Sayfol International School vs Sri Bestari International School
Sayfol International School and Sri Bestari International School are both in Kuala Lumpur, about 14 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Sayfol International School also offers IEYC, British, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and Sri Bestari International School also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and EYFS. Published annual fees are close, at MYR 15,900 - 36,000 for Sayfol International School and MYR 17,575 - 38,555 for Sri Bestari International School. Sayfol International School takes pupils from 2.5 to 18, and Sri Bestari International School from 3 to 16. Sayfol International School is the larger school, with around 1,200 pupils to Sri Bestari International School's 830. Typical class sizes are 24 at Sayfol International School and 20 at Sri Bestari International School.
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
1,200
Pupils
830
Typical class size
Typical class size
24
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1985
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Sayfol International School is situated in the Taman U-Thant area of Kuala Lumpur, a neighbourhood known for its proximity to embassies and the city’s Golden Triangle district. The campus is well connected to main roads and public transport, making it accessible for families across the city.
Location
Sri Bestari International School is located in Bandar Sri Damansara, a township in Kuala Lumpur. It is situated conveniently between several popular residential areas, including Desa ParkCity, Kepong, and Petaling Jaya, making it accessible for families living in these neighborhoods and well-connected to major highways.
Stages
Stages
The school serves children from Early Years (ages 2.5–5) in Kindergarten and Reception, through Primary (ages 5–11), Lower and Upper Secondary (ages 11–17), up to International A‑Level/Sixth Form (ages 17–18).
Stages
The school is divided into three main sections: Early Years for children aged 3 to 5, Primary School for ages 5 to 11, and Secondary School for students aged 11 to 16.
School type
School type
Sayfol is a co-educational institution and does not offer boarding facilities for students.
School type
SBIS is a co-educational day school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides some additional learning support for students, primarily through its English as a Second Language (ESL) or Accelerated English Program (AEP) for non-native English speakers who require language assistance. For general academic challenges, the school aims to provide guidance and support within its framework, though specific details on broad academic support structures are not extensively outlined publicly.
Additional learning support
The school has an "Education and Learning Support Academy" (ELSA) that provides support for students with mild autism, mild dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any particular country.
Country affiliation
SBIS is a Malaysian school and does not have a specific affiliation with another country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a specific religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day generally begins at 7:15 am for all students. From Monday to Thursday, Kindergarten to Year 2 students conclude their day at 2:00 pm, while Year 3 to Year 11 students finish at 2:30 pm. On Fridays, the school day is shorter for all levels, ending at 12:30 pm.
School day structure
The school day starts at 7:45 AM for all levels. The end of the day varies by year group.
Lower Primary ends at 2:35 PM from Monday to Thursday and 12:15 PM on Fridays, while Upper Primary and Secondary end at 3:20 PM from Monday to Thursday and 12:15 PM or 12:50 PM on Fridays. The day includes a morning break and a lunch break.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Sayfol provides a school bus service for students who require transportation. This service covers most of the major residential areas within Kuala Lumpur, offering convenience for families.
Bus service details
The school offers a school bus service for students. This service is provided by an independent company. Information on routes, costs, and how to apply are not available publicly.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time Application Fee of RM 1,000 is required for all new students. An Assessment Fee of RM 300 is charged at the placement test stage; this is credited against the Application Fee if the student is accepted. A Registration Fee of RM 5,000 applies for all year groups, or RM 3,000 for Kindergarten, and is non-refundable. A Security Deposit between RM 3,000 and RM 9,000 (depending on year group) is also required. This is refundable upon withdrawal, provided one full term’s written notice is given after the student has completed one full academic year.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Early Learners (Ages 2.5–4): RM 15,900 Reception (Ages 4–5): RM 16,900 Year 1: RM 18,750 Year 2: RM 19,650 Year 3: RM 21,420 Year 4: RM 22,500 Year 5: RM 23,400 Year 6: RM 25,110 Year 7: RM 27,900 Year 8: RM 29,100 Year 9: RM 30,900 Year 10: RM 34,800 Year 11 (IGCSE): RM 36,000
Fees are billed termly (three terms per year) and must be paid in advance of each term. Failure to pay before the start of the term may result in restriction of attendance.
Additional Fees After-school care for Early Learners to Year 2 is offered at RM 850 per month or RM 2,400 per term. Costs such as uniforms, textbooks, meals, and external examination charges are not included in tuition fees. Term fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Transportation Fees The school offers a bus service covering major residential areas of Kuala Lumpur. Fees are invoiced separately, based on the chosen route. Details are available through the school’s Student Services office.
Learning Support Students requiring support beyond the school’s SEN provision may need to arrange additional assistance at their own cost. Applications for students with SEN are reviewed case-by-case basis, supported by professional documentation.
Refund Policy The Security Deposit is refundable with one full term’s written notice after completion of one academic year. Tuition and term fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options Payments may be made via bank transfer or through the school finance office.
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees
* Application Fee: MYR 1,200 (non-refundable, payable before assessment). * Registration Fee: MYR 8,000 (one-off, non-refundable, payable upon acceptance). * Deposit: Equivalent to one term’s school fee, refundable with one term’s written withdrawal notice.
Tuition Fees (3 terms per year)
* Reception 1–2: MYR 5,858–5,860 per term / approx. MYR 17,575 per year. * Year 1–2: MYR 7,197 per term / MYR 21,590 per year. * Year 3–4: MYR 7,666 per term / MYR 23,000 per year. * Year 5–6: MYR 8,174 per term / MYR 24,520 per year. * Year 7: MYR 11,615 per term / MYR 34,845 per year. * Year 8: MYR 11,995 per term / MYR 35,985 per year. * Year 9–11: MYR 12,851 per term / MYR 38,555 per year.
Other Fees
* Meal Plan: MYR 750 per term (Reception to Year 6). * Society Fee: MYR 150–180 per term (compulsory for Reception to Year 3). * Additional costs (not included): uniforms, books, special activities, trips, laptops, lockers, and external exam fees.
Payment Terms
* Fees may be paid annually or termly (September, January, April). * A 2% discount applies for full-year payments made two weeks before term start. * Sibling discount of 5% applies to younger children. * Payments accepted via cash, cheque, bank draft, online transfer, or major credit cards. * A 5% late fee applies to overdue payments.
Refund Information
* Application and registration fees are non-refundable. * Deposits are refundable in line with the school’s withdrawal policy.
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
Sayfol International School follows the British Curriculum, beginning with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in Kindergarten and Reception. In Primary School (Years 1–6), students study subjects based on the English National Curriculum, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and Languages. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) continues with the British framework, preparing students for external examinations through a broad range of academic subjects. In Upper Secondary (Years 10–11), students undertake the Cambridge IGCSE, which provides internationally recognised qualifications across core and elective subjects. The school also offers Cambridge International AS and A Levels in the Sixth Form (Years 12–13), enabling students to specialise in chosen fields for university preparation. Instruction is in English, with additional languages such as Malay, French, and Mandarin taught.
Curriculum details
Sri Bestari International School offers a curriculum based on the British system, which is structured into three distinct stages. The Early Years (ages 3-5) follow the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), which is designed to be engaging and play-based. Following this, the Primary School (ages 5-11) implements the Cambridge Primary curriculum, covering Key Stages 1 and 2, which provides a broad and balanced education.
For Secondary School students (ages 11-16), the curriculum is structured across Key Stages 3 and 4. This phase of their education prepares them for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations, a globally recognized qualification. The school offers a range of subjects for the IGCSEs, allowing students to choose a variety of subjects based on their interests and future academic plans.
Submit the Application. Parents are required to submit the completed Application Form along with a comprehensive set of supporting documents, including passport copies, birth certificates, marriage certificates, latest school reports, photographs, and vaccination records. A non-refundable application fee is also required at this stage. All submitted documents must be in English.
Undergo Assessment/Placement Test. Upon receipt of the full application and fee, an appointment will be made for the student's assessment. This typically involves an assessment for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 applicants, and a CAT4 examination for Year 3 to Year 10. An interview with the Principal may also be part of this process to determine suitable placement and acceptance.
Receive Application Outcome. The school will notify parents of the application outcome within a few days after the assessment. A Letter of Acceptance will be issued if the student passes the assessment and a place is available. The school maintains discretion over student placement, considering factors such as language proficiency and academic abilities.
Confirm Admission and Pay Fees. To confirm acceptance of a place, parents must make the required payments, which typically include the Registration Fee, a Security Deposit, and the first term's tuition fee by the specified date in the Letter of
Acceptance. Upon successful payment, the Admissions Office will provide further details such as booklists, uniform requirements, and guidance on student visa applications for international students.
Admissions
1. Application Submission Submit the completed and signed Application Form, Personal Data Protection Act Notice, and SBIS Fee Category & Agreement, along with the required documents on the checklist. Pay the Application Fee; it is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. Assessment Round Admissions will schedule an entrance assessment and interview. Reception (Early Years): written assessment, interview with Deputy Principal/Head of School, and classroom observation. Primary: English & Mathematics test, interview (Year 1 includes classroom observation). Secondary: English, Mathematics & Science tests plus interview. Placement depends on space availability, prior records, and assessment performance; international students must have a valid Student Pass or Dependent Pass before enrolment.
3. Review Once assessments (and any necessary reference checks) are complete, the admissions committee reviews the application. Decisions are typically made within 5–7 working days, though peak periods may take longer. The school may contact previous schools or relevant professionals to verify information. Final placement level is determined by the school based on age and readiness.
4. Confirmation of Acceptance Successful applicants receive a Letter of Offer (or Conditional Letter). To secure the place, pay the Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable), the Refundable Deposit, and the Term Fee by the deadline stated in the offer. If an application is unsuccessful, a place is not offered and the family is informed of the outcome.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Sayfol International School offers a limited number of scholarships for prospective students who demonstrate specific achievements. Scholarships are available for students entering Year 7, for SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) graduates aspiring to undertake A-Levels, and for students with outstanding achievements in sports. These scholarships are subject to management approval.
Scholarships
There is no specific information available on the Sri Bestari International School website about scholarships. Although, they do post about scholarships on their socials.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Sayfol International School does operate a waitlist system. If a particular year group or class is currently full, qualified students may be placed on a waiting list. When a student is placed on the waitlist, they will receive a provisional Letter of Acceptance. The final confirmation of a place is contingent upon a spot becoming available in the desired year group, followed by the payment of the registration fee, deposit, and initial term's fees.
Waitlist
The school does operate a waiting list. If a place is not available at the time of application, successful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The school will then contact parents/guardians when a place becomes available.
