International Schools in Sabah and Sarawak

Sabah and Sarawak, located in East Malaysia, are well known for their rich cultural heritage, diverse communities, and stunning natural landscapes. In recent years, both states have also seen steady growth in international education, attracting more families seeking globally recognized curricula and English-medium instruction.

Most international schools in Sarawak are concentrated in Kuching, while Sabah’s options are mainly based in Kota Kinabalu. These schools offer a range of academic pathways, including the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-Levels, often paired with strong co-curricular programmes and student-centred learning approaches. With growing interest in international education, Sabah and Sarawak are emerging as appealing choices for families seeking quality learning opportunities within inclusive and diverse communities.

International Schools in Sabah

1. Kinabalu International School (KIS)

Kinabalu International School (KIS) is Sabah’s only international school accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA)With a proud legacy of over 50 years, KIS offers a high-quality K–12 education based on the British curriculum. The school is known for its strong academic standards, all-rounded student experience and commitment to preparing learners for success in a global, ever-changing world.

2. Charis International School

Charis International School (CIS) was established on 24, August 2014, as the first registered international school in Tawau and the third in the East Malaysian state of Sabah. They provide internationally recognized education to both Malaysian and international students, from kindergarten to secondary level. The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum for its primary and secondary programmes, an initiative which has been approved by the Ministry of Education Malaysia. 

3. Imperium International Secondary School

Imperium International Secondary School is a private international school in Sabah that offers a quality, future-focused education built on strong values and academic excellence. The school is dedicated to holistic development, offering a supportive environment that fosters intellectual, emotional, and social growth. It is committed to equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to succeed in a dynamic global environment.

4. Jesselton International School

Jesselton International School (JIS), established in 2018 in Kota Kinabalu, offers British curriculum education for students aged 4 to 18, from kindergarten to A Level. With a team of experienced educators, JIS blends the UK Key Stage curriculum with innovative, engaging learning. The school is committed to delivering high-quality education with integrity, aiming to nurture future leaders who will contribute positively to the nation.

5. Vision International School

Vision International School located in Bandar Sri Indah, Tawau, offers a comprehensive and enriching education experience in a peaceful and well-equipped campus setting. The school is a church-owned private institution that follows the Malaysian National Curriculum and provides quality education from Primary 1 to Form 5, preparing students for major national examinations.

 International Schools in Sarawak

1. Borneo International School

Borneo International School, established in 2017, is a private international institution located in Kuching, Sarawak. It offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning Primary, Secondary, IGCSE, and A-Level programmes. With over 600 students from more than 20 nations, the school offers a holistic education that builds life skills, sparks curiosity and fosters a love for learning. In 2022, the school moved to a purpose-built campus in Saradise, a modern township approximately 3 km from Kuching International Airport.

2. Knewton Global School

Knewton Global School offers a student-centred, holistic education that nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth. Located in Miri, the school emphasizes thinking skills and a growth mindset within a supportive learning environment. Students engage in experiential learning, creative arts, and sports programmes, all supported by well-equipped facilities including science and technology labs, music and art studios, sports courts, pitches and a swimming pool.

3. Lodge International School

Lodge Group of Schools was established in 1953 as The Lodge Preparatory School and Kindergarten to serve the children of British expatriates in Kuching. Initially located at The Masonic Lodge, it later moved to The Sarawak Club, then to Pearse Road in 1969, before settling at its current campus in Tabuan Jaya in 1984. English has been the primary medium of instruction since the school’s inception. In 1985, a Bahasa Melayu stream was introduced in accordance with the Malaysian National Education Policy.

4. Riam Hill International Secondary School

Riam Hill International Secondary School in Miri, Sarawak, is a Cambridge-accredited institution offering Lower Secondary and IGCSE programmes. Established in 2022, the school provides affordable international education with a focus on academic excellence, character development and 21st-century skills. With well-equipped ICT labs, interactive classrooms and student-led initiatives in digital citizenship and sustainability, Riam Hill prepares students to become responsible and globally minded learners.

5. St. Joseph’s International School

St. Joseph’s International School in Kuching is a Catholic co-educational school offering the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-Level programmes. Established in 2017, it is managed by the Marist Brothers and welcomes both local and international students. English is the medium of instruction, with Bahasa Melayu and Moral or Islamic Studies required for Malaysian students. Students also benefit from English support classes with dedicated teachers and a nurturing, values-based learning environment.

6. Tunku Putra-HELP School

Tunku Putra-HELP School, formerly known as Tunku Putra School, was established in 1996 by Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) as Sarawak’s first international school. Named after Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the school has over 700 students from 20 nations. The school blends academic excellence with character education, emphasising values such as integrity, compassion, curiosity and respect. 

7. Woodlands International School

Woodlands International School offers a nurturing and supportive environment where students engage in hands-on, practical learning experiences that inspire curiosity and passion. The school adopts the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) programmes, allowing students to explore a wide range of subjects in depth. The school’s experienced teachers from diverse backgrounds create a caring environment that supports every student’s learning and development.

8. Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) is a state-supported international school that delivers the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Its main campus is located in Petra Jaya, with plans for expansion to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, with the aim of making quality international education more accessible across Sarawak. YSISS offers merit-based admissions and provides full scholarships for students from B40 families and subsidized fees for M40 households. 

The international education landscape in Sabah and Sarawak is steadily expanding, providing families with an increasing number of high-quality schooling options that align with global standards. With established institutions in key cities like Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu, that cater to the needs of both local and expatriate communities, offering internationally recognised curricula such as the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-Levels in English-medium environments.

In addition to academic excellence, many of these schools place a strong emphasis on holistic education, focusing on character building, individual growth and the cultivation of a global mindset. With modern facilities, qualified teaching staff from diverse backgrounds and robust extracurricular programmes, students receive a sound education that enables them to grow into well-rounded, future-ready individuals. With the rising demand for international education, Sabah and Sarawak are increasingly recognized as preferred destinations for families seeking high-quality, globally relevant learning experiences within the region.

位于马来西亚东部的沙巴和砂拉越，以丰富的文化传统、多元的族群和壮丽的自然景观而闻名。近年来，这两个州的国际教育持续增长，吸引越来越多家庭选择全球认可的课程与英文授课环境。

砂拉越的大多数国际学校集中在古晋，而沙巴的选择则主要分布在亚庇。这些学校提供多样的学术路径，包括 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)和 A-Levels，通常搭配丰富的课外活动项目和以学生为中心的教学方式。随着人们对国际教育的兴趣不断上升，沙巴和砂拉越正逐渐成为寻求优质教育机会、融入包容多元社区的家庭的理想选择。

沙巴的国际学校

1. Kinabalu International School (KIS)

Kinabalu International School (KIS) 是沙巴唯一一所获得 Council of International Schools (CIS)认证并为 Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA)会员的国际学校。学校已有超过50年的历史，提供从幼儿园至中学的英国课程教育。KIS 以高学术标准、全面的学生体验和致力于培养具备全球竞争力的学生而著称。 

2. Charis International School

Charis International School（CIS）于2014年8月24日成立，是东马沙巴州斗湖首家注册的国际学校，也是全州第三所国际学校。该校为马来西亚学生及国际学生提供从幼儿园至中学阶段的国际认可课程。该校的中小学课程采用剑桥国际课程体系，并已获得马来西亚教育部的认可。

3. Imperium International Secondary School

Imperium International Secondary School 是一家私立国际中学，致力于提供高质量、面向未来的教育，强调价值观和学术成就的结合。学校致力于学生的全人发展，营造支持性强的学习氛围，全面培养学生的智力、情感与社交能力，并为他们迈向国际社会做好充分准备。

4. Jesselton International School

Jesselton International School (JIS) 成立于2018年，位于亚庇，提供4至18岁学生的英国课程教育，从幼儿园至 A Level。学校拥有一支经验丰富的教学团队，融合英国课程标准与创新有趣的教学方法，致力于以诚信传授优质教育，培养对国家有贡献的未来领袖。

5. Vision International School

Vision International School 位于斗湖 Sri Indah，提供全面且充实的教育体验，环境安静，校园设施完善。该校是一所由教会创办的私立学校，采用马来西亚国家课程（Malaysian National Curriculum）纲要，提供从一年级至中五的优质教育，全面培养学生以应对各类主要国家考试。

砂拉越的国际学校

1. Borneo International School

Borneo International School 成立于2017年，是砂拉越古晋的一所私立国际学校。学校提供从小学到中学、IGCSE 和 A-Level 的完整课程。全校有来自20多个国家的600多名学生，致力于提供全面教育，培养生活技能、激发好奇心并培养对学习的热爱。在2022年，学校迁入位于 Saradise 的全新校舍，距离古晋国际机场仅3公里。

2. Knewton Global School

Knewton Global School 提供以学生为中心的综合教育，兼顾学术卓越与个人成长。学校位于美里，注重思维能力的培养与成长型思维模式，并营造一个积极支持的学习环境。学生参与体验式学习、创意艺术和体育项目，所有活动均由设施完善的场地支持，包括科学与技术实验室、音乐与美术工作室、运动场、球场以及游泳池。

3. Lodge International School

Lodge Group of Schools 成立于1953年，最初是为英国外籍子女设立的学校和幼儿园。学校最初设于 The Masonic Lodge，后迁至 The Sarawak Club 和 Pearse Road，1984年迁至现址 Tabuan Jaya。自创校以来，英语一直是主要授课语言。1985年根据国家教育政策开设了马来语教学班。

4. Riam Hill International Secondary School

Riam Hill International Secondary School 位于美里，是剑桥认证的学校，提供初中和 IGCSE 课程。学校成立于2022年，致力于以合理的学费提供优质国际教育，强调学术成就、品格发展和生活技能。学校配备先进的ICT实验室和互动式教室，并鼓励学生积极参与科技与环保相关的活动，致力于培养具责任感和全球视野的学生。

5. St. Joseph’s International School

St. Joseph’s International School 是一所位于古晋的天主教男女合校，提供 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) 和 A-Level 课程。学校成立于2017年，由Marist Brothers管理，欢迎本地和国际学生入读。英语是主要的教学语言，马来西亚学生需修读马来语以及道德或伊斯兰教育。学生也可受益于由专职教师提供的英语辅助课程，并在一个重视价值观、充满关爱的学习环境中成长。

6. Tunku Putra-HELP School

Tunku Putra-HELP School（前身为 Tunku Putra School）由 Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad（CMSB）于1996年创办，是砂拉越首所国际学校。学校以马来西亚首任首相为名，目前拥有来自20个国家的700多名学生。学校融合学术卓越与品格教育，重视正直、关怀、好奇心与尊重等价值观。

7. Woodlands International School

Woodlands International School 提供温馨和鼓励探索的学习环境，学生通过动手实践式学习培养好奇心和热情。学校采用 International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC)、International Primary Curriculum (IPC) 和 Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)课程，让学生能深入探索多元学科。学校拥有来自不同背景的资深教师，营造关爱氛围，全方位支持每位学生的学习与成长。

8. Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS)

Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS) 是由州政府支持的国际中学，在关爱与包容的环境中开设 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)课程。主校区位于 Petra Jaya，并计划拓展至古晋、诗巫、民都鲁及美里，让更多学生享有国际教育机会。学校实行择优录取制度，为 B40 家庭学生提供全额奖学金，并为 M40 家庭提供学费补助。

沙巴与砂拉越的国际教育正在稳步发展，提供符合全球标准的高质量教育选择。位于古晋、美里与亚庇的学校，满足本地与外籍家庭对国际课程（如 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)和 A-Levels）与英文授课环境的需求。

除了追求学术卓越，这些学校也十分重视学生的全面发展，注重品格教育、个人成长与全球化思维的培养。学校配备先进的教学设施，汇聚来自多元背景的专业师资团队，并设有完善的课外活动体系，致力于为学生提供优质且全面的教育，培养具备综合素质与未来竞争力的优秀人才。随着对国际教育需求的不断增长，沙巴和砂拉越正日益成为备受认可的首选地区，为家庭提供高质量、具全球视野的学习体验。