The lightning speed at which Kuala Lumpur has turned from a sleepy city into a gigantic South Asian hub has not gone unnoticed by the international schools’ circus and there is now a much wider selection than at the millennium.
- Education in Kuala Lumpur
- Choosing a school in Kuala Lumpur
- Best schools in Kuala Lumpur
- Best schools in Johor State
Education in Kuala Lumpur
Roughly speaking, the international schools in Kuala Lumpur be divided into the ‘old’ brigade, which have been established here since the middle of the 20th century, and the ‘newbies,’ who have come on the scene since the late 1990’s, including outposts of some distinguished English schools.
The main ones offer British, US, Australian and international programmes. The locations are largely in the central, east, south and western areas of the city, often 20 minutes or more from the centre - spots generally chosen to provide more spacious campuses. Several schools are located near popular gated residential enclaves such as Mont’ Kiara and Damansara Heights, making these schools walkable and giving them a friendly neighbourhood feel. For schools further out, bus services abound.
Choosing a school in Kuala Lumpur
Among the older schools, the curricula are either English or International Baccalaureate all the way through. You’ll also find schools offering the American High School Diploma and Advanced Placement courses. There are alternatives eg New South Wales curriculum leading up to the NSW High School Certificate and a fully French education.
Apart from curriculum, the other distinct choice that you have is whether you opt for the boarding route or not. If you do, there are options ranging from around an hour’s drive outside of central KL to an hour away by plane - technically in the country but, in reality, much closer to Singapore.
Best schools in Kuala Lumpur
Alice Smith School 
EYFS/ National Curriculum for England /IGCSE /A level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,750 students
Founded in 1946 by Alice Fairfield-Smith who decided to home-school her daughter and based on a site twenty minutes from the senior school. Grown into one of the most respected international schools in Kuala Lumpur with very impressive results. Classes taught in English by 100 per cent overseas teachers, 65 per cent of the students are from overseas. Based over two separate campuses for primary and secondary both with oodles of space and undergoing renovations. Shortlisted for two categories at the 2019 International School Awards, winning the Pastoral Initiative Award.
Click here to read our full review of Alice Smith School
Epsom College in Malaysia
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 500 students
Founded in 2014 as the first international branch of Epsom College, an independent school in Surrey, England. Located on a 50 acre site to the south of Kuala Lumpur. The A level results achieved recently were extremely impressive with nearly 40 per cent being awarded an A*. Students have moved on to leading universities in America and the UK, for example, Stanford, Cambridge and Durham. Largely local Malaysian or Asian expat students.
Click here to read our full review of Epsom College in Malaysia
International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,700 students
Established in 1965, as a non-profit American school and holds reputation as one of the most respected schools in Kuala Lumpur. Now located on a super campus opened in 2018, which has been awarded platinum Green Building (GBI) status, having been the first school in Malaysia to receive the Eco-School Green Flag.
Click here to read our full review of International School of Kuala Lumpur
Marlborough College Malaysia
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 900 students
Not actually in Kuala Lumpur, rather based in Johor Bahru on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, 20kms from the Singapore border. An offshoot of Marlborough College in England, and very much run on the same lines as its parent school with traditional boarding for students in year 5 upwards. Very impressive academic results.
Click here to read our full review of Marlborough College Malaysia
Mont' Kiara International School
PYP/ adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 630 students
An American school founded in 1994 and located in Segambut. The International Baccalaureate Diploma scores are good with one student achieving the full 45 in 2023 and seven students achieved over 40. Students with US passports are the largest group in the school and has a lovely local neighbourhood school feel as many students live in the immediate vicinity.
Click here to read our full review of Mont' Kiara International School
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Australian International School Kuala Lumpur
New South Wales curriculum/ New South Wales HSD; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 650 students
Founded in 2000 and located in the MINES Resort City at the southern end of Kuala Lumpur. Students from over 40 different nationalities and academically successful achieving the best New South Wales Higher School Certificate results outside Australia. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and now a ‘visible learning’ school.
British International School (The) Kuala Lumpur
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,200 students
Founded in 2009 and since 2018 part of the global Nord Anglia Education group. Strong A level results with 75 per cent gaining A*-B at A level recently.
elc International School
Adapted curriculum/ IGCSE; ages 4-16; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 750 students
Started as a secondary school in 1987, with a primary division added in 1992 and relocated onto a single campus in Selangor in 1997. Over three quarters of students gained IGCSEs at A*-A recently but alternative schools have to be found for graduates as the school does not teach post 16.
EtonHouse Malaysia
PYP; ages 2-12; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 200 pupils
The first school in Malaysia of the EtonHouse international education group, currently with 120 schools in 12 countries across the Far East. Founded in 2010 on a green site in the centre of Kuala Lumpur and teaching the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
Fairview International School Kuala Lumpur
PYP/ MYP/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 600 students
Founded in 1978 and now one of five Fairview Schools in Malaysia with plans well under way to open one in Scotland. Three thousand children are enrolled at the Malaysian schools with the one in Kuala Lumpur offering an all-through International Baccalaureate education. Students can also work towards the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards.
Garden International School
Adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,000 students
Founded in 1951, making it the first private school, catering for expats, in Malaysia and located in Mont Kiara, Segambut. Approximately 80 per cent of the teaching staff are English or Australian. Academically impressive, with 40 per cent of A level students consistently achieving a minimum of three A*-A grades.
IGB International School
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 460 students
Brand new school and the only one in Malaysia to offer all four International Baccalaureate programmes. On a state of the art campus on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Swiftly accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Lycée Francais de Kuala Lumpur
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 730 students
First opened in 1962 but moved to its current campus in 2004. Part of the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), a global network of around 500 schools, teaching the French curriculum. Students come from over 40 different countries and the majority are bilingual or trilingual by the time they graduate.
Nexus International School Malaysia
International Primary Curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 730 students
Founded in 2008, this is one of the schools in Malaysia belonging to Taylor’s Education Group. The school has a boarding facility and is a member of the Boarding Schools Association. Emphasis on tech helped by being an Apple Distinguished school. Academically outstanding with over 30 per cent of International Baccalaureate Diploma students achieving a score of over 40 points (against the world average of 30). Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Schools in Johor State
Repton International School Malaysia
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ IBDP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 350 students
Opened in 2020 in Johor, on the borders of Singapore, by the international brand of the English public school Repton, following on from their four schools in the UAE and one in China.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.