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Forest City International School

Malaysia, Johor Bahru

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MYR 56,000 - 74,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2018
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Reggio Emilia Approach
Taught languages English, Malay, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Forest City International School (FCIS), established in 2018, is an American-style K–12 boarding and day school located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school offers a curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards and incorporates Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. FCIS caters to students aged 3 to 18 and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1. The campus features facilities such as science laboratories, a STEM Innovation Center, an 850-seat theatre, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an indoor golf practice hall with AI technology, and a professional-grade fitness center. A distinctive program at FCIS is its indoor golf practice hall equipped with AI technology, providing students with advanced training opportunities.

PTD 5093 (Plot 62), Jalan Forest City 9, Forest City, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia

The Essentials

Forest City International School has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Forest City International School is located in the Forest City development in Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia, close to the Second Link bridge connecting to Singapore. The school is approximately 40 minutes from Johor Bahru city center and about 15 minutes from the Tuas checkpoint. It is situated in a gated, coastal township with residential and resort developments, providing convenient access for families relocating to the region.

Stages
The school offers a full K–12 program, structured into Early Childhood (ages 3–5), Lower School (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and Upper School (Grades 9–12). Students typically graduate at age 18, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school.

Type
FCIS is a co-educational international school that accepts both day and boarding students. Boarding is available for students in the upper primary years and above. The school caters to both local and expatriate families.

Additional learning support
The school states that it supports differentiated learning and offers guidance for students with diverse educational needs. However, it does not advertise a formal special education department or dedicated SEN facilities on its public platforms.

Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with the U.S. educational system and follows a curriculum aligned with the American Common Core Standards, including AP options.

However, the school does not have a formal national or embassy affiliation.

Religious affiliation
FCIS is a secular school and does not have a religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school day typically runs from around 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with short breaks between lessons and a designated lunch period. The exact schedule may vary by grade level. Extracurricular activities often take place after regular class hours.

Bus service
FCIS offers a school transport service for day students. The bus routes and coverage areas are arranged based on student locations, and services are managed by the school or a designated provider. Details on pick-up times, safety measures, and fees can be obtained directly from the admissions office.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding options include Full Boarding and Weekly Boarding. Full Boarders join students from many countries and participate in weekend trips around Johor and Singapore. Weekly Boarding runs five days with Friday home time and Sunday return by 6pm for study hall.

Governance and Ownership
Forest City International School operates as part of CATS Global Schools (CGS) since July 1, 2024.
Fees

Annual tuition at Forest City International School ranges from MYR 56,000 to MYR 74,000 for 2026/27.

Application and Enrolment Fees
* A one-time application fee of MYR 1,000 applies to all levels.
* A refundable deposit of MYR 5,200 is required for day students.

Tuition and School Fees (Per Year)
* Pre-K & Kindergarten (PreK3 – K5): MYR 56,000 tuition + MYR 9,500 additional fees = MYR 65,500
* Primary School (G1 – G6): MYR 60,000 tuition + MYR 9,500 additional fees = MYR 69,500
* Middle School (G7 – G9): MYR 68,000 tuition + MYR 9,500 additional fees = MYR 77,500
* High School (G10 – G12): MYR 74,000 tuition + MYR 9,500 additional fees = MYR 83,500

Additional fees include MYR 1,200 (activities), MYR 2,100 (learning resources), MYR 6,000 (day student catering), and MYR 200 (personal accident insurance). High school students also require a personal notebook (BYOD).

Boarding Fees (Annual)
* 4 students per room: MYR 30,000 (plus MYR 8,000 deposit)
* 2 students per room: MYR 43,000 (plus MYR 8,000 deposit)
* Catering is included in the boarding fee.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Fees
* iEAL (Intensive): MYR 10,000
* aEAL (Advanced): MYR 7,000
* Standard EAL: MYR 4,000

Payment and Refunds
Payment terms and billing schedules are typically annual, and parents are advised to confirm with admissions regarding installment options. Accepted payment methods include bank transfer; credit card availability should be verified with the school.
Academics

Forest City International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Reggio Emilia Approach for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Forest City International School offers an American-style curriculum based on the U.S. Common Core State Standards. Students in the Lower School (Grades 1–5) study core subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, alongside classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, and World Languages. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), the curriculum expands to include more subject-specific learning such as Life Sciences, U.S. History, and introductory courses in STEM and technology. High School students (Grades 9–12) follow a credit-based system with required courses in core subjects and a range of electives, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects like Calculus, Biology, and English Literature. World Languages are offered throughout the school, with instruction tailored to language background and proficiency. The curriculum is designed to support university readiness, with guidance available for college admissions.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
FCIS incorporates social and emotional learning into its curriculum, particularly within the Lower School program. The school utilizes the Second Step program to support students in developing social-emotional skills. Additionally, the Early Childhood School emphasizes the importance of social-emotional development as a foundation for future learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
FCIS considers applications from students with additional learning needs and evaluates whether it has the resources to support each student's academic requirements. The school does not operate as a specialist SEN institution and may not be equipped to support all types of special educational needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
FCIS offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program to support students whose first language is not English. All applicants are assessed during the admissions process to determine if EAL support is necessary. The EAL program is designed to help students develop proficiency in English to access the full curriculum effectively.

Mental Wellbeing
The school prioritizes the health and academic success of its students. The Health Centre operates from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00, providing medical support as needed.

Safeguarding
FCIS places importance on safeguarding and child protection, adhering to relevant policies and procedures to ensure student safety. The school complies with applicable regulations and standards to maintain a secure environment for all students.
Parent Experience

History
Forest City International School (FCIS) was established in September 2018 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school was initially founded in partnership with Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Minnesota, USA, bringing over 160 years of educational heritage to Southeast Asia. In 2024, the school rebranded as Forest City International School and became part of CATS Global Schools, a UK-based education group that operates several international schools worldwide. FCIS is located within Forest City, a large-scale urban development project in Johor, developed by Country Garden Holdings.

Community
FCIS fosters a diverse and inclusive community, with students and families from various cultural backgrounds. The school organizes a range of events to celebrate this diversity and build community spirit. These include cultural celebrations, arts showcases, and academic events like STEM activities. Such events provide opportunities for students, parents, and staff to engage and collaborate outside the classroom.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
FCIS has an active Parent Teacher Association that plays a vital role in enhancing the school experience for students and families. The PTA organizes various events and activities, including cultural celebrations, academic workshops, and social gatherings. These initiatives aim to foster strong relationships between parents, teachers, and the broader school community. The PTA also supports fundraising efforts to provide additional resources and opportunities for students.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is on a green, peaceful island in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school teaches an American curriculum in English, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available as needed. Facilities include science laboratories meeting international standards, a STEM Innovation Center, a theatre that seats 850, an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, an indoor golf practice hall with AI technology, access to a top 100 golf range, a professional-grade fitness center, multiple sports courts, separate libraries for primary and secondary students, and a culinary and baking classroom. Additional spaces include a soccer field, biology lab, smart classroom, auditorium, tennis court, and cafeteria.

Sports Facilities
FCIS provides extensive athletic facilities including a soccer field, indoor basketball court, badminton court, tennis court, and an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, complemented by a professional fitness center and multiple sports venues.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include science laboratories (biology and general science), a STEM Innovation Center, smart classrooms, and separate libraries for primary and secondary students, supporting a broad range of core subjects and cross-curricular work.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The ECA program offers sports and clubs such as MUN, Robotics, and Art, plus university fairs, art exhibitions, community service, leadership opportunities, and initiatives like Genius Hour projects and Junior Journalism.
Languages

Language Provision
FCIS uses English as the language of instruction across the curriculum. World Languages program offers Mandarin, Malay, and Spanish for Grades 5 and above. EAL is integrated into the curriculum rather than a separate program, with three levels—iEAL, aEAL, and EAL—and delivery modes including Push-In Sessions, Sheltered Instruction, and Pull-Out Sessions. EAL supports Lower School (G1–G6) and Upper School (G7–G12); JumpStart is a 4-week program for new students with limited English, and EAL uses the WIDA framework with CAT4 and MAP assessments to inform placement and progress.
Reputation

Awards
As of now, there are no publicly documented awards received by Forest City International School in the past five years.

Accreditations
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) :
Forest City International School is accredited by NEASC, a U.S.-based accreditation body recognized for its rigorous standards in education. This accreditation ensures that the school meets international benchmarks for quality and engages in continuous improvement processes.

East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) :
FCIS is a member of EARCOS, a regional organization of international schools committed to professional development, collaboration, and shared educational practices. Membership provides access to training, conferences, and cross-school learning opportunities.

College Board (Advanced Placement – AP) :
FCIS is authorized to offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses by the College Board. These courses follow a standardized U.S. college-level curriculum and provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit based on exam performance.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Book a school tour or open house
Families are encouraged to schedule a campus tour or attend an open house event. These visits provide an opportunity to view facilities, speak with staff, and understand the school environment. Appointments can be arranged through the admissions team.

2. Submit an application
Complete the application form and submit the required documents, including a copy of the student’s passport or MyKid, previous school reports, and any relevant academic or behavioral records. A non-refundable application fee of MYR 1,000 is payable at this stage.

3. Assessment and interview
Applicants may be required to complete an entrance assessment to determine academic and language readiness. This may include an English proficiency test, especially for students whose first language is not English. An interview with the student and/or parents may also be scheduled.

4. Offer and placement
If the application is successful, the school will issue an offer letter. To confirm the place, parents must pay the enrolment deposit of MYR 5,200 (for day students) or the relevant boarding deposit. Orientation information will be provided ahead of the start date.

Scholarships
The school does not publicly advertise a formal scholarship program. Any merit-based or financial assistance opportunities are subject to internal review and are typically considered on a case-by-case basis. Families interested in this should discuss directly with the admissions team during the application process.

Waitlist
Forest City International School does not currently operate a waitlist or pool system. Admissions are considered on a rolling basis, subject to availability of places in each year group. Parents are encouraged to apply early, especially for mid-year entries or high-demand levels.
School Events
The school has not added events
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