages, Computer, History, Geography, Physical Education, Arts & Craft, and Music. As students progress, the curriculum expands to include Information & Communication Technology for Key Stage 2. For Malaysian students, Bahasa Malaysia, Islamic Studies, and Local Studies are also offered. At the IGCSE level (Years 9-11), students choose from a range of subjects like English Language and Literature, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, and various electives. In Years 12 and 13, students typically sit for AS-Level and A-Level examinations, choosing up to four subjects from a wide array of options including Mathematics, Sciences, English Literature, Humanities, and Arts.	Curriculum details St. Marian’s utilizes a hybrid curriculum that blends the Cambridge International framework with the Singapore syllabus, the latter being dedicated specifically to Mathematics and Science. Primary students (Years 1–6) focus on core literacy and numeracy skills alongside subjects like History, Geography, and ICT, with progress monitored through internal assessments rather than external Checkpoint exams. In the Secondary stage (Years 7–11), the program expands to offer pure sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Business Studies, Economics, and Sociology, ultimately preparing students for Cambridge IGCSE examinations. The academic offering is further supported by a focus on STEM-based learning and coding. Additionally, the school provides language instruction in English, Malay, and Mandarin to broaden students' communication skills.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 15:1
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Post-IGCSE Guidance St. Marian’s offers a dedicated "St. Marian's Study Abroad" service to assist students in navigating their educational pathways after completing their IGCSE or SPM examinations. Expert counselors work closely with families to identify suitable pre-university, diploma, bachelor’s and pathway programs based on the student's academic goals and budget.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school emphasizes a holistic interaction between teachers and students, viewing itself as a center for developing children into "responsible mature adults" rather than just a teaching institution. They strive to provide a "positive" and "comfortable environment" where students are encouraged to be vocal and inquisitive. Additionally, the school conducts regular field trips designed to integrate with learning sessions and enhance exposure to the real world.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) St. Marian's accepts students with behavioral or learning disabilities on a case-by-case basis, assessing each child individually to see if the school can meet their needs. While it is not a specialist SEN institution, the school provides "special attention" to students who are found to be weak in particular subjects to help them improve.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose specific information regarding a dedicated "English as an Additional Language" (EAL) support program. However, they explicitly state that they offer English as a core language subject alongside Malay and Mandarin.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The school is committed to monitoring and reporting on students' "progress and well-being," as outlined in their data collection policies. The faculty focuses on helping students overcome challenges and doubts in a "comfortable environment" that encourages them to ask questions and express opinions freely. The small class sizes and "holistic interaction" aim to bring out the best in each child.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding The school's privacy policy includes provisions to use personal data when necessary to "prevent illegal activities, e.g. in situations where the safety of a student is concerned." While the website details strict data protection measures to safeguard personal information, it does not publicly disclose a separate, detailed Child Protection or Safeguarding policy document.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History St. Marian's Home School was founded in 2016 by Priya Michael, who currently serves as the Principal. The institution is operated by St. Marian's Scholars Sdn Bhd, as detailed in its corporate privacy policies. It was established with a philosophy to serve as a center for development rather than just a teaching institution, focusing on facilitating learning in a home-school environment.
Community	Community —	Community The school fosters a close-knit community through regular field trips that are fully funded by the school and integrated into the students' current learning sessions. A major highlight of the school's cultural calendar is its annual dramatic productions, which have included large-scale performances such as "The Greatest Showman" (2022) and "Phantom of the Opera" (2019). These events provide opportunities for students to engage in the creative arts alongside their academic studies.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA). However, the school emphasizes keeping parents informed through "regular updates on the goings-on" at the center. The assessment system is also designed to serve as a guide for parents, teachers, and students to identify strengths and weaknesses collaboratively.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards The school does not publicly disclose any awards received by the institution in the past.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Submit the Application and Documents. A completed application form, along with a copy of the applicant's birth certificate/IC/passport, a copy of the most recent school report card, and a non-refundable application fee of RM500, must be submitted. Assessment Test and Interview. Once the application and documents are received, the admissions department will review them. A representative will then contact parents to arrange an Assessment Test for the student, which may be administered online under special circumstances. A personal interview with the student may also be required. These steps help determine the candidate's suitability. Receive an Offer of Admission. After the assessment results are reviewed, the school will inform parents of its decision. An Offer of Admission, outlining the terms and conditions, will be extended. Upon acceptance, a Welcome Kit will be provided with further matriculation details.	Admissions The school does not provide a formal, numbered step-by-step admissions guide. However, the general procedure outlined by the school is as follows: 1. Initial Inquiry/Registration: Prospective parents can begin the process by using the "REGISTER NOW!" submission form on the homepage or by contacting the school directly via phone or email to make an inquiry. 2. Timing of Enrollment: Students are permitted to enroll at any time of the year, although the school encourages joining at the start of a term for a smoother experience. 3. Assessment and Transition: For students joining mid-term, the school works with the family to ensure a smooth transition from their previous school. Additionally, students with specific needs (behavioral or learning disabilities) are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarship information is not publicly available.	Scholarships The school does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarships or financial aid programs.
Waitlist	Waitlist Information about a waitlist is not publicly available.	Waitlist The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a waitlist or candidate pool system on its website.
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