The 8 Best Penang International Schools
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Looking for the best Penang international schools? Penang parents may be overwhelmed by the vast selection of schools in the community. After all, the best schools in Penang should be able to hone children holistically.
This is where international schools come in. International schools prepare children to be ahead of their peers by giving them an education at par with academic standards in other countries.
It may seem like a small step up now, but international schools open up more opportunities for their students. Students are geared for quality tertiary education anywhere in the globe, enabling them to reach their full potential.
No need to search far and wide for the best Penang international schools, though. Below is a list of the top Penang international schools for your child’s international education.
1. Prince of Wales Island International School and POWIIS Primary
| BEST FOR: | English National Curriculum-based education |
| PRODUCTS: | https://www.powiis.edu.my/admissions/school-fees/ |
| WEBSITE: | https://www.powiis.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | (POWIIS) 1 Jalan Sungai Air Putih 6, Bandar Baru Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia.
(POWIIS Primary) 88 Jalan Loh Poh Heng 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia. |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | (POWIIS) +604 868 9999
(POWIIS Primary) +604 893 9999 |
Located in the peaceful and green environment of Balik Pulau, Prince of Wales International School (POWIIS) and POWIIS Primary provides a balanced education based on the English National Curriculum.
POWIIS is proven to be attentive to students, with teachers tutoring small groups of children, ensuring that they are guided and their progress monitored during their stay.
Students are also exposed to different cultures within the school. 43 nationalities are represented in their studentry and 85% of the faculty hail from the United Kingdom.
Among their extra-curricular activities is an impressive range of sports, promoting good health and nurturing friendly competition among students.
Highlights
- Green environment
- Pastoral care
- Different cultures
- Sports
Customer Reviews
A Year 8 POWIIS student shared his experience:
“Boarding is really fun! On Saturdays, you get to hang out with your friends and do things we enjoy together such as hiking, going to the mall, laser tag, movies, bike rides, kayaking or we can play an organised sport. On Sundays, we get to have a free day catching up on our sleep, making pizzas, playing soccer, or going for a run with friends.” -Kipp, New Zealander
2. GEMS International School Pearl City
| BEST FOR: | World-class facilities |
| PRODUCTS: | https://pearlcity.gems.edu.my/enrollment/fees/ |
| WEBSITE: | https://pearlcity.gems.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | No. 2, Persiaran Mutiara 5,
Pusat Komersial Bandar Tasek Mutiara 14120 Simpang Ampat Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | +60(4) 509 7000; info_gip@gemsedu.com |
GEMS International School Pearl City aims to hone Globally Enlightened Motivated Students, thus their name.
This Penang international school belongs to the global GEMS Education network, with schools in Asia, Middle East, North America, Europe and Africa.
GEMS has also invested in a roster of excellent teachers and a leading curriculum as well as child research.
Students will certainly enjoy their world-class educational and recreational facilities, which includes 2 football fields, 2 swimming pools, a dance studio, a theatre and various indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
Highlights
- Global network
- Student-first
- World-class facilities
3. Tenby Schools Penang
| BEST FOR: | Personalised education |
| PRODUCTS: | https://tenby.edu.my/penang/school-fees/ |
| WEBSITE: | https://tenby.edu.my/penang/ |
| ADDRESS: | No. 2, Lintang Lembah Permai 1,
Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Penang Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | (General Enquiries) 04-892 7777;
(Admissions Enquiries) 03-7499 7666; |
Tenby Schools Penang challenges each student to be an independent learner, a method they procured from their years of experience. Their educators implement a personal approach to challenge students to create breakthroughs in their academic lives.
Combining local and international approaches and having multinational educators is also one of Tenby Schools’s secrets to becoming one of the best Penang international schools.
The institution boasts an abundance of academic resources and state-of-the-art technology supporting their curriculum.
Students learn beyond schoolwork, with extra-curricular activities such as arts and craft, cookery, and sports, as well as their offering of individual music lessons.
Highlights
- Personal approach
- Local and international methods
- Academic resources
- State-of-the-art technology
- Extra-curriculars
Customer Reviews
Gavind Rao, a Year 12 students shares his insights:
“I have been a Tenby student for the past 11 years. Tenby Penang has become close to a second home for me. When I was offered Sixth Form in Tenby, it seemed like a perfect combination for me; a trade off between a school I love dearly and a college life I so desired with the freedom of wearing out own clothes, leaving the school for our meals and having a separate Sixth Form lounge for the students. I was going to be part of the school I love with the extra liberties of a college student.”
4. International School of Penang (Uplands)
| BEST FOR: | Conducive learning spaces |
| PRODUCTS: | https://www.uplands.org/school/school-fees/ |
| WEBSITE: | https://www.uplands.org/about-us/school-campus/ |
| ADDRESS: | Jalan Sungai Satu, 11100,
Batu Feringgi, Penang, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | (Enquiries) +604 8819777;
(Admissions) Tel: +604 8819777 ext:106; admissions@uplands.org |
| OPERATING HOURS: | Mon to Fri 7:30am-4:45pm |
International School of Penang (Uplands) is just a thirty-minute drive from the city yet is located on a hill overlooking the beach.
It boasts a huge 4-acre campus complete with WIFI access that students can utilize for their studies. The vast campus also hosts a garden courtyard, two libraries, a sports hall, a swimming pool, an astro-turf football field, five science labs, four IT labs, technology workshops, a music room, and drama studios.
While preparing their students for important examinations such as the IGCSE, this Penang international school offers various extra-curricular activities, including kayaking, woodwork, sculpting, and orchestra.
Highlights
- 4-acre campus
- Complete wireless access
- Extra-curriculars
5. Stonyhurst International School Penang
| BEST FOR: | Personalised education |
| PRODUCTS: | https://stonyhurstpenang.edu.my/admissions/fee-structure/ |
| WEBSITE: | https://stonyhurstpenang.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | Lot 3A-1-2 Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tg Pinang, Bandar Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | +604 893 1850; admissions@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my |
Stonyhurst International School recognises the uniqueness in each student, a trait that makes them one of the best Penang international schools.
The institution personalises students’ educational experience with individual advisory, counselling, learning, and coaching programmes. They are committed to nurturing individuality while also encouraging generosity so students begin to follow a purposeful life.
Their expansive list of extra-curricular activities is also accompanied by top-tier facilities, including a nine-hole golf course, an all-weather pitch, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts.
Partnering with Stonyhurst College in the United Kingdom, Stonyhurst International School Penang ensures that they pave pathways for their students to get into the best universities in the world.
6. Pelita International School
| BEST FOR: | Practical approach |
| PRODUCTS: | https://www.pelitaschool.edu.my/admissions |
| WEBSITE: | https://www.pelitaschool.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | Jalan Cengai, 11200, Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | +604 890 6277 / 899 6277; admin@pelitaschool.edu.my |
Pelita International School’s approach to education aims to develop the natural curiosity of children, so their students are motivated to learn. They put a special emphasis on tapping into the genius in every child.
As one of the best Penang international schools, learning is beyond “pen-and-paper” studying for this distinctive institution.
They encourage practical and physical involvement. Learning is done by engaging students in real-life situations presented through simulations.
Highlights
- Develop natural curiosity
- Practical, physical approach
7. Straits International School Penang
| BEST FOR: | Ideal location |
| PRODUCTS: | https://penangsisgroup.edu.my/admissions/school-fees/ |
| WEBSITE: | http://penang.sisgroup.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | No.2, Lilitan Sungai Tiram,
11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | +604-643 1815; |
| OPERATING HOURS: | Mon to Fri 8:00am-4:00pm |
An ideal school location is one thing less to worry about for students and their parents alike. Luckily, Straits International School Penang is conveniently located close to Penang International Airport, Spice Convention Center and the largest shopping centre in the area, Queensbay Mall.
A selection of medium and high-end residential houses can also be found in the proximity of the school, with nearby food and beverage outlets and amenities stores.
Besides the convenience that comes with choosing this institution, this Penang international school also aims to create leaders who are passionate about service.
The school does this by exposing students to opportunities for service and leadership in the community. They aim to instill in their students the character to become compassionate and well-rounded members of the community.
Highlights
- Ideal location
- Proximity to amenities
- Creating leaders
Customer Reviews
The parents of Ethan Adam Cheong, a student of Straits International School Penang said:
“Ethan has been with Straits International School sincee Year 7 and he is currently in Year 9. Since then he has seen significant growth not only academically but in other areas of his school life.
With small classroom sizes, teachers are able to give Ethan enough attention during lessons. He also enjoys some other co-curricular activities that the school offers like photography, Wushu and drum lessons.
SIS provides a well-rounded school experience with a good and important mix of social, cultural and community activities without losing focus on the academics.
We could not be happier with the support the school has offered us- from the excellent teaching staff to the general management. We would encourage anyone looking for thay all-encompassing school experience to their child to consider Straits International School.”
8. Fairview International School
| BEST FOR: | International Baccalaureate Programme |
| PRODUCTS: | IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme |
| WEBSITE: | https://penang.fairview.edu.my/ |
| ADDRESS: | Tingkat Bukit Jambul 1, Bukit Jambul Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. |
| CONTACT DETAILS: | Contact Details: Phone: +60 (4) 640-6633 Whatsapp: +60 (10) 285-8023 enquiries_penang@fairview.edu. |
| OPERATING HOURS: | Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 3.30pm (UTC +08:00) Sat: 8.30am – 12:30pm (UTC +08:00) |
Fairview International School is the largest network of IB World Schools in Malaysia, and has been hailed by various world renowned educators as one of the top 10 international schools in the country.
We like that Fairview has more than 40 years of experience and more than 2,500 students across its campuses. Moreover, this school boasts of its diverse teacher and student body as they come from over 55 countries.
Its Penang campus is the only school on the island that is authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme for students ages 3 to 16.
However, they don’t offer the Diploma Programme for learners aged 16 to 19, unlike the other Fairview campuses.
We think that what sets the Penang campus apart is that they’re also a WWF certified Eco-School, so they promote environmental friendliness. We don’t always see schools promote this.
Overall, we believe that Fairview is a favorable option for your child’s education.
Highlights
- Diverse student body
- IB World School
- Small classes
- WWF certified Eco-School
With this list of international schools, selecting the best school in Penang for your child’s holistic education should now be easy.
Were we able to help you find the best Penang international school for your child? Let us know in the comments.
If you live in Kuala Lumpur instead or know someone seeking international schools in that other city, though, check out our list of the best international schools in Kuala Lumpur instead.