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Cempaka International School Damansara Heights

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MYR 27,000 - 73,380
Ages 1½ - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1983
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages French, Malay, Mandarin
Typical class size 24
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights, founded in 1983 and relocated to its current campus in 1989, provides education for children aged 2 to 18 in a leafy residential suburb about five kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. The school offers a progression from early childhood through to Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels, beginning with its Michelia programme for ages two to five, which draws on Reggio Emilia principles. Primary students follow a Finnish curriculum model that emphasizes creativity and exploration, while secondary students transition into IGCSE and pre-university A Levels. Instruction is in English, with Malay, Mandarin, and French taught as additional languages. Distinctive features include the Cempaka Performing Arts Company, which stages original musicals, and the Cempaka Awards Scheme, which combines expeditions, service, and leadership development.

19, Jalan Setia Bakti 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Essentials

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights has 2,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
The school is situated in Damansara Heights, a well-established and pleasant residential suburb of Kuala Lumpur. This location provides a quiet environment for the campus. It is accessible via major roads and public transport, including several bus routes.

Stages
The school is structured into four main levels, all on a single campus. It begins with "Michelia" for early childhood education, followed by Primary School, Secondary School, and finally a Pre-University programme offering A-Levels.

Type
Cempaka is a co-educational day school and does not offer boarding facilities for its students.

Additional learning support
The school has a system in place to support students with additional learning needs. Collaborative teacher teams work to tailor learning to individual requirements, aiming to provide a successful school experience for every student.

Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any specific country.

Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school day for primary and secondary students generally runs from 8:00 am to around 3:15 pm, with slight variations depending on the year group. The early childhood center has more flexible timings, including half-day options.

Bus service
The school does not directly provide a school bus service.
Diving Deeper

House System
Beruang, Harimau, Helang, and Seladang are the four school houses. They compete for the House Cup, with Beruang the 2023/24 champions. The motto guiding house activities is 'Nothing Is Impossible'.

Governance and Ownership
The school was built by a family and remains part of the Cempaka family of schools. Its roots begin with Sri Cempaka in 1983 and the Damansara Heights campus was established in 1989.
Fees

Annual tuition at Cempaka International School Damansara Heights ranges from MYR 27,000 to MYR 73,380 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees
* Application Fee: RM 1,000.
* One-Time Registration Fee: RM 12,000 (non-refundable).
* School Deposit: RM 15,000.

Tuition Fees (3 terms per year)

Early Childhood (Michelia, ages 2–5)
* Half-day: RM 9,000 per term, RM 27,000 per year
* Full-day: RM 11,000 per term, RM 33,000 per year
An annual fee of RM 1,000 applies.

Primary School (Years 1–6, ages 6–12, Finnish curriculum)
* Year 1–2: RM 19,070 per term, RM 57,210 per year
* Year 3–4: RM 20,500 per term, RM 61,500 per year
* Year 5–6: RM 22,470 per term, RM 67,410 per year
Additional Resource Fees (from Aug 2025): RM 150–250 per term depending on year level. Annual fee: RM 1,000.

Secondary School
* Year 7 (Freshman, Finnish curriculum): RM 24,460 per term, RM 73,380 per year; Resource Fee RM 300 per term
* Years 8–9 (Sophomore 1–2, British curriculum): RM 19,100 per term, RM 57,300 per year
* Years 10–11 (Junior 1–2, British curriculum): RM 23,300 per term, RM 69,900 per year
Annual fee: RM 1,000.

Additional Notes

* Fees are billed in three terms per academic year.
* Tuition increases annually by 3–5% subject to inflation.
* Service Tax (SST) at 6% applies if annual tuition exceeds RM 60,000.
* Uniforms, learning materials, and certain activities may incur additional costs.
* Refund policies and payment options (bank transfer or other methods) are available through the school’s admissions office.
Academics

Cempaka International School Damansara Heights teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 1.5 to 18.

Curriculum
The Early Years education, known as "Michelia," is based on a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. In Primary School, students follow a curriculum that combines the British International Curriculum with the Finnish School Model. This dual approach continues into Secondary School, where students work towards Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. For certain IGCSE subjects, such as Computer Science and Business, the school uses the Oxford AQA curriculum, while Physical Education follows the Edexcel Pearson syllabus. Upon completion of their IGCSEs, students can continue into the Pre-University program to study for their A-Levels.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports students' social and emotional development through a variety of initiatives. Its "Cempaka Awards Scheme" is designed for well-rounded development and includes sections for community service, school events, and expeditions. The house system, which includes all students and staff, promotes a sense of community and inclusion. Students participate in house events covering sports, academics, and performing arts, which helps build teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Special Educational Needs (SEN) system to support students with learning difficulties. The school is not a specialist SEN institution, and the specific needs it can support are not detailed on its website. The school uses collaborative teacher teams to tailor learning to individual student needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Information regarding English as an additional language support is not publicly available.

Mental Wellbeing
The school fosters a supportive environment for students, with a focus on their overall development. The "Cempaka Awards Scheme" encourages participation in a wide range of activities, including community service and expeditions, which can contribute to a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing. The school's ethos, centered on the idea of being "a school by a family for a family," promotes a caring atmosphere.

Safeguarding
Detailed information about their specific policies and procedures for child protection and safeguarding have not been made publicly available.
Parent Experience

History
Cempaka School was founded in 1983 by Dato' Freida Pilus, who initially started the school in a rented bungalow to provide a quality education for her sons. The school was founded on the principle of being "a school by a family for a family," an ethos it aims to maintain. Over the years, it has grown into the Cempaka Group of Schools, with campuses in Damansara Heights and Cheras. The founder's sons are still involved in the school's leadership, continuing the family's commitment to its development.

Community
The school fosters a sense of community through its house system, where all students and staff are allocated to one of four houses. This system encourages participation in a variety of inter-house events throughout the year, including sports, academics, and performing arts. The school also organizes events that celebrate cultural diversity, such as Hari Raya assemblies, which bring the school community together.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is no public information available regarding a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school operates a single Damansara Heights campus for students aged 2 to 18. Michelia is the on-site early childhood centre, based on a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. The Finnish school model forms the foundation for learning, with content localised to connect with local society and environment. Students progress through primary and secondary education to British IGCSE and A Level examinations on a strong track record. The programme integrates academics, sports, performing arts and service opportunities.

Academic Facilities
The Finnish school model provides the foundation for learning. The Finnish curriculum allows content localisation to connect learning with local society and environment. The learning journey starts with Michelia at age 2 and continues through nine years of schooling, applying the tenets of a healthy mindset, resilient work ethic and upright moral values across academics, sports, performing arts and service programmes. Students progress to British-based IGCSE and A Level examinations. The curriculum supports international mindedness through exchanges, projects and ISA activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school offers an award-winning performing arts programme and a broad array of sports and expeditions. It provides leadership opportunities and real-world-relevant learning through these activities. Cempakans participate in International Schools Association activities, exchange programmes, year-round Combined Special Projects and school trips, including the ISA Youth Leadership Encounter.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The co-curricular programme offers over 250 learning opportunities across sports, science and innovation, the arts, outdoor activities, and school trips. Starting as early as Year 1, these activities expand as students grow older, providing a platform to challenge themselves, acquire new skills, and collaborate with peers. Students gain experiences representing their sports house or the school, contributing to personal development and intellectual curiosity through hands-on activities in science and innovation.

Arts & Creative
Performing Arts is a multi award-winning programme that begins in Year 1. It provides a rich exploration of music, drama, movement, and dance, introducing students to a variety of musical instruments and genres and offering regular performance opportunities. Integrated into the primary curriculum, the programme develops artistic skills and confidence for everyday life.

Social & Hobbies
The co-curricular programme fosters social connection and teamwork. Students represent their sports house or the school, gaining valuable experience and building belonging within the team, house, and wider school community.

Leadership & Professional
In secondary school, students have leadership opportunities and participate in student government and leadership in clubs and sports houses. Leadership opportunities and service projects provide platforms to work collaboratively, advocate for what they believe in, and develop responsible leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The co-curricular programme includes extensive sports and outdoor activities to support physical and mental wellbeing. The sports department hosts events such as the Spartan Race for junior and senior students, and expeditions and other outdoor activities are part of the program.
Reputation

Awards
Information about recent awards won by the school have not been made publicly available.

Accreditations
International Baccalaureate (IB) World School: This authorizes the school to offer the IB Diploma Programme, a rigorous, internationally recognized pre-university qualification.

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): This allows the school to offer IGCSE examinations, a popular international curriculum for 14 to 16-year-olds.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Arrange a visit.
The admissions team encourages prospective families to visit the campus. You can arrange a guided tour to see the facilities, observe classes, and meet with faculty, which will help you get a better feel for the school environment.

2. Submit an application.
You will need to complete the application forms and submit them along with the required documents. These typically include passport-sized photographs, a copy of your child's birth certificate and passport, and their most recent school reports. An application fee is also required at this stage.

3. Entrance Examination and Interview.
Once the application is submitted, your child will be required to sit for an entrance examination. The exam subjects vary by year level but generally include English, Maths, and Science. An interview with the school is also part of this stage.

4. Receive an Offer.
The school will notify you in writing of the outcome of your application within a week of the examination and interview. If your child is offered a place, you will receive an Offer Letter via email with details on how to secure the place, including payment of the first term's fees and a security deposit.

Scholarships
Cempaka Schools offer scholarships for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for students entering Year 12. These scholarships cover the last two years of secondary schooling. The key requirement is that applicants should be about to enter the first year of the IBDP and be at least 15 years old at the time of enrolment. The school looks for students who can demonstrate intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.

Waitlist
The school does not explicitly state whether it operates a waitlist or pool system.
School Events
The school has not added events
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