Garden International School Kuala Lumpur vs The Alice Smith School - Primary Campus

	Garden International School Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	The Alice Smith School - Primary Campus Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 81,510 - 118,560	Fees / year MYR 53,730 - 93,480
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 2,000	Pupils 733
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1951	Opened 1946
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is located in Mont Kiara, a modern township with numerous high-rise residential condominiums, office complexes, and international schools. Mont Kiara is known for its international community, with a significant population of expatriates from various countries. The area is well-connected to the rest of Kuala Lumpur via major expressways and is considered a very desirable residential area for families, with many amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and recreational facilities.	Location The Alice Smith School's Primary Campus is located on Jalan Bellamy, a pleasant, leafy area adjacent to the old Royal Palace. Its central location means it is well-served by public transport, with various bus routes and proximity to train and monorail stations, providing connectivity across Kuala Lumpur. The surrounding area is an established neighbourhood, allowing for relatively easy access to central amenities, residential areas, and other parts of the city.
Stages	Stages The main campus is structured into three main sections to cater for different age groups. These are the Primary School for ages 5-11, the Secondary School for ages 11-16, and the Sixth Form for students aged 16-18.	Stages The Primary Campus is structured into Early Years (preschool to Year 2) and Junior (Year 3 to Year 6).
School type	School type GIS is a co-educational day school and does not offer any boarding facilities.	School type The school is a co-educational institution and does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has a dedicated Learning Support faculty that assists students with identified mild learning differences. Support is provided through in-class assistance, small group sessions, or individualised programmes, depending on the student's needs. The team works with teachers and parents to create and review individualised education plans (IEPs).	Additional learning support The school provides learning support for students at the Primary Campus through its dedicated Learning Support Unit (LSU) department. This team of Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) work with students, teachers, and parents to create individual education support plans. Support can include one-on-one lessons or small group withdrawals. The Primary Campus specifically offers in-house access to professional services such as a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and specialist dyslexic support, though spaces for these programmes are limited and may incur additional costs. Progress is carefully tracked and reported to parents termly.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.	Country affiliation The Alice Smith School has a strong affiliation with the United Kingdom. It is recognised as the first British international school in Malaysia, established in 1946.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation GIS is a non-denominational school and has no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school does not have an affiliation with a particular religion
School day structure	School day structure The school day for primary and secondary students starts at 7:40 am and finishes at 2:10 pm for Years 1 to 3, and 2:20 pm for Years 4 to 13. The day includes a morning break and a lunch break.	School day structure The school day runs from 7:40 AM to 2:20 PM for most, with Early Years having a soft start (7:40 AM - 8:15 AM). Break is 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM. Lunch varies by age group (Early Years: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; Years 1-2: 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM; Years 3-6: 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM)
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers an extensive bus service that connects the main campus with major residential areas across Kuala Lumpur. The service is provided by external operators, and the cost is determined by the distance from the student's home to the school.	Bus service details The school offers a school bus service covering most major residential areas in Kuala Lumpur. This service is managed by a transport provider. Parents can utilise the Bus Buddy app to view their child's bus routes, timings, and track location, as well as manage schedules. While not a door-to-door service, common stop points are established. Morning pick-ups typically occur between 6:30 AM and 7:10 AM. Buses for normal dismissal depart around 3:00 PM, with later departures for optional after-school activities.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details One-Time Fees * Application Fee: RM 1,500 * Registration Fee: RM 20,000 (non-refundable, one-time payments) Tuition Fees Year 1 * Fee Per Term: RM 27,170 * Fee Per Year: RM 81,510 Year 2 * Fee Per Term: RM 27,990 * Fee Per Year: RM 83,970 Years 3 & 4 * Fee Per Term: RM 31,050 * Fee Per Year: RM 93,150 Years 5 & 6 * Fee Per Term: RM 32,470 * Fee Per Year: RM 97,410 Years 7 & 8 * Fee Per Term: RM 36,370 * Fee Per Year: RM 109,110 Year 9 * Fee Per Term: RM 38,100 * Fee Per Year: RM 114,300 Years 10 & 11 * Fee Per Term: RM 38,960 * Fee Per Year: RM 116,880 Years 12 & 13 * Fee Per Term: RM 39,520 * Fee Per Year: RM 118,560 Other Costs and Payment Information * Billing Schedule: Fees are billed three times a year, at the start of each academic term. * Payment Options: The school accepts payments via bank transfer, cheque, and credit card. * English as an Additional Language (EAL): For students in the EAL program in Years 7 to 9, an additional fee equivalent to 10% of the tuition fee is applied.	Fee details Application and Enrollment Fees - Application Fee: RM1,500 (payable upon submission) - Enrollment Fee: RM15,000 (non-refundable, RM5,000 for Pre-School/Reception with additional RM10,000 when entering Year 1) - Association Membership: RM20 (parents must join Alice Smith Schools Association) Termly School Fees by Year Group - Pre-school (normal day): RM 17,910 per term, RM 53,730 per year - Pre-school (extended day): RM 22,090 per term, RM 66,270 per year - Reception: RM 23,060 per term, RM 69,270 per year - Years 1-2: RM 29,690 per term, RM 89,070 per year - Years 3-6: RM 31,160 per term, RM 93,480 per year Deposits and Additional Fees - Parent Deposit: RM15,000 (Pre-school/Reception), RM24,000 (Year 1 onwards) - refundable with full term's notice - EAL Programme: RM4,500 per term (additional fee) Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Fees billed termly (3 terms per academic year) - Payment due by first day of each term - School fees include all books, materials, and resources Sibling Discounts - Available only for families with 3+ children attending simultaneously - Third child: 6% discount on school fees - Fourth and subsequent children: 10% discount Payment Methods - Cheque - Telegraphic transfer and online transfer - JomPAY (Malaysian banks only) - Flywire (international transfers only) - Cash payments no longer accepted at campus Refund Policy - All fees are non-refundable unless specifically indicated - Parent deposits refundable with proper notice when child leaves school
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. There is a Second-Hand Uniform Shop to promote sustainability by recycling preloved uniforms.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The Main Campus cafeteria is run by Cezar's Kitchen and provides meals and snacks throughout the day. It offers ten food stations with International, Asian and Vegetarian options, plus Western dishes, pasta, Seoul food, Asian noodles, a salad bar, deli sandwiches, and a live station serving Rotisserie Chicken and Chicken Shawarma on alternating days.	Food options Lunch is scheduled for all Primary students with year-group specific timings: Early Years 12:00–13:00; Years 1–2 12:20–13:20; Years 3–6 11:40–12:20.
House system	House system GIS has a house system with four houses: Crest, Queen, Chancellor and Sultan. Every student from Early Years to Sixth Form belongs to a house and competes in a range of house events, with house colours celebrated.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership GIS is part of Taylor's Schools, a network of six top-tier institutions in Singapore and Malaysia. Taylor's Education Group owns Taylor's Schools.	Governance and ownership The Alice Smith Schools Association (the Association) was incorporated in 1950 as a company limited by guarantee. The School is governed by the Council of Governors, composed of 15–18 governors including trustee-nominated and appointed governors and the PTA Chair. The Association is a not-for-profit organisation; all resources are directed to the development and well-being of its students. The Association holds an AGM and files audited financial statements in accordance with the Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards, the International Financial Reporting Standards and the Companies Act 2016 in Malaysia.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The curriculum at Garden International School is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, adapted for an international student body. In Primary School (Years 1-6), students follow a broad curriculum that builds foundational knowledge across a range of subjects. In Secondary School (Years 7-11), students continue with a wide range of subjects, which narrows in Years 10 and 11 as they prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. For their final two years in Sixth Form (Years 12-13), students specialize in subjects of their choice to study for A-Level qualifications, which are recognized for university entrance worldwide.	Curriculum details In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Preschool to Year 2, ages 3-7), the curriculum focuses on play-based learning, following the British Curriculum. For Years 3 to 6 (ages 7-11), the Primary curriculum uses flexible, cross-curricular units to connect subjects to the real world, encouraging student-initiated questions.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school has a dedicated pastoral care system to support students' well-being. Each student is part of a tutor group, and their form tutor is the primary point of contact for any concerns. The school also has an on-site counseling team that offers confidential support to students. Initiatives such as personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education are integrated into the curriculum to help students develop essential life skills.	Social & emotional learning At the Primary Campus, the school places a strong emphasis on fostering social and emotional development through direct, face-to-face interaction, particularly in the Early Years. The learning environment is designed to be physically and emotionally safe, encouraging student agency where children take ownership of their learning through play-based exploration and discovery. Teachers actively create opportunities for children to express themselves, build confidence, and develop foundational social-emotional competence. The "soft drop-off" option for younger students also helps create a sense of comfort and connection between home and school.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides support for students with mild learning needs through its Learning Support faculty. This is not a specialist SEN institution, but it has a team of specialist teachers who work with students who require additional support. Support is offered through in-class assistance, small group work, or one-to-one sessions, and the school develops Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) for students with identified needs. The school assesses each child's needs on a case-by-case basis to determine if they can provide the appropriate level of support.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides support for students with Special Educational Needs. The Learning Support Unit (LSU) assesses applications on a case-by-case basis to ensure the school can meet individual student needs. The LSU team assists with various needs, including dyslexia and attention difficulties, primarily through in-class support and small group withdrawals. The Primary Campus also has direct access to a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and specialist dyslexic support, working collaboratively with external agencies when needed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program for students who require support to access the curriculum. New students are assessed to determine their level of English proficiency. Based on this assessment, students may be offered a place in the EAL program, which can include intensive English classes and in-class support. There is an additional fee for the EAL program for students in Years 7 to 9.	English as an additional language The Primary School provides support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) at the Primary Campus through its Multilingual Learner (MLL) programme within the Learning Support Unit. Following an assessment, which may include an interview, students requiring EAL support can access personalised assistance. This enhanced language programme offers one-to-one or small focused group withdrawal sessions and in-class support. The MLL teacher regularly monitors and assesses student progress. This additional support is provided during the school day and incurs an extra cost to parents.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school supports student mental wellbeing through its pastoral care structure and a dedicated on-site counseling team. Located within the school's Medical Centre, the counseling unit provides a confidential space for students to discuss their emotional and psychological health. Form tutors also play a role in monitoring student wellbeing and are the initial contact for any concerns. This is supplemented by a PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) curriculum that addresses wellbeing topics.	Mental wellbeing At the Primary Campus, the school focuses on fostering a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, particularly for younger children. The emphasis is on building foundational social and emotional skills through positive interactions and a nurturing atmosphere.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school has a child protection policy in place to ensure student safety and welfare. The school is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students, and all staff members receive safeguarding training. There are designated safeguarding leads who are responsible for handling any child protection concerns that may arise, following established procedures for reporting and support.	Safeguarding The Alice Smith School is deeply committed to safeguarding and child protection. Its policies and procedures are aligned with UK Government guidance and international standards, ensuring the welfare of all children is paramount. The school implements robust safeguarding practices, including rigorous safer recruitment processes for all staff and adults working on site, and conducts appropriate background checks. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Child Protection Team are in place with clear roles, ensuring all concerns are reported and addressed promptly. All school staff receive regular training on child protection, and students are educated on how to keep themselves safe. This commitment to safeguarding extends to all school-arranged activities, whether on or off campus.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy View document
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates on two campuses: the Main Campus at 16 Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, and the GIS Early Years Centre at 1 Jalan 41/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. GIS Campus Reimagined delivers a world-class sports complex and outdoor sports field, with a basement car park completed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans for an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and a FIFA Youth Field Size. The Main Campus houses specialist learning spaces, a renovated Sixth Form Centre, extensive libraries, and dedicated spaces for art, drama and music, alongside Design & Technology labs. The school integrates technology across learning through an Apple Distinguished School status, Google Suite, and device programs including iPads and MacBooks.	Facilities overview The Primary Campus at Jalan Bellamy is adjacent to the former Royal Palace and has grown into a modern, spacious and flexible centre of learning with generous green spaces for play. The campus provides purpose-built facilities designed to support a positive, modern and stimulating learning environment. The Jubilee Centre features a ground-level dining hall with capacity for over 200 and an open-air, sunken play area; the upper floors include a parents' deli, administration offices, transport and catering offices, large meeting rooms, the uniform shop and a roof garden for educational purposes. Other facilities include Early Years classrooms with shared indoor play areas and outdoor spaces, Key Stage 1 and 2 classrooms, ICT suites (Windows and Apple Mac), two libraries with dedicated staff, a Balinese Garden, an Art Studio, a Science classroom, a Design Technology workshop, soundproofed music rooms and an assembly hall. A multi-million three-storey sports centre, Smurthwaite Gym, an all-weather artificially-turfed sports field, a swimming pool and a basketball court support physical education.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Sports Facilities & Fitness Centre include a Sports Hall, an all-weather Football Field and Tennis Courts, a 25m eight-lane Swimming Pool, covered hard courts and a Gymnasium with Weight Training Room. Phase 1a of GIS Campus Reimagined completed a basement car park and outdoor sports field, and introduced the new sports centre featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, two indoor basketball courts, two outdoor tennis courts and a gym/fitness suite. Phase 2 will add an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and the expansion of the sports field to a full-size football pitch, plus additional community facilities.	Sports facilities Smurthwaite Gym is a multi-storey sports centre on the campus. The facility includes an all-weather artificial turf sports field suitable for outdoor activities. A swimming pool is available for lessons and recreational use. A basketball court supports team games and PE activities. These spaces underpin a comprehensive physical education and sport programme for students.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus features thirteen science laboratories, Design & Technology laboratories, a STEM room in the Primary School, and a Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) Room. The Sixth Form Centre provides a university-style study environment for senior students. Libraries across Early Years Centre, Primary and Secondary are well stocked with a broad range of physical and online resources. Digital learning spaces include a fully integrated Digital Environment; the school is an Apple Distinguished School, with Google Suite in use and a mix of iPads (Years 3–9) and MacBooks (Year 10 and above). Design & Technology labs are equipped with industry-standard tools and technologies, and the Performing Arts facilities include dedicated spaces for Art, Drama and Music with a fully equipped drama studio and music facilities.	Academic facilities ICT suites (Windows and Apple Mac) support digital learning. The campus has two libraries with dedicated staff to support reading and research. An Art Studio provides space for visual arts and creativity, while a Science classroom enables practical experiments. A Design Technology workshop supports making and problem solving. An assembly hall serves as a venue for events and whole-school gatherings.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school offers over 200 after-school co-curricular programmes. The THRIVE Internship Programme provides pathways beyond the formal curriculum for student development. CCAs and a broad range of activities are available to explore interests in sports, arts and leadership beyond lessons.	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment opportunities, experiences and events are offered across the Primary program. Specialist teaching is provided in Languages (Mandarin, French or Bahasa Malaysia) and in PE & sport, swimming, music, art and computing as part of the curriculum. The English National Curriculum is delivered with an international setting and the program emphasizes global citizenship and character development.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Founded in 1951 by Sally Watkins, Garden School, as it was then known, was one of the first international schools in what was then the Federation of Malaya. The school was established to cater for the children of expatriates and began in the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur. Due to a growing student body, the school moved several times before settling at its current Mont Kiara location in 1996. The school is now part of the Taylor's Education Group.	History The Alice Smith School was founded in 1946 by Alice Fairfield-Smith, an experienced teacher and biology graduate from Harvard University, who sought to provide a suitable education for her own daughter in Kuala Lumpur. Starting in her home, the school quickly grew, leading to the formation of The Alice Smith Schools Association (ASSA) in 1950. ASSA, a not-for-profit educational foundation registered in Malaysia, took over the administration, placing responsibility with a Council of Governors. This unique ownership structure ensures that all resources and any surpluses are reinvested directly into the school for the benefit of the students. The Primary Campus was opened in 1955 and had significant expansions over the years.
Community	Community The school has a diverse community with students from over 65 nationalities. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year to foster a sense of community. These include cultural celebrations, performances, and the annual "Garden Party," a major fundraising event that brings together students, parents, and staff to support charitable causes. The school also has an active alumni network that organises regular gatherings.	Community The Alice Smith School fosters a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and unity. With students representing over 50 nationalities, the school regularly hosts cultural events such as the annual "International Day." This event provides an opportunity for students, parents, and staff to celebrate various cultures, languages, and traditions through colourful displays, traditional dishes, and activities. The strong community spirit is also evident through alumni engagement and various school-wide events listed on the school calendar, encouraging participation from all members of the Alice Smith family.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school has an active Parents, Teachers and Friends (PTF) committee run by parent volunteers. The PTF organises a wide range of activities and events to support the school community and welcome new families. These include cultural trips to explore Malaysia, weekly parent workshops on various topics, and community service initiatives. The PTF also runs a "buddy programme" to help new families settle into the school and a "Country Reps Network" to provide a point of contact for families of different nationalities.	Parent teacher association The Alice Smith School benefits from an active and diverse Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which plays an integral role in enhancing school life and fostering community. The PTA Committee, comprising parents and staff, meets regularly to support school initiatives and organise events. They manage Class Rep (for Primary) and Year Rep (for Secondary) WhatsApp groups to help new and existing parents connect. Common events organised by the PTA include the Back to School Social, Halloween events, Christmas Bazaars, Staff Appreciation days, Spring/Summer Fairs, Parent Coffee Mornings, and Quiz Nights. These events aim to strengthen community ties, create a welcoming atmosphere, and raise funds for school improvements and local charities.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers over 200 co-curricular activities across seven areas, providing opportunities beyond the taught curriculum. Model United Nations is popular, and the school hosts the Kuala Lumpur Modern United Nations (KLMUN) bi-annually. Specialist CCAs support university preparation, including Med Soc and an Oxbridge CCA. From Coding to Public Speaking and language-related clubs, CCAs complement classroom learning for students from Early Years to Year 13.	Academic & intellectual The Primary Campus is located at 2 Jalan Bellamy, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the phone number +603 2148 3674. The school has two campuses, with the Secondary Campus at 3 Jalan Equine, Taman Equine, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia, and the note that the campuses are about 20 minutes apart.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Music, Drama and Arts are central to GIS life. The Instrumental Music Programme runs weekly with over 300 students, offering lessons on 12 instruments and a variety of groups and choirs; regular concerts and events accompany these activities. Annual school productions and exhibitions showcase student talent, and the Big Draw event brings the whole school together. The creative arts are showcased throughout the year through exhibitions and competitions.	Arts & creative The Primary curriculum emphasizes a broad, balanced learning program that includes art, music, and drama as part of weekly subjects.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language Clubs extend the World Languages programme (Malay, Mandarin, French, Spanish) with after-school sessions and cultural classes. The school encourages development of language learning to become global citizens, with language clubs helping students develop understanding, fluency and intercultural appreciation. Language learning opportunities run from Year 1 to Year 13.	Cultural & language The Language Programme for the Primary phase includes French, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin, supporting multilingual development from Year 1 to Year 6.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Sports and performing arts provide recreational outlets for students. Dragons sports include Football, Basketball, Swimming, Rugby, Netball, Athletics, T-ball, Tennis, Golf and Badminton, with a GIS Sports Academy offering additional coaching. Public Speaking, Hip Hop Dance, Coding and other CCAs foster social engagement and personal growth. The Student Leadership Programme also supports peer collaboration and extracurricular involvement.	Social & hobbies The Primary experience includes time for language practice, reading, writing, and collaborative activities that foster discussion and teamwork within a British curriculum framework.
Community & service	Community & service Community & Service Learning emphasises global awareness and service. The programme supports five core charities and promotes student-led initiatives, including Reach Out refugee teaching, Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party. It aims to develop conscious, skilled, confident global citizens through a range of service-learning activities.	Community & service The school highlights a safeguarding-focused environment and a community-oriented culture as part of its daily practice.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Student Leadership Programme involves around 200 student leaders across Primary and Secondary. Leaders work in nine strands spanning environment, wellbeing, sport, digital technology and community service. Students plan and lead charity events, performances and campaigns, including Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party.	Leadership & professional The school follows an Intent, Implementation, and Impact model for its Primary curriculum, aiming to enable all students to flourish and thrive through a clearly mapped knowledge, skills, and vocabulary progression.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports form the foundation for a healthy life, with both team and individual activities. GIS Dragons teams regularly compete in inter-school and regional events and are part of AIMS, FOBISIA and SEASAC groups. The Sports Academy provides external coaching to broaden participation and support physical and social development.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Across Key Stages 1 and 2, English, maths, science, computing, music, PSHE, wellbeing, languages, humanities, art & design and PE/swimming are taught weekly, supporting well-rounded development.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches in English. World Languages offered include Malay, Mandarin, French and Spanish, taught across Primary and Secondary programs.	Language provision Languages offered to primary students include Mandarin, French and Bahasa Malaysia (specialist teaching in the early years). In the secondary program, languages available are Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, French and Spanish, reflecting the school's emphasis on language learning across the full age range.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The Primary Campus provides language study as part of its program, with specialist teaching in Mandarin, French or Bahasa Malaysia for Years 1–2; English is used for instruction and learning across the primary curriculum; additional language exploration occurs in the broader school program including secondary.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Apple Distinguished School (2022-2025): This award, from Apple, recognizes the school's continuous commitment to using technology to create innovative learning experiences.	Awards COBIS Beacon Status Awards (June 2024): The school was awarded two prestigious Beacon Status Awards for "Ethos & Values" and "Student Leadership in the School." These awards recognise unparalleled excellence in adhering to COBIS standards and a commitment to sharing best practices with other schools worldwide. Spear's Schools Index 2025 (March 2025): Alice Smith School earned a place among the "Top 100 Private Schools Globally" and was ranked "one of the best in Asia" in the Spear's Schools Index, recognising its world-class education and holistic student development. International School Awards 2021 - Winner, Inclusion Category (August 2021): The school won for its "KLASS Student-Support Programme," which empowers students to lead on in-class support, demonstrating an outstanding initiative in fostering an inclusive learning environment. Independent Schools of the Year - Finalist (British International School of the Year category - 2020, 2021, and shortlisted again for 2022): Alice Smith School has been consistently recognised as a finalist in this prestigious award, which celebrates the success stories of independent schools and British schools overseas in the UK. International School Awards 2019 - Winner, Pastoral Initiative Category: This award recognised the school's excellence in pastoral care, highlighting its commitment to student wellbeing. Eco Schools Bronze Award: The Primary Campus Eco Club earned this award for its hard work and dedication to making the school more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Accreditations	Accreditations Council of International Schools (CIS): This accreditation confirms that the school meets high standards of professional performance in international education and is committed to continuous improvement. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): This is a US-based accreditation body that assures the quality of education and encourages school improvement. Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): This accreditation allows the school to offer Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Pearson Edexcel: The school is also a centre for Pearson Edexcel qualifications, offering another route for IGCSE and A-Levels. GL Centre of Excellence: This award recognises the school's effective use of GL Education's assessments to support student learning.	Accreditations British School Overseas (BSO) Status (Department for Education, London): Alice Smith School is accredited as a British School Overseas, indicating that it meets the standards required for schools in England. This provides assurance about the quality of the British education offered. They were graded as 'outstanding' in their 2019 report. Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) Founding Member: Being a founding member of FOBISIA indicates the school's long-standing commitment to high-quality British education and collaboration with other leading British international schools across Asia. Council of International Schools (CIS) Member: Membership in CIS reflects the school's dedication to high-quality international education, promoting global citizenship and continuous improvement through a peer-driven accreditation process. Independent Schools Council (ISC) Member: This membership connects Alice Smith School with a network of independent schools in the UK, often implying adherence to a set of educational and operational standards recognised within the independent school sector. East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) Member: EARCOS membership highlights the school's engagement with a community of international schools in East Asia, fostering professional development and collaboration among educators in the region. Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Membership: The Primary Campus Principal's membership with IAPS means the school has been recognised as meeting the quality standards for prestigious prep schools, making it the first and only school in Malaysia to achieve this kitemark of quality. Ministry of Education's 5-Star Quality Standards Award for Private Education Institutions (SKIPS): Both the Primary and Secondary Campuses received this prestigious award, which is the highest possible rating from the Ministry of Education in Malaysia, affirming the school's high quality standards.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Attend an Open Day or book a tour. The school holds regular open days for prospective families. This is a good opportunity to see the campus, meet teachers, and get a feel for the school environment. You can also arrange a personalised tour with the admissions team. Submit an application. You will need to complete the online application form and submit it along with all the required documents. These typically include previous school reports, a copy of your child's passport, and passport-sized photos. An application fee is payable at this stage. Admissions Assessment. Once the application is submitted, the school will arrange an age-appropriate assessment for your child. For primary and secondary students, this usually involves an online diagnostic assessment to understand their learning style and academic potential. For Sixth Form entry, students will also need to meet specific IGCSE (or equivalent) grade requirements. Offer of a place. If the assessment is successful and a place is available, the school will send you a formal letter of offer. To accept the place, you will need to pay the registration fee and a deposit within the timeframe specified in the offer letter.	Admissions Consider attending an open house or school tour. For a deeper understanding of the school's environment and facilities, parents are encouraged to arrange a visit. At the Primary Campus, tours are typically held weekly with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Complete the online application form. The first formal step involves submitting a comprehensive online application. This requires providing necessary documents such as your child's birth certificate, recent school reports, and passport copies for both the child and parents. After submission, you should receive an email acknowledgment. Participate in an assessment. All applicants are required to complete an assessment, which varies depending on the child's age. This assessment helps the school determine if they can meet the student's needs within their age-appropriate class. For non-English first language speakers, a short interview may be conducted to assess English proficiency. Receive and accept an offer. If your child is successful and a place is available in the relevant year group, the school will issue a formal offer letter detailing the fees and terms. To secure the place, parents must accept the offer and pay the indicated fees by the stated deadline before the student begins school.
Scholarships	Scholarships GIS offers scholarships for students entering the Sixth Form (Year 12) to study for their A-Levels. These scholarships are open to both current students and external applicants and are awarded based on academic merit, as well as talent in areas such as music or sports. The scholarships typically cover a percentage of the tuition fees and may also include the waiver of the application and registration fees. The application process is separate from the standard admissions process and has specific deadlines. It usually requires a personal statement, references, and evidence of achievements.	Scholarships The school does not offer scholarships for the Primary Campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does experience high demand for places in most year groups, and a "wait pool" system is in place when a year group is full. When an application is received for a full year group, the student's name is added to the pool. The school does not operate a simple first-come, first-served system. When a place becomes available, they consider various factors to select a student from the wait pool, including the student's academic profile, English language proficiency, and the overall balance of gender and nationality within the year group.	Waitlist When an application is received and assessed, if a place is not immediately available in the child's age-appropriate year group, the applicant will be placed in this "waiting pool." The assessment process determines whether a child is suitable for an offer of a place or for placement in this pool. Offers from the waiting pool are made when a vacancy arises. It is important to note that placement in the waiting pool is not a guarantee of a place, but rather an indication that the child is deemed suitable should an opening occur. Assessments remain valid for twelve months, though follow-up assessments may be required if a place is not taken up within that timeframe.
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