Best International Schools in Kuala Lumpur

Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.

Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team Since 1 July 2025, Malaysia has charged a 6% service tax on private and international school fees above RM60,000 per student per year, and some schools still quote fees before that tax. Most upper-grade fees at the top KL schools are above that threshold, so the tax can add several thousand ringgit a year per child. When you compare schools, ask whether each quote includes SST and whether your child qualifies for any exemption.

Kuala Lumpur has a wide choice of international schools, with British, American and IB options at a range of price points. This page is for relocating families who want a short list built on clear criteria and published fees.

The trade-off is location. The schools below are spread from Ampang Hilir and Mont Kiara in the city to Equine Park in the south and Putrajaya beyond it. Pick a school first, then a neighborhood within an easy drive.

At a glance

How we chose

• Recognized curriculum and accreditation, confirmed by the school or a reference guide.
• Published fees, preferring the school's own fee schedule.
• Range of curricula and areas, so families in different parts of the city have an option.

We used school fee schedules (ISKL, Alice Smith), independent school guides and directories, and reporting on the 2025 service tax expansion. Checked on 31 October 2026. Tax rules change; confirm SST treatment with each school.

1. International School of Kuala Lumpur — best for an American curriculum with IB

ISKL, on Lorong Kelab Polo Di Raja in Ampang Hilir, follows an American curriculum and offers the IB Diploma, according to an independent guide. Its fee page lists annual tuition from RM65,900 (Prep Reception) to RM134,600 (Grades 9 to 12). The page was not clearly labeled for 2026-27, so ask for the current schedule.

New students from Prep Senior upward also pay a one-time registration fee of RM59,000, one of the highest we found. Exam, bus and trip fees are separate.

2. Garden International School — best for a British curriculum in Mont Kiara

Garden International School was founded in 1951. Its main campus is in Mont Kiara, with an Early Years Centre in Desa Sri Hartamas. It teaches the British curriculum from Early Years to International AS and A Levels. An independent guide reports CIS and WASC accreditation and cites 2025/26 fees of RM50,910 to RM118,560, excluding the 6% SST, with a 3% rebate for paying annually.

3. The Alice Smith School — best for British curriculum to A Level

Alice Smith was founded in 1946 and runs a primary campus on Jalan Bellamy and a secondary campus at Equine Park. It follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSE to A Level.

Its 2026-27 schedule bills termly: RM23,060 a term in Reception and RM40,790 a term in Years 10 to 13, or about RM122,370 a year. New families pay a RM20,000 enrollment fee and a refundable deposit of up to RM24,000. The schedule states that all fees are subject to 6% SST, with exemption documents handled by the accounts team.

4. Nexus International School Malaysia — best for IB or A Level with boarding

Nexus is in Putrajaya, south of the city, so it suits families living in Putrajaya or Cyberjaya more than central KL. A school directory lists the IB Middle Years Programme, the IB Diploma and A Levels, along with boarding, and annual tuition of about RM46,100 to RM104,500. Confirm the current fee year with the school.

5. Mont'Kiara International School — best for a US curriculum in Mont Kiara

Mont'Kiara International School follows an American curriculum with AP courses and, according to a school directory, the IB Diploma. An independent fee guide lists WASC accreditation. The directory lists tuition of about RM33,300 to RM119,000 a year. For families in Mont Kiara or Sri Hartamas, it is an alternative to the longer drive to Ampang Hilir.

What to check before you decide

• SST. Ask whether quoted fees include the 6% service tax and whether any exemption applies.
• One-time fees. Registration and enrollment fees range from RM20,000 (Alice Smith) to RM59,000 (ISKL).
• The school run. Test the drive at peak hours.
• Fee year. Some fee pages still show older schedules.
• Extras. Exams, buses, lunches and language support are usually billed separately.

FAQ

How much are international schools in Kuala Lumpur?

Among the schools above, published annual tuition runs from about RM33,300 to RM134,600 depending on school and grade, before one-time fees and SST.

Do international school fees in Malaysia include tax?

Not always. A 6% service tax has applied since July 2025 to school fees above RM60,000 per student per year. Alice Smith states its fees are subject to SST; Garden's quoted range excludes it.

Related guides

• Kuala Lumpur city guide
• Best areas for families in Kuala Lumpur
• Malaysia cost of living
• Malaysia digital nomad visa
• Budget calculator