Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Report of what it's like to live there - 01/31/26
Personal Experiences from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
School Name:
International School of Kuala Lumpur
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Grade 6-8 and grade 10-12
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2025
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Location and sponsored by the embassy.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes. The admission team was very efficient and helpful throughout the whole process. We even had an online meeting with ISKL counselor to make sure my daughter's IB courses will transfer and match with ISKL course to meet graduation requirements.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
There is an orientation for students and parents.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Through email.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
Uniform and GAP trip fees (required for G9-11).
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
Yes? HS got 3 counselors and each student will be assigned to a specific counselor throughout their entire HS or MS. Counselors will help with academic/course planning as well as emotional well-being.
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes. Very nice and big. Two libraries for Elementary and MS/HS.
3. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
For MS school will provide laptops. For HS students will need to have their own laptops.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
There is a technology team in school, very helpful.
5. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Two gyms, two pools and two fields.
6. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
IB only
7. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Yes. The teachers generally have a way to keep students challenges through the IB curriculum. That is one beauty of the IB program.
8. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes
9. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Music, drama, visual arts are all available through classes, clubs and after school activities.
10. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
11. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
The IB curriculum can keep the students challenged through higher level classes. For example, instead of taking just biology, biology higher level is available for more advanced students and the requirements/tests will be harder.
12. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Many sports: volleyball, basketball, track and field, swimming, touch rugby, badminton, tennis, cross country.
Club: languages, drama, dance, volunteering...etc
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
I think the school is well aware and support of this because the school even provided gender mutual bathroom for students.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A
Yes, I would choose the school again without hesitation. The quality of teachers and schools are great.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
As a parent you can find different ways to be involved with the school.
