Pelita International School vs St. Christopher's International School
Pelita International School and St. Christopher's International School are both in Penang, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer EYFS programmes. Pelita International School also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and St. Christopher's International School also offers British. Published annual fees are MYR 9,360 - 33,810 at Pelita International School and MYR 5,000 - 12,400 at St. Christopher's International School, which puts Pelita International School roughly 148% higher. Pelita International School takes pupils from 4 to 19, and St. Christopher's International School from 3 to 10. St. Christopher's International School is the larger school, with around 620 pupils to Pelita International School's 300. Typical class sizes are 22 at Pelita International School and 25 at St. Christopher's International School.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
620
Typical class size
Typical class size
22
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2013
Opened
1964
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Pelita International School is located in Tanjung Bungah, a coastal suburb of Penang, Malaysia. The school is situated between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, with nearby access to residential areas popular with expatriate families. The area is known for its proximity to beaches, international eateries, and housing options.
Location
Located at No. 10 Jalan Nunn, SCIPS sits in the leafy Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang. It is close to Burmah and Macalister Roads—major thoroughfares lined with shops, eateries, and residential streets—and is served by several Rapid Penang bus routes (101, 102, 103, 104, 304, 306) within a 10–20 minute walk.
Stages
Stages
The school is structured into four main levels: Early Years (ages 4–6), Primary School (ages 7–12), Secondary School (ages 13–16), and Sixth Form (ages 17–18). Students follow the Cambridge curriculum, leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels.
Stages
The school serves children aged 3–12, structured into Early Years (Nursery/Foundation/Reception), Primary School (Years 1–6), and an early Secondary extension (Years 7–8)—all following the British National Curriculum.
School type
School type
Pelita International is a private, co-educational day school.
School type
SCIPS is a co-educational, non-profit day school overseen by a board comprising expatriate and Malaysian representatives. It does not offer 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
While the school promotes inclusive education, there is limited publicly available detail on structured support for students with additional learning needs.
Additional learning support
The school runs a dedicated Learning Support department, led by a qualified Head of Learning Support, which provides tailored interventions in literacy, numeracy, and general learning strategies. Additionally, the school offers EAL (English as an Additional Language) support within classrooms and small groups.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
SCIPS is registered under Malaysian law but delivers a British-style curriculum, reflecting its international governing structure.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
Classes typically start around 8:00 AM and end between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, depending on the student’s year group. The day includes scheduled breaks for snacks and lunch. Co-curricular activities are often held after regular classes.
School day structure
Drop-off begins at 7:15 am, with lessons starting at 8:00 am. Students have a morning break (10:15–10:45 am) and lunch/play (12:45–1:45 pm), before finishing early for Early Years at 2:25 pm, Primary Years at 2:50 pm, and Years 5–7 at 3:00 pm. After-School Activities typically run until 4:00 pm
Bus service details
Bus service details
Pelita International School offers a school transport service through external bus providers. The service is available to students living in surrounding areas, and parents can arrange routes and fees directly with the operators. Availability may vary based on location, and safety protocols are managed jointly between the school and service providers.
Tuition Fees (Per Annum) * Nursery: MYR 9,360 * Reception: MYR 13,110 * Year 1–2: MYR 15,480 * Year 3–4: MYR 19,440 * Year 5–6: MYR 21,240 * Year 7: MYR 25,185 * Year 8: MYR 27,600 * Year 9: MYR 30,015 * Year 10: MYR 31,050 * Year 11: MYR 33,810 *Note: All fees are annual and subject to change without prior notice. *
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms * Tuition fees are billed annually. * Classes commence upon full payment of fees. * A refundable deposit equivalent to one term’s tuition fee is required upon enrollment.
Additional Costs * Uniforms, textbooks, and co-curricular activities may incur additional charges.
Refund Policy * A full term’s written notice is required for withdrawal. * The withdrawal form must be submitted by the last school day of the preceding term. * Failure to provide timely notice results in forfeiture of the deposit. * Refunds are processed within the last week of the student’s final term.
Payment Methods * Payments can be made via bank transfer.
Fee details
Application and One-Time Fees
* Application & Registration Fee: MYR 1,500 for Foundation/Nursery/Reception/Year 1 or MYR 3,500 for Years 2–8 (includes MYR 300 non-refundable administration fee and MYR 650 non-refundable family membership fee) * Refundable Deposit: equivalent to one term’s tuition (refundable with one term’s written notice; depreciates 20% per annum after five years) * Development Fee: MYR 500 annually (supports campus facilities)
Annual Tuition Fees
* Foundation/Nursery: MYR 15,000 * Reception: MYR 17,700 * Year 1–2: MYR 21,300 * Year 3–4: MYR 28,200 * Year 5–6: MYR 33,000 * Year 7–8 (Prep): MYR 37,200
Payment Terms and Methods
* Tuition and additional fees are billed each term (three times per year). * A 4% discount applies if full annual tuition is paid upfront. * Late payments incur a 5% surcharge. * A full term’s tuition is payable even if a student leaves mid-term. * The refundable deposit is returned only after a term’s written notice, subject to a 20% annual depreciation after five years.
* Payment Methods: * Bank transfer * Credit card (available upon arrangement)
Refund Policy
* The deposit is refundable with appropriate notice and subject to annual depreciation. * Tuition refunds for Terms 2 or 3 may be issued if withdrawal occurs before the term starts. * Refunds are not issued mid-term.
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
Pelita International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years through to A-Levels. In the Early Years and Primary School (Reception to Year 6), students follow the Cambridge Primary Program, which includes English, Mathematics, Science, and subjects such as Music, Art, ICT, Physical Education, and Emotional Intelligence. In Secondary School (Years 7 to 9), the curriculum transitions into the Cambridge Lower Secondary Program, continuing core subjects while introducing project-based learning and assessments. For Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), selecting subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, ICT, and Additional Mathematics. Sixth Form students (Years 12 and 13) undertake the Cambridge A-Level program with a choice of academic subjects for university preparation. Throughout, students also study Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin as language subjects, and participate in co-curricular and enrichment programs.
Curriculum details
SCIPS follows a British-based curriculum from Early Years through Prep (ages 3–13). In Nursery and Reception, the school uses a combination of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC), focusing on structured play to develop communication, literacy, numeracy, physical, social, and emotional skills.
Years 1–6 align with the UK National Curriculum for core subjects—English, mathematics, science, computing, PE, and PSHE—while foundation subjects continue through the IPC. Specialist instruction is provided in Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, German, music, and art.
In Years 7–8 (Prep), students are taught by a small team of specialist teachers and engage in enrichment activities such as robotics, coding, photography, dancing, gardening, and community-based outings, alongside standard academic content.
All phases are regularly evaluated against UK standards, with ongoing internal data monitoring and external benchmarking through British Schools Overseas inspections, including the latest review in 2020.
1. Book a school tour or visit. Parents are encouraged to visit the school in person to see the campus and meet staff. School tours can usually be arranged during the school week by contacting the administrative office. This step is optional but helpful for families unfamiliar with the school or area.
2. Submit the application form and supporting documents. Parents need to complete the official application form and submit documents including the child’s birth certificate, passport, academic records, and a recent passport-sized photo. A non-refundable application fee of MYR 300 is required at this stage.
3. Attend an interview and placement test. Students may be invited for an academic assessment or interview depending on their age and year group. This helps the school assess English proficiency and academic readiness. In some cases, this may be conducted online.
4. Receive an offer letter and confirm placement. Successful applicants will receive an official offer letter outlining the year group, fee structure, and terms of admission. To confirm a place, parents must pay the registration fee and deposit. The school will then provide start dates, orientation information, and class placement details.
Admissions
1. If you would like to see SCIPS in person, schedule a campus tour. This allows you to experience the school’s environment and meet key staff. The admissions team will guide you through classrooms, play areas, and facilities, and can answer any questions you have regarding the curriculum, support programmes, or student life.
2. Prepare and submit the official application alongside required documents. Typically, SCIPS requests your child’s birth certificate, recent school reports, passport or NRIC copies for both student and parents, and recent passport-sized photographs. These documents help the admissions team verify eligibility, determine the appropriate year group, and plan for any additional learning or language support needs.
3. Await confirmation from the admissions team regarding the settling-in assessment period. SCIPS normally conducts a four-week assessment period once a student joins the school. This helps teachers understand your child’s academic level, language proficiency, and social integration, allowing them to offer targeted support for a smooth transition.
4. Discuss the year-group placement and any additional support requirements identified during assessment. SCIPS provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes, and the admissions team will discuss these with you if relevant. They will clarify any concerns and explain how the school’s curriculum aligns with your child’s previous education and future learning pathway.
5. Review the school’s fee structure, payment terms, and required deposits. The admissions team will guide you through SCIPS's tuition fees, registration fees, deposit requirements, available sibling discounts, and payment timelines. This will help ensure you clearly understand all financial commitments before confirming enrolment.
6. Finalize your child’s admission by arranging any necessary student visa or residency documents (for international families). Once your enrolment is confirmed, the school will provide orientation details and communicate the official start date. Practical information regarding uniforms, school schedules, and transport options will also be shared, ensuring your child is ready for their first day at SCIPS.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
SCIPS does not offer scholarships or financial awards; all placements follow the standard admissions and fee structure.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Pelita International School does not publicly indicate the use of a waitlist or pool system.
Waitlist
If your chosen year group is full, SCIPS places your child on a first-come, first-served waitlist, with siblings of current students given priority. The school will contact you when a space opens.
