The Kinabalu International School (KIS) consists of the Foundation Stages, a Primary Department and a Secondary Department. Accordingly, classes range from the Foundation One Class for three year olds, through to Year 11 for sixteen year olds. 

A special feature of KIS is its policy to maintain low pupil to teacher ratios in each classroom, so that each pupil’s individual needs can be planned for and met by the teacher. Accordingly, most classes do not exceed 25 pupils. All classes in the lower school also have classroom assistants working in them.

The schools academic year is September through to August, and pupils are placed in their appropriate class level according to their age as on the first day of the new academic year. The school is organized into the following classes:-

Foundation Stages & Primary Departments

Secondary Department

Who May Attend Kinabalu International School?

The Kinabalu International School is open to all expatriate and Malaysian pupils up to six years of age. At six years old, some Malaysian pupils will have to move into the local school system.

For the Primary and Secondary school levels, the school is open to all expatriate pupils from any country, and to those Malaysian pupils who meet the Education Department criteria. The school will advise and assist families of Malaysian pupils to apply for student permits from the relevant Education Authority.

The Curriculum

The English National Curriculum, with some adaptations to the local environment, is followed throughout the school. In the Early Learning Department, the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, published by the DFEE in the United Kingdom is used to guide instruction. The Primary Department and Key Stage 3 area of the Secondary Department adhere to the ‘Programmes of Study’ prescribed in the English National Curriculum.

In Year 10, 11, the school follows the specifications that are  published by the Cambridge University and London University (EDEXCEL) in England. While the skill base and expected levels of understanding that is expected of Year 11 pupils is still based upon the ‘Level Descriptors’ found within the English National Curriculum, the syllabus has more international content. This is particularly evident in subjects such as history and geography where world history and geographical issues are emphasized, as opposed to strictly British.

School Resources

Because all funds generated from school fees are put directly back into the school, KIS possesses very good resources and teaching equipment across all subject areas at each class level. There exists a very good range of reading instruction material and the library possesses an extensive range of books that are regularly updated.

An enviable one computer to five pupils ratio is enjoyed within the school. All classrooms have been internet connected. Various tools such as control technology, logo programming language, CAD Design software, digital cameras, educational CD ROMs, data logging equipment are all part of the school Information & Communications Technology equipment.

New teaching and pupil resources are introduced each year to keep the school abreast with the latest educational developments and teaching techniques. In the Year 2001, the Primary Department purchased an extensive range of resources to assist in the teaching of the Literacy Hour, while the Secondary Department had all its textbooks updated.

The School Staff

The majority of the teaching staff in the school are overseas trained and degree qualified. However those teachers recruited locally are highly qualified in the subject area.

In addition to the teaching staff there is an Office Manager and Receptionist Clerk. There are also six classroom assistants, a Library assistant and a Lab assistant.  A caretaker, two cleaners and a gardener undertake maintenance. A 24-hour security guard is on duty within the school.

The Academic Year

The academic year begins in September and ends in August of each year. There are three terms in each year. Each term ends in a holiday period that normally occur at the following times:-

	April ...........................  2 weeks holiday
	July / August  ................  6 weeks holiday
	December/January .........  4 weeks holiday

	7:50am    Students in school ready to enter classrooms
	8:00am    School day begins
	10:00am    20-minute morning break; children eat snacks & then play
	10:20am    Morning break ends and children begin lessons again
	11.30pm    60-minute lunch break; children have lunch & then play
	12.00 noon    Foundation One Class Home Time
	12.30pm    Lunch Break ends and children begin lessons again
	2.00pm    Reception to Year 6 Home Time
	3.00pm    Year 7 – 11 Home Time (except Fridays, home time is at 2pm)
	2.10pm/3.10pm    After school Clubs begin respectively for Primary & Secondary pupils