Forest City International School vs Raffles American School
Forest City International School and Raffles American School are both in Johor Bahru, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes, and Forest City International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and Reggio Emilia. Published annual fees are MYR 56,000 - 74,000 at Forest City International School and MYR 40,500 - 106,503 at Raffles American School , which puts Raffles American School roughly 13% higher. Forest City International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Raffles American School from 3 to 17. The two are similar in size, at around 300 and 300 pupils. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Reggio Emilia Approach
Curriculum
American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
300
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2018
Opened
2012
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Forest City International School is located in the Forest City development in Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia, close to the Second Link bridge connecting to Singapore. The school is approximately 40 minutes from Johor Bahru city center and about 15 minutes from the Tuas checkpoint. It is situated in a gated, coastal township with residential and resort developments, providing convenient access for families relocating to the region.
Location
Raffles American School is located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia, about 30 minutes from Singapore via the Tuas Second Link. The school sits within a residential and development zone popular with international families. It is accessible by private transport, and a school bus service covers routes across Johor and into Singapore. The surrounding area includes retail centres, healthcare, and international business hubs.
Stages
Stages
The school offers a full K–12 program, structured into Early Childhood (ages 3–5), Lower School (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and Upper School (Grades 9–12). Students typically graduate at age 18, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school.
Stages
The school serves students from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) to Grade 12 (age 18). It is organized into three divisions: Elementary School (Pre-K to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).
School type
School type
FCIS is a co-educational international school that accepts both day and boarding students. Boarding is available for students in the upper primary years and above. The school caters to both local and expatriate families.
School type
It is a co-educational day and boarding school. Boarding is available to students from Grade 5 onwards, with weekday and full boarding options.
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 states that it supports differentiated learning and offers guidance for students with diverse educational needs. However, it does not advertise a formal special education department or dedicated SEN facilities on its public platforms.
Additional learning support
While specific programs for Additional Learning Needs are not detailed on the school's website, the Resource Hub offers a variety of resources and facilities to enhance the learning experience.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with the U.S. educational system and follows a curriculum aligned with the American Common Core Standards, including AP options.
However, the school does not have a formal national or embassy affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school follows an American curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
FCIS is a secular school and does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically runs from around 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with short breaks between lessons and a designated lunch period. The exact schedule may vary by grade level. Extracurricular activities often take place after regular class hours.
School day structure
The school day runs from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Breaks and lunch times are scheduled by grade level, with time allocated for academic lessons, specialist subjects, and physical activity. After-school activities generally take place from 3:45 PM to 5:00 PM.
Bus service details
Bus service details
FCIS offers a school transport service for day students. The bus routes and coverage areas are arranged based on student locations, and services are managed by the school or a designated provider. Details on pick-up times, safety measures, and fees can be obtained directly from the admissions office.
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service covering multiple areas in Johor and selected locations in Singapore, including Jurong East MRT. Transportation is managed by RAS staff drivers, with door-to-door service available upon request.
Bus fees are charged per semester, and routes are adjusted based on student locations. The service includes safety protocols and regular communication with families.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Enrolment Fees * A one-time application fee of MYR 1,000 applies to all levels. * A refundable deposit of MYR 5,200 is required for day students.
Additional fees include MYR 1,200 (activities), MYR 2,100 (learning resources), MYR 6,000 (day student catering), and MYR 200 (personal accident insurance). High school students also require a personal notebook (BYOD).
Boarding Fees (Annual) * 4 students per room: MYR 30,000 (plus MYR 8,000 deposit) * 2 students per room: MYR 43,000 (plus MYR 8,000 deposit) * Catering is included in the boarding fee.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Fees * iEAL (Intensive): MYR 10,000 * aEAL (Advanced): MYR 7,000 * Standard EAL: MYR 4,000
Payment and Refunds Payment terms and billing schedules are typically annual, and parents are advised to confirm with admissions regarding installment options. Accepted payment methods include bank transfer; credit card availability should be verified with the school.
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees * Application Fee: MYR 1,000 (non-refundable) * Placement Fee: MYR 10,000 (non-refundable, due upon acceptance) * Registration Fee: MYR 7,500 for Pre-K3; MYR 15,000 for Pre-K4 and above (one-time, non-refundable per family)
Tuition includes morning snacks, lunch, and after-school snacks.
Boarding Fees (Grades 5–12 only) * Double Occupancy: MYR 47,500 per year * Single Occupancy: MYR 49,500 per year * Boarding Deposit: MYR 3,000 (refundable, less deductions for medical/activities)
Other Fees * Re-enrollment Fee (from 2nd year): MYR 3,000 per year
Technology Fee: * Kindergarten to Grade 4: MYR 750 * Grades 5 to 8: MYR 1,250 * Uniforms: Costs vary; details provided after enrollment
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms * Semester 1 (Aug–Dec): 60% of annual tuition, invoiced April 1, due April 30 * Semester 2 (Jan–Jun): 40% of annual tuition, invoiced October 1, due October 31 * Late payments incur a 1.5% monthly penalty * The school may withhold records or terminate enrollment for unpaid fees
Payment Options * Bank transfer in MYR (bank charges to be borne by sender) * Flywire (accepts various currencies via local bank transfer, credit/debit card, etc.)
Refund Policy * All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable
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
Forest City International School offers an American-style curriculum based on the U.S. Common Core State Standards. Students in the Lower School (Grades 1–5) study core subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, alongside classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, and World Languages. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), the curriculum expands to include more subject-specific learning such as Life Sciences, U.S. History, and introductory courses in STEM and technology. High School students (Grades 9–12) follow a credit-based system with required courses in core subjects and a range of electives, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects like Calculus, Biology, and English Literature. World Languages are offered throughout the school, with instruction tailored to language background and proficiency. The curriculum is designed to support university readiness, with guidance available for college admissions.
Curriculum details
The school follows an American curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The program is aligned with U.S. Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and AERO frameworks.
Elementary and Middle School emphasize foundational skills, while High School students follow a credit-based system leading to a U.S. High School Diploma. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available in Grades 10 to 12.
The curriculum also includes physical education, visual and performing arts, languages, and experiential learning through programs like Explore Week. English is the main language of instruction, with Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia taught as additional languages.
1. Book a school tour or open house Families are encouraged to schedule a campus tour or attend an open house event. These visits provide an opportunity to view facilities, speak with staff, and understand the school environment. Appointments can be arranged through the admissions team.
2. Submit an application Complete the application form and submit the required documents, including a copy of the student’s passport or MyKid, previous school reports, and any relevant academic or behavioral records. A non-refundable application fee of MYR 1,000 is payable at this stage.
3. Assessment and interview Applicants may be required to complete an entrance assessment to determine academic and language readiness. This may include an English proficiency test, especially for students whose first language is not English. An interview with the student and/or parents may also be scheduled.
4. Offer and placement If the application is successful, the school will issue an offer letter. To confirm the place, parents must pay the enrolment deposit of MYR 5,200 (for day students) or the relevant boarding deposit. Orientation information will be provided ahead of the start date.
Admissions
1. Schedule a campus visit or attend an admissions event. While not mandatory, visiting the campus or participating in an admissions event can provide valuable insights into the school's environment and offerings.
2. Complete the online application form. Submit the application through the school's online system, ensuring all required information and documents are provided.
3. Submit required documents. Provide necessary documents, which may include academic records, recommendation letters, and other relevant materials as specified by the admissions office.
4. Participate in an admissions evaluation and interview. Once all documents are received, the admissions team will process the application and may schedule an evaluation or interview to assess the applicant's suitability.
5. Receive the admissions decision. After the evaluation process, the school will inform you of the admissions decision and provide further instructions for enrollment if accepted.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly advertise a formal scholarship program. Any merit-based or financial assistance opportunities are subject to internal review and are typically considered on a case-by-case basis. Families interested in this should discuss directly with the admissions team during the application process.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
Forest City International School does not currently operate a waitlist or pool system. Admissions are considered on a rolling basis, subject to availability of places in each year group. Parents are encouraged to apply early, especially for mid-year entries or high-demand levels.
Waitlist
Raffles American School accepts applications year-round, subject to availability. In cases where a grade level is at capacity, applicants may be placed on a waitlist. The admissions team will notify families if this applies and provide updates as openings become available.
