Malacca Expatriate School vs Planetarium International School Melaka (PISM)

	M Malacca Expatriate School Malacca, Malaysia	P Planetarium International School Melaka (PISM) Malacca, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 16,500 - 35,400	Fees / year MYR 24,000 - 38,100
Age range	Age range 5 - 16 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 60
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1980	Opened 2020
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Malacca Expatriate School (MES) is situated in the residential neighbourhood of Taman Permatang Pasir Perdana, about 15 minutes by car from Malacca city centre. It's close to public bus routes and offers easy access to local shops, eateries, and recreational spaces.	Location Planetarium International School Melaka (PISM) is located in Taman Pandan Indah, a residential suburb just north of central Melaka. The area is well connected by local roads and lies between Melaka’s historic city centre and the Ayer Keroh toll plaza, making it accessible for both local and commuting families. School transportation services are also available, including routes from nearby towns such as Muar
Stages	Stages Malacca Expatriate School is divided into Primary (Foundation–Year 6) and Secondary (Years 7–11). Post–Year 11 progression options include AS/A‑Levels or the International Baccalaureate for further study.	Stages PISM serves students aged 3 to 18, organized into Early Years (3–6), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11 for IGCSE), and A‑Level (Post‑16) stages. Each stage aligns with the Cambridge curriculum.
School type	School type MES is a co-educational, day school and does not provide boarding facilities. It caters to both expatriate and local families.	School type The school is co‑educational and does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support MES does not have specialist staff or facilities for students with identified additional learning needs.	Additional learning support It is not a specialist SEN school and nor does it have a dedicated learning support centre.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation MES is not formally affiliated with a particular country beyond curriculum standards.	Country affiliation There is no official affiliation with any country, foreign government, or national education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation MES is non-denominational and operates without any religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation PISM operates as a non-denominational institution and does not have any religious affiliations.
School day structure	School day structure The school day at Malacca Expatriate School runs from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This schedule applies to both Primary and Secondary students.	School day structure While exact timings aren't listed, PISM follows a standard school-day format: Early Years Mon - Thu: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Fri: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM Primary School Mon – Thurs: 8:30 AM – 3:10 PM Fri: 8:30 AM – 1:10 PM Secondary School Mon – Thurs: 8:30 AM – 3:50 PM Fri: 8:30 AM – 1:10 PM *Students are required to be in the school before 8:10 AM.
Bus service details	Bus service details There is no explicit mention of a school bus or coach service on the MES website.	Bus service details Transportation is available from Muar to Melaka.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details One-Time Payment Application/Assessment Fee: MYR 600 (non-refundable, payable with the application). Registration fee: MYR 2,500 (non-refundable) Deposit: A deposit equal to one term’s tuition must be maintained at all times and is refunded if written notice is given at least one month before the next term starts. Annual Tuition Fees Reception: MYR 16,500 Years 1–6: MYR 18,900 Year 7: MYR 24,300 Year 8: MYR 25,350 Year 9: MYR 26,400 Year 10: MYR 30,600 Year 11: MYR 35,400 Note: the total annual fee includes an Annual Resource fee of MYR 2,400 for all levels. Uniforms, Textbooks, and Other Costs* Uniforms and textbooks are not included and must be purchased separately. Discounts & Provisions Students joining after Week 6 of a term pay half the term fee. Reception students leaving at 12:30 PM receive MYR 500 discount on the term fee. Sibling discount: 10% off the younger sibling’s term fee. mes.edu.my Billing & Payment Terms Fees are billed per term and must be paid before the start of the term. For Year 11, fees are costed on an entire year basis. Payment via bank transfer, cheque or other means as detailed in the offer letter. Refund Policy The term-fee deposit is refundable if notice is given in writing at least one month before the next term. Additional Notes MES reserves the right to increase fees by up to 10% each academic year.	Fee details One-Time Payments Application Fee: MYR 600 (non-refundable, payable upon application) Enrollment Fee: MYR 2,500 (non-refundable; payable upon registration) Assessment Fee: Reception - MYR 300 Primary - MYR 400 Secondary - MYR 600 Student Visa Application Fee (for international students): New Visa - MYR  2,500 Renewal - MYR  800 Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) Early Years (EY1–EY2): MYR 24,000 Years 1–3: MYR 24,000 Years 4–6: MYR 25,200 Years 7–8: MYR  29,700 Years 9–10: MYR 34,800 Year 11: MYR 38,100 Annual Tuition Fees (Malaysian Students) Early Years (EY1–EY2): MYR 19,200 Years 1–3: MYR 19,200 Years 4–6: MYR 20,220 Years 7–8: MYR  24,900 Years 9–10: MYR 30,000 Year 11: MYR 33,300 Note that the total fees per year include a fee of MYR 2,400 (annual), which covers science/ICT labs, library, and student insurance. Other Fees* Late Pick-Up Charges (Preschool Only): With Siblings: MYR 250–450/month Without Siblings: MYR 300–500/month Extra: MYR 50 charged every 15 minutes after the designated time (3:10 PM, 4:00 PM & 5:00 PM) Sibling Discounts 10% off tuition fees for the second child 15% off tuition fees for the third and subsequent children The discount applies only to tuition fees and remains valid as long as multiple siblings are enrolled. Refundable Deposit Equivalent to one full term’s tuition fee, payable upon enrolment. Refunded (without interest) after the end of the semester if a written withdrawal notice is given before the first day of the semester and all school obligations are met. Note that all withdrawals are subject to administrative charges of MYR 100 per student. Additional charges for uniforms, meals, ECAs, excursions, exam fees, textbooks, and materials may apply. Payment Methods* Payments can be made via cheque, bank draft, or online transfer. Bank Details: Beneficiary: Planetarium International Sdn. Bhd. Bank: Public Bank Melaka Account Number: 3225877611 Bank Address: No. 60-68, Jalan Laksamana, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka Swift Code: PBBEMYKLXXX
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school has a residential campus.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required for students.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch orders are available as an optional lunch program.	Food options The school has a cafeteria on site.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is operated by Expatriate School (Malacca) Berhad.	Governance and ownership Planetarium International Sdn. Bhd. operates PISM.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Malacca Expatriate School offers the Cambridge International Curriculum from Reception to Year 11. The Primary section (Reception to Year 6) follows the Cambridge Primary Programme, covering subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and ICT. In Years 7 to 9, students follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum and prepare for the Checkpoint assessments. Years 10 and 11 focus on the Cambridge IGCSE, with subject options including English, Mathematics, Combined Science, Business Studies, Accounting, History, and ICT. Malay and Mandarin are also taught as language subjects. The curriculum is structured to align with Cambridge’s international academic progression.	Curriculum details Planetarium International School Melaka (PISM) follows the Cambridge International curriculum across all stages. The Early Years programme introduces foundational literacy, numeracy, and personal development. Primary students (Years 1–6) follow the Cambridge Primary curriculum with core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Global Perspectives. In Secondary (Years 7–11), students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSEs, typically taken in Year 11, with a range of subjects including Malay, Mandarin, ICT, and Business Studies. Post-16 students pursue the Cambridge A-Level programme, usually over two years, allowing subject specialisation in preparation for university. English is the primary language of instruction, with Malay and Mandarin taught as additional languages.
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 View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Classroom embedding of SEL through guided reflections and group-focused activities is part of the Early Years to Secondary curriculum at PISM. Schoolwide events, such as International Day and Sports Day, foster peer interaction, empathy, and shared responsibility. Teachers include wellbeing check-ins as part of pastoral care, integrating “Well‑Being” into the weekly timetable
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) MES does not describe specific SEN provisions or specialist staff on their website. It’s not a recognized specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) PISM is not a specialist SEN school but considers each student’s needs during admissions, with diagnostic reports reviewed before placement.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language There’s no mention on MES’s website of an EAL program or support tailored for students whose first language is not English.	English as an additional language While PISM does not have a separate EAL department, English proficiency is assessed during placement to ensure students can access the Cambridge curriculum.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school website does not reference any mental wellbeing initiatives, dedicated counselling staff, wellness workshops, or similar supports.	Mental wellbeing Well‑Being appears as part of the weekly schedule starting in Secondary, ensuring mental health is embedded in the school routine. Teachers monitor students through Well‑Being classes and integrated activities.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The MES Bullying Policy outlines a duty to report suspected bullying among students, including cyberbullying and incidents occurring off-campus. Staff are expected to inform the relevant principal, and parents are encouraged to report issues promptly. While this suggests some safeguarding awareness, there is no published safeguarding policy detailing designated staff, reporting procedures, or child protection training.	Safeguarding The school doesn’t publicize a detailed safeguarding policy.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy View document	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Malacca Expatriate School (MES) is a fully registered international school in Melaka, established in 1980. It provides a British, co-educational international curriculum to expatriate and local communities. MES is a Cambridge International Examinations Centre and follows Cambridge curricula for both primary and secondary education. The library facilities support independent and group learning, and a computer laboratory is fully equipped with modern hardware and software. The school emphasizes active, enquiry-based learning with field trips, excursions, family days, school concerts and drama productions, within a warm, close-knit community and a low student-to-teacher ratio that enables individual attention.	Facilities overview PISM is a purpose-built international school located at Jalan Pandan Indah, Taman Pandan Indah, Melaka. It emphasises modern, state-of-the-art facilities in a student-centred environment.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school provides facilities to support a broad curriculum and extracurricular activities, aligned with its 21st-century learning environment.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The Cambridge Primary education programme for ages 5-11 is followed, including English, English as a Second Language, Mathematics and Science, developed by Cambridge International Examinations. Cambridge Primary forms the foundation before progressing through Cambridge Secondary stages, culminating in Cambridge IGCSE examinations. In the secondary curriculum, Cambridge Secondary 1 (Years 7–9) and Cambridge Secondary 2 (Years 10–11) lead to the Cambridge IGCSE qualification. Subjects offered in IGCSE include English First Language, English Literature, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, as well as foreign languages such as Malay and Mandarin. The school operates as a Cambridge International Examinations Centre, aligning teaching and assessment with Cambridge standards.	Academic facilities PISM offers a Cambridge curriculum with resources to support learning from Early Years through A-Level, including accommodation for Cambridge IGCSE and related assessments.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities MES offers a range of extracurricular activities including school excursions, a family day, school concerts and drama productions, which support cooperation, teamwork and broader learning beyond the classroom.	Extra curricular facilities The focus on CLIMATES (Communication, Languages, Innovation, Mathematics, Arts, Technology, Engineering, and Science) supports a holistic approach including arts, design, and technology within a broader educational program.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Malacca Expatriate School began on 9 June 1980, when Mr A. G. Leon, a retired educationist, was invited to open a school for expatriate children in Malacca. It started in a borrowed room at Bukit Cina Primary School with fewer than 10 students, one head, and one teacher. After sixteen years, the school relocated to Tanjong Kling to accommodate growth. On 23 February 2011, it became a Cambridge Primary member, and by 20 October 2011, it received government approval to open the secondary school, becoming a centre for Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE exams.	History Planetarium International School Melaka was founded by Planetarium International Sdn Bhd, which was incorporated on July 21, 2020. The school was designed to support Cambridge-based education from early years through A-Level, and its initial leadership team was appointed at its opening.
Community	Community MES hosts a range of community and cultural events, including school concerts, inter-house sports days, drama productions, and public art exhibitions like the Heart of Melaka at the Balai Seni Lukis Malacca Gallery. These activities bring together students, parents, and local organisations to celebrate creativity, culture, and student learning in shared, inclusive settings.	Community The school community gathers multiple times each year for events such as International Day, Deepavali, Chinese New Year celebrations, and Sports Day, fostering cultural awareness and interaction. Orientation days and cruise workshops also help new students and families feel connected and part of the school family.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school does not mention a formal Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) on its website. Instead, family engagement is fostered through Family Day events, parent-teacher conferences each term, and joint participation in community activities like organizing school concerts and public exhibitions.	Parent teacher association PISM encourages parent engagement through scheduled Parent–Teacher Conferences held at the end of each term (three times per academic year). These meetings allow parents to discuss their child’s academic progress and wellbeing with teachers. The school also organizes social events, such as International Day and orientation days, where parents are routinely invited to participate.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual MES follows the Cambridge International Curriculum and is a Cambridge International Examinations Centre. The Cambridge IGCSE programme runs through four stages: Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary 1, Cambridge Secondary 2 and Cambridge Advanced; students may join at any stage. In Primary, Cambridge Primary covers English, English as a Second Language, Mathematics and Science, with Cambridge Primary developed by Cambridge International Examinations; Mathematics includes adaptations from the Singapore curriculum. In Secondary, the programme progresses to Cambridge Secondary 1 and 2, leading to Cambridge IGCSE; Upper Secondary (Years 10–11) prepares students for AS and A Level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Assessments include internal term tests and Cambridge Checkpoint at the ends of Year 6 and Year 9, with IGCSE assessments at the end of Year 11. The academic year runs from September to the end of July.	Academic & intellectual The school emphasises Agile values: students are curious, embody a spirit of inquiry, and seek deeper understanding. They are keen to learn new skills and receptive to new ideas. They are engaged academically and socially, ready to make a difference.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Arts is part of CLIMATES, the framework guiding holistic learning. This framework includes Arts as a focus area alongside other disciplines.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Malay is taught as a foreign language to Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) and leads to Cambridge IGCSE Malay as a Foreign Language in Upper Secondary. Mandarin is taught as a foreign language to Lower Secondary and leads to Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin as a Foreign Language in Upper Secondary.	Cultural & language CLIMATES includes Languages as a focus area, alongside Communications, Innovation, Mathematics, Arts, Technology, Engineering and Science. The framework guides holistic learning across language and other disciplines.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Empathy is a core pillar: students understand themselves as reflective learners and show care and concern for others. They focus on both the processes and products of learning and develop strategies to be lifelong learners to share with others.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership is a core pillar: students take ownership of their learning, set targets, and uphold intellectual integrity. They collaborate and support others to demonstrate leadership by example.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Tech Savvy is a core pillar: students are innovative and equipped for future challenges by being tech-savvy. They apply knowledge to solve new and unfamiliar problems and adapt flexibly to new situations requiring new ways of thinking.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school follows the Cambridge Primary curriculum for ages 5–11, covering English, English as a Second Language, Mathematics and Science. In Secondary, the Cambridge IGCSE programme is used, with English – First Language and English Literature at IGCSE. Malay is taught as a foreign language in Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) and Cambridge IGCSE Malay is compulsory for Malaysian citizens in Upper Secondary. Mandarin is taught as a foreign language in Lower Secondary, and Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin Chinese (Foreign Language) is offered in Upper Secondary.	Language provision The school uses Cambridge Curriculum across all levels. English is the medium of instruction for core subjects, and Malay and Mandarin are taught as language subjects. In the Early Years, the school offers English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school has not listed any formal institutional awards on its official website.	Awards No publicly documented external awards have been formally presented to the school.
Accreditations	Accreditations Cambridge International Examinations Centre MES is recognised as an official examination centre for Cambridge Checkpoint (Years 6 & 9) and IGCSE (Year 11), meaning it is authorised to conduct and administer these internationally recognised assessments. Cambridge Primary Membership This membership affirms the school’s commitment to the Cambridge Primary Programme, ensuring regular monitoring and access to updated educational resources	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Book a School Visit (optional) Families are welcome to schedule an appointment to tour the campus and speak with staff before submitting an application. Submit Application Complete the application form and provide required documents, including: previous school report, school leaving certificate, student birth certificate, immunisation record, passport-sized photos, copies of parents' ID/passports, and a copy of parents' marriage certificate. A non-refundable assessment fee of MYR 600 must be paid by cash or cheque to complete the application. Submission does not guarantee a place. Complete the student assessment Students will be scheduled for age-appropriate assessments once there is a potential vacancy. Assessment content is confidential and not shared with parents. Applicants with known learning needs must inform the school, as the school does not have Special Needs teachers. Receive and Respond to Offer Letter Successful applicants will receive a formal Offer Letter outlining fees, terms, and start date. Enrolment is contingent on assessment results, availability of space, and a valid Student Pass issued by Malaysian Immigration (for expatriates). Confirm Acceptance and Enrolment Parents must confirm the offer and pay the required fees before the child begins school. Once accepted, the school will share further details on class timetables, extracurricular activities, uniforms, and book requirements.	Admissions Book an Open Day PISM occasionally holds open days and information sessions, allowing parents to tour the school, meet teachers, and better understand the curriculum and culture. Complete the Application Form Parents must complete the official application form, attach relevant documents (e.g. birth certificate, academic records, passport/IC copy, vaccination record, and any diagnostic reports), and pay a non-refundable application fee of MYR 600. Placement Assessment Students are required to undergo an age-appropriate placement assessment: Reception to KG: Individual interview with teachers Years 2–6: Online assessments in English and mathematics Years 7–10: Written tests in English, mathematics, and science The outcome is used to determine both academic fit and class placement. Offer and Enrolment Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer. To confirm the place, parents must pay a non-refundable enrolment fee (MYR 2,500) and the refundable deposit (equivalent to one term’s tuition).
Scholarships	Scholarships Malacca Expatriate School does not offer scholarships.	Scholarships The school’s official website does not mention any scholarships or financial aid programmes.
Waitlist	Waitlist Yes, MES operates a waitlist system. If a class is full, the student’s application remains active, and they may be placed on a waitlist until a vacancy becomes available. Assessments are only scheduled when a place might be open. Applications are processed in order of submission with complete documentation and payment.	Waitlist The school does not operate a formal waitlist or pool. Admission is based on placement assessment results and availability within the intended year group.
	View full profile →	View full profile →