At a glance
Cempaka International School grew out of the Cempaka group of schools, a Malaysian education provider that dates back to 1984 and built its reputation on a home grown approach to international education rather than a franchised British or American brand. The international school combines the structure of the Cambridge pathway with Finnish teaching methods, an unusual pairing in Kuala Lumpur that puts wellbeing, inquiry and lower test pressure in the early years at the centre of how the school describes itself. It is one of the few schools in the city that lets a pre university student choose between three distinct exit routes. For the wider context of curricula, fees and neighbourhoods, our hub on international schools in Kuala Lumpur sets the scene.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Blended British and Finnish curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Level, IB Diploma |
| Stages | Early childhood to pre university |
| Founded | Cempaka group founded 1984 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School; Cambridge International school. Other memberships not published here |
| Fee band | Mid to premium (see the Kuala Lumpur fees guide) |
| Campuses | Bukit Damansara (Damansara Heights) and Taman Cheras Permata, Cheras |
Curriculum and academics
The defining feature of Cempaka is its blended British and Finnish model. In the lower years children follow Cambridge Primary standards taught through Finnish methods that lean on play, project work and a slower build towards formal assessment. As pupils move up, the structure tightens into Cambridge Lower Secondary and then Cambridge IGCSE in the upper secondary years, the qualification most universities and employers recognise on sight. At pre university level the school splits into three routes: Cambridge A Level for students who want depth in three or four subjects, the IB Diploma Programme for those who prefer a broad six subject profile with theory of knowledge and an extended essay, and a Finnish pathway for families drawn to that system. Because Cempaka is an authorised IB World School, the Diploma is delivered in house rather than outsourced. Families should ask the school for its most recent results and university destinations rather than relying on summary claims, as Cempaka does not publish a single headline figure that captures all three pathways.
Cempaka International School fees
Cempaka International School fees fall in the mid to premium band for the city, with a clear gap between the two campuses: the Damansara Heights site is priced above the Cheras site, and within each campus tuition climbs steadily from the early years to the senior school. We do not print a single headline number here because the school revises fees each year and the figure depends on campus and year group; the admissions office issues the current schedule on request, and you can sense check the band against our guide to international school fees in Kuala Lumpur. Beyond tuition, budget for a one off application or assessment fee, a refundable deposit held against your place, and optional school bus charges if you live away from your chosen campus. On the premium tier the senior years and the IB Diploma in particular carry the highest annual cost, so model the full run to graduation rather than the entry year figure alone.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, with assessment shaped to the age of the applicant. The youngest children join through an informal observation and a taster session, while older applicants sit curriculum based assessment in English and mathematics and supply school reports and references. Entry into the pre university pathways is conditional: the A Level, IB Diploma and Finnish routes each carry their own IGCSE or equivalent grade expectations, so sixth form stage families should open the conversation in the preceding academic year. Places at the more sought after year groups can fill ahead of time, so relocating families are advised to register as soon as a move to Kuala Lumpur is confirmed. The school will ask for previous records and may interview the family before confirming a place.
Location and who goes there
Cempaka spreads across two campuses on opposite sides of the city. The Bukit Damansara campus sits in Damansara Heights, an established, leafy and affluent district west of the centre that is popular with professional and diplomatic families, with quick access to Bangsar and Mont Kiara. The Cheras campus, in Taman Cheras Permata, serves the large residential belt to the south east of Kuala Lumpur and is the more accessible option for families living in that part of the Klang Valley. The community blends Malaysian families who value the home grown brand with expatriate families drawn to the Finnish element and the choice of three pre university routes. To weigh where to settle relative to either campus, return to the Kuala Lumpur city hub for a neighbourhood by neighbourhood read.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Cempaka International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Cempaka International School fees?
Cempaka International School fees sit in the mid to premium band for Kuala Lumpur, with the Damansara Heights campus priced higher than the Cheras campus and tuition rising by year group towards the senior school. The school publishes a current schedule on request. Budget separately for an application fee, a refundable deposit and optional bus charges.
Is Cempaka International School a good school?
Cempaka is one of the longer established Malaysian founded international schools and an authorised IB World School, distinctive for blending the Cambridge framework with Finnish teaching methods. Whether it suits your child depends on stage, budget, which campus is closer and whether the British and Finnish model fits how your child learns.
What curriculum does Cempaka International School follow?
Cempaka teaches a blended British and Finnish curriculum. Lower years follow Cambridge Primary alongside Finnish methods, upper secondary sits Cambridge IGCSE, and pre university students choose between Cambridge A Level, the IB Diploma Programme or a Finnish pathway.
Where are the Cempaka International School campuses?
Cempaka runs two campuses in the Klang Valley: one in Bukit Damansara, Damansara Heights, west of central Kuala Lumpur, and one in Taman Cheras Permata, Cheras, to the south east.
Does Cempaka International School offer the IB Diploma?
Yes. Cempaka is an authorised IB World School and offers the IB Diploma Programme as one of three pre university routes, the others being Cambridge A Level and a Finnish pathway.
