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Cempaka International School Damansara Heights

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MYR 27,000 - 73,380
Ages 1½ - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1983
Bus Service No
Availability Are there places?
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages French, Malay, Mandarin
Typical class size 24
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights, founded in 1983 and relocated to its current campus in 1989, provides education for children aged 2 to 18 in a leafy residential suburb about five kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. The school offers a progression from early childhood through to Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, beginning with its Michelia programme for ages two to five, which draws on Reggio Emilia principles. Primary students follow a Finnish curriculum model that emphasizes creativity and exploration, while secondary students transition into IGCSE and pre-university A Levels. Instruction is in English, with Malay, Mandarin, and French taught as additional languages. Distinctive features include the Cempaka Performing Arts Company, which stages original musicals, and the Cempaka Awards Scheme, which combines expeditions, service, and leadership development.

19, Jalan Setia Bakti 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Essentials

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights has 2,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location

The school is situated in Damansara Heights, a well-established and pleasant residential suburb of Kuala Lumpur. This location provides a quiet environment for the campus. It is accessible via major roads and public transport, including several bus routes.

Stages

The school is structured into four main levels, all on a single campus. It begins with "Michelia" for early childhood education, followed by Primary School, Secondary School, and finally a Pre-University programme offering A-Levels.

Type

Cempaka is a co-educational day school and does not offer boarding facilities for its students.

Additional learning support

The school has a system in place to support students with additional learning needs. Collaborative teacher teams work to tailor learning to individual requirements, aiming to provide a successful school experience for every student.

Country affiliation

The school does not have a formal affiliation with any specific country.

Religious affiliation

The school does not have any religious affiliation.

School day structure

The school day for primary and secondary students generally runs from 8:00 am to around 3:15 pm, with slight variations depending on the year group. The early childhood center has more flexible timings, including half-day options.

Bus service

The school does not directly provide a school bus service.

Fees

Annual tuition at Cempaka International School Damansara Heights ranges from MYR 27,000 to MYR 73,380 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees
Application Fee: RM 1,000.
One-Time Registration Fee: RM 12,000 (non-refundable).
School Deposit: RM 15,000.

Tuition Fees (3 terms per year)

Early Childhood (Michelia, ages 2–5)
Half-day: RM 9,000 per term, RM 27,000 per year
Full-day: RM 11,000 per term, RM 33,000 per year
An annual fee of RM 1,000 applies.

Primary School (Years 1–6, ages 6–12, Finnish curriculum)
Year 1–2: RM 19,070 per term, RM 57,210 per year
Year 3–4: RM 20,500 per term, RM 61,500 per year
Year 5–6: RM 22,470 per term, RM 67,410 per year
Additional Resource Fees (from Aug 2025): RM 150–250 per term depending on year level. Annual fee: RM 1,000.

Secondary School
Year 7 (Freshman, Finnish curriculum): RM 24,460 per term, RM 73,380 per year; Resource Fee RM 300 per term
Years 8–9 (Sophomore 1–2, British curriculum): RM 19,100 per term, RM 57,300 per year
Years 10–11 (Junior 1–2, British curriculum): RM 23,300 per term, RM 69,900 per year
Annual fee: RM 1,000.

Additional Notes

Fees are billed in three terms per academic year.
Tuition increases annually by 3–5% subject to inflation.
Service Tax (SST) at 6% applies if annual tuition exceeds RM 60,000.
Uniforms, learning materials, and certain activities may incur additional costs.
Refund policies and payment options (bank transfer or other methods) are available through the school’s admissions office.
Academics

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 1.5 to 18.

Curriculum

The Early Years education, known as "Michelia," is based on a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. In Primary School, students follow a curriculum that combines the British International Curriculum with the Finnish School Model. This dual approach continues into Secondary School, where students work towards Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. For certain IGCSE subjects, such as Computer Science and Business, the school uses the Oxford AQA curriculum, while Physical Education follows the Edexcel Pearson syllabus. Upon completion of their IGCSEs, students can continue into the Pre-University program to study for their A-Levels.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school supports students' social and emotional development through a variety of initiatives. Its "Cempaka Awards Scheme" is designed for well-rounded development and includes sections for community service, school events, and expeditions. The house system, which includes all students and staff, promotes a sense of community and inclusion. Students participate in house events covering sports, academics, and performing arts, which helps build teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Special Educational Needs (SEN) system to support students with learning difficulties. The school is not a specialist SEN institution, and the specific needs it can support are not detailed on its website. The school uses collaborative teacher teams to tailor learning to individual student needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Information regarding English as an additional language support is not publicly available.

Mental Wellbeing

The school fosters a supportive environment for students, with a focus on their overall development. The "Cempaka Awards Scheme" encourages participation in a wide range of activities, including community service and expeditions, which can contribute to a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing. The school's ethos, centered on the idea of being "a school by a family for a family," promotes a caring atmosphere.

Safeguarding

Detailed information about their specific policies and procedures for child protection and safeguarding have not been made publicly available.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Arrange a visit.
The admissions team encourages prospective families to visit the campus. You can arrange a guided tour to see the facilities, observe classes, and meet with faculty, which will help you get a better feel for the school environment.

2. Submit an application.
You will need to complete the application forms and submit them along with the required documents. These typically include passport-sized photographs, a copy of your child's birth certificate and passport, and their most recent school reports. An application fee is also required at this stage.

3. Entrance Examination and Interview.
Once the application is submitted, your child will be required to sit for an entrance examination. The exam subjects vary by year level but generally include English, Maths, and Science. An interview with the school is also part of this stage.

4. Receive an Offer.
The school will notify you in writing of the outcome of your application within a week of the examination and interview. If your child is offered a place, you will receive an Offer Letter via email with details on how to secure the place, including payment of the first term's fees and a security deposit.

Scholarships

Cempaka Schools offer scholarships for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for students entering Year 12. These scholarships cover the last two years of secondary schooling. The key requirement is that applicants should be about to enter the first year of the IBDP and be at least 15 years old at the time of enrolment. The school looks for students who can demonstrate intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.

Waitlist

The school does not explicitly state whether it operates a waitlist or pool system.

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