City Harbour International School vs Seri Botani International School

	C City Harbour International School Ipoh, Malaysia	S Seri Botani International School Ipoh, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 7,920 - 26,400	Fees / year MYR 9,000 - 23,820
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 230
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2017	Opened 2020
Bus service	Bus service —	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 SBIS is situated at 2 Dataran Botani 1A, Bandar Seri Botani, Ipoh, nestled within a 10-acre purpose-built campus in a quiet, landscaped township between Batu Gajah and Simpang Pulai. The school is easily accessed via Jalan Medan Botani and lies about 15–20 minutes from central Ipoh.
Stages	Stages City Harbour offers Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, and Sixth Form (pre-university A‑Level).	Stages The school offers Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School 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 SBIS is a co-educational day and boarding school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school does not have publicly available information on their additional learning support.	Additional learning support SBIS delivers small class sizes (12–20 students) and adopts personalised mentoring for students, particularly those joining mid-year who receive additional English, Math, and Science support through specialised catch‑up lessons. Their structured academic approach is facilitated by Cambridge-trained teachers who use frequent monitoring and adaptive teaching to meet individual needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have any country affiliation.	Country affiliation The school is not affilated with any country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school is not religiously affiliated and is secular in its operations.	Religious affiliation The school is secular and 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 School Start Time (Monday to Friday) Nursery & Reception: 8:00 AM Years 1 to 6: 8:00 AM Years 7 to 11: 8:00 AM Dismissal Time Monday to Thursday: Nursery to Year 6: 2:40 PM Years 7 to 11: 3:20 PM Friday: All levels (Nursery to Year 11): 1:20 PM Break Times (Monday to Friday) Nursery & Reception: 9:20 AM to 10:00 AM Years 1 to 4: 8:40 AM to 9:20 AM Years 5 to 8: 9:20 AM to 10:00 AM Years 9 to 11: 10:00 AM to 10:40 AM Lunch Times (Monday to Thursday) Nursery & Reception: 12:00 PM to 12:40 PM Years 1 to 4: 11:50 AM to 12:30 PM Years 5 to 8: 12:30 PM to 1:10 PM Years 9 to 11: 1:10 PM to 1:50 PM Friday: No lunch sessions for all year groups due to early dismissal.
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. One-time fees include: Application RM 500 Registration RM 2,800 International Admin RM 5,000 Facilities fee RM 1,500 Security deposit varying by grade (RM 2,640–10,200) Refund Policy & Payment Methods The school does not have publicly available information on their refund policy and payment methods.	Fee details Early Years (Nursery & Reception) Application Fee: RM 500 (non-refundable) Registration Fee: RM 1,500 (non-refundable) Deposit: One term’s tuition fee (refundable and topped up yearly) Tuition Fee: RM 3,000 per term (3 terms per year) Material Fee: RM 300 per term After School Programme: Category 1 (2:40 PM – 5:00 PM): RM 800 per term Category 2 (School Holidays 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM): RM 600 per term Combined (ASP + Holidays): RM 1,200 per term International Student Fee (one-time): RM 5,000 Primary and Secondary (Year 1–11) Application Fee: RM 500 (non-refundable) Registration Fee: RM 2,500 (non-refundable) Deposit: One term’s tuition fee (refundable) Tuition Fees (per term): Year 1–2: RM 4,750 Year 3–4: RM 4,990 Year 5–6: RM 5,900 Year 7–8: RM 6,800 Year 9: RM 6,800 Year 10–11: RM 7,940 Technology Fee (per year): RM 400 for Years 1–6 RM 500 for Years 7–11 Visa Processing Fee (International Students): New Parents: RM 1,000 Renewals: RM 440 Students: RM 700 (new), RM 360 (renewal) International Student Fee (one-time): RM 5,000 Boarding Fees (Optional) Deposit: RM 2,000 (refundable) Full Boarding (3 terms): Single Room: RM 8,400 / 8,400 / 6,300 Double Room: RM 7,600 / 7,600 / 5,700 Weekday Boarding (5-day stay): Single Room: RM 7,200 / 7,200 / 5,400 Double Room: RM 6,400 / 6,400 / 4,800 Additional RM 150/day applies if weekday boarders stay over the weekend. Refund Policy Deposit Refund: The deposit (equal to one term’s fee) is refundable if: All outstanding fees are cleared. One full term’s written notice is provided before withdrawal. Non-refundable Fees: Application, registration, and international student fees. Boarding Withdrawal: A one-term written notice is required for deposit refund, else forfeited. Late Payments: A 5% per annum surcharge applies to fees unpaid by the 15th day of the term. Payment Methods Accepted Methods: Cash Cheque Online Bank Transfer Credit Card Terms: Fees are billed three times a year, prior to each school term.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school provides on-campus boarding facilities for Year 7 onward. The SBIS Boarding House is on the campus and accommodates up to 86 boarders. Boys and girls have exclusive wings, with double or single bedrooms, and are cared for by a residential team. The boarding house includes fully furnished bedrooms, an onsite gym, a media/TV room, a study area, a dining hall/cafeteria, a guest corner, Wi‑Fi, a locker room and a laundry area. A 24-hour patrolling surveillance service by the auxiliary police enhances security. Boarding highlights include nightly supervised study, after-school activities, weekend activities focused on culture, sport and teamwork, a structured weekly routine, and emphasis on health, wellbeing and safety.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options The campus has a cafeteria. Boarding meals are included for boarders; weekend overnight stays may incur additional charges for meals.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership SBIS is associated with the Taiko Group of Companies.
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 SBIS follows the Cambridge International Curriculum, which is developed in the UK and used worldwide. Students begin with Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6), continue through Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), and then prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams in Years 10 and 11. The curriculum includes core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, along with ICT, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Physical Education. The teaching style is structured and subject-based, and assessments are typically conducted through exams, assignments, and coursework.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning 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 does not have publicly available information on their SEL.
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 SBIS offers English as a Second Language (ESL) support, which functions similarly to EAL. This is especially targeted at international students or those who join the school mid-academic year. The school provides catch-up English lessons as part of its student support services to help learners adjust to the Cambridge English-medium environment. This support is delivered through smaller group sessions and mentoring, particularly in the Early Years and Primary stages, and continues through Secondary if needed.
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 The school prioritize student wellbeing through a mentorship-style pastoral system. Boarding students benefit from well-structured residential routines that support emotional stability and belonging.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not have publicly available information on their safeguarding policy.	Safeguarding The school does not have publicly available infromation about their safeguarding policy.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The campus is purpose-built and located in Bandar Seri Botani with safety-controlled and guarded entry and exit. It houses spacious classrooms, science laboratories, a multi-media center, and dedicated music and art rooms. A cafeteria and prayer rooms support daily student life, and a fully furnished boarding facility serves out-of-state students. An outdoor field, a covered basketball court, futsal courts, a swimming pool, and ample green space provide sporting and recreational opportunities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Sports facilities include an outdoor field, a covered basketball court, futsal courts, and a swimming pool. These spaces support a range of physical education activities and team sports. The campus provides safe, well-maintained areas for practice and competition. The facilities enable regular PE and sporting events for student engagement.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Academic facilities include spacious classrooms, science laboratories, language laboratories, and a multi-media center to support teaching and learning. These spaces enable ICT-enabled instruction and opportunities for independent research.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Exceptional Performing Arts Programme provides vocal, dance, theatre, and instrumental training. On-campus boarding includes after-school activities and weekend programs focusing on culture, sport, and teamwork. Comprehensive student support and wellbeing are part of the school program. Extracurricular offerings support holistic development beyond academics.
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 Seri Botani International School was officially established in 2020 by the Taiko Group, one of Malaysia’s oldest and most diversified business entities. The school was founded to offer affordable international education to both local and expatriate communities in Ipoh, Perak, following the Cambridge International Curriculum. SBIS opened its doors with 85 students and 17 teachers, operating from a newly constructed 10-acre campus designed to support long-term academic and residential growth. It is one of the few international schools in Ipoh offering full-day education and boarding in a modern setting, with continued investment by its parent company to expand programs and student capacity.
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 SBIS serves both local and expatriate families, fostering a tight-knit campus community with approximately 230 students. It supports cultural diversity through structured language programmes like Mandarin HSK, and hosts events such as STEM fairs and community expeditions to encourage interaction among families.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association City Harbour does not have a PTA.	Parent teacher association The school does not have an official PTA.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Seri Botani International School follows the Cambridge Curriculum from Early Years through IGCSE, providing a seamless international pathway. The Learning Pathway runs EY (ages 3–5), Primary (ages 5–11), Lower Secondary (years 7–9, ages 11–14), and Upper Secondary (years 10–11, ages 14–16). Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint and Cambridge IGCSE assessments guide progress and preparation for upper secondary study. The school is located in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school offers an Exceptional Performing Arts Programme with vocal, dance, theatre, and instrumental training. The programme supports creativity and confidence as part of the student experience. Campus facilities include dedicated spaces for arts, including arts studios and music rooms.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Boarding life includes after-school activities and weekend activities focused on culture, sport, and teamwork. Boarding highlights include nightly supervised study, structured routines, and a range of after-school and weekend activities that support social development. These activities complement school life and foster community among students.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school emphasizes service learning and global citizenship as core elements of its mission. Pastoral care and wellbeing are prioritized to support every student's development. Leadership and community engagement are encouraged through school programs and activities.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school's leadership team includes an Acting School Principal, Academic Director, Head of Secondary, and Head of Primary. The Acting Principal is Andrew Hamilton; the Academic Director is Anushia Senthevadivel; the Head of Secondary is Rajan A/L Supramaniam; the Head of Primary (Early Years & Primary) is Natasha Velkumar.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Seri Botani International School provides Comprehensive Student Support & Wellbeing across the student body. The Boarding House offers an on-campus environment with up to 86 boarders from Year 7 onward, featuring a safe, structured, and supportive community with 24-hour security and pastoral care. The boarding program includes after-school activities, weekend culture/sport events, and a focus on health and wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English is the language of instruction across the Cambridge curriculum from Early Years through Upper Secondary. The school also offers a Mandarin language program as part of a Chinese curriculum across Early Years through Upper Secondary.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
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 Accredited to deliver the Cambridge International Curriculum, offering Cambridge Primary and Secondary programmes leading to IGCSE exams
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 Complete Application Form .Parents or guardians must fill in, sign, and submit the SBIS application form along with supporting documents (e.g., ID/birth certificates, school reports, immunisation records, photos). Malaysian and international requirements differ slightly. Applications can be submitted in person, via email, or by post. Assessment & Interview.Pay the non‑refundable application fee and, if a place is available, the student undergoes an age-appropriate Cambridge-style placement test. An interview with the Principal is required. Application Review.The Principal and admissions team review the completed application, test results, and interview notes. Parents are notified of the outcome within 7 working days. Offer & Deposit. If accepted, a Letter of Offer is issued. Parents secure the place by paying the non‑refundable registration fee, the refundable term deposit, and tuition fees before the commencement of term. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed within 10 working days and may reapply later.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.	Scholarships The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.
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