· updated monthly
The ten schools Johor bahru parents researched most this year, chosen from the 40 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
Marlborough College Malaysia is a British international boarding and day school that caters to students aged 3 to 18 years, offering British curriculum. As the first overseas campus of the renowned Marlborough College UK, the school delivers an education based on the English National Curriculum, culminating in IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form. The 90-acre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, features facilities including science laboratories, a theatre, music studios, an organic farm, lakeside classrooms, and multiple sports fields. A hallmark of the Marlborough experience is its emphasis on boarding, offering a home-away-from-home environment. What makes Marlborough College Malaysia unique is its commitment to outdoor education and character development, integrated through its Forest School, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme, and service learning initiatives. The school also boasts an elite-level sports programme, with competitive teams in rugby, football, swimming, and more, supported by professional coaching staff and outstanding facilities.
IDRISSI International School, founded in 2015, is a private eco-Islamic international school in Malaysia offering the Cambridge International Curriculum alongside Islamic education. It caters to students from preschool to secondary levels and operates campuses in Setia Alam and EduCity, Iskandar Puteri. The school combines academic subjects with environmental and community-based activities like composting, animal care, and sustainability projects. Students also learn multiple languages including English, Bahasa Malaysia, Arabic, and Mandarin. Facilities include science labs, computer labs, sports courts, and a mini petting zoo.
Sunway International School (SIS) Iskandar Puteri offers a globally recognized education in a modern, purpose-built campus in Johor, Malaysia—just minutes from Singapore. Catering to students aged 4 to 18, SIS delivers the Canadian Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The campus features fully equipped science labs, a performing arts theatre, indoor sports facilities, and a Makerspace, supporting both academic and creative pursuits. SIS is especially known for its strong Canadian-rooted pedagogy that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and continuous assessment, fostering independent, globally-minded learners. One standout feature is its integration of the OSSD with the IBDP, providing students with dual qualification pathways and flexibility for university admissions worldwide. With English as the medium of instruction and a vibrant international community, SIS is ideal for expatriate families seeking a future-focused education in a safe and well-connected environment.
100 Lambs International School, founded in 2007 and located in Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru, offers education from preschool through secondary levels. The school blends the Singapore and Cambridge curricula across stages, early years focus on foundational literacy and numeracy with languages, while primary and lower secondary students follow a mix of Singapore’s academic rigor and Cambridge’s global benchmarks, preparing for Checkpoint and IGCSE assessments. Upper secondary students choose between Science and Business streams or a blended path, with the Cambridge IGCSE as the final academic milestone. The school is well-equipped with 54 air-conditioned classrooms, science labs, IT labs, a library, and dedicated spaces for art, music, and dance. Outdoor facilities include basketball courts, a football field, and access to nearby Sutera Sports World for badminton and futsal.
Stellar International School (SIS), founded in 2016 and located in Puteri Harbour, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, provides education for students aged 3 to 18. The school follows a blend of the Singapore National Curriculum, the Cambridge International Curriculum, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Its city campus offers well-equipped science labs, music and art rooms, and sports facilities. SIS places a strong focus on English, Maths, and Science through its Preparatory School Programme and integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) into classroom learning. Outside of academics, SIS emphasizes character development and practical learning. Students are encouraged to explore beyond textbooks with project-based assignments and creative problem-solving activities.
Austin Heights Private & International School (AHIS) serves students aged 3 to 17, offering a dual-track curriculum: the Cambridge International Curriculum (IPC, Lower Secondary, IGCSE) in its international stream and the Malaysian National Curriculum in its private stream. This flexibility makes AHIS suitable for both local and international families seeking high-quality education. AHIS features a modern campus equipped with science laboratories, ICT suites, art and music rooms, a swimming pool, a futsal court, a trampoline area, and a multipurpose hall. Its academic structure is supported by a strong co-curricular program that includes competitive sports, performing arts, and various student-led clubs. A standout feature of AHIS is its consistent academic achievement at international levels. Students have received World and Malaysia Highest Score Awards in IGCSE subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Chinese. The school also integrates character-building initiatives through leadership programs and values-based education. Students benefit from an immersive English Programme designed to support language acquisition for non-native speakers, and learning is enriched through events, field trips, and science fairs that bring education beyond the classroom.
Mount Safa International Islamic School, established in 2012 in Johor Bahru, offers a distinctive education combining the Cambridge International curriculum, Malaysian KSSR/KSSM syllabus, and a robust Islamic studies program. Catering to students aged 4 to 16, the school teaches primarily in English, with Arabic and Malay as additional languages. A signature feature is its Jilul Quran Program, which emphasizes Quranic memorization and understanding alongside academic studies. The campus includes modern science labs, ICT suites, and dedicated spaces for STEAM and robotics programs. Specialized support is available through the Special Needs Development Unit (SPDU) and enrichment tracks like the Intensive English Program (IEP) and Mathematics Enrichment Program (MEP). Conveniently located near the Singapore border, Mount Safa attracts both local and international families seeking a structured academic path rooted in Islamic values.
Crescendo-HELP International School (CHIS) is a private international school located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, serving students aged 3 to 18 years. CHIS offers a blend of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the Cambridge International Curriculum, guiding learners through Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and A-Level pathways. The school campus features a wide range of modern facilities including science and ICT labs, a multi-purpose sports hall, music and drama studios, design & technology rooms, and outdoor sports courts. Its A-Level hub is purpose-built to support academic independence and university preparation. A standout feature of CHIS is its Learning Pathways Department, which offers tiered support for students with learning differences and English as an Additional Language (EAL) needs. The school is IPC-accredited (2024–2028) and a member of FOBISIA, reinforcing its commitment to international best practices. Additionally, CHIS hosts vibrant co-curricular programmes such as Robotics, Acapella, Lion Dance, and Interhouse sports tournaments, helping students grow beyond academics through diverse experiences.
Matahari International School, located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia, was established in 2013 and follows the Cambridge International Curriculum for students aged 3 to 19. The school offers education from early years to A-Level, preparing students for the IGCSE and A-Level examinations. English is the primary language of instruction. The campus includes science laboratories, music and art rooms, and a library. The average class size is about 20 students, allowing for more focused instruction. A distinctive aspect of the school is its emphasis on student well-being and guidance, offering dedicated psychological counseling and career planning services. The school also provides a bus service for families in the region. Matahari International School is co-educational and does not offer boarding. It is located roughly 20 minutes from the Tuas Second Link.
SERI OMEGA International School, located in Senai, Johor, Malaysia, offers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum for students from Year 1 to Year 11. English is the primary language of instruction, supported by a school-wide “Speak English Policy.” Students also study Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin as second languages. The school operates on a large 30-acre campus with over 160 air-conditioned classrooms, ten science labs, computer labs, and a semi-Olympic swimming pool. A 5,000-seat indoor hall hosts school-wide events and performances. One of the school’s standout features is its structured management approach: every lesson plan is reviewed and approved by academic leadership, and management staff regularly supervise classrooms to support consistent teaching quality. The school also offers a wide range of after-school activities, from music ensembles and robotics clubs to wushu and swimming. The school maintains a firm discipline policy, admitting only students who meet its behavioral expectations and engaging parents as active partners.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 40 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 838 students · based on the 26 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 19.5 students · based on the 31 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 26 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in MYR.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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