Parent's Review of Cempaka International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Cempaka International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Kuala Lumpur

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

British IGCSE

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K1-Y12

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Private transport

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Quite comprehensive. They have indoor and outdoor basketball courts, badminton, ping pong, swimming pool, wall climbing, field for rugby, football, hockey, handball, frisbees. Their library is small though. Two dancing studios, a broadcast studion, art gallery, music rooms. Extra activities are conducted after 3.30pm with additional cost for certain activities. I particularly like the school's performing arts curriculum. Students showcase their talent several times a year.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

My girl can barely speak English. There's no English remedial lessons, but teachers are willing to spend extra time to improve her English. You'll have to put in a request and speak with teacher and principal for such arrangements. After a year, she has improved a lot and speaks English with confidence.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There's no PTA. I have to check the school's website for my daughter's progress, homeworks and performance almost on a daily basis. Website offers an open-communication for parents to ask teacher/principal/ chairman about certain matters.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

There are mostly local students in this school. Only several foreigners. If you prefer a school with high expat community, this may not be right for you. But my girl is able to learn the local cultures which is what I wanted. Teachers are made up of local and several expat teachers. So far, i have no complain about the teachers. They have helped my daughter a lot especially in English. The only dissatisfaction i have is the canteen food, which is a little expensive and dull. School fees more expensive compare with Fairview, Sayfol, Real International, Sri Garden International. I also heard that their secondary school takes only 4 years to complete, in which they combined the first 3 years into a 2 year programme.

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