LUCA International School vs Matahari International School

	L LUCA International School Johor Bahru, Malaysia	M Matahari International School Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 20,400 - 26,400	Fees / year MYR 17,030 - 24,000
Age range	Age range 7 - 17 years	Age range 3 - 19 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 320	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location LUCA International School is situated in Taman Kempas Utama, a tranquil and residential area of Johor Bahru. It’s accessible via the North-South Expressway and Jalan Kempas Lama, and takes about 30–45 minutes by car from the Singapore border. The surrounding area is developing steadily, with access to key facilities like AEON Mall Bandar Dato' Onn, parks, and medical centers such as Sultanah Aminah Hospital.	Location Matahari International School is located in Taman Nusantara Prima, Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The area is a residential neighborhood with local shops and services, and is part of the Iskandar Malaysia development zone. It is accessible via major road networks connecting Johor Bahru and surrounding townships.
Stages	Stages The school offers a structured educational journey for early years, primary and secondary levels.	Stages The school is structured into seven levels under the Viisaus Programme, starting from Early Years (ages 3–6) through to Stage 6 (ages 17–19). These roughly align with international equivalents such as Nursery/Reception, Primary (Stages 1–2), Lower Secondary (Stages 3–4), Upper Secondary (Stage 5), and Pre-University (Stage 6). The curriculum integrates Cambridge International content, preparing students for assessments such as IGCSE and A-Level.
School type	School type LUCA International School is a co-educational day school. LUCA does not provide boarding facilities.	School type This is a co-educational, English-medium day school. It does not offer any boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support LUCA International School emphasizes the importance of nurturing both the academic and emotional growth of its students through a variety of support systems beyond the standard curriculum. A standout feature is their coaching support program, which provides personalized academic and life guidance through certified coaches. These sessions, offered in both individual and group formats, aim to empower students to take responsibility for their own progress, while also equipping them with emotional resilience and critical thinking skills.	Additional learning support The school provides additional academic support through its Functional Classroom model, which groups students by academic level rather than age. This allows targeted teaching for subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science theory. Support is structured rather than specialist, and the school does not describe itself as a dedicated SEN institution.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have formal affiliation with any country.	Country affiliation The school does not have an official affiliation with any country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation LUCA International School is also a non-denominational institution with no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliation and operates as a secular institution.
School day structure	School day structure Elementary & Primary: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM Secondary: 7:30 AM – 3:15 PM	School day structure The exact start and end times of the school day at Matahari International School are not publicly published on the school’s official website.
Bus service details	Bus service details LUCA International School offers a school bus service for its students. This service aims to ensure safe and convenient transportation for students residing in different parts of Johor Bahru. Specific details about the bus routes and timings are typically provided upon enrollment or can be obtained by reaching out to the school's administrative office.	Bus service details A school transport service is available and managed by the school.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition Fees (Annually) Years 1–6: RM 20,400 Years 7–9: RM 24,000 Years 10–11: RM 26,400 Other Fees Application Fee: RM 500 (non-refundable, one-time) Enrolment Fee: RM 1,500 (non-refundable, one-time) Student Support Fees: Includes coaching services (detailed cost not publicly listed) Refund Policy Application & Enrolment Fees: Both are one-time, non-refundable payments. Tuition Fees: The refundability of tuition fees is not specified publicly. It's recommended to consult the school's administrative office for detailed information. The school has not disclosed their payment methods publicly.	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details LUCA delivers a fully Cambridge-based curriculum for students from Early Years through Year 11. The academic journey is thoughtfully structured into five developmental stages: Enlightenment, Foundation, Consolidation Basic, Exploration and Development, and Directional. These stages guide students from foundational knowledge to advanced preparation for the Cambridge IGCSE exams. LUCA emphasizes a 21st-century learning model that integrates thematic teaching, entrepreneurial thinking, and personal development across all subjects.	Curriculum details Matahari International School follows the Viisaus curriculum model alongside the Cambridge International Curriculum. The school begins with the Viisaus Early Years Program (ages 3–6), followed by Stages 1 to 6 (ages 6–19), aligned with Cambridge checkpoints. Students take the Cambridge Primary Checkpoint at Stage 2, followed by IGCSE in Stage 5 (ages 15–17) and A-Level qualifications in Stage 6 (ages 17–19). Functional Classrooms focus on English, Mathematics, Malay, Chinese, and Science (theory), while Home Classrooms support project-based learning in subjects like global perspectives, geography, and arts. Lessons are delivered using a mix of traditional and collaborative methods. Science labs, art rooms, and music spaces support subject-specific instruction.
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 —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Trial Class: LUCA offers trial classes for prospective students to experience the school's environment and teaching approach. 2. Assessment & Interview: Applicants may undergo assessments and interviews to determine their suitability for the school's programs. 3. Document Submission: Required documents	Admissions 1. Attend an Open Day or Schedule a Visit: The school regularly hosts Open Days, providing an opportunity to explore the campus, meet teachers, and learn about the curriculum. If you cannot attend an Open Day, you can arrange a private visit by contacting the school at +607 510 2388 or via WhatsApp at +6016 753 8088. 2. Submit an Application Form: Complete the appropriate registration form based on your child's educational level (Primary, Secondary, or A-Level). These forms are available on the school's official website. 3. Provide Required Documentation: Along with the application form, submit necessary documents such as your child's birth certificate, previous school reports, and any other relevant records. The admissions team will inform you of the specific documents needed. 4. Await Admission Decision: After reviewing the application and documents, the school will communicate their decision. If accepted, you'll receive further instructions on enrollment and orientation procedures.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The school offers financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and study loans. These are designed to support students who demonstrate academic excellence or require financial assistance. Details about eligibility criteria and application procedures can be obtained by contacting the school's admissions office.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist Matahari International School does not publicly disclose a formal waitlist or pool system.
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