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A snapshot overview of schools in Kuala Lumpur that are considered (although not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expat parents.
If there is no ribbon, pending or otherwise, it means we are aware of the school but have elected not to review it at this time. This could be for a number of reasons, but we continually update information and add or remove reviews as deemed appropriate.
Schools selected for full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
By full GSGI review, we mean the school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final write-ups take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details descend on the school for an exhaustive visit.
Plenty of choice for English speaking expats but beware of some schools that may claim to be 'international'. Those listed below are the main ones most expats really do consider.
Some may be very new with small student numbers. There are schools offering British, US, Australian & international programmes in locations including central, east, south and west of the city, often twenty minutes or more from the centre in order to provide spacious campuses.
Fees are generally quite high, but there is some differentiation.
Schools in Kuala Lumpur considered by The Good Schools Guide International
Marlborough College, Malaysia (pending)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/IGCSEs/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 900 pupils
An offshoot of Marlborough College in England, based in Johar Bahru on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, 20kms from the Singapore border. Run on the same lines as its parent school with traditional boarding for students in year 5 onwards. Very impressive academic results at IGCSEs and an average score of over 35 points for IB Diploma candidates in 2019.
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Alice Smith School - Primary
EYFS/National Curriculum for England; ages 3-11; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 810 pupils
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. Classes taught in English by 100 per cent overseas teachers. Shortlisted for two categories at the 2019 International School Awards, winning the Pastoral Initiative Award. Accredited by the Council of British Overseas Schools (COBIS).
Alice Smith School - Secondary
(I)GCSEs/A-Levels; ages 11-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 940 pupils
Grown into one of the most respected academic schools in Kuala Lumpur with an astounding 24 per cent of entrants scoring A* at A-Level in 2019. All the teachers are from overseas as are 65 per cent of the students. Accredited by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).
Australian International School
New South Wales/HSC; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 650 pupils
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
National Curriculum for England/IGCSEs/A-Levels; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,200 pupils
Based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and now on three campuses. Founded in 2009 and since 2018 part of the rapidly expanding Nord Anglia education group. Impressive A-Level results with 75 per cent gaining A*-B at A-Level in 2018. Accredited by the Council of British International Schools whilst under previous ownership.
elc International School
Adapted curriculum/IGCSEs; ages 4-16; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 750 pupils
Started as a secondary school in 1987, with a primary division added in 1992 and re-located onto a single campus in Selangor in 1997. 77 per cent of students gained IGCSEs at A*-A in 2018 but alternative schools have to be found for graduates as the school does not teach post 16.
Eton House 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.
Fairview International School Kuala Lumpur
PYP/MYP/IIGCSE/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 600 pupils
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 IB education.
Garden International School
Adapted curriculum/IGCSEs/A-Levels; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned;
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 achieving a minimum of three A*-A grades at A-Level. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and also an Apple Distinguished school.
IGB International School
PYP/MYP/IB Diploma/IB Careers Programme; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 460 pupils
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).
International School of Kuala Lumpur
School adapted curriculum/IB Diploma/AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,700 pupils
Established in 1965 as a non-profit American school but now owned by Nord Anglia Education group. On a brand new campus opened in 2018, aiming to be the first to achieve platinum Green Building (GBI) status. Currently accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), although Nord Anglia usually withdraws from external accreditation.
Lycée Francais de Kuala Lumpur
French curriculum/Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 730 pupils
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 almost 500 French schools. Students come from over 40 different countries and the majority are bilingual or trilingual by the time they graduate.
Mont'Kiara International School
PYP/School adapted curriculum/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned;
An American school founded in 1994 and located in Segambut. The IB Diploma scores in 2018 were an average 33 points against a global average of 29.8. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Students with US passports are the largest group in the school.
