Which school in Malaysia : French school, international school or local school?

Choosing a Malaysian school for your children is certainly one of the most difficult choices in a man’s life.
Malaysia continues to attract investors and expatriates. Malaysia is one of the most important financial hubs in Southeast Asia.
If you want to know more about living in Malaysia, we invite you to read our article living in Malaysia.

Expatriating to Malaysia is not an easy thing to do. You will have to think about many things, including your children’s education.
You will need to choose the best school for your children to ensure a bright future.
You will need to weigh the pros and cons of each school in Malaysia before making your decision.

If you want help choosing a school in Malaysia, this guide is for you.

International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

I. Description of the school

The International School of Kuala Lumpur is one of the international schools in Malaysia.
It is a private, non-profit, co-educational school with over 1700 students from more than 60 countries.
The International School of Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1965. Subjects are taught in English, Malay, French, Spanish and Mandarin.

The school does not only focus on the academic aspect but encompasses several aspects.
These include: sports, music and other extracurricular activities. The International School of Kuala Lumpur aims to develop students into well-rounded global citizens.

II. School program

The Kuala Lumpur International School program combines core subjects with best practices. In high school, French school students have the opportunity to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). Know that students at Kuala Lumpur International School consistently achieve strong academic results that outperform regional and global averages.

These results are the result of a values-based educational philosophy that incorporates service learning. The French school’s teachers are focusing on sustainability as an integral component of school life. The educational program at the International School of Kuala Lumpur is very flexible. Studying at a French school opens up global opportunities. For example, in 2019, 159 of the school’s graduate students received more than 400 acceptances from over 200 universities on four continents.

III. School campus

The French school campus is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The campus is state-of-the-art, having opened in 2018. The campus has world-class facilities designed to incorporate the latest teaching concepts. These facilities also incorporate the latest trends in collaborative learning, design and technology, and art studios.

The International School of Kuala Lumpur campus also houses sports facilities. Students can play basketball, volleyball, tennis, and more. The campus also has a 650-seat multipurpose theater.

The International School of Kuala Lumpur also has a separate performing arts center with a 700-seat theater. This school is the first in Malaysia to be awarded the Platinum rating by the Green Building Index (GBI).

Kuala Lumpur International School has a very active and involved parent community. The school community often holds meetings for parents. This community provides spaces for parents to meet and actively contribute to the development of the school.

The British International School in Kuala Lumpur

I. Description and program of the school

The British International School of Kuala Lumpur was founded in 2009.
It is therefore a fairly recent school.
Instruction at the British International School of Kuala Lumpur is in English, Malay, Mandarin, Spanish and French.

The British school offers an individualized learning experience comparable to the best independent schools in the world.
It is the first school in Asia to receive accreditation from the patron of the Council of British International Schools.

II. School campus

The facilities at the British school are of excellent quality. They include an indoor sports field, two swimming pools, three indoor sports halls and two large soccer fields. The school places great emphasis on the music and arts programs. These arts are supported by a fully equipped 650-seat theater and more than 20 specialized music and dance venues.

The British School campus houses separate libraries for each grade. The libraries have a combined catalog of 20,000 books. The British International School in Kuala Lumpur is integrating technology into its teaching. The UK school’s campus is fully networked and every student at the school has a personal device (iPad or Macbook) to support their learning.

The Garden International School

I. Description of the school

Garden International School is a popular school in Malaysia, founded in 1951. It is also one of the oldest international schools in the country. The school teaches in English, Malay, Mandarin, Spanish and French. The Garden International School is known for its large number of international students who go on to the best universities in the world. The Garden International School is an accredited Cambridge International School. It is also a member of the Council of International Schools, the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

II. School program

Garden International School has Apple Distinguished School status. She has also received several international awards including the Global Innovative Learning Program Award and the Primary Science Quality Mark. In fact, the school was recently selected for a Relocate Award in the school category by Relocate magazine. It is a premier awards program for the relocation and international mobility industry.

III. School campus

The Garden International School provides appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environments for small children. In fact, the school has a wide range of multi-sensory learning opportunities. The school offers the Jungle School program, which is based on the European approach to forestry schools. The main campus of the Garden International School is fully equipped with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) labs. The campus also houses a recital hall, an immersive room, a multimedia room, music rooms, and sports rooms.

No matter which school you choose in Malaysia, you will not be disappointed. International schools in Malaysia offer several advantages that will help your child grow personally and professionally.

The French School of Kuala Lumpur (LFKL)

I. Description of the school

Obviously, for French expatriates in Malaysia, the French high school in Kuala Lumpur is often the chosen option.
And it is also for this reason that many families have gathered in a few neighborhoods close to this high school, such as Mont Kiara for example.
This school opened its doors in 1962.
You will find all levels, from kindergarten to high school.
It welcomes more than 500 students of different nationalities (the French are still in the majority).

II. Advantages of choosing the Lycée Français de Kuala Lumpur

Several advantages are offered to the French having opted for this school:

• you will have the opportunity, depending on your income, to apply for a scholarship,
• if your children are already in school, before your expatriation, they will not be confused by the program,
• no language barrier (even if English is still a part of the curriculum),
• if you have to leave Malaysia, to return to France for example, the adaptation will be easier.

Conclusion and advice

Choosing a school for your children has many consequences.
You will be faced with many parameters such as:

• the choice of the main language for your children,
• tuition fees, which vary greatly from one school to another,
• the geographical area,
• the proposed curriculum,
• the school’s reputation,
• school infrastructure, etc.

This choice is therefore based solely on your personal situation.
Other alternative solutions exist such as

• home schooling,
• private teachers,
• distance schools.

We have only listed 3 schools, but the choice is HUGE.
You have to take the time to sort it out.
But above all, target your objectives well in order to facilitate the final choice.

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