LUCA International School vs Sri Ara International & Private School
LUCA International School and Sri Ara International & Private School are both in Johor Bahru, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes, and LUCA International School also offers British. Published annual fees are MYR 20,400 - 26,400 at LUCA International School and MYR 10,230 - 29,520 at Sri Ara International & Private School , which puts LUCA International School roughly 18% higher. LUCA International School takes pupils from 7 to 17, and Sri Ara International & Private School from 3 to 17. LUCA International School is the larger school, with around 320 pupils to Sri Ara International & Private School 's 130. Typical class sizes are 20 at LUCA International School and 10 at Sri Ara International & Private School .
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
Sri Ara International School is located at 23 Jalan Straits View in the Straits View neighborhood of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school is situated in a residential area, providing a tranquil environment for students.
Stages
Stages
The school offers a structured educational journey for early years, primary and secondary levels.
Stages
The school offers education from Preschool (Nursery) through sixth form, accommodating students aged 3 to 17. It follows the Cambridge International curriculum, preparing students for the IGCSE examinations.
School type
School type
LUCA International School is a co-educational day school. LUCA does not provide boarding facilities.
School type
Sri Ara International School is a co-educational day school, welcoming both male and female students. The school 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
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
Sri Ara International School does not identify as a specialist SEN institution, but it states that it aims to support students with different learning needs where possible.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school operates independently without formal affiliation to any specific country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
LUCA International School is also a non-denominational institution with no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Sri Ara International School is a secular institution with no religious affiliation. It welcomes students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
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 school operates from Monday to Thursday, starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 3:15 PM. On Fridays, the day concludes slightly earlier at 3:00 PM. Extra-curricular activities are scheduled after school hours from Monday to Thursday .
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
Information regarding a dedicated school bus or coach service is not specified on the school's official website.
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
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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
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
Sri Ara International School follows the Cambridge Pathway, offering a structured progression from primary through secondary education. Students in Years 1 to 6 engage with the Cambridge Primary curriculum, focusing on core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science. Years 7 to 9 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, building on foundational knowledge and preparing students for higher-level studies. In Years 10 and 11, students undertake the Cambridge IGCSE program, with subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Sciences (Combined or Coordinated), Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Geography, History, Art, ICT, and languages like Malay and Mandarin . The school plans to introduce Oxford AQA examinations for Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) .
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. Arrange a school tour or information session. The school welcomes prospective families to visit the campus and meet with staff. Tours can be scheduled directly with the admissions office and are a good opportunity to ask specific questions and observe the learning environment.
2. Submit application documents. Parents must complete the registration form and submit it along with a non-refundable RM2,500 registration fee. Supporting documents include previous academic records, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, passport or MyKad, and passport-sized photographs.
3. Assessment and interview (if applicable). Depending on the year group, the school may conduct academic assessments or request an interview to determine placement suitability. These are generally informal for younger children and more structured for older students.
4. Placement confirmation and payment of deposit. Once a place is offered, parents are required to confirm enrolment by paying a refundable deposit equal to one term’s tuition fee. Further information about uniforms, textbooks, and term start dates is provided after confirmation.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
Waitlist
Sri Ara International School does not publicly advertise a waitlist or pooled admissions system.
