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International Schools Sabah Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels

Kinabalu International School

Primary and Secondary school in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Kinabalu International School (KIS) in Kota Kinabalu was founded in 1973, making it the oldest international school in Sabah. The school serves students aged 3 to 18 through the English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels. Annual fees range from RM 22,239 (Nursery) to RM 56,250 (Year 12). Languages offered include English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and French. Application fee RM 800, development levy RM 2,100/year. SMIPS code XUBE005.

Verified from SMIPS, MOE Malaysia

School Information

Registration Code XUBF01
School Type International Schools
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels, IB Diploma
Level Kindergarten through Year 13 (ages 3-18)
Medium of Instruction English, Malay, Chinese, Japanese
Website kis.edu.my
Annual Fees Mid-Range range (RM 30,000 – RM 60,000)Estimated
Accreditation CIS, COBIS, IB World School
Languages English, Malay, Chinese, Japanese
Gender Co-educational
Address Off Jalan Khidmat Bukit Padang Kota Kinabalu 88300 Sabah
Postcode 88300
State Sabah, East Malaysia (Borneo)
Phone 088-224526
Email info@kis.edu.my
Registered With Ministry of Education Malaysia (SMIPS)

About Kinabalu International School

Kinabalu International School was established in 1973 on Bukit Padang, a hilltop site overlooking the South China Sea in Kota Kinabalu. With over 50 years of continuous operation, KIS is the oldest international school in Sabah and has served generations of expatriate and local families through the region’s development from a timber and fishing economy into a tourism and services hub.

The school covers the full age range from 3 to 18, running Nursery through Sixth Form on a single campus. This continuity means students can complete their entire schooling at KIS without transferring, a practical advantage in a city with limited international school options compared to the Klang Valley or Johor Bahru.

Curriculum at Kinabalu International School

KIS follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 3. At Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11), students transition to the Cambridge IGCSE programme, and Sixth Formers sit Cambridge A-Levels. This British-aligned progression is designed for direct entry into UK and Commonwealth universities, though the qualifications are accepted globally.

Four languages are offered: English as the primary medium, Bahasa Melayu as compulsory, and Mandarin and French as elective languages. The French option is uncommon in Sabah and reflects the school’s international student demographic, which includes European expatriate families working in the Kota Kinabalu oil and gas sector.

Fees at Kinabalu International School

Annual fees at KIS scale from Nursery through Year 12. The school fees guide explains how development levies and application fees affect total cost.

LevelAnnual Fees
NurseryRM 22,239
Year 12 (A-Level)RM 56,250
Additional FeesAmount
Application feeRM 800
School development levyRM 2,100/year

The RM 56,250 top-end fee is higher than most Sabah schools but remains below the RM 80,000+ charged by premium KL international schools for comparable A-Level programmes.

Admissions at Kinabalu International School

KIS accepts applications from Nursery (age 3) through Year 12 (age 18). The school serves families in Kota Kinabalu and the wider west coast Sabah region. As one of only 5 registered international schools in Sabah, KIS draws families from Sandakan and Tawau as well, with some opting for weekly boarding arrangements in the city.

Kinabalu International School in Sabah

KIS is in Kota Kinabalu, which has 9 registered private schools. Sabah has 5 international schools and 33 private schools in total. The Sabah international schools directory lists all options.

Contact: 088-224 526, info@kis.edu.my, kis.edu.my.

Questions about Kinabalu International School

How much are the fees at Kinabalu International School?

Annual tuition starts at RM 22,239 for Nursery and rises to RM 56,250 for Year 12 (A-Level). An application fee of RM 800 and a school development levy of RM 2,100 per year apply. The school does not differentiate fees by nationality.

What curriculum does Kinabalu International School follow?

KIS follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Key Stage 3, then transitions to Cambridge IGCSE at Key Stage 4 and Cambridge A-Levels in Sixth Form. This British-aligned pathway gives students qualifications recognised for university entry in the UK, Australia, and worldwide.

What languages are taught at Kinabalu International School?

The school offers four languages: English as the medium of instruction, Bahasa Melayu as a compulsory second language, and Mandarin and French as additional language options. This range is broader than most Sabah schools.

When was Kinabalu International School founded?

KIS was founded in 1973, giving it over 50 years of continuous operation. It is the oldest international school in Sabah and one of the oldest in East Malaysia. The school has served the Kota Kinabalu expatriate and local community through multiple decades of economic and social change.

Where is Kinabalu International School located?

KIS is at Bukit Padang, off Jalan Khidmat, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The hilltop campus offers views of the South China Sea and is located in a quiet residential area approximately 10 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu city centre.

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