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Malaysia, Sabah
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Jesselton International School provides a British international foundation for ages 4 to 18, offering IGCSE and A Levels. The Primary curriculum is based on the National Standards of England with Cambridge learning targets, while the Secondary program leads to IGCSE and A Levels under Cambridge CAIE and Edexcel boards. A Levels include a mentor-mentee system to guide progress and university applications, and there are more than 60 subject specialists with small class sizes to support individualized learning.
Creative classes in the Primary curriculum include Music, Arts, ICT, and PE. Secondary also includes Music and Art as part of core subjects. Extracurricular arts offerings include the JIS Band, Da Vinci Club, Singing Club, Dancing Club, and Rhythmic Gymnastics among more than 30 options.
Foreign languages in the Primary curriculum include Malay, Mandarin, and French. In Secondary, Mandarin and Malay are taught as languages.
The school offers an extensive, learning-beyond-the-classroom program with on-campus and off-campus activities and more than 30 options. There is a House System to develop leadership and teamwork through regular house days with a mix of events. Extracurricular options include Mad Scientist, Chess and Go, Tae Kwon Do and MMA, JIS Band, Da Vinci Club, Singing Club, Dancing Club, Yoga Club, Architectural Engineering Club, Chinese Club, E-Sport Club, Magazine Club, Book Club, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and more.
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Program is offered to develop global citizenship outside the classroom. The school also runs JISCOP (Jesselton International School Community Outreach Programme) where Year 10 students volunteer in workplaces and Year 9 students volunteer in non-profit organizations.
Leadership development is supported by the House System, with regular house activities that foster teamwork and leadership. The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, the Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP), and JISCOP to cultivate leadership, enterprise, and social responsibility. For A Levels, a mentor-mentee system guides students through academic progress and university applications.
Pastoral care is described as excellent. The curriculum integrates physical education and sports, including a broad range of activities through the House System and extracurricular offerings. The KK Wetlands and a Nature Club feature support for environmental awareness and well-being.
Jesselton International School (JIS), established in 2018, is located in the Likas area of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The school offers the British curriculum, catering to students aged 4 to 18, encompassing Kindergarten through A Levels. With an average class size of 14, JIS emphasizes personalized education. The campus is equipped with specialized facilities, including science laboratories, an ICT room, music and art rooms. JIS is known for its innovative programs like the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) and the Jesselton International School Community Outreach Programme (JISCOP), which aim to develop students' leadership and community engagement skills. The school fosters a multicultural environment, welcoming both local and international students. While English is the primary medium of instruction, Malay, Mandarin, and French are also taught as language subjects.
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