Side-by-side comparison of fees, curriculum, facilities, and more. Add a third school using the search bar below.
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.
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.
GIS is a co-educational day school and does not offer any boarding facilities.
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).
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.
GIS is a non-denominational school and has no religious affiliation.
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.
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.
The school has a uniform policy. There is a Second-Hand Uniform Shop to promote sustainability by recycling preloved uniforms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The school is divided into The Early Years Centre, Primary School, Secondary School and Sixth Form, with shared facilities across Primary and Secondary Campuses.
ISP is a co-educational day school.
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.
The school is not affiliated with any particular country.
ISP is a non-denominational institution and does not have a religious affiliation.
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).
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.
All students wear the school uniform, which is available for purchase from The Shop @ ISP. Sixth Form students wear their own choice of smart attire.
The canteen is provided by Petite Café, offering Asian, Western and vegetarian meals; the menu is updated monthly and the Student Council discusses menu choices with the chef. Petite Café also runs the Parents' Café.
Every student is placed in one of four Houses - Badak (Red), Harimau (Orange), Penyu (Green) and Gajah (Purple) and wears their House colours on Fridays and for sports activities or PE lessons.
The school is governed by a Board of Governors. The Chairman is Datuk Seri Yaw Chee Siew, who is the Chairman of Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd, and the Board includes the Group Chief Executive Officer of Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd.
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.
The school adopts a whole-school approach to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for students, staff, and parents. A dedicated Counselling & Wellbeing Advice Service is available to all students, offering guidance and support through appointments and drop-in sessions. Additionally, Student Wellbeing Advisors conduct workshops, coffee mornings, and training in relevant areas of wellbeing for staff and parents.
ISP provides support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) through its Learning Support Department. While the school is not a specialist SEN institution, it offers tailored support for students with various needs, including literacy and numeracy challenges. The school assesses all applicants to ensure it can effectively cater to their needs before enrollment.
ISP offers a paid English as an Additional Language (EAL) program designed to support students who need to develop fluency and competency in English. The program is tailored to individual needs, helping students integrate effectively into the academic environment. The school is the first international school to receive the Gold EAL Quality Mark, awarded by the EAL Academy, recognizing its commitment to high-quality EAL provision.
ISP is committed to fostering the mental wellbeing of its students. The school provides access to counseling services and wellbeing programs aimed at supporting students' emotional health. These services are available to students, parents, and staff, promoting mental wellbeing within the whole school community.
The school adopts a whole-school approach to safeguarding children. A dedicated Safeguarding team leads efforts to ensure the safety and protection of students. All staff receive training on safeguarding responsibilities, and clear procedures are in place for reporting and responding to concerns. The school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy outlines the commitment to keeping students safe from harm.
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.
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.
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.