Cities / Kuala Lumpur / HELP International School Kuala Lumpur
HELP International School Kuala Lumpur
Founded in 2014 as part of the HELP Education Group, HIS KL has expanded from 500 students in its inaugural year to 1,400 students currently, making it one of Malaysia's fastest growing international schools. Located in Subang Bestari, Shah Alam, the school follows the National Curriculum of England with Cambridge IGCSE and A Level programmes.
In brief
Founded in 2014 as part of the HELP Education Group, HIS KL has expanded from 500 students in its inaugural year to 1,400 students currently, making it one of Malaysia's fastest-growing international schools. Located in Subang Bestari, Shah Alam, the school follows the National Curriculum of England with Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level programmes. The school uses CAT4 assessments for admissions and tracks academic progress through regular testing from Years 3 through 9.
HIS KL has earned several recognitions including a 5-Star SKIPS rating from Malaysia's Ministry of Education, Apple Distinguished School status in 2017 and 2019, and IPC accreditation with Mastery in International Mindedness in 2018. The school is an associate member of FOBISIA and pursuing full accreditation with the Council of International Schools. Despite these achievements, HIS KL operates with notably low visibility in teacher and parent discussions compared to Kuala Lumpur's prominent international schools like ISKL, Alice Smith, or the British schools that dominate regional forums.
Strengths
- Rapid growth from 500 to 1,400 students suggests parent satisfaction
- Multiple accreditations including 5-Star SKIPS rating from Malaysian Ministry of Education
- Apple Distinguished School recognition indicates strong technology integration
- British curriculum with established Cambridge qualifications
- Diverse student body representing 25 nationalities
- Part of established HELP Education Group with university connections
Considerations
- Minimal presence in international school community discussions
- Limited information available about university placement outcomes
- Newer institution compared to established Kuala Lumpur schools
- Located in Shah Alam rather than central Kuala Lumpur
- No detailed information about facilities or fee structure publicly available
- Rapid growth may create operational challenges
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool 1 | 3 | MYR 25,200 |
| Preschool 2 | 4 | MYR 25,200 |
| Year 1 | 5 | MYR 39,900 |
| Year 2 | 6 | MYR 41,460 |
| Year 3 | 7 | MYR 43,830 |
| Year 4 | 8 | MYR 50,490 |
| Year 5 | 9 | MYR 50,490 |
| Year 6 | 10 | MYR 50,490 |
| Year 7 | 11 | MYR 59,109 |
| Year 8 | 12 | MYR 60,099 |
| Year 9 | 13 | MYR 64,950 |
| Year 10 | 14 | MYR 66,150 |
| Year 11 | 15 | MYR 66,150 |
| A-Level (annualised from RM 84,000 over 2-year programme) | 16 | MYR 42,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | MYR 1,000 |
Reviews
- Parents describe teachers as caring, experienced and good with discipline, with several teachers staying more than five years.
- The British curriculum and bilingual programme draw repeat praise, and one parent said their child was "thriving" after starting.
- Communication and reporting on progress come up positively.
- Canteen food is the most consistent gripe.
- An older online post questioned the school's "international" claim before CIS accreditation, which has since been awarded.
- One ex-student grumbled about a uniform rule banning hoodies as "gangsterish".
Positives
- Teaching staff. Teachers described as caring, experienced and capable across multiple parent reviews; long-serving staff noted.
- Curriculum and learning. British curriculum, IPC and bilingual programme repeatedly praised; parents report their children enjoy school.
- Communication. Parents say the reporting system keeps them well informed of progress.
Considerations
- Catering. Canteen food called out as not tasty and an area to improve.
- Accreditation. An older review challenged the school's international credentials before CIS accreditation; the school is now CIS-accredited.
Leadership
Mr. Martin Van Rijswijk
Martin Van Rijswijk has over 30 years of teaching and educational experience, including more than 20 years in school leadership positions across international schools in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, and Germany.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- IGCSE June 2025 62% A*-A, 81% A*-B, 93% A*-C
- A-Level June 2025 60% A*-A, 81% A*-B, 91% A*-C
Location
No 2 Persiaran Cakerawala, Subang Bestari, Seksyen U4, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia