IGB International School vs The International School of Kuala Lumpur
IGB International School and The International School of Kuala Lumpur are both in Kuala Lumpur, about 18 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. IGB International School also offers IBCP, and The International School of Kuala Lumpur also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and American. Published annual fees are MYR 48,400 - 112,600 at IGB International School and MYR 69,500 - 142,000 at The International School of Kuala Lumpur, which puts The International School of Kuala Lumpur roughly 31% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. The International School of Kuala Lumpur is the larger school, with around 1,750 pupils to IGB International School's 350. Typical class sizes are 19 at IGB International School and 22 at The International School of Kuala Lumpur.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
350
Pupils
1,750
Typical class size
Typical class size
19
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2014
Opened
1965
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
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.
Location
This area is approximately 3 kilometers from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The school provides a bus service that covers various neighborhoods, including Ampang Hilir, KLCC, Mont Kiara, Bangsar, and Damansara, facilitating transport for students from different parts of the city. Ampang Hilir is known for hosting various embassies and is generally well-connected.
Stages
Stages
IGB is divided into Early Years, Elementary, and Secondary Levels
Stages
The school comprises an Early Childhood section, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.
School type
School type
IGB is co-educational day school.
School type
ISKL 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
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.
Additional learning support
ISKL offers a "Supporting All Learners" approach, recognizing that every child learns differently. They use a Multi-Tiered System of Support to identify, assess, address, and monitor student needs. Support is tailored and can include academic, behavioral, and social-emotional assistance.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
It does not have a direct affiliation with a specific country.
Country affiliation
ISKL is recognized as an American school.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any specific religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
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.
School day structure
The school day at ISKL generally starts at 8:00 am across all divisions. For Early Childhood (Prep Reception and Prep Junior), the day concludes at 12:30 pm. Elementary School (Prep Senior - Grade 5) finishes at 2:45 pm, while Middle School (Grade 6-8) ends at 2:50 pm, and High School (Grade 9-12) concludes at 3:00 pm. Break times, including morning breaks and lunch, are scheduled throughout the day, varying slightly by division to accommodate student needs.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
ISKL offers a dedicated school bus service to transport students to and from school. This service is provided by Pandu Jaya Sdn Bhd. The bus service covers various residential areas to accommodate families relocating from overseas. The company prioritizes safety and reliability, with provisions for bus monitors on Kindergarten buses to supervise younger children.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Enrollment Fees - Application Fee: RM1,000 (non-refundable, one-time payment upon submission) - Enrollment Fee: RM10,000 (Early Years 1-2), RM25,000 (Kindergarten-Grade 10), RM7,500 (Grades 11-12) - Refundable Deposit: RM10,000 (Early Years 1-2), RM20,000 (Kindergarten-Grade 12)
Annual Tuition Fees by Year Group - Early Years 1 (age 3): RM48,400 - Early Years 2 (age 4): RM56,500 - Kindergarten (age 5): RM67,900 - Grades 1-5 (ages 6-10): RM82,400 - Grade 6 (age 11): RM87,900 - Grades 7-8 (ages 12-13): RM97,500 - Grade 9 (age 14): RM107,900 - Grade 10 (age 15): RM109,200 - Grades 11-12 (ages 16-17): RM112,600
Additional Costs - IT Support: RM1,400 per semester (Elementary), RM1,300 per semester (Secondary) - ESOL Support: RM5,000 per semester - Learning Support: RM5,000 per semester - Excluded items: uniforms, laptops (Grades 5-12), IB examination fees, meals, transportation, school trips
Payment Terms and Discounts - Payment deadline: 14 days from invoice date - Family discounts: 5% off tuition for 2nd child, 10% off for 3rd+ children - Late payment surcharge: 1.5% per month - Payment methods: bank transfer, cheque, direct payment, Flywire (international payments)
Early Years Enrollment Deposit: RM 4,400 Prep Reception (3-year-olds): RM 69,500 per year Prep Junior (4-year-olds): RM 92,200 per year
Primary & Middle School Enrollment Deposit: RM 10,100 Prep Senior - Grade 5: RM 114,500 per year Grades 6-8: RM 129,300 per year
High School Enrollment Deposit: RM 10,100 Grades 9-12: RM 142,000 per year
Additional Fees *Life-Centered Education support: Additional RM 49,400 per year *Society Membership: RM 50 (one-time) + RM 20 (annual) - included in fees *External exam fees (IB, AP): charged separately *Global Action Program (GAP): mandatory for Grades 9-11, fee varies by destination
Payment Structure * Fees payable in advance by semester * RM 200 discount for paying full annual tuition in advance 50% refund available only if withdrawal notice received before first day of semester
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
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.
Curriculum details
In the Elementary and Middle School, the curriculum is inquiry-based and student-centered, focusing on developing foundational skills and key competencies. For High School students (Grades 11 and 12), ISKL offers flexible academic pathways. Students can pursue the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a globally recognized pre-university qualification. Alternatively, they can choose ISKL's innovative Pursuits Program, which allows students to combine individual IB, Advanced Placement (AP), and High School Diploma courses to create a personalized study program, including opportunities for internships and real-world experiences. All students who meet graduation requirements receive an ISKL Diploma.
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.
Admissions
Submit your online application and required documents. This involves completing the application via ISKL's OpenApply portal and paying the application fee. You will need to upload various documents, including official academic records from the past three years, any previous learning support reports (e.g., psychological testing, IEPs), a student health form, copies of passports for the applicant and parents, and proof of Malaysian work/residence permits or an employer's letter.
Complete assessments. After submitting your application and documents, the Admissions Department will determine if an assessment is required. These assessments, such as MAP® tests for reading comprehension and math, are generally given to applicants from Prep Senior (K4) to Grade 12. For younger students (K4-Grade 1), a short pattern and sequencing assessment is given. These assessments help ensure the school can meet the student's needs.
Receive an admission decision. Once all required documents are submitted and assessments are completed and reviewed, the Admissions Department will make a determination. If a place is available and the applicant meets the criteria, an offer of admission will be extended. The school aims to provide a decision within five business days after the MAP assessment, unless further review is needed.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
ISKL offers the ISKL Pathways Scholarship specifically for high-achieving Malaysian students. This scholarship is merit and need-based and is open to Malaysian students who have completed their Form 3 school assessment. It provides a fully funded four-year study in the High School program, covering Grades 9 to 12, including tuition and external exam fees. The school has also previously offered an ISKL IBDP Scholarship for Malaysian Form 5 students, a two-year scholarship for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Selection for scholarships is based on academic excellence, leadership in social responsibility, and commitment to the school community.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not provide information regarding a waitlist.
Waitlist
ISKL operates a waiting pool system for year groups where places are not immediately available. If an applicant meets the admission criteria but there is no current vacancy in their grade level, they will be placed into this waiting pool. Places are offered from the waiting pool as vacancies arise, and the school will send an offer letter when a spot becomes available. The position in the waiting pool is determined by the school's admission criteria, not solely by the application date.