Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School - Petra Jaya

YSISS is located along Jalan Casuarina in Petra Jaya, on the northern side of Kuching, Sarawak. The school sits within a quiet suburban area near government offices and residential neighborhoods, including Semariang and Kampung Gita. It is accessible via the Satok Bridge and Petra Jaya Bridge, linking it to the Kuching city center. The location offers a peaceful environment while remaining well-connected to key parts of the city.

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) is divided into Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary sections. Students begin in Year 7 and continue through to Year 11, following the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum.

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) is a co-educational school offering both day and boarding options. It serves students from Year 7 through Year 11. Boarding facilities are available for students who require on-campus accommodation, while others attend as day students.

The school uses a merit-based system to admit students and offers full funding for those from low-income families, making sure that financial background does not limit learning opportunities. Teachers focus on developing not just academic knowledge but also life skills, such as confidence, communication, and discipline.

YSISS also provides learning support through hands-on experiences. For example, students from the Sibu campus visited the TEGAS Digital Village to explore technology and science in real-world settings. Activities like these help students apply what they learn in class and gain interest in areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The school also has modern facilities such as science labs, computer rooms, and study spaces to help students stay engaged in their learning.

The school does not have a country affiliation.

The school is not affiliated with any religion. It is secular, and students from all religious backgrounds are welcomed.

The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.

The school does offer a bus service.

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) offers the Cambridge International curriculum from Year 7 to Year 11, which is equivalent to secondary school levels in Malaysia. The program prepares students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), a globally recognized qualification typically taken at the end of Year 11.

The Cambridge curriculum at YSISS covers core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, as well as Geography, History, ICT, and languages like Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin. In addition to academic subjects, students also participate in physical education, arts, and values-based education. While the school follows an international curriculum, it also allows students the option to sit for Malaysian national exams (SPM) as private candidates. This dual-path approach supports students' flexibility in pursuing higher education locally or abroad.

YSISS supports social and emotional development by encouraging students to express themselves, work in groups, and take part in activities that help build confidence and cooperation. These include classroom discussions, group projects, and daily routines that focus not just on academic tasks, but also on how students interact with one another.

The school also gives students chances to take responsibility and develop leadership through roles in school events, group activities, and service-based projects. These experiences help students learn how to manage emotions, solve problems, and understand different points of view.

The school does not have any specialized program for special education needs.

The school does not have publicly available information on EAL.

YSISS supports student mental wellbeing through structured programs and partnerships. On 15 March 2025, the Petra Jaya campus held a Mental Wellness Workshop for all Year 8 students, organized in collaboration with Hope Worldwide and Swinburne University of Technology. The workshop aimed to help students better understand mental health, manage everyday stress, and build emotional resilience.

During the session, students took part in interactive activities focused on identifying emotions, practicing stress-reduction techniques, and developing self-awareness. These exercises were designed to teach practical coping strategies and to encourage open conversations about mental wellbeing. By offering this kind of support, the school helps students prioritize their mental health and fosters a caring school community where they feel safe reaching out for help or supporting one another.

YSISS does not publicly provide a detailed safeguarding policy.

1. Check Eligibility
Before applying, families should confirm that the student meets the basic eligibility criteria. The school only accepts Malaysian citizens, with priority given to Sarawakian students. Applicants should currently be in Year 6 (Standard 6) and planning to enter Year 7 the following academic year. In addition, the student must have obtained at least Band 5 in their school-based assessments (Pentaksiran Bilik Darjah). Financial eligibility is also considered, with categories divided into B40, M40, and T20 income brackets, though admission is ultimately merit-based.

2. Register for Entrance Assessment
Applications must be submitted through the Yayasan Sarawak official portal or school’s online registration system. Parents will need to complete a form and upload necessary documents, including MyKad copies, academic results, and income verification documents such as payslips or income declarations. These details help determine economic grouping and eligibility for financial support.

3. Attend the Entrance Assessment
All applicants must sit for an entrance examination that assesses their readiness for the school’s Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. The exam typically includes sections on English, Mathematics, and General Reasoning. This is a crucial part of the selection process, as admission is based on academic merit rather than background alone.

4. Interview Stage (if applicable)
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief interview, either in-person or online. This step helps the school assess the student’s communication skills, attitude, motivation, and overall suitability for the school environment. Not all applicants will be interviewed; this step is usually reserved for candidates on the borderline or where more insight is needed.

5. Receive Admission Results
Results are communicated to parents via email or phone. Successful applicants will receive an official offer letter, which will also outline next steps for accepting the place and registering the student. Those who are not accepted may still apply again the following year if eligible.

6. Accept Offer and Submit Registration
Families who wish to accept the offer must confirm enrollment by submitting signed forms and additional documents, such as medical records, emergency contact details, and consent forms. The school may also request payment of any applicable fees for M40 or T20 groups during this stage.

8. Orientation and Start of School
Before the academic year begins, new students take part in an orientation session. This is designed to help them become familiar with the school environment, meet their classmates and teachers, and understand daily routines. Orientation may also include ice-breaking activities or school tours.

YSISS does not offer scholarships in the traditional sense like competitive awards based on excellence alone, but it fully or partially funds tuition based on household income:

B40 group (RM 4,850/month and below): Fully funded (no fees)

M40 group (RM 4,851 – RM 10,970/month): Heavily subsidized (RM 1,200/year)

T20 group (RM 10,971 and above): Full fee paying (RM 4,200/year)

All groups receive support in the form of free textbooks, daily meals, and school resources, with only exercise books excluded for M40 and T20 students.

YSISS follows a merit-based admission system, and seats are limited each year. When applications exceed available slots, qualified students who meet the academic and eligibility criteria but are not immediately offered a place may be placed on a waitlist.