Fairview International School - Kuala Lumpur vs IGB International School

Fairview International School’s Kuala Lumpur campus is located in the Wangsa Maju suburb, a well-established residential and commercial area in the city’s northeast. It sits about 1–3 km from the Setiawangsa and Sri Rampai LRT stations on the Kelana Jaya Line, with several RapidKL bus routes (250, 251, T222, among others) serving the vicinity.

The school is divided into Primary and Secondary levels.

This is a co-educational day school that welcomes both boys and girls. Off-campus boarding options are available, though boarding is not located on the school premises.

The school considers additional learning needs on a case-by-case basis. They aim to provide support through differentiated programmes, enhancement, and remedial classes, with particular attention given to varying English language abilities to cater to individual student needs.

The school does not have an official affiliation with any specific country.

The school is non-denominational and does not have an affiliation with any particular religion.

The school day typically runs from 7:20 AM to 1:20 PM, Monday to Friday. Following the main academic schedule, students can participate in additional classes or co-curricular activities from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM. The school also provides lunches, with Halal, Asian, Western, and vegetarian options.

A school bus service is available and managed by third-party providers coordinated through the school. Routes generally cover the main residential areas around Johor Bahru. Parents can arrange for pick-up and drop-off through the school office. Transport fees are typically billed separately from tuition.

The Hall of Residence is located on the campus on the 6th, 7th and 8th floors and is accessible to boarders via a dedicated lift access pass. Boarding staff live on campus and are always available to boarders, forming a supportive on-site community. Boarders are allocated air-conditioned twin-sharing rooms with attached bathrooms, and the common area includes cooking facilities for boarders to learn cooking skills under staff guidance. The HOR provides a comprehensive package including 4 meals per day, laundry twice a week, cleaning twice a week, WiFi, gym, and swimming pool access, with supervised study hours and outings; the cost is RM12,000 per semester (6 months) plus a RM12,000 deposit, subject to terms and conditions.

Four meals per day are provided for boarders. The common area includes cooking facilities for boarders to develop cooking skills under boarding staff supervision.

The school is part of Fairview International School, Malaysia's largest IB school network, which operates multiple campuses in Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Kuala Lumpur offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. This includes the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for elementary students, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for secondary students, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for pre-university students.

The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and the development of well-rounded individuals through subject groups like Language and Literature, Language Acquisition (e.g., Mandarin), Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. The DP culminates in core elements such as Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).

The school prioritizes social and emotional well-being through its pastoral care program. This includes support from trained staff, private counseling sessions, school-wide assemblies, mentoring and guidance programs, and parent-teacher meetings. Fairview also fosters a community atmosphere to promote a sense of belonging and empowers students by creating a safe environment where they can take risks and make informed choices, aligning with the IB Learner Profile attributes of "Caring" and "Balanced."

While specific details about the types of SEN supported are not publicly available, parents are encouraged to contact the school directly to discuss individual requirements.

The school offers an English Support Programme (ESP) specifically designed to help non-native English speakers overcome language barriers and excel in their studies. They recognize and address varying English language abilities through differentiated programs and remedial classes to ensure students can fully access the IB curriculum.

The school have a proactive pastoral care team with trained staff, offering support through private counseling sessions, school-wide assemblies, and mentoring programs. Fairview also aims to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes happiness and provides opportunities for students to reflect on their emotional well-being. The "Ikigai" model is used to help students find purpose, which is linked to improved mental well-being.

Fairview Education (the charity governing Fairview International School) has a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. This policy outlines their moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare, health, and safety of all pupils. It includes a Code of Conduct for all adults working with students and clear procedures for reporting and addressing any concerns or allegations of abuse.

1. Schedule a school visit or virtual appointment.
Parents are encouraged to book a campus tour or virtual meeting to learn more about the school's environment and offerings. Appointments can be arranged through the school's official website.

2. Complete the online application form.
Submit the application form along with all relevant documents, including:
Two passport-sized photographs of the student
Copies of the student's birth certificate and passport or IC
Parents' or guardians' passport or IC copies
Three years of academic transcripts and a testimonial from the previous school
Signed Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
Proof of payment for the non-refundable application fee of RM 1,000.

3. Attend a placement test and interview.
Once the application and documents are received, the school will schedule a placement test for the student. Following the test, a meeting with academic staff will be arranged to discuss the student's placement and address any questions from the parents.

4. Receive the admission decision.
After the assessment and interview, the admissions team will inform parents of the outcome. If the application is successful, further steps regarding enrollment and orientation will be provided.

The school offers scholarships in four categories: Academic Passion, Sporting Excellence, Excellence in Performing Arts, and All-Round Achievement. These scholarships aim to support students who demonstrate dedication, talent, and enthusiasm in their chosen area. Recipients are expected to actively participate and lead in their respective fields within the school community. Scholarships are subject to annual review based on the student's progress and contributions.

The Kuala Lumpur campus does operate a waitlist system. If a desired grade level is full, eligible applicants may be placed on a waiting list, and offers are extended as seats become available.

The school is situated at Jalan Sierramas Utama, Sierramas, in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. Sierramas is an upscale, green, and secure residential area known for its spacious homes and community feel. The school is well-connected, with easy access to major highways like the NKVE, LDP, and MRR2, facilitating travel to Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Selangor. Public transport options include the Sungai Buloh MRT station, which is a short distance away, and bus services that serve the area.

IGB is divided into Early Years, Elementary, and Secondary Levels

IGB is co-educational day school.

IGB provides support for students with additional learning needs through its dedicated Learning Support team, which works across Early Years to Secondary School. This team includes staff with qualifications and experience in various special educational needs. The school also collaborates with external providers like speech and occupational therapists to further support students.

It does not have a direct affiliation with a specific country.

The school does not have a religious affiliation.

The standard school day runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with some variations for certain class levels.

After-school activities are also offered, extending the school day from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with additional activities available until 5:00 PM.

IGB provides a bus service for students covering most areas of greater Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. All buses are equipped with seat belts, which students are required to use for safety. The cost for transportation is paid termly by the student, with prices varying based on the location. Popular residential areas covered by the bus service include Sierramas, Mont Kiara, Desa Parkcity, and Bangsar.

The school colours are red, black, grey and white. Uniforms are required for all students except on nominated free dress days; students wear the IGBIS polo or white shirt, and for PE days they wear the PE T‑shirt and shorts. Hijab in school colours is acceptable; house shirts may be worn on specified events.

IGBIS is served by two cafeterias, one for elementary and one for secondary. The Elementary Cafeteria offers Asian, Western and vegetarian options, with breakfast and snacks available; the Secondary Cafeteria provides balanced dishes and international flavours, with the IGBIS Café near the Theatre offering beverages and pastries. Meals are cashless via the Vircle app and parents can oversee allowances.

IGBIS uses a four-house system. Students wear house shirts on designated house days. House colours are red, yellow, green and blue.

IGB International School is owned and operated by Detik Harapan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of IGB Berhad. It is governed by a Management Board and an advisory Board of Governors. The Board of Governors includes Tan Sri Abu Talib bin Othman (Chairman) and other members; the Management Board includes Tan Mei Sian, Sayf Tun Ismail, and Kiong Wei Yang.

IGB is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the full continuum of IB programmes from Early Years to Grade 12. This includes the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). The school's curriculum is centered on a design, thinking, and innovation-based approach, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and critical thinking across all stages. These programmes aim to develop knowledgeable, confident, and lifelong learners.

The school emphasizes student well-being, which is integrated into the curriculum from Early Years to Grade 12 through various units and standalone lessons. A dedicated Student Services team supports social and emotional well-being, comprising professionals in counselling, learning support, and health. This team works alongside teachers to foster a safe, healthy, and meaningful learning environment for all students.

IGB is committed to inclusive teaching practices and supports students with Special Educational Needs through its Learning Support team. This team provides services from Early Years through Secondary School, aiming to enable students to access the mainstream curriculum. While the school offers support for a range of needs, including working with external speech and occupational therapists and providing access to an educational psychologist, it assesses SEN on a case-by-case basis and is not a specialist SEN institution.

IGB provides an English Language Support (ESOL) program for students in Grades 1 to 8 who require additional assistance to fully access the curriculum. This is a paid program, with placement determined during admissions through an interview and English Language Proficiency assessment in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Trained ESOL teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to help students develop proficiency. For students in Grades 1-6, there's also an Intensive English Academic Programme (IEAP) designed for non-native English speakers to build English proficiency while engaging with academic subjects.

A dedicated Student Services team, comprising professionals in counselling, learning support, and health, is responsible for supporting students' social-emotional, academic, and health needs. Counsellors at IGBIS provide individual and group counselling, offer post-secondary guidance, and facilitate peer mediation, aligning with International School Counsellor Association (ISCA) standards.

The school has a Child Safeguarding Policy based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Malaysian Child Act 2001. The policy mandates that all staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are required to report any suspected abuse or neglect. The school conducts thorough background checks on all employees and implements on-campus safety procedures. A Child Safeguarding Designated Lead oversees a Safeguarding Child Protection Team, which includes principals, the head of student services, school counsellors, and the school nurse, to ensure a safe and secure educational environment.

Submit a complete application. Parents should complete the online application form and pay the application fee. This step also requires submitting a comprehensive set of documents, including school reports from the previous two academic years, copies of passports for the applicant and parents, a recent passport-style photo of the student, and any relevant reports for additional learning services. Only fully completed applications will progress.

Participate in an interview and assessment. After an initial review of the application, your child may be invited for an admissions assessment and an interview with a school team member, typically a Division Principal. For students in Grade 3 and above, assessments are conducted to determine suitability for the school's programmes. For overseas applicants, interviews and most assessments can be completed online, with an invigilator from the child's current school overseeing online assessments.

Receive the admissions decision. The admissions committee reviews the complete application and assessment results to make a decision on acceptance, grade level placement, and start date. Parents will be notified of this decision.

Accept the offer. If your child is offered a place, you will receive a letter of acceptance. This letter will outline the deadline for accepting the offer (usually two weeks) and provide instructions on how to return the signed terms and conditions form and how to pay the enrolment, tuition, and any other required fees to secure the place.

IGB International School offers various scholarship opportunities to talented students, primarily for those entering Grades 11 and 12 for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related Programme (IBCP).

These include full academic scholarships and outstanding achievement partial scholarships (ranging from 50% to 100% for CP candidates).

Eligibility requires strong academic achievement, English proficiency, and demonstration of qualities aligned with IGBIS values such as innovation, leadership, service, and contribution to the community.

Applicants typically submit academic records, a personal statement, and two references from educators. Scholarships are reviewed annually based on maintained academic and character requirements.

The school does not provide information regarding a waitlist.