International Modern Arabic School vs Spectrum International School
International Modern Arabic School and Spectrum International School are both in Kuala Lumpur, about 24 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes. International Modern Arabic School also offers IEYC, and Spectrum International School also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Islamic. Published annual fees are MYR 9,500 - 14,500 at International Modern Arabic School and MYR 14,100 - 29,900 at Spectrum International School, which puts Spectrum International School roughly 83% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. International Modern Arabic School is the larger school, with around 2,600 pupils to Spectrum International School's 800. Both keep typical class sizes around 25.
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Islamic Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
2,600
Pupils
800
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
2016
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The school is located in Precinct 14 of Putrajaya, Malaysia’s planned administrative capital. It's conveniently reachable via major highways and the Nadi Putra city bus service, which links to Putrajaya Sentral, the city’s main public transport hub offering both MRT and KLIA Transit lines. This setting offers a well-connected yet calm environment, ideal for families moving to the city.
Location
The school is situated in the Kenny Hill (Lorong Tun Ismail) neighborhood of central Kuala Lumpur, offering a calm, elevated setting within easy reach of the city’s core. Transport connections are straightforward, and the area combines quiet residential charm with convenient access to urban amenities.
Stages
Stages
The school provides education from Early Years (Nursery/Kindergarten) through Primary, Secondary, and Pre-University/Sixth Form levels, covering ages approximately 3 to 18 years
Stages
Spectrum KL serves children from Early Childhood (Pre-KG through KG) up to Sixth Form (A Levels), covering an age range of approximately 3 to 18 years.
School type
School type
IMAS is co-educational in Primary; in Secondary, boys and girls are taught separately but share the campus facilities.
School type
The school is co-educational.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
There’s no specific information on the official IMAS site regarding support for Additional Learning Needs (SEN). For clarity, you may wish to contact the school admissions team to ask if they offer tailored learning assistance or external specialist partnerships.
Additional learning support
The website does not explicitly mention specific provisions for Additional Learning Needs or SEN support.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no formal affiliation to any single country.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school incorporates Islamic education as part of its curriculum, indicating an Islamic orientation, but it operates as an international bilingual school rather than a faith-exclusive institution.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day at IMAS Putrajaya typically starts at 7:30 AM and finishes around 1:30 PM for younger students, with slightly longer hours for older year groups. The schedule includes academic lessons, language instruction in English and Arabic, religious studies, and regular breaks for meals and rest. This structure provides a steady rhythm across Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form levels.
School day structure
The school does not provide information about its day structure.
Bus service details
Bus service details
IMAS offers a school transportation service, provided via a third-party operator (FST). Details on routes or scheduling are available on the provider’s site.
Bus service details
Spectrum provides a transport service for families in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, assisting with daily school commutes. The specifics—such as routes, operators, or pricing—aren’t outlined on the website.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees A one-time Registration Fee of MYR 1,200 applies for all new students. This fee is non-refundable.
Tuition Fees – Early Years to Secondary
* Early Years (KG1 & KG2): MYR 9,500 per year (discounts available for siblings: 2nd child 5%, 3rd child 10%, 4th child 15%). * Primary (Grades 1–6): MYR 13,000 per year (same sibling discount scheme). * Secondary (Grades 7–11): MYR 14,500 per year (same sibling discount scheme).
* 3 Subject Package: MYR 18,500 tuition, total MYR 19,800 including registration. * 4 Subject Package: MYR 20,300 tuition, total MYR 21,600 including registration.
Other Costs
* Chromebook device: MYR 2,050 (one-time). * Technology & Resources Fee: MYR 450 annually. * Books: MYR 300–1,000 depending on grade. * Uniforms: MYR 100–200 depending on grade. * Co-Curricular Fee: MYR 100 plus additional charges depending on the club chosen. * Transportation: Available, cost varies by location.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
* Fees are billed per semester: * All fees must be settled in advance, within 14 days of billing. * A 4% early-payment discount is given if the full year’s fees are paid. * Late payment penalties may apply, and the school reserves the right to withhold reports, certificates, and access to school systems.
Refund Policy Registration, technology, and administrative fees are non-refundable. In cases of enforced school closure by government authorities, no tuition refunds will be made.
Payment Options Payments are accepted via bank transfer and other approved methods; parents must ensure fees are cleared by due dates.
* Pre-KG (Discoverer): RM 16,100 * KG1 (Explorer): RM 17,100 * KG2 (Adventurer): RM 19,100 * Year 1–3 (Lower Primary): RM 20,600 * Year 4–6 (Upper Primary): RM 23,100 * Year 7–9 (Lower Secondary): RM 27,050 * Year 10–11 (Upper Secondary, IGCSE): RM 33,250 * Year 12 (A Level Sixth Form): RM 33,250
Fees include tuition, learning resources, and compulsory activities.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms * Fees are payable per semester (two semesters annually) or in full for the year. * Semester 1 fees: due by May–June; Semester 2 fees: due by November–December. * Tuition, learning resource, and activity fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Other Costs * S-Clubs (after-school clubs): charged per club selection. * Books & uniforms: purchased online via Parent Zone; paid directly to vendors. * Visa fees, transport services, canteen meals, and educational trips: billed separately. * Cambridge exam fees: billed separately per session.
Refund Policy * Only the security deposit is refundable (terms apply). Tuition and other core fees are non-refundable.
The International Modern Arabic School (IMAS) Putrajaya follows a British-based curriculum integrated with Arabic and Islamic studies. In the Early Years and Primary School (KG1–Grade 6), students study core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Bahasa Malaysia. The Secondary School (Grades 7–11) prepares students for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, offering a range of subjects including the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and languages. At the Sixth Form (Grades 12–13), students can pursue the Cambridge A-Level programme, choosing between three or four subject packages depending on their university aspirations. Across all stages, the school balances academic subjects with co-curricular activities, ICT integration, and religious learning. This bilingual approach ensures students are equipped with internationally recognised qualifications while maintaining cultural and linguistic ties to Arabic and Islamic traditions.
Curriculum details
Spectrum International School offers a British-based curriculum following the Cambridge International framework. Early Childhood (Pre-KG, KG1, KG2) combines play-based learning with the Finnish HEI Schools model and Islamic education, preparing students for primary schooling. Primary years (Years 1–6) follow Cambridge Primary, focusing on core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, along with Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Bahasa Malaysia. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) continues with Cambridge Lower Secondary, building subject depth while incorporating STEAM activities and co-curricular programmes. Students in Years 10–11 take the Cambridge IGCSE, choosing from a range of academic and language subjects, and Year 12 offers Cambridge A Level qualifications for pre-university preparation. Across all levels, the curriculum integrates co-curricular activities, competitions, and religious studies to develop both academic and cultural understanding.
1. Application Form Parents start by completing the school’s online application form with the required details. This includes the student’s personal information and academic background.
2. Enrolment Confirmation Once submitted, parents receive a confirmation email from the Admissions Team. This confirms the student’s year group, subjects, tuition fees, and the available payment methods.
3. Welcome Call A member of the Admissions Team contacts parents by phone. They introduce the team, explain the next steps, and answer any questions or concerns.
4. Payment Parents then submit the chosen method of safe and secure payment. Full details for payment are provided in the enrolment confirmation.
5. Login Details After payment, parents receive school login and admission details via email. These credentials provide access to the school’s communication and information systems.
6. First Orientation Held a few days before lessons begin, this session gives an overview of school life. The child also receives an induction from their phase leader.
7. Second Orientation Another call from the Admissions Team helps address any follow-up questions or concerns before the child fully starts classes.
8. Ongoing Continuous Support Throughout the school week, the admissions and pastoral team remain available to support families and students as they settle into school life.
Admissions
1. Online Application Parents start by filling out the school’s online admissions form to secure a seat. The form must be completed accurately to avoid delays. This step initiates the process, and applicants should ensure all details, including supporting documentation, are correctly entered.
2. Entry Test After submission, the school contacts parents within two days to arrange a placement test.
* Primary & Secondary: Students take a Cambridge Placement Test in English and Mathematics and attend an AIQ Interview (Arabic, Islamic Studies & Quran). * Early Childhood: Applicants undergo an Academic Interview.
3. Agreement Within two days of the entry test, parents receive results and are invited to sign an admission agreement. At this point, families confirm their child’s place and complete final steps such as fee payment and documentation.
4. Welcome and Orientation The child is officially enrolled and invited to the Spectrum Onboarding Program, which is run before the start of the school year. Parents receive further guidance to ensure a smooth transition.
Scholarships
Scholarships
IMAS offers scholarships for deserving students. All Malaysian students are automatically eligible for a tuition reduction: 50% deduction for Primary and Secondary levels and 40% deduction for Kindergarten. This applies as part of the school’s financial support initiatives for local families.
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information about scholarship programmes or financial aid.
Waitlist
Waitlist
IMAS does not publicly state that it operates a waitlist or pool system. Admission depends on space availability and successful completion of the placement and application process.
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a waitlist.
