Cities / Kuala Lumpur / International Modern Arabic School Kuala Lumpur
International Modern Arabic School Kuala Lumpur
Established in 2007, IMAS operates as a bilingual institution using both Arabic and English as primary languages of instruction, following the British curriculum from primary through pre university levels.
In brief
Established in 2007, IMAS operates as a bilingual institution using both Arabic and English as primary languages of instruction, following the British curriculum from primary through pre-university levels. The school markets itself as Malaysia's pioneering Arabic-English bilingual educational institution, appealing particularly to Arabic-speaking expatriate families seeking international qualifications while maintaining cultural and linguistic connections. With annual fees below RM20,000 for Year 7 and above, IMAS positions itself among Kuala Lumpur's more affordable international school options.
The school maintains an active social media presence showcasing student activities, community events, and partnerships with local organizations for educational programs. Recent posts highlight participation in health and nutrition initiatives, Ramadan celebrations, and various student development activities. However, unlike Kuala Lumpur's prominent international schools such as ISKL, Alice Smith School, or British School of Kuala Lumpur that generate extensive parent forum discussions, IMAS operates with minimal visibility in major international education comparison platforms or teacher recruitment networks, suggesting it serves a specialized community rather than competing in the mainstream expatriate education market.
Strengths
- Unique bilingual Arabic-English instruction model in Malaysia
- British curriculum pathway for international qualifications
- Affordable fees below RM20,000 annually for secondary levels
- Active community engagement and cultural celebration programs
- Established since 2007 with experience serving Arabic-speaking families
Considerations
- Very limited public information about academic results or university placements
- Minimal presence in international school comparison discussions
- No detailed information about facilities, class sizes, or teacher qualifications available
- Serves a specialized Arabic-speaking market rather than broader international community
- Lack of transparency around curriculum specifics, exam boards, or accreditation status
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 4 | MYR 9,500 |
| KG2 | 5 | MYR 9,500 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | MYR 13,000 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | MYR 14,500 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | MYR 14,500 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | MYR 14,500 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | MYR 14,500 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | MYR 14,500 |
| A-Level 3 Subjects (annualised from RM 18,500 over 18-month programme) | 17 | MYR 12,333 |
| A-Level 4 Subjects (annualised from RM 20,300 over 18-month programme) | 17 | MYR 13,533 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chromebook device | MYR 1,960 |
Reviews
- Parents and expat families name IMAS as the go-to bilingual Arabic-English school for Muslim and Arab expat families, with one parent telling a relocating parent to "google IMAS" as a default option.
- Parents writing on directory and aggregator pages praise the bilingual immersion, the IGCSE pathway, and a teacher cohort described as friendly and knowledgeable. Yearly events flagged as a draw include Arabic Day, Malay Day, sports day, and debate competitions.
- Critical reviews exist alongside the positive pool. Recurring complaints from parents are around discipline, bus safety, and a sense among non-Arab families that their children get less weight in cultural and sports activities.
- The school is large, fast-grown (220 students in 2007 to 1,600+ today), and the parent body is heavily Arab and Muslim, which families flag as a strength or a fit issue depending on background.
Positives
- Bilingual Arabic-English immersion. Parents value Arabic and English taught with equal weight; IMAS is positioned as the main option in KL for families wanting both.
- Cambridge IGCSE pathway. Registered Cambridge centre; parents flag the IGCSE route and broad extracurriculars as reasons to choose IMAS.
Considerations
- Community fit and cultural balance. Strong sense of belonging for Arab and Muslim families; some non-Arab parents say their children are not given equal preference in cultural and sports activities.
- Discipline and supervision concerns. A minority of reviews cite poor discipline, rude teachers, and unsupervised bus departures with bullying.
Leadership
Saleem Moghalis
Saleem Moghalis serves as Principal of IMAS International Modern Arabic School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His professional experience centers on educational leadership at international schools, with his current role confirmed across LinkedIn, business directories like RocketReach and ZoomInfo, and school listing sites like GoToUniversity.
Academic results
- 2021 JUNE IGCSE RESULTS 36% - A*
- Result 59% - A* - A
- 74% - A* - B. Subject specific A*-B Physics 75%, Chemistry 76.8%, Biology 71%, English SL 86.5%, Mathematics SL 65.6%, Add Math 68.6%, ICT 75.6%, FL Arabic 97.7%, FL Malay 93.3%.
Location
Jalan P14k, Presint 14, 62050 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia