Join Us!Entry Requirements
KIS Entry Requirements
We’re a caring and inclusive international school community that’s open to children aged from 2 to 18. We accept applications all year round and new students can start at any time.
FREE TRIAL!See KIS in Action for a Day!
Book a Free Trial Before Applying!
We invite your child to experience what sets KIS apart in our immersive trial days!
Explore the innovative teaching that leads to high-quality learning in our nurturing environment.
Apply Here
Trial Days are offered to students aged 6-15 years old (terms apply) from the second month of the beginning of the academic year to first week of June
To apply for the free trial, please complete this basic information and book a date for a pre-trial briefing and tour.
STEP 1Application
Placing Your Application
To submit an application to the school you will need to complete our Application Form and pay a non-refundable application fee of RM 800 per child.
Application may be made online/ via email or physically submitted.
Please note that this is not a commitment from you to accept a place, nor does it confirm that your child will be offered a place.
List of Application Documents
Applications forms should be submitted by email to admissions@kis.edu.my or hard copies brought to the School Office, with the following supporting information for each student:
- An official copy of the previous years’ school reports. A minimum of 2 years’ reports are required. (Reports in languages other than English must be translated into English.)
- A copy of the applicants’ birth certificate and identity card or passport
- 1 recent colour passport-size photograph of the child.
- 1 set of passport-size photograph of the parents.
- A copy of parents’ identity cards, passports and name cards.
- A copy of any special medical reports if relevant and any educational needs assessments.
- Confidential Reference from Current School : The Admissions Team would be requesting for an email address of the Head of School/ Head of Key Stage for a confidential reference. Please have this information ready at the application stage.
STEP 2Assessment
Placement Assessment Procedures
Assessments are conducted in school, by appointment. For families based overseas, it is possible for the assessment to be taken in your country of residence.
Contact our Admissions Team for further details
PRIMARY ASSESSMENTS
For entry into Reception and Foundation 1
The assessment will be a series of visits to the classroom. Initially, the child will be accompanied by an adult for an hour’s visit. Subsequently, the child will then visit the classroom for 1 hour (from 7:50-9am), 2 hours (from 7:50-10am) and finally for a full morning session. Please note, children applying for Nursery and F1 must be toilet-trained before entering the school.
For entry into Foundation 2
Students will spend a full day in the class they are applying to join. This will give both you and the teacher the opportunity to confirm that your child will settle and be comfortable there. Your child may be required to attend additioinal trial days if it is felt that extra observations of your child in the classroom setting are needed. Please note, children applying for F2 must be toilet-trained before entering the school.
For entry into Key Stages 1 and 2 (Year 1 – 6)
All applicants for Year 2 and above will sit for online tests (Cambridge Primary Insights and CAT4) and meet with the Head of Primary.
Your child’s current school may be contacted for a Confidential Student Reference.
SECONDARY ASSESSMENTS
For entry into Secondary School : Year 7-10
The assessment takes the form of an online assessment, CAT 4 and meet with a key member of the Secondary staff. Additional assessments may be requested should the need arise
Your child’s current school may be contacted for a Confidential Student Reference.
Please note that if accepted into the Secondary School, students will be expected to agree and sign the Academic Good Standing Policy.
For entry into A Levels : Year 12
Please see full admissions details in our Sixth Form
Following the assessment stage, our Heads of School and our Principal are provided with all application information and assessment results to review and confirm their recommendations for a place at the school.
SECONDARY ASSESSMENTS
- Run from Year 10 to Year 11, for students aged 14 to 16 years old.
- Assessment occurs throughout the two years, with final exams held at the end of Year 11.
- Entry point for IGCSEs: Start of Term 1 (August) of Year 10
We are pleased to offer our Year 10 and Year 11 IGCSE students a wide range of subject choices. All students joining the IGCSE programme will be requested to select 5 optional subjects, in addition to the 4 core subjects offered.
For more information visit IGCSE Section on the Secondary Academics page.
A LEVELS REQUIREMENTS & ASSESSMENT
- A Levels run from Year 12 to Year 13, for students aged 16+ years old.
- Examinations are held at the end of each academic year, combined with varying coursework requirements depending on the subject selected.
- Entry point for A Levels: Start of Term 1 (August) of Year 12
WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE A LEVEL PROGRAMME?
In general terms students accepted into the programme will have a minimum of 5 IGCSE/GCSE/SPM passes (A*-C) or the equivalent.
Individual subjects may require students to have successfully completed an IGCSE/GCSE or the equivalent in that subject prior to entry, although all applications will be assessed on an individual basis. Potential applicants should refer to the entry requirements in the subject specific information for each course.
A wide range of subjects are offered, covering Science, Arts and Humanities:
- English
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Art and Design
- Business Studies
- Geography
- History
- Psychology
- Computer Science
For detailed information, visit the A Level Section on Secondary Academics page
STEP 3Offer of a Place
Following the assessment stage, our Heads of School and our Principal are provided with all application information and assessment results to review and confirm their recommendations for a place at the school. The above process usually takes between 7 – 14 school days to process. We will confirm whether we are able to offer you child a place at Kinabalu International School verbally as soon as possible. We will also send you written confirmation of the offer of a place, class placement and admission date.
STEP 4Acceptance of a place
Admission
We ask that you confirm your acceptance of an offer with the school within 7 days of receipt of our offer letter. Having received your signed confirmation, we will then confirm your child’s place in their class, raise an invoice for the fees and provide you with all the information required for starting school.
Students will not be admitted to the school unless a signed letter of offer has been received and all fees have been paid in advance.
Should a student not attend school within two weeks from the date he/she is expected to start, the student’s name will be taken off the list and the application fee forfeited. If subsequently a place is still required, a new application and fee will be mandatory.
PRIVATE CANDIDATEKIS Accepts Private Candidates for IGCSE and A Level
Examination Centre
In addition to examination fees, KIS will charge additional admin costs per candidate. For information on the fees and other details, please get in touch with our Examination Officer
Mr. George Colbeck (georgecolbeck@kis.edu.my)