The Royal International School (RIS)

You've decided to further your education and are looking for the best  international school in malaysia  to apply to. Congratulations! You've made the right choice. Below, you'll find an overview of the best international schools in Malaysia along with some tips on getting along with the locals. For added convenience, you can also find links to each school's website where you can learn more about them.

The Best International Schools In Malaysia

Malaysia is a megadiverse nation boasting a population of over 28 million. Bordering with Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, the country offers a variety of scenic spots, magnificent beaches, and historical sites. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city and is quite a multicultural metropolis with a population of around 2.7 million.

One of the best things about Malaysia is the diversity of its culture. You'll find Chinese temples, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and Arab mosques scattered around the country. The city of Kuala Lumpur is even considered a melting pot due to the diversity of its population and history. It was originally established in 1847 and is inhabited by people of various ethnicities and nationalities. So, whether you're looking for an international school in Kuala Lumpur to help you make friends or you're just want to learn a new language, you're sure to find an institution that will suit your needs!

Here's a list of the top international schools in Malaysia:

MIDA International School

MIDA (Middle International Division of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur) was established in 1955. The school caters to students from pre-school to grade 12. There are about 1800 students from over 50 countries studying at MIA. Most of the teachers are British and Asian students studying in the UK. As an international school, MIDA offers its own brand of English along with Spanish, French, and Chinese as a compulsory subject. Students are encouraged to take up a second language and enjoy a large number of extracurricular activities.

Royal International School

The Royal International School (RIS) was originally established in 1946. Over the years, the school has established itself as one of the best academic centers in Malaysia. The curriculum is extensive and includes courses in arts, sciences, and languages. There's a strong emphasis on preparing students for professional life and success in the 21st century. The school is one of the largest in Malaysia with around 2600 students, aged 3 to 18. The medium of instruction at RIS is English with Mandarin being the second language. In the recently concluded 2016-2017 academic year, the school was rated as the 14th best in Malaysia and ranked 14th out of 121 primary, middle, and secondary schools across Malaysia.

SMJK Aljunied International School

The SJK Aljunied International School is located in the town of Aljunied in the eastern part of the country. The school was established in 1963 and was named after Muhammad Haneef, an educationist who helped establish the country's first international school, the Madras School. The school became an international school in 1973. About 1150 students from over 40 different countries are currently studying at the Aljunied International School. The curriculum is very extensive and students have the option to take up to five foreign languages. The medium of instruction is English with Mandarin being a compulsory second language. All students are entitled to take part in after-school activities which include music, art, and sport. Extra-curricular activities available at the Aljunied International School include field trips to historical sites, cultural centers, and science museums. The school is governed by the Singapore Education System and follows the curriculum set by the Ministry of Education.

Sekolah Pelangi

Sekolah Pelangi is an international school located in the suburb of Malibu in Kuala Lumpur. It was established in 1970 and named after the Malaysian rainforest. Pelangi is an abbreviation of the word ‘pelawat’ which means ‘guardian’ in Bahasa Malaysia. Pelangi offers a French-inspired curriculum with a heavy emphasis on the sciences. The medium of instruction is English with Malay and Chinese being offered as second languages. Students have the option to study in the school's virtual campus from home via live video conferencing. The school is a member of the Triple Canopy Federation which enables it to participate in after-school activities such as team sports, games, and music practice. Students may also opt to participate in school projects such as a radio station or newspaper. Extracurricular activities available at the Pelangi School include trips to museums, historical sites, and tourist spots in the Kuala Lumpur area. The school is also affiliated with the international humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders. With around 350 students from over 40 countries, Pelangi is one of the largest and most diverse schools in Malaysia.

SMK St. Gabriel's College

Sekolah Magis Tiradi (SMK St. Gabriel's College) is an all-girls Roman Catholic school located in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The school opened in 1977 and is named after Saint Gabrielle, the Blessed Virgin's paternal aunt who founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The school is headed by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and is a member of the International Baccalaureate (IB). English is the medium of instruction and students have the option to study a second language (Mandarin, Cantonese, or Japanese). The school's current enrollment is around 650 students with around 80 percent being from multicultural families. The curriculum covers the entire IB program with the aim of preparing students for admission to top universities around the world. Students are also provided with a variety of extra-curricular activities including service trips to help them develop greater responsibility and self-reliance. The school is involved in a variety of community activities including a weekly food and clothing bank along with a kindergarten which opened in 2015. St. Gabriel's College is one of the most prestigious, academically-sound, and forward-thinking schools in Malaysia, if not all of Southeast Asia.

Sekolah Sukan Maharaja

Sekolah Sukan Maharaja is a Christian school located in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Established in 1977, the school is named after Queen Elizabeth II's father, the late Sultan Muhammad Hashim Al-Hashim (King George VI) who reigned from 1938 to 1969. English is the language of instruction at the school and students have the option to study a second language (Mandarin or Japanese). The curriculum is quite extensive and includes classes in various disciplines along with a strong emphasis on preparing students for professional life. The school is headed by the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools and is a member of the International Baccalaureate (IB). Classes are small as around 40 students may study together and there's an emphasis on community service and involvement. Extra-curricular activities at the school include mock trials, art exhibitions, and talent shows. The school's annual carnival is famous throughout Malaysia and is open to the public. The school's sports field is one of the largest in the country and offers the community both recreation and competitive sports. The school is a Christian establishment and as a result, follows the teachings of the Bible in all aspects of its work. However, the curriculum focuses more on universal values such as friendship, respect, and compassion.

SMJK Tunku Abdul Rahman International School

The SMJK TAR International School is located in the city of Kuala Lumpur. It was established in 1998 and named after the country's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman who served from 1963 to 1980. The school's curriculum is broadly based with classes in the arts, languages, and sciences. There's an emphasis on students taking responsibility for their own learning with the aim of preparing them for higher education. The school is headed by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and is a member of the International Baccalaureate (IB). English is the language of instruction and students have the option to study a second language (Mandarin or Japanese). The school's current enrollment is around 720 students with a student:teacher ratio of around 15:1. The medium of instruction at the school is English with Chinese and Tamil being offered as second languages. The sports facilities include an indoor sports dome surrounded by a track and a football pitch. The school is involved in a variety of community activities including the International Day for the Elimination of Violence (RED) week which focuses on raising awareness about the effects of violence against women and children. Students make regular trips to help teach them new things and to expand their cultural knowledge. The school is also a music and art school which encourages students to participate in various ensembles and exhibitions. Extracurricular activities available at the school include camps and workshops for children with disabilities, service trips to help teach them about global responsibilities, and regular field trips to help teach them about nature and biodiversity. The TAR School is one of the largest and most reputable schools in Malaysia, if not all of Southeast Asia.