· updated monthly
The five schools Penang parents researched most this year, chosen from the 22 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between August 2025 and July 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between August 2025 and July 2026.
The International School of Penang (Uplands) is a co-educational, not-for-profit school located in the coastal area of Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia. Established in 1955, it offers a full continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs—PYP, MYP, and DP—as well as IGCSEs in the secondary years. The school enrolls students aged 4 to 18 from over 40 countries. The campus features six science labs, two drama studios, music and art rooms, design and technology labs, a multipurpose hall, a dedicated sports centre with a climbing wall, and a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool. One of the school’s distinctive features is its structured Service Learning Program, which is integrated across all year levels and encourages student-led projects that support local communities and NGOs.
Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia, serves students from preschool through Grade 12 and delivers a North American, Christian-based education. All instruction is in English, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support offered up to Grade 8 . The school offers 17 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Biology, Computer Science, Microeconomics, and Music Theory, with students typically taking up to six APs during high school . Its 1-to-1 laptop program supports digital learning across all levels. A notable feature is the school’s capstone and independent studies program, encouraging self-directed learning. Students also participate annually in local and overseas service-learning trips, with a mandatory 10 hours of community service per year. The Distance Learning Resource Center and a focus on Standards-Based Teaching and Learning (SBTL) further support flexible academic pathways. The campus is located in Tanjung Bunga and enrolls over 700 students from 22 countries.
Assumption International Secondary School (AISS), located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia, offers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum for students aged 11–19. The school emphasizes small class sizes to provide individualized attention and a stress-free learning environment. Students progress through Key Stages 3 to 5, culminating in A-Level qualifications. The campus spans 2.7 acres along Jalan Kulim and includes a classroom block, administrative offices, and a multi-purpose hall repurposed from the historic St. Joachim Church. AISS is notable for its commitment to affordability, aiming to make international education accessible.
Stonyhurst International School Penang is a coeducational day school for students aged 3 to 18, situated in Tanjung Tokong on Penang Island. The school offers a British-based curriculum, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), International Primary Curriculum (IPC), IGCSE, and A-Level programs. Facilities include an Astroturf field, a 25-meter swimming pool, a learner's pool, a multipurpose hall, a dance studio, junior and senior school libraries, an art gallery, and a 500-seat auditorium . A distinctive feature is the school's emphasis on 'cura personalis'—care for the entire person—manifested through personalized learning, coaching, advisory, and counselling programs . Each student is assigned an individual learning coach and mentor to support their educational journey.
Pelita International School, located in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, offers the British Cambridge curriculum from Early Years through IGCSE. The school emphasizes experiential learning, integrating practical activities and real-life scenarios into lessons. A distinctive feature is the inclusion of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as a subject from Early Years to Key Stage 4, focusing on interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Facilities include a football field, badminton and basketball courts, and a volleyball court. The school provides a range of co-curricular activities such as football, badminton, swimming, expressive arts, cooking, and dance. English is the primary language of instruction, with additional language classes in Malay and Mandarin.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 22 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 567 students · based on the 13 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 18.0 students · based on the 17 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 12 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in MYR.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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