Cempaka International School Damansara Heights vs The International School at Parkcity
Cempaka International School Damansara Heights and The International School at Parkcity are both in Kuala Lumpur, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and The International School at Parkcity also offers IPC. Published annual fees are close, at MYR 27,000 - 73,380 for Cempaka International School Damansara Heights and MYR 23,400 - 81,750 for The International School at Parkcity. Cempaka International School Damansara Heights takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and The International School at Parkcity from 3 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 2,000 and 1,700 pupils. Both keep typical class sizes around 24.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
2,000
Pupils
1,700
Typical class size
Typical class size
24
Typical class size
24
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1983
Opened
2011
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The school is situated in Damansara Heights, a well-established and pleasant residential suburb of Kuala Lumpur. This location provides a quiet environment for the campus. It is accessible via major roads and public transport, including several bus routes.
Location
ISP is situated in the Desa ParkCity township, a planned residential area in northwest Kuala Lumpur. The school is approximately a 5-hour drive north of Singapore, making it accessible for expatriate families relocating from Singapore. The campus is conveniently located near public amenities, including shopping centers, parks, and recreational facilities, providing a comfortable environment for students and families.
Stages
Stages
The school is structured into four main levels, all on a single campus. It begins with "Michelia" for early childhood education, followed by Primary School, Secondary School, and finally a Pre-University programme offering A-Levels.
Stages
The school is divided into The Early Years Centre, Primary School, Secondary School and Sixth Form, with shared facilities across Primary and Secondary Campuses.
School type
School type
Cempaka is a co-educational day school and does not offer boarding facilities for its students.
School type
ISP 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 has a system in place to support students with additional learning needs. Collaborative teacher teams work to tailor learning to individual requirements, aiming to provide a successful school experience for every student.
Additional learning support
ISP offers a Learning Support Department providing specialist assistance for students who may benefit from additional support. This provision includes small group booster lessons in literacy and numeracy, one-to-one support in mainstream lessons, and support through student passports and individual education plans.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any specific country.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any particular country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
ISP is a non-denominational institution and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day for primary and secondary students generally runs from 8:00 am to around 3:15 pm, with slight variations depending on the year group. The early childhood center has more flexible timings, including half-day options.
School day structure
The school day at ISP begins at 8:00 AM for Primary and Secondary students and at 8:30 AM for Early Years Centre students. The school day concludes at a staggered time from 2:45pm - 3:00 PM for Primary and Secondary levels, while Early Years finishes at 2:15 PM (Nursery) or 2:45pm (Reception).
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not directly provide a school bus service.
Bus service details
ISP provides a school bus service through a partnership with JPR Transport Sdn Bhd. The buses are air-conditioned, and attendants accompany students to ensure safety and well-being during the journey.
Early Childhood (Michelia, ages 2–5) * Half-day: RM 9,000 per term, RM 27,000 per year * Full-day: RM 11,000 per term, RM 33,000 per year An annual fee of RM 1,000 applies.
Primary School (Years 1–6, ages 6–12, Finnish curriculum) * Year 1–2: RM 19,070 per term, RM 57,210 per year * Year 3–4: RM 20,500 per term, RM 61,500 per year * Year 5–6: RM 22,470 per term, RM 67,410 per year Additional Resource Fees (from Aug 2025): RM 150–250 per term depending on year level. Annual fee: RM 1,000.
Secondary School * Year 7 (Freshman, Finnish curriculum): RM 24,460 per term, RM 73,380 per year; Resource Fee RM 300 per term * Years 8–9 (Sophomore 1–2, British curriculum): RM 19,100 per term, RM 57,300 per year * Years 10–11 (Junior 1–2, British curriculum): RM 23,300 per term, RM 69,900 per year Annual fee: RM 1,000.
Additional Notes
* Fees are billed in three terms per academic year. * Tuition increases annually by 3–5% subject to inflation. * Service Tax (SST) at 6% applies if annual tuition exceeds RM 60,000. * Uniforms, learning materials, and certain activities may incur additional costs. * Refund policies and payment options (bank transfer or other methods) are available through the school’s admissions office.
Fee details
Initial Enrollment Fees
- Application fee: RM 1,500 (non-refundable, payable upon submission of application form)
- Registration fee (non-refundable, payable within 7 days of receiving offer letter): Nursery and Reception: RM 2,000 Year 1 to Year 11: RM 20,000 Year 12 and Year 13: RM 10,000 Students progressing from Reception to Year 1: Additional RM 10,000 top-up required
- Deposit: Equivalent to one term's tuition fee (varies by year level, see tuition fees below)
Refundable with one full academic term's written notice of withdrawal
Annual Tuition Fees
Early Years
Nursery (Age 3): RM 7,800 per term (RM 23,400 per year) Reception (Age 4): RM 8,100 per term (RM 24,300 per year)
Primary Years
Year 1 (Age 5): RM 12,600 per term (RM 37,800 per year) Year 2 (Age 6): RM 17,430 per term (RM 52,290 per year) Year 3 (Age 7): RM 19,870 per term (RM 59,610 per year) Year 4 (Age 8): RM 19,870 per term (RM 59,610 per year) Year 5 (Age 9): RM 20,140 per term (RM 60,420 per year) Year 6 (Age 10): RM 20,140 per term (RM 60,420 per year)
Secondary Years
Year 7 (Age 11): RM 24,000 per term (RM 72,000 per year) Year 8 (Age 12): RM 24,000 per term (RM 72,000 per year) Year 9 (Age 13): RM 24,000 per term (RM 72,000 per year) Year 10 (Age 14): RM 25,920 per term (RM 77,760 per year) Year 11 (Age 15): RM 25,920 per term (RM 77,760 per year) Year 12 (Age 16): RM 27,250 per term (RM 81,750 per year) Year 13 (Age 17): RM 27,250 per term (RM 81,750 per year)
Additional Support Fees
- English as an Additional Language (EAL): RM 3,250 per term (for students requiring additional English support)
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
- Academic year consists of 3 terms - Tuition fees invoiced termly and payable prior to commencement of each term - Deposit amount adjusted annually to remain equivalent to one term's tuition fee
Discounts Available
- Early payment discount: 3% discount if annual tuition fees paid in full prior to start of academic year
- 25% discount on Registration Fees for Desa ParkCity Residents
- Sibling discounts (when siblings are concurrent students): Third child: 25% discount on registration fees, 5% discount on tuition fees Fourth and subsequent children: 50% discount on registration fees, 10% discount on tuition fees
- Trial offer for ISP Year 11 students and Desa ParkCity residents progressing into Year 12
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
—
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
The Early Years education, known as "Michelia," is based on a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. In Primary School, students follow a curriculum that combines the British International Curriculum with the Finnish School Model. This dual approach continues into Secondary School, where students work towards Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. For certain IGCSE subjects, such as Computer Science and Business, the school uses the Oxford AQA curriculum, while Physical Education follows the Edexcel Pearson syllabus. Upon completion of their IGCSEs, students can continue into the Pre-University program to study for their A-Levels.
Curriculum details
ISP offers a British-based curriculum for students aged 3 to 18. Early Years and Primary students follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which provides a thematic and engaging foundation. As students progress to Secondary, the curriculum transitions to the English National Curriculum, culminating in internationally recognized Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Years 10 and 11. For the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13), students undertake Cambridge AS and A-Levels, a robust pre-university qualification highly valued by universities worldwide, alongside the AQA Baccalaureate to broaden their learning.
1. Arrange a visit. The admissions team encourages prospective families to visit the campus. You can arrange a guided tour to see the facilities, observe classes, and meet with faculty, which will help you get a better feel for the school environment.
2. Submit an application. You will need to complete the application forms and submit them along with the required documents. These typically include passport-sized photographs, a copy of your child's birth certificate and passport, and their most recent school reports. An application fee is also required at this stage.
3. Entrance Examination and Interview. Once the application is submitted, your child will be required to sit for an entrance examination. The exam subjects vary by year level but generally include English, Maths, and Science. An interview with the school is also part of this stage.
4. Receive an Offer. The school will notify you in writing of the outcome of your application within a week of the examination and interview. If your child is offered a place, you will receive an Offer Letter via email with details on how to secure the place, including payment of the first term's fees and a security deposit.
Admissions
1. Book an Open Day or Campus Tour ISP offers both in-person and online open days. These sessions provide insights into the school's ethos, curriculum, and facilities. It's advisable to register early, as spots can fill up quickly.
2. Submit an Application Complete the online application form available on the ISP website. Ensure all required documents, such as previous school reports and identification, are uploaded.
3. Attend Assessments and Interviews Depending on the year group, students may need to undergo assessments, such as the CAT4 cognitive ability test and a writing assignment. Interviews are typically conducted in person and may include discussions with academic staff.
4. Receive an Offer If successful, you'll receive a formal offer letter. Confirm your acceptance by the specified deadline and proceed with the necessary documentation.
5. Complete Registration Finalize enrollment by submitting any outstanding documents and settling the required fees. Orientation sessions for new students are often held prior to the start of the academic year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Cempaka Schools offer scholarships for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for students entering Year 12. These scholarships cover the last two years of secondary schooling. The key requirement is that applicants should be about to enter the first year of the IBDP and be at least 15 years old at the time of enrolment. The school looks for students who can demonstrate intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.
Scholarships
The school offers a limited number of A-Level scholarships:
Yaw Teck Seng Foundation Scholarship: 75% tuition fee waiver for the top-performing student, based on their IGCSE results.
Second Place Scholarship: 50% tuition fee waiver, based on their IGCSE results.
Third Place Scholarship: 25% tuition fee waiver, based on their IGCSE results.
Principal’s Scholarships: 25% tuition fee waiver for students demonstrating excellence in non-academic areas such as music, art, drama, sport, or community service.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not explicitly state whether it operates a waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
ISP does not operate a waitlist or pooled admissions system. Admissions are based on the availability of spaces in the relevant year group and the successful completion of the assessment and interview process.
