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Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau

Malaysia, Penang

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Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MYR 55,260 - 62,970
Ages 11 - 19 years
Pupil numbers 500
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2011
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Part of
Prince of Wales Island International School
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Malay, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Prince of Wales Island International School’s Balik Pulau campus opened in 2011 and offers British-based education from Year 7 to Sixth Form (age 11–19). Located in the quieter, agricultural western side of Penang, it combines rural surroundings with access to quality boarding and day education. The school follows the English National Curriculum, leading students through IGCSE to Cambridge A Levels. Academic achievements are strong. Facilities include science labs for hands-on STEM learning, sports fields used for FOBISIA events, and a creative arts programme offering choir, orchestra, and other drama productions. Boarding options include full, weekday or flexible plans, with transport services available.

www.powiis.edu.my
This campus is part of Prince of Wales Island International School

1 Jalan Sungai Air Putih 6, Bandar Baru Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau has 500 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) Balik Pulau campus sits in a calm, rural setting on the western side of Penang Island, Malaysia, surrounded by orchards and rice fields. It’s reached via a short drive from Balik Pulau town, with a dedicated school bus service connecting it to various residential areas across the island.

Stages
POWIIS Balik Pulau caters to students aged 11 to 19, beginning from Year 7 through Year 13. The structure is aligned with the British educational system:

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9): Students follow the National Curriculum of England, providing foundational academic skills across subjects.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11): Pupils prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations across a range of core and elective subjects.

Sixth Form (Years 12–13): Students undertake Cambridge International A Levels, with subject choices tailored to individual strengths and university aspirations.

Type
POWIIS is a co‑educational school offering day places for ages 11–19. Boarding is available in full-time, weekly, or flexible arrangements (flexi‑boarding) at the Balik Pulau campus.

Additional learning support
POWIIS provides targeted support for students with additional learning needs through its Learning Support Department, which offers both English as an Additional Language (EAL) and SEN provisions:

EAL Support: Available for students in Years 7–9, focusing on building fluency and confidence in academic English through structured withdrawal sessions. Pupils are assessed and grouped according to their language needs.

SEN Support: Students with learning differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, or mild autism spectrum conditions) may receive individualized support based on assessments. Provision can include:

One-to-one support sessions
Modified classroom strategies
Exam access arrangements (e.g., extra time)
Collaboration with external specialists (when needed)

Country affiliation
POWIIS is an independent school in Malaysia but follows the English National Curriculum.

Religious affiliation
POWIIS does not have any religious affiliations.

School day structure
The school day typically begins at 8:00 AM and ends by 3:00 PM. It includes a morning break and lunch break. Co-curricular activities take place after school hours on selected days.

Bus service
Yes, POWIIS offers a school bus service across Penang Island, with designated pick‑up points in residential areas. Routes and pricing are outlined in the Parent Handbook and include behavior guidelines and booking procedures.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau ranges from MYR 55,260 to MYR 62,970 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees:
Assessment Fee (non-refundable): MYR 1,000
Registration Fee (non-refundable): MYR 5,000
Course Deposit: Ranges from MYR 15,800 to MYR 18,000

Tuition Fees:
There are three terms per academic year.
Year 7 & 8: MYR 18,420 per term / MYR 55,260 annually
Year 9: MYR 19,240 per term / MYR 57,720 annually
Year 10 & 11: MYR 19,700 per term / MYR 59,100 annually
Year 12 & 13: MYR 20,990 per term / MYR 62,970 annually

A 3.5% discount is offered for full annual payment in advance.

Boarding Fees:
Available for students in Year 7 to Year 13:
Boarding Deposit: MYR 12,000
Full Boarding: MYR 13,200 per term / MYR 39,600 annually
Weekday Boarding (Mon–Fri): MYR 10,500 per term / MYR 31,500 annually
Flexi-Boarding: MYR 220 per night

Boarding includes meals, linen, air-conditioning, supervision, and weekend activities. Single rooms are provided for Sixth Form students.

Arts Academy Fees:
Standard Program:

Year 7 to Year 10, Year 12:
Termly: MYR 6,000
Annual: MYR 18,000

Year 11 and Year 13:
Termly: MYR 6,000
Annual: MYR 12,000

Premium Program:

Year 7 to Year 10, Year 12:
Termly: MYR 12,000
Annual: MYR 36,000

Year 11 and Year 13:
Termly: MYR 12,000
Annual: MYR 24,000

These fees are in addition to tuition and reflect specialised coaching, performance development, and advanced exposure to the arts. Year 11 and Year 13 only pay for two terms, because term 3 is mainly examinations.

Other Costs:
Uniforms, books, transport, and optional activities (e.g., instrumental music) are not included in tuition.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms:
Fees are billed termly in advance. Tuition payments are due in August, December, and April for each academic year. A 3% discount is offered for full annual payment made in advance.


Refund Policy:
Deposits are refundable only if written notice of withdrawal is given by the deadlines listed in the handbook. Assessment and registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.


Academics

Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 11 to 19.

Curriculum
POWIIS Balik Pulau follows the British curriculum, structured around the English National Curriculum in the lower years and progressing to internationally recognised qualifications. In Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3), students study a broad range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, and Physical Education. In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE, selecting core subjects (such as English, Mathematics, and Sciences) along with elective options like Business Studies, Art, Music, or Computer Science. In the Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students choose from a range of Cambridge International A Levels, typically taking three or four subjects aligned with their future academic and career plans. The curriculum also includes pastoral, enrichment, and co-curricular programmes that support personal development. English is the medium of instruction, with additional language options offered as part of the academic programme.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Book a school tour or virtual open event:
The school recommends visiting the campus or attending a virtual session to better understand its facilities, curriculum, and learning environment. This can be arranged through the admissions team.

2. Submit the application form and required documents:
Parents complete the official application form and upload key documents including school reports, health information, birth certificate/passport, and a photo. These are submitted online or via email to the school registrar.

3. Assessment and interview:
Students may be invited for academic assessment (including English language evaluation) and an interview with the academic team. These assessments help determine appropriate placement and support.

4. Offer of place and confirmation:
If successful, an offer letter is issued. Parents then confirm the place by returning a signed acceptance form and paying a registration fee and deposit.

Scholarships
POWIIS Bukit Pulau offers five types of scholarships for both existing and prospective students, applicable against tuition fees only:

General Academic:
Based on CAT scores (top 5% of cohort), IGCSE performance (for Year 12), recent grades, and references.

Subject Specific:
For exceptional achievement in a particular academic subject, supported by competition results and teacher recommendations.

Arts:
For drama, music, design tech, or visual arts; applicants submit portfolios, performance samples, and validated exam/competition results.

Global Citizenship:
Based on involvement in events such as MUN, GIN, WSC, or service projects, supported by portfolios and references.

Sports:
For students excelling in school sports with documented team representation, trial performance, and coach recommendations.

Scholarships are awarded per term and are not applied retrospectively. They require an excellent record of attendance and behaviour. Only one application per student per year is accepted, and awards are confidential. Scholarships may be withdrawn with a term’s notice if criteria are not maintained.

Waitlist
POWIIS does not mention the use of a waitlist or pool-based admissions system.
School Events
The school has not added events
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