City Harbour International School vs Imperial International School
City Harbour International School and Imperial International School are both in Ipoh. Both schools offer British, Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. City Harbour International School also offers Cambridge A Levels, and Imperial International School also offers Cambridge (Primary). Published annual fees are close, at MYR 7,920 - 26,400 for City Harbour International School and MYR 7,800 - 25,800 for Imperial International School. City Harbour International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Imperial International School from 5 to 16.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
2020
Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located at PT 15010, Jalan PMB 1, Pusat Manjung Bestari, 32040 Seri Manjung, Perak, Malaysia, the school is nestled in the Manjung coastal district near Lumut and Pangkor, adjacent to a naval base.
Location
Imperial International School Ipoh is situated in Taman Kledang Bestari, near Menglembu at the foothills of Kledang Hill on the western side of Ipoh. The campus is nestled in a suburban enclave.. It is around 15 minutes from Ipoh city centre, with accessible road links to major residential areas.
Stages
Stages
City Harbour offers Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, and Sixth Form (pre-university A‑Level).
Stages
The school offers Early Years/Preschool, Primary and Secondary levels.
School type
School type
The school is a co‑educational day and boarding school, serving ages 2–18 with boarding available alongside day student options.
School type
Imperial is co-educational school offering both day and boarding options.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school does not have publicly available information on their additional learning support.
Additional learning support
Imperial provides personalised academic assistance through Individualised Learning Plans and structured feedback loops. Teachers monitor student progress closely, especially in core subjects like English, Maths, and Science. Support is embedded within regular lessons, and students receive differentiated tasks based on ability.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have any country affiliation.
Country affiliation
Imperial is affiliated with the United Kingdom.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is not religiously affiliated and is secular in its operations.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.
School day structure
The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not publicly provide information about offering a school bus service.
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Day student tuition: RM 7,920 (Nursery) to RM 26,000 (Grade 10–11 and A‑Levels).
Boarding (weekly/annual) ranges RM 22,380–26,400 per year.
Refund Policy & Payment Methods The school does not have publicly available information on their refund policy and payment methods.
Fee details
Tuition Fees (By Year Level) The tuition fees at Imperial are billed on a term basis and compiled annually for convenience. The academic year comprises three terms, except for Year 11, which is charged over two terms only, with exam fees applicable in Term 3.
Nursery and Reception (Ages 3–5) are charged RM 2,600 per term, totalling RM 7,800 per year.
Year 1 and Year 2 (Ages 5–7) are RM 4,300 per term, or RM 12,900 per year.
Year 3 and Year 4 (Ages 7–9) are charged RM 4,750 per term, or RM 14,250 per year.
Year 5 and Year 6 (Ages 9–11) pay RM 5,500 per term, totalling RM 16,500 per year.
Year 7 and Year 8 (Ages 11–13) are RM 6,000 per term, or RM 18,000 per year.
Year 9 (Ages 13–14) increases slightly to RM 6,500 per term, or RM 19,000 annually.
Year 10 and Year 11 (Ages 14–16) are billed at RM 7,500 per term, totalling RM 22,500 per year.
For Year 11, however, fees are collected over only two terms (RM 11,250 per term) and additional IGCSE examination fees apply in Term 3.
Year 12 and Year 13 (Ages 16–18) costs RM 8,600 per term or RM 25,800 annually.
Registration & Administrative Fees Application Fee: RM 300 (non-refundable, not applicable for Early Years).
Registration Fee: RM 1,500 for Early Years, RM 2,500 for Primary and Secondary levels.
Deposit: RM 2,600 for Early Years; for Primary and Secondary, the deposit is equivalent to one full term’s tuition, with the amount increasing as the student progresses through grade levels.
Additional Annual Charges Learning Resources Fee (from Year 1 onwards): RM 400 per year.
Material Fee (for Early Years only): RM 600 per year.
Uniforms and books are charged separately and available via the school bookstore.
Discounts & Payment Terms A 5% discount is available on the total annual tuition fee for parents who make full payment upfront at the start of the academic year. This offer is only valid for students enrolled in the August intake.
Refund Policy Application and Registration Fees The Application Fee (RM 300) is non-refundable under all circumstances.
The Registration Fee is also non-refundable and non-transferable. This applies to both Early Years (RM 1,500) and Primary/Secondary levels (RM 2,500).
Security Deposit A refundable deposit is required at the time of enrollment:
Early Years: RM 2,600
Primary and Secondary: Equal to one full term's tuition fee, based on year level
The deposit is refundable upon withdrawal, but the refund is conditional:
A full term’s written notice of withdrawal is required.
If this written notice is not submitted before the start of the final term, the deposit will be forfeited.
Deposits must be topped up as the student progresses to higher year levels (since tuition increases with level).
Special Notes For Year 11 students, the annual tuition is split over two terms (Term 1 and Term 2). There is no refund of tuition if a student withdraws mid-year or after exams are scheduled.
Fees for uniforms, books, and IGCSE exams are non-refundable once paid or issued.
Payment Methods Thr school does not have publicly avaialble information on their payment methods.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
Boarding is available at Imperial International School Ipoh. The Boarding House is overseen by experienced houseparents who live on-site, providing a home-like environment with 24-hour security and CCTV, a sickbay on campus, housekeeping, and self-service laundry. Boarding rooms are furnished with a bed, study table and chair, cupboard, plug points, and air conditioning or ceiling fan. Meals are provided with a schedule: on school days breakfast, tea, and dinner; on non-school days breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner.
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
Well-balanced meals are provided; meals include breakfast, tea, and dinner on school days, and breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner on non-school days.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
The Imperial International School Ipoh is operated by Imperial Education Group Sdn. Bhd.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
City Harbour International School follows the British National Curriculum from Early Years through to A Levels. In the Early Years, the school uses the EYFS framework, focusing on areas like communication, literacy, numeracy, and personal development. The Primary stage (Years 1–6) includes core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science, alongside Art, ICT, History, Geography, Music, PE, and PSHE.
In Secondary (Years 7–9), students continue with a broad range of subjects, leading into the Cambridge IGCSE programme in Years 10 and 11. For Sixth Form (Years 12–13), the school offers Cambridge A Levels, with subjects including Maths, Sciences, Business, Law, Sociology, and Literature.
The curriculum is complemented by compulsory sports, arts, and hands-on learning activities, including outdoor education through a partnership with Outward Bound Malaysia.
Curriculum details
Imperial International School Ipoh offers the Cambridge International Curriculum starting from Nursery through to Year 11, covering Early Years, Primary, and Secondary education. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based and skill-driven learning, preparing students for the IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, and Global Perspectives, with co-curricular activities that promote leadership and creativity.
City Harbour supports SEL through co-curricular experiences like performing arts, sports, and its collaboration with Outward Bound Malaysia, which emphasizes teamwork, resilience, and self-leadership in outdoor settings.
Social & emotional learning
The school promotes emotional intelligence through PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) education and regular teacher-student engagement. Activities such as charity bazaars, family events, and student-led projects help develop empathy, leadership, and social awareness.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not have any specialized program for SEN.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not have any specialized SEN program.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school does not offer a dedicated EAL program.
English as an additional language
The school does not have publicly available information on their EAL.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
City Harbour recognizes mental wellbeing through school-wide observances such as World Mental Health Day. The school encourages openness about mental health and acknowledges the importance of seeking help when needed.
Mental wellbeing
Imperial supports student wellbeing through a calm environment that encourages open communication. Outdoor trips, such as the Gopeng expedition, and co-curricular activities help students build confidence and manage stress. Pastoral care is embedded in the school culture through consistent teacher support and values-based education.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school does not have publicly available information on their safeguarding policy.
Safeguarding
The school does not have publicly available information on their safeguarding policy.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
The Imperial International School has a campus designed for student-centered learning in a welcoming environment. Facilities include a Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH), a Music and Performing Arts Studio, and Science Laboratories. The Library with a Common Room supports study and collaboration, while Counselling Rooms and a Student Prefect/Council Hub support student well-being and leadership. An Art Room, Indoor Sports Hall, Cooking Studios, an ICT Suite, and a Student Cafeteria support a broad range of academic and daily-life activities. On-site health care is provided by a Medical Room and a pastoral care team supports student welfare.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
The campus provides an Indoor Sports Hall for physical education and indoor activities. A Multi-Purpose Hall supports PE, events and other activities. The school also offers co-curricular sports programs including badminton, basketball and softball, as well as table tennis and taekwondo.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
Science Laboratories support practical experiments and in-depth scientific learning. The Library with a Common Room provides quiet study space and collaborative learning. An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Suite supports digital learning across subjects. An Art Room and dedicated classrooms for specialist subjects enable focused teaching and creative work.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
CCA and ECA include Art Attack, Badminton, Basketball, Books Movie Club, Chemistry Club, Home Economics and Art Craft, Japanese Language, Little Chef 1 and 2, Mind Challenge, National Geography Kids, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tamil Language, and Ukulele.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
City Harbour International School was founded around 2021, in collaboration with Outward Bound Malaysia. It was established to blend a British academic curriculum with character development and experiential learning, particularly in outdoor and leadership-based education.
History
Imperial International School was founded by HCK Capital Group and opened in January 2020. It is part of the Imperial Education Group, founded by Tan Sri Clement Hii. The Ipoh campus is the inaugural site of the group. The school held its first information day in November 2019 and is privately owned.
Community
Community
The school has a strong focus on community-building through co-curricular activities and school-wide events. Its partnership with Outward Bound provides opportunities for students to develop leadership and teamwork in nature-based settings, helping cultivate a shared sense of purpose and resilience within the student body.
Community
The school community participates in events like Ipoh Car-Free Day, International Open Day, and holiday camps involving students from both private and national schools. These activities focus on cultural exchange, social engagement, and skills development. The school also collaborates with local organizations, including animal shelters, to support community service initiatives.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
City Harbour does not have a PTA.
Parent teacher association
Imperial International School does not publicly list a formal Parent Teacher Association on its official website
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
The Imperial International School Ipoh uses the Cambridge International Curriculum for students aged 5 to 16, leading to Cambridge IGCSE examinations. The Early Years Programme blends the Cambridge framework with Finnish pedagogy, delivered in collaboration with HEI Schools Finland. Cambridge Primary is implemented in Key Stages 1 and 2, with subjects including English, Malay, Mandarin, Mathematics, and Global Perspectives, and Cambridge Checkpoint assessments at the end of Year 6. Key Stage 3 follows Cambridge CAIE, enhanced by the Malaysian National Curriculum with language elements such as Malay and Mandarin, and Key Stage 4 offers a two‑year IGCSE with electives including Accounting, Business Studies, and English Literature.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
Campus facilities include a Music and Performing Art Studio and an Art Room to support creative work. The co‑curricular programme features arts‑oriented clubs such as Art Attack, Ukulele, and Home Economics and Art Craft, along with Books Movie Club. The School's CCA/ECA timetable runs after school from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, for both primary and secondary students.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
Malay and Mandarin are core language offerings within the Cambridge Curriculum across primary and secondary, with English as the main language of instruction. The curriculum includes Malay (Foreign Language) and Mandarin (First/Foreign/Second Language) at Key Stage 4, and Malay and Mandarin are taught across earlier stages as well. Language clubs in CCAs include Japanese Language and Tamil Language. Global Mobility and Cultural Exchange programs provide international and cross‑cultural experience.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
The CCA/ECA program offers a broad mix of activities, including Art Attack, Badminton, Basketball, SoftBall, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Mind Challenge, along with clubs such as Books Movie Club, Chemistry Club, Detective Newton, and Ukulele. There are more than 20 clubs and activities available to students. The CCA/ECA schedule runs after school, 3:00 pm–4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday for both primary and secondary.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
The school supports community‑and service oriented activities, including the Interact Club as a newer addition referenced in the CCA/ECA Fair 2025. Pastoral Care is provided by a dedicated team, and the campus includes a Medical Bay with a registered nurse to support student health and welfare. Counselling rooms, health services, and wellbeing supports are available as part of the pastoral care framework.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
The school operates a leadership‑centric curriculum with leadership opportunities, mentorship programmes, and a philosophy that ‘Every Child Gets To Lead.' The Cambridge‑aligned curriculum emphasizes student‑centred learning and leadership development, supplemented by global mobility and leadership experiences through Imperial's Global Mobility offerings.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Pastoral care and student wellbeing are supported by a dedicated pastoral team and a Medical Bay staffed by a registered nurse. Counselling rooms are available for student support. Sports and fitness are integrated through numerous after‑school activities such as Badminton, Basketball, Table Tennis, SoftBall, and Taekwondo, complemented by other recreational clubs and programs.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
The school teaches English as a First Language and offers English as a Second Language / English as an Additional Language. It teaches Malay as a Foreign Language and Mandarin with First Language, Foreign Language, and Second Language options. The Cambridge International Curriculum is provided for ages 5 to 16, leading to the IGCSE examinations administered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
The school does not have publicly available information about their awards.
Awards
The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations
Accreditations
The school does not have publicly available information about their accreditations.
Accreditations
Cambridge International School (offering curriculum from Early Years to IGCSE)
Operates under Imperial Education Group, affiliated with Peninsula Grammar School, Australia
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Application Submission. Parents must complete and submit an official Application Form along with a non-refundable application fee of RM 500.
2. Document Requirements:
For Malaysian students: 4 passport-size photographs of the student Student’s birth certificate (1 copy) Student’s MyKid or Identity Card (1 copy) Copies of academic records from the past year and previous 3 years Father's and mother's identity cards (1 copy each) Father's and mother's passport-size photographs (2 copies each)
For International students: 4 passport-size photographs of the student Translated and endorsed copy of student’s birth certificate Passport and valid visa page (1 copy) Past 3 years’ academic records Father's and mother's passport and photographs (1 copy each) Parent's marriage/divorce certificate
3. Assessment. All applicants sit for a written entrance examination in English and Mathematics. These are age-appropriate tests. The school also reviews recent school reports and may request a confidential reference from the previous school. An informal interview is conducted as part of the evaluation.
4. Offer. Assessment results are issued within 3 working days. Offers depend on academic readiness and available spaces. Class placement decisions are made based on the assessment outcome.
5. Acceptance. Parents must respond to the offer within 7 days by completing the Admission Agreement and Insurance Form. At this point, a deposit equivalent to one term’s course fee is required, along with copies of the student’s birth certificate, passport, or ID card as applicable.
Admissions
1. Submit application & fees. Complete student application form and pay RM 300 application fee.
2. Assessment . Primary has individual assessments; older students sit CAT4 and English tests, followed by interview.
3. Offer received. Offers are made by the Principal, with RM 300 rebate on application fee.
4. Fill Student Application Form. Once offer accepted, submit form and official documents.
5. Payment of deposits & fees. Pay registration fee (RM 2,500), deposit (one term’s tuition), and first term fees.
6. Prepare & start. School sends term dates, academic calendar, and orientation details.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Scholarships
The school has an Imperial International School Scholarship for high-performing academic and sports students, awarded based on holistic excellence.