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St. Joseph’s International School Kuching

Malaysia, Sarawak

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Malay
Fees MYR 14,800 - 21,400
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1500
Type Co-educational
Opened 2017
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Malaysian Curriculum
Taught languages Malay
Typical class size 25
Strengths Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form, Middle School, High School
Introduction

St. Joseph’s International School (SJIS) in Kuching is a Catholic co-educational institution established in January 2017, under the guidance of the Marist Brothers. It offers the Cambridge curriculum through IGCSE and A-Level programmes, with English as the primary medium of instruction. Malaysian students also take Bahasa Malaysia and Civic/Moral or Religious Studies. SJIS is undergoing a major campus expansion, with a new RM 16.5 million four-storey building currently under construction. This facility will house a multi-purpose hall (large enough for three badminton courts), new science laboratories, music and dance studios, an expanded library, dining facilities, and smart-learning courtyards. The school also supports student well-being with its own transport fleet of over nine school buses, each supervised by a female bus attendant. SJIS has invested in a growing library collection, currently holding over 1,500 book titles, supporting literacy across subject areas.

Lot 419, Section 58, KTLD, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

The Essentials

St. Joseph’s International School Kuching has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English, Malay.

Location
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is situated at Lot 419, Section 58, KTLD, Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The school occupies the former site of SK St. Teresa in the Padungan area, placing it within the central business district of Kuching. This central location offers convenient access to various parts of the city.

Stages
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching is divide into Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and A-Level.

Type
The school is a co-educational day school and it does not provide boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching provides several types of learning support to help students beyond the classroom. They offer English language support, extended school hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., giving students time for extra tutorials, homework help, and consultations with teachers. In addition to academics, the school supports students’ personal growth through creative arts activities like music, dance, and drama.

Country affiliation
The school does not have a country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
The school has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation, as it is managed by the Marist Brothers and operates under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Kuching.

School day structure
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bus service
The school does not offer a bus service
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is a Catholic institution managed by the Board of Directors, St. Joseph's Private School Management Berhad (Company No. 981967-X). It follows the Cambridge syllabus leading to Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, with books sourced from the United Kingdom; English is the medium of instruction and Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Moral or Pendidikan Islam (Muslim only). The school operates as a single-session, co-educational campus with classes from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and welcomes both foreign and local students, with special English classes available.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Joseph’s International School Kuching ranges from MYR 14,800 to MYR 21,400 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees
Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): RM 500
Assessment Test Fee: RM 100 per student

Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable):

For Years 7–9:
1st child: RM 4,000
2nd child: RM 2,000
3rd child: RM 1,000
4th child: Free

*8For Years 10–11: RM 2,000 flat rate

Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Year 7:
Malaysian: RM 12,300
Non-Malaysian: RM 14,800

Year 8:
Malaysian: RM 13,500
Non-Malaysian: RM 16,200

Year 9:
Malaysian: RM 14,500
Non-Malaysian: RM 17,400

Year 10–11:
Malaysian: RM 17,800
Non-Malaysian: RM 21,400

Other Notes
3% discount if the full year’s fee is paid in advance (by January).
5% late fee penalty for overdue payments.

Students who delay payment by 2+ weeks may be barred from classes.

Basic supplies like books, worksheets, and diaries are provided free.



Pre-University Programmes (A-Level & AUSMAT)

Application Fees
RM 500 for general applicants
RM 200 for current St. Joseph's Private Secondary students

Cambridge A-Level (18 months)
Year 12:
Malaysian: RM 8,000 per semester (RM 16,000/year)
Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600 per semester (RM 19,200/year)

Year 13:
Malaysian: RM 8,000
Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600

Additional Fees:

Miscellaneous: RM 750 (one-time)
Laboratory: RM 300 per science subject (for 12 months)

Fees upon acceptance (Malaysian student):

RM 8,000 deposit (offset against Year 13)
RM 8,000 for 1st quarter of Year 12
RM 750 miscellaneous

AUSMAT (Australian Matriculation – 12 months)
Malaysian: RM 8,000 per semester (RM 16,000 total)
Non-Malaysian: RM 9,600 per semester (RM 19,200 total)

Additional Fees:

Resource Fee: RM 2,000
Exam Fee: RM 3,000
Laboratory Fee: RM 300 per science subject
Miscellaneous Fee: RM 500

Refund Policy
For Secondary Students (Years 7–11)
Parents must give 1 month’s written notice before withdrawing a student.

If no notice is given, an extra full term's fee will be charged.

Refunds:

Before mid-term: Eligible for 50% refund of that term’s fee.
After mid-term: No refund given.

For Pre-University Students
If a student does not complete the A-Level programme, the deposit (1 semester fee) will be forfeited.

If the withdrawal happens after the exam registration deadline, exam fees are non-refundable.

For students asked to withdraw by the school, unused deposits may be refunded, but exam fees will not be.

Payment Methods
JomPAY (Online Bill Payment)
Credit or Debit Card
Payable in person at the school office.
Cheque
Academics

St. Joseph’s International School Kuching teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Malaysian Curriculum for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
St. Joseph’s International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum at both secondary and pre-university levels. Students typically enter at Year 7 and progress through to Year 11, preparing for the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations. The IGCSE curriculum covers core academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, the Sciences, and Humanities, along with options like Art and ICT. Malaysian students are also required to take Bahasa Melayu and Moral or Islamic Studies, in line with national regulations.

At the pre-university level, students can choose between two academic tracks: the Cambridge A-Level programme or the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT). The A-Level is an 18-month programme split into Year 12 (12 months) and Year 13 (6 months), typically involving three to four subjects in the Sciences, Mathematics, or Humanities. The AUSMAT programme, delivered over 12 months, is assessed continuously through coursework and final exams and is based on standards set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority of Western Australia. Both qualifications are widely accepted by universities in Malaysia and abroad.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
St. Joseph’s supports social and emotional learning mainly through activities that encourage group interaction and personal expression. For example, students regularly take part in drama, music, and dance activities, where they work together in rehearsals, performances, and presentations. These situations help students develop communication skills, manage anxiety (e.g., stage fright), and learn how to cooperate with others. Additionally, students are expected to participate in clubs and sports, where teamwork and self-discipline are built through group projects and competitions.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not have any specialized support for students with special educational needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
St. Joseph’s International School provides special English classes for students who require assistance in improving their English proficiency. This support is designed to help students integrate into the English-medium curriculum effectively.

Mental Wellbeing
Students participate in creative arts such as music, drama, and dance, which provide avenues for emotional expression and stress relief. Additionally, the school emphasizes the development of interpersonal skills and leadership qualities through co-curricular activities, fostering a supportive environment that contributes to students' overall well-being.

Safeguarding
The school does not have their safeguarding policy publicly available.
Parent Experience

History
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching was established in 2017 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching. It is part of the St. Joseph’s Private Schools network, which includes primary and secondary schools. The international school operates from the former SK St. Teresa campus in Padungan and is managed by the Marist Brothers. It offers the Cambridge curriculum, providing education from lower secondary up to A-Level and AUSMAT programmes.

The origins of St. Joseph’s educational institutions in Kuching date back to 1882, when the Mill Hill Fathers established the first Catholic missionary school in Sarawak. Over the years, the school underwent several transformations, including administration by the La Salle Brothers from 1950. In the 1960s, the school became part of the Malaysian government-aided school system. Recognizing the need for holistic education, the Archdiocese initiated the establishment of private schools in 2012, leading to the formation of the current St. Joseph’s Private Schools network.

Community
St. Joseph’s International School Kuching fosters a community that celebrates Malaysia's rich cultural diversity. The school's Cultural Club exposes students to traditional dances from various Malaysian ethnic groups, such as Chinese New Year and Gawai Dayak celebrations, promoting cultural appreciation and unity among students. Additionally, the school organizes events like the production "A Story of Ours: Us & Them," which encourages students to explore themes of identity and belonging through the arts.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school does not have PTA.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a laboratory, an examination hall, a reading room/library, a computer laboratory, and a basketball court.

Sports Facilities
The school has a basketball court.

Academic Facilities
The Cambridge syllabus leads to IGCSE and A-level examinations. All subjects are taught in English. Books are sourced from the United Kingdom. Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu and Moral Education, or Islamic Education for Muslim students. The school is a single-session, co-educational day school with lessons from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special English classes are available for students who need help.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Soft skills development includes creative arts such as music, drama and dance. Leadership development is emphasized as part of the holistic education.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Cambridge syllabus leads to Cambridge O-Levels and A-Levels. Books are sourced from the United Kingdom. AUSMAT is planned to be offered. All subjects are taught in English; Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral, and Sejarah Malaysia.

Arts & Creative
Development of soft skills through the creative arts—music, drama and dance—is part of the holistic education. Dance & Drama and Musical Ensemble & Vocal are offered as ECAs, with Audio-Visual Production also available. The ECA program includes additional clubs and societies that support arts and media.

Cultural & Language
All subjects are taught in English. Malaysian citizens study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral, and Sejarah Malaysia. The school offers a Language Club as part of ECAs and welcomes both foreign and local students.

Social & Hobbies
Uniform groups and sports form part of the activity program, including Student leaders & monitors, Fire Cadet, St John Ambulance, Taekwondo, and Wushu, plus Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Table Tennis, and Chess. Clubs & societies include A Level Club, Audio-Visual Production, Business & Career Club, Creative & Innovative Club, Dance & Drama, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Drone & Photography Club, Environment Club, Interact Club, Language Club, Librarian Club, ISCF, Legion of Mary, Confirmation Class, Musical Ensemble & Vocal, STEM, and Young Christian Students.

Community & Service
Interacts Club; St John Ambulance; Environment Club; Duke of Edinburgh Award; Legion of Mary; ISCF; Young Christian Students; Confirmation Class.

Leadership & Professional
Student leaders and monitors participate in uniform groups. The school offers clubs such as A Level Club and Duke of Edinburgh Award to support leadership and career development. Interact Club and Language Club provide further leadership opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
St. Joseph's International School runs a single-session day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sports include Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Table Tennis and Chess. The program focuses on interpersonal skills and leadership as part of holistic education.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the medium of instruction for all subjects. Malaysian citizens are required to study Bahasa Melayu, Pendidikan Moral or Pendidikan Islam (Muslim only). The school also offers special English classes for students who needs help.
Reputation

Awards
The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.

Accreditations
Licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education to offer the Cambridge International curriculum, including IGCSE and A-Level programmes.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Download and complete the relevant registration form from the school's website. Submit the completed form along with the required documents, which include:
Two copies of the student's most recent academic report
A copy of the student's birth certificate
A copy of the student's MyKad or passport
Two recent passport-sized photographs
A copy of the parent's MyKad or passport

2. Prospective students may be required to sit for an entrance assessment to determine their suitability for the school's curriculum.

3. An interview with the student and parents may be conducted to discuss the student's educational background and expectations.

4. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter. Acceptance of the offer requires payment of the necessary fees.

5. Upon acceptance, the student will be officially enrolled, and further details regarding orientation and class placement will be provided.

Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on scholarships.

Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
School Events
The school has not added events
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