Crescendo-HELP International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K - US$9K
Curriculum: British · Cambridge
Age Range: 5-18
Students: Contact school
Location: Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru
Updated April 2026
In Brief
CHIS is the strongest choice in JB if IPC accreditation and SEN support matter to your family. The fee level is mid-market, the facilities are genuinely good for the price, and the CIS membership adds credibility. Go in with eyes open about the leadership transition - ask specifically about staff continuity.
Crescendo-HELP International School is the only IPC-accredited school in Johor Bahru, a distinction it earned in 2024 for the 2024-2028 cycle - making it the only school in the city where the primary curriculum has been externally validated by the IPC body itself. For families who have come from IPC schools in other countries and want that continuity, CHIS is the only option in JB. The Cambridge IGCSE track follows from Year 7, and the school runs through to A-Level in the Sixth Form. CIS membership and FOBISIA affiliation place it in the recognised international school mainstream.
The campus in Ulu Tiram is more substantial than its east-JB location might suggest. Two swimming pools, six science labs, a dance studio, music and art rooms, a sports hall, a full football field, tennis courts and a fitness gymnasium are the kinds of facilities typically found at higher fee-bracket schools. The Inclusion Department for SEN learners and built-in EAL support are specific reasons that families with children who need additional support choose CHIS over other JB options. Annual fees run from MYR 29,700 at Year 1-2 to MYR 42,030 at IGCSE, with a 5% bursary available across all year groups.
The consideration worth raising is leadership stability. The school has undergone a leadership transition in recent years, and some longer-standing parents have noted that internal processes felt unsettled during the adjustment period. The student body is described by those within the school as studious and academically motivated - that culture appears consistent. Ask specifically about the current principal, average staff tenure, and how the school has stabilised since the transition.
What parents value
- –Only IPC-accredited school in Johor Bahru (2024-2028). CIS member and FOBISIA member. Cambridge PDQ accredited. The accreditation stack is among the strongest in the JB market outside Marlborough.
- –Dedicated Inclusion Department for SEN learners and built-in EAL support - rare in the JB market and a meaningful differentiator for families with children who need additional provision.
- –Facilities are strong for the fee level: two swimming pools, six science labs, dance studio, music rooms, sports hall, full-size football field and tennis courts. 5% bursary available on all year groups.
Points of consideration
- –Leadership transition in recent years has been a topic among families. Ask the admissions team directly about the current principal, staff retention rates and how governance has settled. A normal-day visit will tell you more than an open day.
- –Ulu Tiram is east of central JB - a practical location for some families and a 25-30 minute drive from Iskandar Puteri at off-peak times. Map your commute before committing.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - 2 (IPC Primary) | 5 | 7,361 |
| Year 3 - 4 (IPC Primary) | 7 | 7,807 |
| Year 5 - 6 (IPC Primary) | 9 | 8,037 |
| Year 7 (Cambridge Secondary) | 11 | 8,431 |
| Year 8 (Cambridge Secondary) | 12 | 8,818 |
| Year 9 (Cambridge Secondary) | 13 | 9,993 |
| Year 10 - 11 (IGCSE) | 14 | 10,416 |
Fees converted from MYR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
| IPC accreditation | 2024-2028 (only IPC school in JB) |
Key results: IPC accreditation 2024-2028 (only IPC school in JB).
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's year group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Johor Bahru's international schools serve families relocating for work in the Iskandar Malaysia corridor, Singapore-based parents seeking lower fees, and locally-based families choosing an international track. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details of the current principal. The school has undergone a leadership transition in recent years.