Cempaka International School, Kuala Lumpur
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K – US$17K
Curriculum: International
Age Range: 6–16
Students: 1,600
Location: Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Cempaka International School offers British curriculum and IB Diploma Programme education in Kuala Lumpur, with locations including a Damansara Heights campus. Parent feedback is mixed, with some praising academic progress and confidence-building while others report concerns about school atmosphere and teaching quality.
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.
What parents value
- –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
Points of consideration
- –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
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Michelia (Half-day) | 3 | 7,043 |
| Michelia (Full-day) | 3 | 8,552 |
| Year 1 & 2 | 5 | 14,755 |
| Year 3 & 4 | 7 | 15,872 |
| Year 5 & 6 | 9 | 17,397 |
| Year 7 (Freshman) | 11 | 18,936 |
| Year 8 (Sophomore 1) & 9 (Sophomore 2) | 12 | 14,665 |
| Year 10 (Junior 1) & 11 (Junior 2) | 14 | 17,834 |
Fees converted from MYR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 252 |
| Registration Fee | 3,018 |
| School Deposit | 3,773 |
Photos
Academic Results
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.
Extra Curriculars
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.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Registered with Ministry of Education Malaysia SMIPS code WUB0015, verified from directories citing MoE data
- No inspection ratings published
Accreditations
- CIS, COBIS, Cambridge Assessment International Education, OxfordAQA, Pearson Edexcel, International Schools Association
- No WASC, NEASC, ISQM published
Memberships
- COBIS Council of British International Schools
- No FOBISIA, EARCOS, Round Square, AIMS, etc
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).
Leadership
Hisham Hamzah - Managing Director
Hisham Hamzah has served as Managing Director of Cempaka Schools Malaysia since September 2020, overseeing operations at the international school campuses in Kuala Lumpur.
