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Garden International School Kuala Lumpur

GIS hosted a STEAM Expo for Primary Students to explore hands-on learning.

The 'Battle of the Bands' event saw huge musical performances from students in the Grand Hall.

Instructs in English

Ages 5 - 18 years

Fees MYR 81,510 - 118,560

Pupils 2000

Type Co-educational

Garden International School provides a British-style education for students aged 5 to 18, leading to IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Facilities include a 25-meter swimming pool with eight lanes, tennis courts, a sports hall, and an all-weather football field. The school offers a wide array of over 200 co-curricular activities. Students also have opportunities to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program and a TED-Ed Student Talk program.

Location

The school is located in Mont Kiara, a modern township with numerous high-rise residential condominiums, office complexes, and international schools. Mont Kiara is known for its international community, with a significant population of expatriates from various countries. The area is well-connected to the rest of Kuala Lumpur via major expressways and is considered a very desirable residential area for families, with many amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and recreational facilities.

Stages

The main campus is structured into three main sections to cater for different age groups. These are the Primary School for ages 5-11, the Secondary School for ages 11-16, and the Sixth Form for students aged 16-18.

Type

GIS is a co-educational day school and does not offer any boarding facilities.

Additional learning support

The school has a dedicated Learning Support faculty that assists students with identified mild learning differences. Support is provided through in-class assistance, small group sessions, or individualised programmes, depending on the student's needs. The team works with teachers and parents to create and review individualised education plans (IEPs).

Country affiliation

The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.

Religious affiliation

GIS is a non-denominational school and has no religious affiliation.

School day structure

The school day for primary and secondary students starts at 7:40 am and finishes at 2:10 pm for Years 1 to 3, and 2:20 pm for Years 4 to 13. The day includes a morning break and a lunch break.

Bus service

The school offers an extensive bus service that connects the main campus with major residential areas across Kuala Lumpur. The service is provided by external operators, and the cost is determined by the distance from the student's home to the school.

Uniform Requirement

The school has a uniform policy. There is a Second-Hand Uniform Shop to promote sustainability by recycling preloved uniforms.

Food Options

The Main Campus cafeteria is run by Cezar's Kitchen and provides meals and snacks throughout the day. It offers ten food stations with International, Asian and Vegetarian options, plus Western dishes, pasta, Seoul food, Asian noodles, a salad bar, deli sandwiches, and a live station serving Rotisserie Chicken and Chicken Shawarma on alternating days.

House System

GIS has a house system with four houses: Crest, Queen, Chancellor and Sultan. Every student from Early Years to Sixth Form belongs to a house and competes in a range of house events, with house colours celebrated.

Governance and Ownership

GIS is part of Taylor's Schools, a network of six top-tier institutions in Singapore and Malaysia. Taylor's Education Group owns Taylor's Schools.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school has a dedicated pastoral care system to support students' well-being. Each student is part of a tutor group, and their form tutor is the primary point of contact for any concerns. The school also has an on-site counseling team that offers confidential support to students. Initiatives such as personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education are integrated into the curriculum to help students develop essential life skills.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school provides support for students with mild learning needs through its Learning Support faculty. This is not a specialist SEN institution, but it has a team of specialist teachers who work with students who require additional support. Support is offered through in-class assistance, small group work, or one-to-one sessions, and the school develops Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) for students with identified needs. The school assesses each child's needs on a case-by-case basis to determine if they can provide the appropriate level of support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program for students who require support to access the curriculum. New students are assessed to determine their level of English proficiency. Based on this assessment, students may be offered a place in the EAL program, which can include intensive English classes and in-class support. There is an additional fee for the EAL program for students in Years 7 to 9.

Mental Wellbeing

The school supports student mental wellbeing through its pastoral care structure and a dedicated on-site counseling team. Located within the school's Medical Centre, the counseling unit provides a confidential space for students to discuss their emotional and psychological health. Form tutors also play a role in monitoring student wellbeing and are the initial contact for any concerns. This is supplemented by a PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) curriculum that addresses wellbeing topics.

Safeguarding

The school has a child protection policy in place to ensure student safety and welfare. The school is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students, and all staff members receive safeguarding training. There are designated safeguarding leads who are responsible for handling any child protection concerns that may arise, following established procedures for reporting and support.

History

Founded in 1951 by Sally Watkins, Garden School, as it was then known, was one of the first international schools in what was then the Federation of Malaya. The school was established to cater for the children of expatriates and began in the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur. Due to a growing student body, the school moved several times before settling at its current Mont Kiara location in 1996. The school is now part of the Taylor's Education Group.

Community

The school has a diverse community with students from over 65 nationalities. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year to foster a sense of community. These include cultural celebrations, performances, and the annual "Garden Party," a major fundraising event that brings together students, parents, and staff to support charitable causes. The school also has an active alumni network that organises regular gatherings.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The school has an active Parents, Teachers and Friends (PTF) committee run by parent volunteers. The PTF organises a wide range of activities and events to support the school community and welcome new families. These include cultural trips to explore Malaysia, weekly parent workshops on various topics, and community service initiatives. The PTF also runs a "buddy programme" to help new families settle into the school and a "Country Reps Network" to provide a point of contact for families of different nationalities.

Gallery

GIS hosted a Parent Volunteers Thank You Brunch to show their appreciation for all their help and commitment to the GIS Community (credit GIS Facebook)

Parents attend one of the community learning series events, held regularly on campus. (credit GIS Facebook)

GIS students celebrate achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Awards after completing their Expeditions (credit GIS Facebook)

The GIS community celebrate their fundraising efforts at the Spring ball, raising money for two NGOs: Pads & Paws KL and Dignity for Children Foundation. (credit GIS Facebook)

Facilities Overview

The school operates on two campuses: the Main Campus at 16 Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, and the GIS Early Years Centre at 1 Jalan 41/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. GIS Campus Reimagined delivers a world-class sports complex and outdoor sports field, with a basement car park completed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans for an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and a FIFA Youth Field Size. The Main Campus houses specialist learning spaces, a renovated Sixth Form Centre, extensive libraries, and dedicated spaces for art, drama and music, alongside Design & Technology labs. The school integrates technology across learning through an Apple Distinguished School status, Google Suite, and device programs including iPads and MacBooks.

Sports Facilities

The Sports Facilities & Fitness Centre include a Sports Hall, an all-weather Football Field and Tennis Courts, a 25m eight-lane Swimming Pool, covered hard courts and a Gymnasium with Weight Training Room. Phase 1a of GIS Campus Reimagined completed a basement car park and outdoor sports field, and introduced the new sports centre featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, two indoor basketball courts, two outdoor tennis courts and a gym/fitness suite. Phase 2 will add an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and the expansion of the sports field to a full-size football pitch, plus additional community facilities.

Academic Facilities

The campus features thirteen science laboratories, Design & Technology laboratories, a STEM room in the Primary School, and a Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) Room. The Sixth Form Centre provides a university-style study environment for senior students. Libraries across Early Years Centre, Primary and Secondary are well stocked with a broad range of physical and online resources. Digital learning spaces include a fully integrated Digital Environment; the school is an Apple Distinguished School, with Google Suite in use and a mix of iPads (Years 3–9) and MacBooks (Year 10 and above). Design & Technology labs are equipped with industry-standard tools and technologies, and the Performing Arts facilities include dedicated spaces for Art, Drama and Music with a fully equipped drama studio and music facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The school offers over 200 after-school co-curricular programmes. The THRIVE Internship Programme provides pathways beyond the formal curriculum for student development. CCAs and a broad range of activities are available to explore interests in sports, arts and leadership beyond lessons.

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers over 200 co-curricular activities across seven areas, providing opportunities beyond the taught curriculum. Model United Nations is popular, and the school hosts the Kuala Lumpur Modern United Nations (KLMUN) bi-annually. Specialist CCAs support university preparation, including Med Soc and an Oxbridge CCA. From Coding to Public Speaking and language-related clubs, CCAs complement classroom learning for students from Early Years to Year 13.

Arts & Creative

Music, Drama and Arts are central to GIS life. The Instrumental Music Programme runs weekly with over 300 students, offering lessons on 12 instruments and a variety of groups and choirs; regular concerts and events accompany these activities. Annual school productions and exhibitions showcase student talent, and the Big Draw event brings the whole school together. The creative arts are showcased throughout the year through exhibitions and competitions.

Cultural & Language

Language Clubs extend the World Languages programme (Malay, Mandarin, French, Spanish) with after-school sessions and cultural classes. The school encourages development of language learning to become global citizens, with language clubs helping students develop understanding, fluency and intercultural appreciation. Language learning opportunities run from Year 1 to Year 13.

Social & Hobbies

Sports and performing arts provide recreational outlets for students. Dragons sports include Football, Basketball, Swimming, Rugby, Netball, Athletics, T-ball, Tennis, Golf and Badminton, with a GIS Sports Academy offering additional coaching. Public Speaking, Hip Hop Dance, Coding and other CCAs foster social engagement and personal growth. The Student Leadership Programme also supports peer collaboration and extracurricular involvement.

Community & Service

Community & Service Learning emphasises global awareness and service. The programme supports five core charities and promotes student-led initiatives, including Reach Out refugee teaching, Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party. It aims to develop conscious, skilled, confident global citizens through a range of service-learning activities.

Leadership & Professional

The Student Leadership Programme involves around 200 student leaders across Primary and Secondary. Leaders work in nine strands spanning environment, wellbeing, sport, digital technology and community service. Students plan and lead charity events, performances and campaigns, including Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports form the foundation for a healthy life, with both team and individual activities. GIS Dragons teams regularly compete in inter-school and regional events and are part of AIMS, FOBISIA and SEASAC groups. The Sports Academy provides external coaching to broaden participation and support physical and social development.

Awards

Apple Distinguished School (2022-2025): This award, from Apple, recognizes the school's continuous commitment to using technology to create innovative learning experiences.

Accreditations

Council of International Schools (CIS): This accreditation confirms that the school meets high standards of professional performance in international education and is committed to continuous improvement.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): This is a US-based accreditation body that assures the quality of education and encourages school improvement.

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): This accreditation allows the school to offer Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications.

Pearson Edexcel: The school is also a centre for Pearson Edexcel qualifications, offering another route for IGCSE and A-Levels.

GL Centre of Excellence: This award recognises the school's effective use of GL Education's assessments to support student learning.

Admissions

doris recommends that you start by speaking to admissions. This connects you directly to the school's admissions team who can respond with answers, more information, and next steps.

Attend an Open Day or book a tour. The school holds regular open days for prospective families. This is a good opportunity to see the campus, meet teachers, and get a feel for the school environment. You can also arrange a personalised tour with the admissions team.

Submit an application. You will need to complete the online application form and submit it along with all the required documents. These typically include previous school reports, a copy of your child's passport, and passport-sized photos. An application fee is payable at this stage.

Admissions Assessment. Once the application is submitted, the school will arrange an age-appropriate assessment for your child. For primary and secondary students, this usually involves an online diagnostic assessment to understand their learning style and academic potential. For Sixth Form entry, students will also need to meet specific IGCSE (or equivalent) grade requirements.

Offer of a place. If the assessment is successful and a place is available, the school will send you a formal letter of offer. To accept the place, you will need to pay the registration fee and a deposit within the timeframe specified in the offer letter.

Scholarships

GIS offers scholarships for students entering the Sixth Form (Year 12) to study for their A-Levels. These scholarships are open to both current students and external applicants and are awarded based on academic merit, as well as talent in areas such as music or sports. The scholarships typically cover a percentage of the tuition fees and may also include the waiver of the application and registration fees. The application process is separate from the standard admissions process and has specific deadlines. It usually requires a personal statement, references, and evidence of achievements.

Waitlist

The school does experience high demand for places in most year groups, and a "wait pool" system is in place when a year group is full. When an application is received for a full year group, the student's name is added to the pool. The school does not operate a simple first-come, first-served system. When a place becomes available, they consider various factors to select a student from the wait pool, including the student's academic profile, English language proficiency, and the overall balance of gender and nationality within the year group.

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The Alice Smith School - Secondary Campus

The school main building and sports fields

Year 11 Design & Technology Textiles students took a trip to the Primary Campus to test and evaluate their creations, as part of their projects.

The Art & Photography Jam was an opportunity for students to explore creative workshops tailored to their interests.

Instructs in English

Ages 11 - 18 years

Fees MYR 108,360 - 117,360

Pupils 829

Type Co-educational

The Secondary Campus caters to students aged 11 to 18 (Years 7 to 13), following the English National Curriculum, culminating in (I)GCSE and A Level qualifications. Situated on 25 acres on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, this campus features expansive facilities, including a 50m swimming pool, an IAAF-certified athletic running track, ten science laboratories, and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre. A prominent program is the "IMPACT Quest," which guides students to explore their purpose and create a positive influence on the world. Students engage in a wide array of activities such as Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, advanced sports, coding, and drama productions.