LUCA International School vs Sri Ara International & Private School

	L LUCA International School Johor Bahru, Malaysia	S Sri Ara International & Private School Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 20,400 - 26,400	Fees / year MYR 10,230 - 29,520
Age range	Age range 7 - 17 years	Age range 3 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 320	Pupils 130
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened 1997
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location LUCA International School is situated in Taman Kempas Utama, a tranquil and residential area of Johor Bahru. It’s accessible via the North-South Expressway and Jalan Kempas Lama, and takes about 30–45 minutes by car from the Singapore border. The surrounding area is developing steadily, with access to key facilities like AEON Mall Bandar Dato' Onn, parks, and medical centers such as Sultanah Aminah Hospital.	Location Sri Ara International School is located at 23 Jalan Straits View in the Straits View neighborhood of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school is situated in a residential area, providing a tranquil environment for students.
Stages	Stages The school offers a structured educational journey for early years, primary and secondary levels.	Stages The school offers education from Preschool (Nursery) through sixth form, accommodating students aged 3 to 17. It follows the Cambridge International curriculum, preparing students for the IGCSE examinations.
School type	School type LUCA International School is a co-educational day school. LUCA does not provide boarding facilities.	School type Sri Ara International School is a co-educational day school, welcoming both male and female students. The school does not provide boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support LUCA International School emphasizes the importance of nurturing both the academic and emotional growth of its students through a variety of support systems beyond the standard curriculum. A standout feature is their coaching support program, which provides personalized academic and life guidance through certified coaches. These sessions, offered in both individual and group formats, aim to empower students to take responsibility for their own progress, while also equipping them with emotional resilience and critical thinking skills.	Additional learning support Sri Ara International School does not identify as a specialist SEN institution, but it states that it aims to support students with different learning needs where possible.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school does not have formal affiliation with any country.	Country affiliation The school operates independently without formal affiliation to any specific country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation LUCA International School is also a non-denominational institution with no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation Sri Ara International School is a secular institution with no religious affiliation. It welcomes students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
School day structure	School day structure Elementary & Primary: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM Secondary: 7:30 AM – 3:15 PM	School day structure The school operates from Monday to Thursday, starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 3:15 PM. On Fridays, the day concludes slightly earlier at 3:00 PM. Extra-curricular activities are scheduled after school hours from Monday to Thursday .
Bus service details	Bus service details LUCA International School offers a school bus service for its students. This service aims to ensure safe and convenient transportation for students residing in different parts of Johor Bahru. Specific details about the bus routes and timings are typically provided upon enrollment or can be obtained by reaching out to the school's administrative office.	Bus service details Information regarding a dedicated school bus or coach service is not specified on the school's official website.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition Fees (Annually) Years 1–6: RM 20,400 Years 7–9: RM 24,000 Years 10–11: RM 26,400 Other Fees Application Fee: RM 500 (non-refundable, one-time) Enrolment Fee: RM 1,500 (non-refundable, one-time) Student Support Fees: Includes coaching services (detailed cost not publicly listed) Refund Policy Application & Enrolment Fees: Both are one-time, non-refundable payments. Tuition Fees: The refundability of tuition fees is not specified publicly. It's recommended to consult the school's administrative office for detailed information. The school has not disclosed their payment methods publicly.	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system LUCA International School has a house system with four houses: Lion, Eagle, Orca, and Stag. The houses are represented by biblical animals and are color-coded as Yellow Lion, Red Eagle, Blue Orca, and Green Stag, with current scores shown for each house.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school was founded in 2018 by Golden Lampstand Baptist Church and LUCA is run by the church.	Governance and ownership The school is led by a Chairman, Puan Nooraini Mohd. Yasin. Sri Ara Schools is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education and offers the Cambridge Pathway (Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary and IGCSE) alongside the Malaysian National Curriculum. The school is located at 23, Jalan Straits View, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details LUCA delivers a fully Cambridge-based curriculum for students from Early Years through Year 11. The academic journey is thoughtfully structured into five developmental stages: Enlightenment, Foundation, Consolidation Basic, Exploration and Development, and Directional. These stages guide students from foundational knowledge to advanced preparation for the Cambridge IGCSE exams. LUCA emphasizes a 21st-century learning model that integrates thematic teaching, entrepreneurial thinking, and personal development across all subjects.	Curriculum details Sri Ara International School follows the Cambridge Pathway, offering a structured progression from primary through secondary education. Students in Years 1 to 6 engage with the Cambridge Primary curriculum, focusing on core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science. Years 7 to 9 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, building on foundational knowledge and preparing students for higher-level studies. In Years 10 and 11, students undertake the Cambridge IGCSE program, with subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Sciences (Combined or Coordinated), Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Geography, History, Art, ICT, and languages like Malay and Mandarin . The school plans to introduce Oxford AQA examinations for Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) .
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 LUCA International School takes a structured approach to SEL through its Coaching Support program, which functions as an in-school mentorship and emotional support service. Students are encouraged to express themselves, set personal goals, and develop coping strategies.	Social & emotional learning Sri Ara encourages students to be active, responsible, and take on leadership roles within the student body. The Students’ Representative Council oversees student welfare and organizes events, fostering a sense of community and responsibility.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not have a dedicated SEN department.	Special educational needs (SEN) Specific SEN programs are not detailed on the school's website.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not have publicly available information regarding EAL.	English as an additional language English is the primary medium of instruction at the school. While specific EAL support programs are not mentioned, the school's diverse student body suggests an inclusive approach to language learning.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The creative and recreational co-curricular activities offered at the school including dance, music, cooking, and visual arts serve as expressive outlets that reduce anxiety, build identity, and support emotional balance.	Mental wellbeing The school emphasizes a secure and caring environment, aiming to support students' overall development. Specific mental health programs are not detailed, but the school's philosophy underscores the importance of a nurturing atmosphere.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not have publicly available information regarding safeguarding policies.	Safeguarding Sri Ara Schools outlines specific safeguarding commitments in its privacy policy, emphasizing the protection of student data and the importance of safe handling of personal information. The school states that all personal data collected is kept confidential and used only for educational and administrative purposes. It also highlights efforts to protect children from harm and abuse in both the physical and online environments, indicating that safeguarding is an integral part of school operations. While not a detailed safeguarding policy, this statement shows a clear awareness of child protection responsibilities and data security. For more comprehensive procedures, direct contact with the school may be necessary.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is located at 6, Jalan Kempas Utama 2/4, 81300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It delivers Cambridge International Education Programme across Elementary & Primary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary. Elementary & Primary offers 11 subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. Upper Secondary provides two streams—Combined Science and Pure Science—for the IGCSE, with Life Education. The school's motto is "I Learn, I Love, and I Live by Good Example" and it is guided by LUCA values; it was founded in 2018 by Golden Lampstand Baptist Church. The Our Facilities gallery includes a science laboratory and a music room.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities LUCA follows the Cambridge International Education Programme across Elementary & Primary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary. Elementary & Primary offers 11 subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. Lower Secondary (Year 7–9) includes English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, Life Education. Upper Secondary (Year 10–11) offers two streams—Combine Science and Pure Science—for the IGCSE and includes Life Education. LUCA emphasizes 21st-century skills and life coaching, with Life Education and goal-setting, leadership, global awareness, and innovation integrated into the program.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The school places emphasis on extra-curricular activities and includes physical education and sports in the timetable. Speech and Drama are part of the curriculum and help develop confidence and communication for university and professional life later on. The environment and sustainability are emphasised in curriculum planning. Charity work and giving back to the community are inculcated through various activities in the school calendar, and students participate in the year-end school concert. After-school activities are offered, and students are required to take part in at least two per year. Available activities include Dance & Zumba Club, Red Crescent, Environmental Club, Robotic Club, Art & Craft Club, Speech & Drama Club, Taekwondo, Home Science, Pafa-agama, Street Soccer and Swimming.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History LUCA International School was established in 2018 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as a response to the challenges educators faced while implementing 21st-century learning models. Although Malaysia introduced this educational approach in 2013, many teachers experienced isolation and limited support while trying to put it into practice. Wanting to restore the core purpose of education, the founding team of LUCA took initiative. They explored teaching practices from institutions around the world and engaged in deep reflection and planning to rediscover what truly matters in learning. Their guiding belief “education is life impacts life” became the foundation for LUCA's vision. Over time, and through trial and error, the school refined its direction, turning setbacks into valuable insights. This journey helped shape LUCA's developmental framework and long-term goals. The school's values are built on what they call the "LUCA Beliefs". Love the truth as a guiding principle (L), Understand and celebrate one another’s uniqueness (U), Commit to building core competencies (C), and Adapt to challenges with resilience (A). These principles reflect the heart of the LUCA community and shape the school culture.	History Sri Ara International School was founded in 1997 and grew out of the former Tun Dr Ismail International School. It was established to offer both national and international curriculum options within one institution. The school is privately owned and has expanded its programs to include Cambridge IGCSE and plans for A-Level pathways. Its name, “Sri Ara,” was introduced to reflect a new identity with a continued focus on Malaysian and global educational contexts.
Community	Community LUCA International School fosters a close-knit community with small class sizes, averaging 15–20 students. The school emphasizes character building, leadership, and holistic development. Co-curricular activities, including clubs like STEM, Master Chef, Media Production, Dance, and Art & Design, provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop essential life skills.	Community The school hosts various community events such as Hari Raya celebrations, International Day, and annual concerts. These events aim to promote cultural awareness and family involvement. Students also participate in outreach and fundraising initiatives through clubs and house teams.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school does not have publicly available information regarding PTA. However, LUCA places a strong emphasis on collaboration between parents and educators. Regular Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) are held to discuss student progress and development.	Parent teacher association Sri Ara’s PTA is actively involved in supporting school events, communication between parents and staff, and planning community activities. PTA members assist with the coordination of festive celebrations and support new families with orientation. They are also involved in organizing the school’s Family Day and charity drives. Meetings are held regularly and serve as a forum for feedback and collaboration. Parents are encouraged to volunteer for specific events or become part of working committees throughout the year.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual LUCA International School follows the Cambridge International Education Programme across Elementary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary. In Elementary & Primary, the curriculum offers 11 subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) includes English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. Upper Secondary (Year 10–11) uses Cambridge IGCSE and provides two streams—Combined Science and Pure Science—along with Life Education. The curriculum emphasizes 21st-century skills and Life Education.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Arts & Design and Music are listed as subjects in Elementary & Primary (Years 1–3 and 4–6) and continue in Lower Secondary. Arts & Design and Music are included in the Lower Secondary curriculum as part of the Cambridge International Education Programme. The program supports creativity and self-expression across levels.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The Elementary & Primary levels include English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia (compulsory for Malaysian students), STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. Lower Secondary includes English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia. Students have opportunities to learn from foreign educators and participate in cultural exchanges. Chinese is part of the language offerings, alongside Bahasa Malaysia.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies LUCA operates a House System to foster unity, community, and a spirit of healthy competition across school activities. The Student Representative Council (SRC) provides student leadership opportunities for Year 10 and Year 11, with elected members engaging in school events to develop people management and project management skills over a 15‑month training period. Life Education is a subject across levels, complemented by Life Coaching sessions that help students set goals and navigate personal and academic challenges. Small class sizes are emphasized to enable personalized guidance and closer student–teacher relationships.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The school offers a Student Representative Council (SRC) that focuses on leadership development. SRC members are Year 10 and Year 11 students elected to lead school events and gain experience in people management and project management over a 15‑month training period. This leadership structure provides formal opportunities for students to practice organizational skills and collaborative leadership.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Life Education is a core subject alongside Physical Education, supporting holistic wellbeing. Life Coaching sessions are provided to help students understand themselves, set meaningful goals, and navigate personal and academic challenges. LUCA emphasizes intentionally small class sizes to enable personalized guidance and support for students. The House System also promotes unity and community spirit beyond academics.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision LUCA International School follows the Cambridge International Education Programme from Elementary through Lower Secondary, with Upper Secondary completing the Cambridge IGCSE. Languages taught as subjects include English, Chinese, and Bahasa Malaysia, with Bahasa Malaysia compulsory for Malaysian students. In Elementary & Primary, Year 1–3 and Year 4–6 include English, Mathematics, Science, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia (compulsory for Malaysian students), STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education. In Lower Secondary, Year 7–9 include English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia (compulsory for Malaysian students), STEAM, Arts & Design, Music, Physical Education, and Life Education; Upper Secondary offers IGCSE subjects.	Language provision The school uses English as the main medium of instruction throughout. It offers two curricula: Cambridge International Examinations leading to IGCSE, and the Malaysian National Curriculum with emphasis on English. Mandarin is taught as a language subject, and Malay language is offered for Malaysian nationals. Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE programs include English as a first or second language, with Mandarin and Malay taught as language subjects.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Malaysia Influential Educators Award (2022): Acting Principal Ms. Esther Yong was honored with this award, highlighting the school's commitment to educational excellence.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): LUCA International School is authorized to offer the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, ensuring students receive a globally recognized education.	Accreditations Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): Sri Ara is accredited to offer the Cambridge International curriculum, including the IGCSE examinations. CAIE is part of the University of Cambridge and is widely recognized for its global academic standards. Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE): The school operates with approval from Malaysia's Ministry of Education, ensuring compliance with national regulations for private and international schools.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Trial Class: LUCA offers trial classes for prospective students to experience the school's environment and teaching approach. 2. Assessment & Interview: Applicants may undergo assessments and interviews to determine their suitability for the school's programs. 3. Document Submission: Required documents	Admissions 1. Arrange a school tour or information session. The school welcomes prospective families to visit the campus and meet with staff. Tours can be scheduled directly with the admissions office and are a good opportunity to ask specific questions and observe the learning environment. 2. Submit application documents. Parents must complete the registration form and submit it along with a non-refundable RM2,500 registration fee. Supporting documents include previous academic records, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, passport or MyKad, and passport-sized photographs. 3. Assessment and interview (if applicable). Depending on the year group, the school may conduct academic assessments or request an interview to determine placement suitability. These are generally informal for younger children and more structured for older students. 4. Placement confirmation and payment of deposit. Once a place is offered, parents are required to confirm enrolment by paying a refundable deposit equal to one term’s tuition fee. Further information about uniforms, textbooks, and term start dates is provided after confirmation.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist Sri Ara International School does not publicly advertise a waitlist or pooled admissions system.
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