Sri Ara International & Private School vs Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru
Sri Ara International & Private School and Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru are both in Johor Bahru, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Published annual fees are MYR 10,230 - 29,520 at Sri Ara International & Private School and MYR 12,458 - 20,000 at Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru, which puts Sri Ara International & Private School roughly 22% higher. Sri Ara International & Private School takes pupils from 3 to 17, and Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru from 3 to 16. Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru is the larger school, with around 1,000 pupils to Sri Ara International & Private School 's 130. Typical class sizes are 10 at Sri Ara International & Private School and 20 at Sri Utama International School - Johor Bahru.
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.
Location
Sri Utama International School Johor Bahru is located in the residential neighborhood of Melodies Garden, just off Jalan Rhu. The campus is situated within easy reach of the Johor Bahru city centre and is accessible via major roads such as Jalan Abdul Samad and the Tebrau Highway. The area is well-connected by car and close to key amenities including hospitals, shopping malls, and restaurants.
Stages
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.
Stages
The school is structured into three key phases: Kindergarten (ages 3–5), Primary School (Years 1–6), and Secondary School (Years 7–11). Students typically transition through these phases within the same campus, following the Cambridge International Curriculum throughout.
School type
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.
School type
It is a private co-educational day school, welcoming both boys and girls.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
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.
Additional learning support
While the school does not advertise a specialised special needs department, it provides differentiated teaching approaches and pastoral care for a range of student needs. Teachers aim to support students' academic and emotional development through classroom accommodations and individual attention, where required.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school operates independently without formal affiliation to any specific country.
Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any specific country.
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.
Religious affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any particular religion. However, it offers Islamic Studies as part of its curriculum for students who choose it, alongside PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) for others.
School day structure
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 .
School day structure
The school day typically begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the school operates on a shorter schedule, finishing at 12:30 PM. Breaks and lunch are built into the day, though exact timings may vary by age group.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Information regarding a dedicated school bus or coach service is not specified on the school's official website.
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service that circulates through local neighborhoods. Families can obtain contact details for the school’s transportation provider upon enrolment. Routes are arranged based on demand, so parents are encouraged to check whether their area is covered and coordinate directly with the bus operator.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
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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
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) .
Curriculum details
Sri Utama International School Johor Bahru follows the Cambridge International Curriculum across all stages, from Primary through Upper Secondary. In the Primary years (Years 1–6), students study English, Mathematics, Science, and other subjects based on the Cambridge Primary Framework, with assessments including the Cambridge Primary Checkpoint in Year 6. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) continues with the Cambridge curriculum and includes another Checkpoint assessment in Year 9 for core subjects. In Upper Secondary (Years 10–11), students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations, with subjects offered including English (First Language and ESL), Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Malay, and Global Perspectives. Additional subjects such as Art & Design, Music, Physical Education, and ICT are part of the broader curriculum. English is the main language of instruction, and all students also study Malay, with Islamic Studies or PSHE offered depending on student background.
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.
Admissions
1. Attend an Open Day or School Tour Families are encouraged to attend an open house or book a private school tour. These sessions give a first-hand look at the classrooms, facilities, and daily routines. It’s also a chance to meet with academic staff and ask questions relevant to your child’s level.
2. Complete the Application Form Once you've decided to proceed, you'll need to fill out the application form provided by the admissions office. Required documents typically include your child’s birth certificate, passport-sized photos, academic transcripts (if applicable), and immunisation records. Some age levels may require additional forms or reports.
3. Schedule a Placement Assessment Depending on the year group, applicants may be asked to complete a basic placement test in English and Mathematics. This is used to determine appropriate class placement and assess support needs. Younger children may have informal classroom observations instead.
4. Attend a Family Interview After the assessment, families are invited for an interview with the admissions team or school principal. This step helps ensure a good fit between the family and the school community. It’s also a chance to discuss school expectations and ask any final questions.
6. Offer of Admission and Fee Payment If your child is accepted, a formal offer letter is issued along with the school’s terms and conditions. To secure the place, a registration fee and refundable deposit must be paid by the specified deadline. Further orientation or transition arrangements may then be shared by the admissions team.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
There is no mention in the current school prospectus or public sources of a formal scholarship program for Sri Utama Schools. At this time, the school does not appear to offer academic or talent-based scholarships, but there is a siblings discount.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Sri Ara International School does not publicly advertise a waitlist or pooled admissions system.
Waitlist
Sri Utama Schools do not operate a formal pooled admissions system. However, for year groups that are fully enrolled, families may be placed on a waitlist. Placement from the waitlist is offered on a rolling basis if spaces become available, and priority may be given to siblings of current students or based on the date of application submission.
