Matahari International School vs Mount Safa International School

	M Matahari International School Johor Bahru, Malaysia	M Mount Safa International School Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 17,030 - 24,000	Fees / year MYR 17,051 - 22,671
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 4 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary)
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 210
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 2012
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location The school is located in Bandar Dato’ Onn, a planned residential area in Johor Bahru known for its quiet neighbourhoods and community facilities. It is easily accessible via major highways such as the Pasir Gudang Highway and Eastern Dispersal Link. The location is about a 30–45 minute drive from the Singapore-Johor Causeway, making it convenient for cross-border families.
Stages	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.	Stages The school is structured into three main levels: Early Childhood Education for ages 4 to 6, Primary School for ages 7 to 12, and Secondary School for ages 13 to 16. Each level follows the Cambridge International curriculum alongside Islamic studies, with the option to pursue the Malaysian National syllabus at the secondary level.
School type	School type This is a co-educational, English-medium day school. It does not offer any boarding facilities.	School type The school is co-educational and does not offer boarding facilities. It provides day schooling for students from ages 4 to 16.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support The school offers dedicated support through its Special Needs Students Development Unit (SPDU), providing tailored learning assistance for students with additional learning needs. Support programs focus on helping students develop academic skills and confidence within an inclusive classroom environment.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have an official affiliation with any country.	Country affiliation The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliation and operates as a secular institution.	Religious affiliation The school has an Islamic affiliation and offers a comprehensive Islamic studies program integrated with its academic curriculum.
School day structure	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.	School day structure The school day typically starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., with variations for younger age groups. Students have scheduled breaks for morning snacks and lunch, with dedicated time for midday prayers.
Bus service details	Bus service details A school transport service is available and managed by the school.	Bus service details A school bus service is available for students, with routes covering key residential areas in Johor Bahru. Transport arrangements are managed directly through the school, and parents can inquire about specific routes and fees during the admissions process. The service is optional and subject to availability based on demand.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application and Registration Fees: * A one-time registration fee of MYR 1,400 is required upon enrollment. * A refundable deposit of MYR 2,500 is also payable at the time of registration. Tuition Fees: * Kindergarten 1 to Kindergarten 3 (Ages 3–5): MYR 17,051 per annum. * Grade 1 to Grade 3 (Ages 6–8): MYR 20,429 per annum. * Grade 4 to Grade 6 (Ages 9–11): MYR 22,671 per annum. Note: Tuition fees are billed termly, every three months. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms: * Invoices are issued on a termly basis, with each term spanning three months. * Payments are due upon receipt of the invoice. Additional Costs: * Uniforms, textbooks, and other learning materials are not included in the tuition fees and are billed separately. * Extracurricular activities may incur additional charges, depending on the activity. Refund Information: * The deposit is refundable upon withdrawal, provided that all accounts are settled, and a written notice is given as per the school's policy. * The registration fee is non-refundable. Fee Payment Options: * Payments can be made via bank transfer or credit card. * Detailed payment instructions are provided on the invoice.
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 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.	Curriculum details The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum across all levels, combined with the Malaysian National KSSR/KSSM syllabus and a dedicated Islamic studies program. Early Childhood Education (ages 4–6) uses the Cambridge Early Years curriculum, focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and Quranic studies. Primary School (ages 7–12) continues with the Cambridge Primary curriculum, offering core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and ICT, alongside Islamic subjects and Arabic language studies. Secondary School (ages 13–16) prepares students for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations and offers the option to pursue the Malaysian SPM qualification. Throughout all levels, students participate in the Jilul Quran Program, which focuses on Quran memorization and understanding. English is the main language of instruction, with Arabic and Malay taught as additional languages.
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. 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.	Admissions 1. Submit an Online Application Once you've connected with the admissions team, complete the online admission form to reserve a seat for your child. Ensure that all information provided is accurate to avoid any delays in the admission process. 2. Entry Assessment After submitting the application, an admissions officer will contact you within two days to schedule an entry assessment. For Primary and Secondary applicants, this includes the Cambridge Placement Test (English and Mathematics) and the AIQ Interview (Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran). Early Childhood applicants will undergo an Academic Interview. 3. Receive Assessment Results and Finalize Enrollment Results are typically communicated within two days of the assessment. If successful, you'll be invited to complete the enrollment process by signing the agreement and fulfilling any remaining formalities. 4. Join the Mount Safa Community Upon completion of the enrollment process, your child will be welcomed into the Mount Safa community and invited to participate in the school's onboarding program.
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.	Scholarships As of now, Mount Safa International Islamic School does not publicly advertise any scholarship programs.
Waitlist	Waitlist Matahari International School does not publicly disclose a formal waitlist or pool system.	Waitlist Mount Safa International Islamic School does not publicly specify a waitlist or pool system. Admissions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to seat availability.
	View full profile →	View full profile →