The International School of Kuala Lumpur

A State of the Art Learning Environment To Nurture Global Citizen

Relocate Editorial

25 June 2024

“Any visitor coming to the ISKL Ampang Hilir campus is in awe. From the vastness to the perspectives, it gives a feeling of grandeur. The campus is constantly buzzing…The design allows everyone to find their own space.”These are the words of Mr. Rami Madani, Head of School on The International School of Kuala Lumpur’s (ISKL) state-of-the-art campus. Since ISKL’s inception in 1965, the school has witnessed significant changes to its campuses as it continues its growth and development while maintaining its unique culture. Officially welcoming Panthers (the official mascot of the school and nickname for ISKL’s students) in August 2018, the purpose-built ISKL campus is a 25-acre urban sanctuary nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, reflecting the school’s mission where passions, values, and competencies are cultivated to inspire learners to shape their path as global citizens.The campus was designed to support and foster engagement - creating learning spaces that provide flexibility, inspire ideas, and allow opportunities for interaction and connectivity. It allows students and faculty to collaborate, which ISKL believes is key to effective learning.

ISKL’s campus provides an advanced learning environment featuring state-of-the-art academic, arts, and athletic facilities. Alongside world-class science labs, classrooms, art facilities, and three libraries, the school also includes flexible spaces to incorporate the latest in teaching and learning concepts. The campus boasts leading-edge sports facilities with extensive playing fields, a regulation track, two gymnasia, a climbing wall, and tennis courts. Another key sports space is its Aquatics Centre, which includes:

A 50-meter Olympic-sized competition pool.
25 m daily activity pool.
A learn-to-swim pool for young learners.

The perfect home to unite the Elementary School (ES), Middle School (MS), and High School (HS) divisions together in a single location, the campus is arranged to meet the varied needs of each age group, and spaces adjust as students progress through the school. The Early Childhood Center nestles within a protective, walled garden at the base of the ES, with classrooms grouped around its art, music, and science spaces. The MS is designed for a collaborative, cross-curricular program, while over at HS, it is designed to enable every learner to choose the curriculum best suited to their abilities, interests, and aspirations in preparation for life beyond ISKL.Understanding that learning spaces can change as the school’s pedagogical approach evolves over time, classroom clusters are designed for adaptability with minimal internal structural elements. Student learning spaces are strategically placed throughout the campus to encourage a flexible and collaborative environment. Makerspaces, libraries, technology and science laboratories, dance, visual arts, digital art studios, and play areas provide stimulating spaces for students to learn and enjoy themselves.A structure of sustainable architecture in a tropical climate, the ISKL campus represents ISKL’s commitment to educating the next generation of leaders about environmental stewardship. The campus reflects the institution’s ethos and focuses on caring for the environment through action-driven spaces such as the Eco Garden and Recycling and Compost centers, which encourage students to get involved in a simple yet practical way.Other initiatives include green jungle walls at the ES and MS/HS entrances, jungle trees providing welcome shade in the Coaches Garden, composting and worm farming with Prep Senior students, and bee-scaping with Grade 7 Science students. Materials with recyclable content were also used, including green cement and recycled steel bars to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from raw material harvesting and production.

From Early Childhood through High School, ISKL’s mission is to provide each student with the environment to follow their passion, develop their cognitive abilities and artistic capabilities. The Performing Arts is the heart of the whole school, where ISKL Panthers can showcase their talents and growth in music, dance, and drama. ISKL’s Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is a central open amphitheater that showcases local and regional events for the community. This complex includes the 600+ seat Robert B. Gaw Theatre, 345-retractable seats black-box style Melawati Theatre, and Dr. Norma J. Hudson Amphitheatre. Dance, visual, and digital arts studios provide students with the necessary spaces to explore their artistic capabilities. From talent shows to musicals, youth orchestras, to jazz nights, students have myriad opportunities to hone their talents and creatively express themselves.

Exceptional education is underpinned by a two-way partnership between school and family. ISKL values parents’ involvement in the school’s life and has intentionally created spaces for parents and volunteers to meet. From a full-service coffee shop to parent lounges and dedicated Parent Teacher Association (PTA) areas, the campus design supports ISKL’s unique and warm community. State-of-the-art facilities are made possible by ISKL’s status as a non-profit school. This means that revenue generated by tuition and school fees at ISKL is reinvested back into the school, enabling the school to provide its students with the best learning environment possible. ISKL’s non-profit status allows the school to put its students at the center of decision-making and ensure a wide variety of opportunities are offered to enable every learner to discover their full potential.

While visualization is a powerful sensory tool, nothing beats experiencing a school and its facilities with a personalized campus tour. No matter where you are in the world, ISKL invites families to find themselves at ISKL with ISKL’s in-person or virtual live tours. Whether you’re here in Malaysia or are planning to visit, you’re welcome to schedule a visit with ISKL. ISKL’s dedicated Admissions team can create bespoke tours according to the needs and preferences of prospective families.Christina Decu, ISKL’s Director of Enrollment Management, emphasized the importance of finding the right school for your child and the right community for your family. She said, “We encourage families to take the time to come and visit us if they can, meet as many members of our community as possible, and experience ISKL in person. If this is not possible, then we are more than happy to schedule a virtual meeting to answer any questions you may have.”Whichever option you choose, you can explore ISKL’s campus with one of ISKL’s STARS (Student Admission Representatives), ask all the questions you need, and chat with a member of the Admissions team. The team is looking forward to sharing all that the school has to offer you and your family. Head over here to book your personalized tours, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions team at admissions@iskl.edu.my.We are looking forward to meeting you soon!

The International School of Kuala Lumpur celebrates IB and AP exam results

Students at Malaysia’s longest-running IB World School, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), have once again demonstrated academic excellence and surpassed global averages in this year’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.ISKL students achieved an impressive 100 percent pass rate and average IB score of 35 points, significantly higher than the worldwide pass rate, historically around 80 percent, and five points above the 2024 worldwide average of 30 points. Notably, 24 percent of ISKL students scored 40 or more points out of a possible 45, which typically places them in the top 10 percent of global IB Diploma scores.Furthermore, 24 percent of ISKL students earned a Bilingual Diploma in Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Swedish. The Bilingual Diploma requires students to take IB Language and Literature courses in two different languages and reflects ISKL’s diverse community of over 70 nationalities and 40 home languages.In the AP exams, which enable students to earn credits and/or advanced placement at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, 80 percent of ISKL students scored either 4 or 5, indicating they are very well qualified or extremely well qualified, respectively. The average AP subject score at ISKL was 4 out of a possible 5 points.Congratulating the cohorts of 106 IB candidates and 108 AP candidates, ISKL’s Head of School, Mr. Rami Madani, said, “We are delighted to see another year of impressive results. ISKL is an inclusive school, and we celebrate the achievements of all our students. Each one experiences a different learning journey, and these results reflect their hard work and tenacity. We also thank and acknowledge our IB and AP teachers, our team of High School counselors, and administrators, who have done an outstanding job in both delivering high-quality learning and nurturing the well-being of our students.”ISKL’s High School academic program is distinguished by its flexibility, offering students the IB Diploma Programme and the bespoke Pursuits Program, which allows students to combine individual IB, AP, and High School Diploma courses to create a personalized study program.The success of this approach is evident in the 280 offers and acceptances the Class of 2024 has received from universities in 16 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Qatar, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Virtual Tours

ISKL's State-of-the-art Campus Tour

ISKL in 60 Seconds

Choosing a school in Malaysia: IB and curriculum pathways for every student

Visit the International School of Kuala Lumpur Directory page for more information

To find out more on how your child can learn about the ISKL experience, head over to https://www.iskl.edu.my. Address:No. 2, Lorong Kelab Polo Di Raja,55000 Ampang Hilir, Kuala Lumpur | MalaysiaTel+60 3 4813 5000Emailadmissions@iskl.edu.myWebsitehttps://www.iskl.edu.mySocial media linksFacebook: facebook.com/ISKLOfficialTwitter: x.com/ISKLofficialInstagram: instagram.com/isklofficialYouTube: youtube.com/@ISKLOfficialChannel

About ISKL

Since 1965, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) has been a center of excellence in international education. ISKL is a co-educational, private, non-profit school responsible for the learning journey of over 1,700 students aged 3-18, representing more than 70 nationalities, at its campus in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.ISKL offers a robust international curriculum that combines leading North American educational frameworks and global best practices. This curriculum, which recognizes that students are on a lifelong learning journey, is driven by ISKL's purpose to prepare our students for life itself. We believe in the importance of helping students shape their own paths, supporting them in discovering their passions, developing their competencies, and having an ethical impact on the world. At ISKL, every student's journey is unique, and we are committed to nurturing their growth.ISKL is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS) and in the United States through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Across its divisions, ISKL strongly focuses on service and sustainability and is a member of the Eco-Schools organization and the Green Schools Alliance.As ISKL celebrates its 60th anniversary, we reflect on six decades of nurturing passions and competencies, fostering a caring community, and striving to create a better world. Join us in honoring the legacy that has shaped us for 60 years, and find yourself at ISKL!

Articles featuring ISKL

Read about ISKL's winning entry in the Think Global People|Relocate Awards 2023

Excellence in education – schools/education consultancy category

Excellence in Education - Schools or Education Consultancy Winner - International School of Kuala Lumpur

Watch the webinar replays:

The Importance of STEAM for children and the future, with Ryan Ball, Design and Technology Association and Steven Katz, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

Redefining a School’s Purpose: Forging Innovative Pathways to Meet the Needs of Every Student, with Jeff Farrington, High School Principal, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

Admission done well: success for everyone with Julia Love, Director of Admissions, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), and Claudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support, International School of London, in conversation with Fiona Murchie

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