Crescendo-HELP International School vs Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus
Crescendo-HELP International School and Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus are both in Johor Bahru, about 24 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Crescendo-HELP International School also offers IPC, British and Cambridge International AS Levels, and Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus also offers EYFS. Published annual fees are MYR 25,200 - 35,000 at Crescendo-HELP International School and MYR 22,500 - 48,500 at Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus, which puts Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus roughly 18% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. Crescendo-HELP International School is the larger school, with around 1,150 pupils to Invictus International School - Horizon Hills Campus's 750. Both keep typical class sizes around 25.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
1,150
Pupils
750
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
2015
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Crescendo-HELP International School is located at PTD 204446, Lebuh Cemerlang, Taman Desa Cemerlang, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia. The school is strategically positioned in a growing suburb of Johor Bahru and sits adjacent to Crescendo International College, allowing for shared educational and infrastructural benefits.
In terms of public transport, CHIS is accessible via Causeway Link route 6B, which connects the Johor Bahru Sentral railway station to the Ulu Tiram Bus and Taxi Terminal. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are also widely available.
CHIS benefits from its proximity to NSK Trade City, food kiosks, and well-known outlets such as McDonald's. The nearby township of Ulu Tiram also houses a number of small retail stores, clinics, and service providers, offering additional convenience for school families.
Location
Invictus International School (Horizon Hills) is located within a secure, master-planned residential township known for its greenery and family-friendly environment. The Horizon Hills area is part of the fast-developing Iskandar Puteri region in southern Johor, close to Medini, EduCity, and the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link.
The school is easily accessible via major highways such as the Coastal Highway and Second Link Expressway, making private vehicle access convenient.
Stages
Stages
CHIS provides educational program spanning from:
Early Years: Ages 3–5 Primary School: Years 1–6 Secondary School: Years 7–11 Pre-University: A Levels
Stages
The school offers Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Cambridge International A-Levels.
School type
School type
CHIS is a co-educational day school and does not offer on-campus boarding facilities.
School type
Invictus 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
Crescendo-HELP International School has established The Learning Pathways (TLP) Department to deliver personalised learning support tailored to individual student needs. This department is led by a team of specialists in Inclusion and English as an Additional Language (EAL), and provides a tiered system of support. Students are assessed and placed in short, medium, or long-term instructional pathways based on their specific learning challenges. Teaching takes place in both small-group and larger class settings, and is aligned with the UK’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) framework for children and young people aged 0 to 25, ensuring structured and inclusive educational support.
The TLP Department employs a data-driven approach, starting with baseline assessments that evaluate students’ abilities in spelling, reading, and writing. Based on these diagnostics, students are grouped according to the severity of their learning gaps, and appropriate support measures are implemented. Progress is reassessed after 12 weeks to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. If a student does not demonstrate the expected growth, an additional layer of support is introduced to intensify the learning assistance and improve outcomes through more focused, individualised attention.
CHIS offers several targeted intervention programmes through the TLP team. The Catch-Up Literacy Intervention Programme improves reading fluency and spelling through a kinesthetic, phonics-based approach that has shown remarkable gains up to 24 months of reading progress in just six weeks. The EAL programme supports students with low verbal and vocabulary skills by addressing all core language domains: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Additionally, the school provides 1:1 Specific Learning Disability (SpLD) sessions for students with diagnosed conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, or dyspraxia. These sessions, conducted three times a week, offer tailored tutoring, exam prep support, and structured study guidance to help students overcome specific learning barriers.
Additional learning support
For students whose first language is not English, Invictus offers a comprehensive EAL program.
Small Group Instruction: EAL specialists conduct dedicated sessions focusing on developing English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Integration into Mainstream Classes: As students progress, they are gradually integrated into regular classes with continued language support to ensure a smooth transition.
Customized Support: The program is tailored to meet individual student needs, promoting confidence and competence in using English across all subjects.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with Singapore.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
CHIS is a secular institution with no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Invictus is a non-denominational school and does not have any specific religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
Primary School:
Monday to Thursday: 7:50 AM – 2:40 PM Friday: 7:50 AM – 12:15 PM
Secondary School:
Monday to Thursday: 7:50 AM – 3:10 PM Friday: 7:50 AM – 1:15 PM
These timings are without Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs).
School day structure
Regular School Hours Early Years (Kindergarten) Start: 8:10 AM Finish: 2:00 PM
Primary (Year 1 – Year 6) Start: 8:10 AM Finish: 3:00 PM
Secondary (Year 7 – Year 13) Start: 8:10 AM Finish: 3:00 PM
Students participating in ECAs remain on campus after core lessons conclude.
Holiday Office Hours Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Arrival and Collection Policy Morning Drop-Off: School gates open at 8:45 AM. Collection Times: As per the respective dismissal hours above.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a school bus service.
Bus service details
School bus services are available, with costs depending on the distance from the school.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
General Fees (All Levels) -Application Fee: RM 250 (one-time, non-refundable) -Registration Fee: RM 2,000 (one-time, non-refundable; due upon offer acceptance) -Deposit (Refundable): RM2,500 (Primary & Secondary), RM 5,000 (A-Level) -Resource Fee (Primary to Secondary): RM 600 per year -Technology Fee: RM 750 (for Year 3 onwards, spread across 3 years)
Annual Tuition Fees Year 1 & 2: RM 25,200 Year 3 & 4: RM 26,460 Year 5 & 6: RM 27,090 Year 7 & 8: RM 28,350 Year 9 – 11 (IGCSE): RM 31,500
A-Level Programme Fees (Years 12–13) -Tuition Fee for Full Course (2 Years): RM 35,000 Paid across 5 terms: RM 7,000 per term -Lab Fee (Per Science Subject for Entire Course): RM 960 -Resource Fee (Entire 2-Year Course): RM 2,400 Paid across 5 terms: RM 480 per term -Special Bursary for CHIS Students: RM 5,000 discount available
Fee details
Initial Fees (One-Time Payments) Application Fee: RM 1,000 Non-refundable; payable upon submission of the application form. Enrolment Fee: RM 4,000 Non-refundable; payable upon accepting the Letter of Offer. Security Deposit: RM 3,500 Refundable upon withdrawal, subject to terms and conditions.
Annual Tuition Fees by Grade Level Early Years Foundation Stage 1 (Age 3):RM 22,500 Early Years Foundation Stage 2 (Age 4):RM 23,500 Year 1 (Age 5):RM 26,500 Year 2 (Age 6):RM 28,500 Year 3 (Age 7):RM 30,500 Year 4 (Age 8):RM 32,500 Year 5 (Age 9):RM 34,500 Year 6 (Age 10):RM 36,500 Year 7 (Age 11):RM 39,500 Year 8 (Age 12):RM 41,500 Year 9 (Age 13):RM 43,500 Year 10 (Age 14):RM 45,500 Year 11 (Age 15):RM 45,500 Year 12 (Age 16):RM 48,500 Year 13 (Age 17):RM 48,500
Note: Tuition fees are payable on a term-by-term basis and in advance.
Additional Fees and Services Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs): Offered after academic sessions daily. A full programme is provided to parents each term. Some activities may require additional fees.
Additional Learning Support: If a child requires additional learning support, any associated costs will be discussed and agreed upon with parents transparently.
Transport Services: Available based on location. Costs depend on the distance from the school.
Refund Policy School fees are charged per term. A minimum of one (1) full academic term's advance notice is required for withdrawal.
Payment Methods The school does not have publicly available information on their payment methods.
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
Crescendo-HELP International School (CHIS) offers a British-style curriculum anchored in the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) framework. The school provides academic journey beginning from Early Years (Ages 3–5), continuing through Primary (Years 1–6) and Secondary (Years 7–11), and culminating in the Cambridge A-Level Programme (Years 12–13). At the Primary level, CHIS integrates the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), emphasizing thematic, inquiry-based learning to develop key competencies in literacy, numeracy, and personal growth.
As students advance into the Secondary years, they follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE curriculum, where they are offered a broad range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, and Languages. The IGCSE programme culminates in internationally recognized examinations, preparing students for pre-university pathways. In the Sixth Form, CHIS offers Cambridge International AS & A Levels, allowing students to specialize in subjects aligned with their university and career aspirations. Subjects include Further Mathematics, Psychology, Economics, and Computer Science, among others. The curriculum is supported by pastoral care, university guidance, and leadership development, aiming to cultivate academic excellence and personal growth.
Curriculum details
Invictus International School offers a structured curriculum from Early Years to Year 13 based on the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Cambridge International Curriculum. The Early Years programme focuses on play-based learning and holistic development, preparing children with foundational skills.
From Year 1 to Year 6, students follow the Cambridge Primary Curriculum, which emphasizes English, Maths, and Science through inquiry-based learning and continuous assessment. In Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), students progress to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum, strengthening academic skills across core subjects. In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE, choosing from a broad range of subjects suited to their interests.
In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students pursue the Cambridge A-Level programme, selecting 3–4 subjects for in-depth study to prepare for global university entry. English is the language of instruction, and the curriculum is enhanced with Singapore Maths, multilingual education, technology integration, and values-based character development.
Schedule an assessment date via email or phone at least one day in advance. On the assessment day, submit the application form along with a non-refundable RM250 application fee.
The assessment serves as a baseline to determine the most suitable grade placement for the child.
Upon successful assessment, a Letter of Offer is sent via email. Parents have 10 working days to sign and return the letter.
Submit all required documents, including identification, birth certificate, previous school reports, and medical records.
Pay the registration fee, refundable deposit, one term's school fees, and miscellaneous fees.
Once all steps are completed, the student's enrollment is confirmed.
Admissions
1. Application Form & Fee: Fill out the official application form and pay the non-refundable application fee of RM800.
2. Assessment & Interview: Applicants are scheduled for an assessment after the enquiry form is completed and the non-refundable assessment fee is paid. The nature of the assessment varies for different year groups and may include a meeting with a member of the academic staff. This process is designed to ensure that the placement of all children will best meet their educational and personal requirements.
3. Trial Class: Depending on the year level, the student may be invited to attend a trial class to experience the school's learning environment firsthand.
4. Offer & Acceptance: If the application is successful, the school will issue a Letter of Offer. To confirm enrollment, parents must accept the offer and pay the non-refundable enrolment fee of RM3,000.
5. Enrollment Completion: Submit all required documents, including previous school records and identification papers, to finalize the enrollment process.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The CHIS Founders' Award recognises students with strong academic ability, leadership potential and a collaborative mindset. The award offers a bursary towards school fees, with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards given to the most deserving candidates. It is open to students who are planning to join us in Year 7 or to continue their A Level studies in Year 12 and Year 13.
Crescendo-HELP is also providing a 5% Bursary , which is a reduction from the published Primary and Secondary annual school fees, not only for the first year but for each year that the student remains in school.
Scholarships
The school offers a merit-based scholarship programme designed to support students who demonstrate exceptional abilities across various disciplines.
The scholarships are available to students of all ages and are awarded based on outstanding achievements in areas such as:
Academics Expressive Arts (e.g., music, performing arts) Visual Arts Sports
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
Waitlist
Invictus International School (Horizon Hills) does have a waitlist for certain year groups. Specifically, Years 7 and 8 currently have active waitlists due to high demand.
