Kinabalu International School

Kinabalu International School is located in Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on the island of Borneo in East Malaysia. The school sits in a quiet, leafy suburb approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre. It is accessible by car and taxi, and located near local amenities and residential neighbourhoods. The surrounding area offers a calm environment for families while remaining close to urban conveniences.

Kinabalu International School is structured into Early Years, Primary School (Years 1–6), Secondary School (Years 7–13), and A Levels in Year 13.

Kinabalu International School is a co-educational, non-boarding day school. It welcomes both Malaysian and international students and operates on a not-for-profit model governed by a Board of Governors elected by the parents.

The school offers support for students with mild to moderate additional learning needs. Provision is coordinated through its Learning Support Team, who work in partnership with teachers and families. Support may include differentiated instruction, classroom assistance, and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as required.

KIS does not have a formal affiliation with any one country.

Kinabalu International School is secular and has no religious affiliation.

The school day typically begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 2:00 PM for Early Years and Primary, and 3:00 PM for Secondary classes. There are designated morning breaks and a lunch period. After-school clubs and extracurricular activities run on selected afternoons until around 3:00 PM for Primary and 4:00 PM for Secondary students.

The school does not run a transport service.

Kinabalu International School follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years to Secondary. In Early Years (ages 3–5), the focus is on structured play, communication, and foundational skills across seven areas of learning. The Primary School (Years 1–6) builds core competencies in English (including Drama), Mathematics, Science, Computing, Humanities, and the Arts (Music and Design Technology), along with weekly lessons in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, French and PE. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students continue with a broad curriculum including ICT, Personal, Social, Economic and Health Education. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students work toward the Cambridge IGCSE, selecting subjects alongside core requirements in English, Language, Mathematics, and Sciences. Post-16 students (Years 12–13) follow the Cambridge A Level programme, typically choosing 3–4 subjects based on their university goals.

Kinabalu International School integrates social and emotional development into its curriculum through a Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) programme. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage their lives and thrive as individuals and community members. In Early Years and Primary, the school emphasizes social skills such as turn-taking, sharing, and independence, fostering trust and mutual respect.

Kinabalu International School is an inclusive school that supports students with mild to moderate learning and behavioural needs. The school employs specialized staff, including SEN and learning support teachers, who provide assistance both within and outside the classroom. However, due to physical limitations of the school site, KIS is unable to accommodate students requiring specialist physical provisions, such as wheelchair access.

For students whose first language is not English, KIS offers EAL support through dedicated teachers who work alongside classroom teachers. Support is provided within mainstream classes and may include additional sessions as needed. An Individual Needs Support Fee applies for students assessed as requiring EAL assistance, which is reviewed each term.

Kinabalu International School prioritizes students' mental wellbeing by providing access to a full-time school counsellor who offers guidance and emotional support. The counsellor collaborates closely with the Safeguarding Team to ensure a supportive environment.

Kinabalu International School maintains safeguarding and child protection policies in line with international standards. All staff members undergo annual safeguarding training to uphold these standards. The school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Ms. Roberta Young, who can be contacted for any safeguarding concerns.

1. Application
To submit an application to the school, you will need to complete the Application Form and pay a non-refundable application fee of RM 800 per child.
Application may be made online/ via email, or physically submitted.
Please note that this is not a commitment from you to accept a place, nor does it confirm that your child will be offered a place.

2. Assessment
Assessments are conducted in school (by appointment), based on age and year group. For families based overseas, it is possible for the assessment to be taken in your country of residence.

3. Placement Offer
Following the assessment stage, the Heads of School and the Principal review the assessment results and confirm their recommendation regarding a place at the school. This process typically takes between 7 to 14 school days. A verbal confirmation is provided as soon as a decision is made. Additionally, a written confirmation follows, detailing the offer of a place, class placement, and admission date.

4. Acceptance of a Place
A confirmation of acceptance is required within 7 days of the placement offer letter being issued. Upon receipt of the signed acceptance, the school will finalise the student’s class placement, raise the invoice for fees, and provide all relevant information for the start of school.
If a student does not begin attending within two weeks of the agreed start date, their name will be removed from the admissions list, and the application fee will be forfeited.

Kinabalu International School offers a Scholarship Programme for Year 12 students entering the A-Level programme. Scholarships are merit-based and awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance along with active involvement in extracurricular or community service activities.

The scholarship applies to the two-year A-Level programme and may cover a portion of the tuition fees. Applicants must complete a scholarship application form, submit academic records, and participate in an interview and assessment process.

Scholarships are limited and subject to annual availability and funding decisions by the school’s Board.

Parents will be informed if a class is full. If they still wish to continue with the application procedure, they will be advised that the student will be placed on a waiting list in the appropriate pool. The pools are as follows:
- Pool A - Students who have a parent employed by the school. - Pool B - Students whose siblings are studying at KIS.
- Pool C- Students for whom English is their first language.
- Pool D - Students with English as an additional language but who are fluent in English.
- Pool E - Students with English as an additional language who are not fluent in English.