Knewton Global Schools vs St. Joseph’s International School Kuching
Knewton Global Schools and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching are both in Sarawak. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE and Malaysian programmes. Knewton Global Schools also offers IPC, and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching also offers Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are close, at MYR 11,340 - 23,400 for Knewton Global Schools and MYR 14,800 - 21,400 for St. Joseph’s International School Kuching. Knewton Global Schools takes pupils from 3 to 16, and St. Joseph’s International School Kuching from 13 to 18. St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is the larger school, with around 1,500 pupils to Knewton Global Schools's 240. Both keep typical class sizes around 25.
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Malaysian Curriculum
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Malaysian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
240
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Malay
Instruction language
English, Malay
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Knewton Global Schools is located along Jalan Desa Senadin in the Senadin township, on the northern edge of Miri, Sarawak. The school is positioned near Curtin University Malaysia, which is a key educational and residential zone within the area. It is also close to commercial spots like E-Mart Riam and Tamu Desa Senadin.
The school is accessible by car, school transport (if arranged), or local taxis and e-hailing services like Grab. The Jalan Lutong-Kuala Baram road, a key arterial road in the city, connects Senadin to the main parts of Miri, including the city centre and Miri Airport.
Location
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is situated at Lot 419, Section 58, KTLD, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The school occupies the former site of SK St. Teresa in the Padungan area, placing it within the central business district of Kuching. This central location offers convenient access to various parts of the city.
Stages
Stages
Knewton Global Schools is divided into Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School.
Stages
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is divide into Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and A-Level.
School type
School type
Knewton Global Schools is a co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.
School type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not provide boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Knewton Global Schools provides a range of support services to assist student adjustment and learning. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for students who are not native English speakers, with tailored guidance from a dedicated coordinator. New students are paired with peers through a buddy system to help them transition smoothly into school life. The school encourages participation in co-curricular activities, such as sports and creative clubs, to support well-rounded development. Students also have opportunities to take on leadership roles through the House system and student governance.
Additional learning support
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching provides several types of learning support to help students beyond the classroom. They offer English language support, extended school hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., giving students time for extra tutorials, homework help, and consultations with teachers. In addition to academics, the school supports students’ personal growth through creative arts activities like music, dance, and drama.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Knewton Global Schools operates as a secular institution.
Religious affiliation
The school has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation, as it is managed by the Marist Brothers and operates under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Kuching.
School day structure
School day structure
The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.
School day structure
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service.
Bus service details
The school does not offer a bus service
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Preschool (Nursery, Reception, Foundation) – Malaysian National Curriculum
Application Fee: RM500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM1,200 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal.
Note: The academic year is divided into three terms.
Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions:
Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable
International Curriculum (British) – Primary & Secondary Levels
Application Fee: RM1,000 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon submission of application. Registration Fee: RM3,500 One-time, non-refundable. Payable upon acceptance of offer. Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s tuition fee Refundable with one full term’s written notice of withdrawal.
Tuition Fees (per term):
Year 1 (Age 5): RM8,290 Year 2 (Age 6): RM8,290 Year 3 (Age 7): RM9,660 Year 4 (Age 8): RM9,660 Year 5 (Age 9): RM9,660 Year 6 (Age 10): RM9,660 Year 7 (Age 11): RM12,405 Year 8 (Age 12): RM12,405 Year 9 (Age 13): RM12,405 Year 10 (Age 14): RM13,530 Year 11 (Age 15): RM13,530
Note: The academic year is divided into three terms.
Pro-Rated Fees for Mid-Term Admissions:
Students joining in Weeks 1–4: 100% of term fee payable Students joining in Weeks 5–8: 70% of term fee payable Students joining after Week 8: 40% of term fee payable
Refund Policy 1.Non-Refundable Fees: The application and registration fees are non-refundable.
2.Deposit Refund: The deposit, equivalent to one term's tuition fee, is refundable only if a full term's written notice of withdrawal is provided.
The school does not have their payment methods publicly available.
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): RM 500 Assessment Test Fee: RM 100 per student
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable):
For Years 7–9: 1st child: RM 4,000 2nd child: RM 2,000 3rd child: RM 1,000 4th child: Free
Refund Policy For Secondary Students (Years 7–11) Parents must give 1 month’s written notice before withdrawing a student.
If no notice is given, an extra full term's fee will be charged.
Refunds:
Before mid-term: Eligible for 50% refund of that term’s fee. After mid-term: No refund given.
For Pre-University Students If a student does not complete the A-Level programme, the deposit (1 semester fee) will be forfeited.
If the withdrawal happens after the exam registration deadline, exam fees are non-refundable.
For students asked to withdraw by the school, unused deposits may be refunded, but exam fees will not be.
Payment Methods JomPAY (Online Bill Payment) Credit or Debit Card Payable in person at the school office. Cheque
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
Knewton Global Schools offers two distinct academic pathways from early years through secondary: the British International Curriculum and the Malaysian National Curriculum.
The international stream follows the British educational model, beginning with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the early and primary years. Students then transition to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme in Years 7 to 9, and ultimately prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Instruction is delivered in English, with additional support for non-native speakers.
The Malaysian national stream follows the official curriculum set by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, taught primarily in Malay. This pathway covers Standard 1 through Form 5, ending with the national SPM examination. Subjects include core academic disciplines as well as local language and moral studies.
Students across both streams participate in co-curricular activities, community service projects, and cultural events, contributing to a well-rounded school experience regardless of curriculum path.
Curriculum details
St. Joseph’s International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum at both secondary and pre-university levels. Students typically enter at Year 7 and progress through to Year 11, preparing for the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. The IGCSE curriculum covers core academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, the Sciences, and Humanities, along with options like Art and ICT. Malaysian students are also required to take Bahasa Melayu and Moral or Islamic Studies, in line with national regulations.
At the pre-university level, students can choose between two academic tracks: the Cambridge A-Level programme or the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT). The A-Level is an 18-month programme split into Year 12 (12 months) and Year 13 (6 months), typically involving three to four subjects in the Sciences, Mathematics, or Humanities. The AUSMAT programme, delivered over 12 months, is assessed continuously through coursework and final exams and is based on standards set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority of Western Australia. Both qualifications are widely accepted by universities in Malaysia and abroad.
1. Campus Visit. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school to get a feel for the environment and ask any questions about the curriculum or student life.
2. Application Submission Complete and submit the application form along with the required documents, which include:
Student’s birth certificate and passport (for non-Malaysians) or MyKid (for Malaysians) Parent’s passport or MyKad Previous school reports Medical and immunization records One passport-sized photograph
3. Assessment. An entry assessment is scheduled, which may include the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) for certain year groups. Early Years applicants undergo classroom observations.
4. Offer & Enrollment. If the assessment is successful, an offer letter is issued. Parents must then submit the acceptance form and pay the registration fee, deposit, and term fees to secure the place.
5. Orientation. Before the start of the academic year, orientation details, including information about uniforms and transportation, are provided.
Admissions
1. Download and complete the relevant registration form from the school's website. Submit the completed form along with the required documents, which include: Two copies of the student's most recent academic report A copy of the student's birth certificate A copy of the student's MyKad or passport Two recent passport-sized photographs A copy of the parent's MyKad or passport
2. Prospective students may be required to sit for an entrance assessment to determine their suitability for the school's curriculum.
3. An interview with the student and parents may be conducted to discuss the student's educational background and expectations.
4. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter. Acceptance of the offer requires payment of the necessary fees.
5. Upon acceptance, the student will be officially enrolled, and further details regarding orientation and class placement will be provided.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Knewton Global Schools provides scholarships through the SiWu Scholarship Programme, managed by its parent organization, Bonanza Educare. This programme is designed to support students who demonstrate exceptional achievements in academics, creative arts, sports, leadership, or character.
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on scholarships.
