Cities / Kuala Lumpur / Cempaka International School Kuala Lumpur
Cempaka International School Kuala Lumpur
The school operates multiple campuses in the Kuala Lumpur area, including a Damansara Heights location that serves students from early years through secondary levels. Cempaka follows the British curriculum pathway leading to IGCSEs and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for senior students.
In brief
The school operates multiple campuses in the Kuala Lumpur area, including a Damansara Heights location that serves students from early years through secondary levels. Cempaka follows the British curriculum pathway leading to IGCSEs and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for senior students. The school appears to serve both local Malaysian families and expatriate communities seeking international education options in the capital.
Parent reviews reveal divided opinions about the school experience. Some families report positive outcomes, noting their children's academic progress, increased confidence, and enthusiasm for learning. However, other reviews express significant concerns about school atmosphere and overall educational quality, with some rating the school atmosphere as 'terrible' despite acknowledging average facilities and teaching standards. The school maintains sports facilities including basketball courts, swimming pool, and fields for various sports activities.
Strengths
- Mixed curriculum offering both British pathway and IB Diploma Programme
- Some parents report strong academic progress and confidence building in students
- Sports facilities include indoor/outdoor basketball courts, swimming pool, and various playing fields
- Multiple campus locations in Kuala Lumpur area
- Serves diverse student population including local and international families
Considerations
- Mixed parent reviews with some expressing serious concerns about school atmosphere
- Limited visibility compared to Kuala Lumpur's tier-one international schools like Alice Smith or Garden International
- Some reviews rate teaching quality and academics as only 'average'
- Lack of detailed information about academic outcomes and university placements
- Unclear fee structure and admission requirements
Academics
IGCSE (2025): 72% A - A, 87% A - B, 96% A - C. Subject highlights (A -B): 100% in Accounting, Literature in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Chinese; 90% Chemistry; 88% Additional Mathematics; 87% Computer Science; 86% First Language English. Instagram IB Diploma (Published 2025/latest available): Average score 37.1 (global average: 33.02), 36.8% scored 40 or above.
School life
Sports: Swimming (Learn to Swim, Pre-Competitive, Competitive), Fencing, Handball, Badminton, Taekwondo, Athletics & Cross Country, Football, Basketball, Netball, Artistic Gymnastics, Ultimate Frisbee, Table Tennis, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Cycling, Jiu Jitsu. Cempaka Sports Department Arts & Music: Award-winning Performing Arts programme (Music, Drama, Movement, Dance) integrated into curriculum from Year 1. Official Website Clubs & Activities: Over 250 learning opportunities including Chess, Public Speaking and Debate, Robotics, App Inventor, Coding, Clay Modelling.
Campus: Single campus in Damansara Heights, powered by solar panels. Official Website, Tatler Asia Sports: Swimming pool, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, badminton courts, ping pong tables, wall climbing, playing fields for rugby, football, and hockey. Expat Exchange, School Hub Academic & Creative: Science labs, music rooms, dance studio, art gallery, art studios, IT lab, library, learning hubs, and theatre/auditorium.
Student body
Total Enrolment: Approximately 2,000 students. doris. school, GoToUniversity Nationalities: Vast majority are Malaysian nationals; international students also enrolled (exact count not published).
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Michelia (Half-day) | 3 | MYR 28,000 |
| Michelia (Full-day) | 3 | MYR 34,000 |
| Year 1 & 2 | 5 | MYR 58,660 |
| Year 3 & 4 | 7 | MYR 63,100 |
| Year 5 & 6 | 9 | MYR 69,160 |
| Year 7 (Freshman) | 11 | MYR 75,280 |
| Year 8 (Sophomore 1) & 9 (Sophomore 2) | 12 | MYR 58,300 |
| Year 10 (Junior 1) & 11 (Junior 2) | 14 | MYR 70,900 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | MYR 1,000 | |
| Registration Fee | MYR 12,000 | |
| School Deposit | MYR 15,000 |
Reviews
- Long-running Malaysian group with a Damansara Heights international campus and a Cheras campus. Originally Sri Cempaka, now branded Cempaka International, with a recent transition to a Finnish-system model and Finnish teachers reported online.
- Parents describe a small, friendly school where staff know families. Teacher commitment and primary-stage experience draw repeated praise.
- Recurring criticism centres on email and admin responsiveness and a perceived gap between primary and secondary, with some parents saying secondary is markedly weaker.
- Fees cluster in the 58,000 to 70,000 ringgit range, mid-market for KL international schools.
Positives
- Primary-school experience. Teachers described as supportive, committed, and personally invested. Small community where parents and staff know each other.
Considerations
- Secondary stage. Several reviews say secondary lags primary, with concerns about teaching standards in English and science and lack of feedback on assessments.
- Communication and admin. Slow email replies and unresponsive admin flagged repeatedly across reviews.
- Curriculum shift. Reddit comments describe a transition to a Finnish-system model with teachers from Finland.
Leadership
Hisham Hamzah
Hisham Hamzah has served as Managing Director of Cempaka Schools Malaysia since September 2020, overseeing operations at the international school campuses in Kuala Lumpur.
Accreditations
- CIS, COBIS, Cambridge Assessment International Education, OxfordAQA, Pearson Edexcel, International Schools Association 01
- No WASC, NEASC, ISQM published 02
- COBIS Council of British International Schools 03
- No FOBISIA, EARCOS, Round Square, AIMS, etc 04
Location
No 19, Jalan Setiabakti Satu, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia