Choosing the Right School Isn’t Easy These Days
With so many different curriculums, teaching styles, and academic promises out there, picking the right school can feel overwhelming.
As parents, we want more than just good grades — we want an environment that nurtures our child’s curiosity, builds confidence, and prepares them for a future that’s constantly changing. But how do you find a school that truly supports your child’s learning, growth, and individual path?
According to a 2020 report by the World Economic Forum, “65% of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that do not yet exist.”
That’s why schools need to go beyond textbooks — helping students build the skills to adapt, think critically, and thrive anywhere in the world.
At Sunway International Schools (SIS), flexibility and global recognition are at the heart of their approach. What does that mean for your child? It means more choices, more opportunities, and an education that opens doors — wherever they go.
SIS offers not one, but three internationally recognised programmes — giving students the freedom to follow a path that suits them best. With two campuses, it is the first and only international school in Malaysia offering three distinct graduation pathways: the Canadian Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) at its Sunway City Kuala Lumpur campus, and the Canadian Programme and IB at its campus in Sunway City Iskandar Puteri.
The Canadian Programme: Your Child Thriving in a Truly Global Classroom
Imagine a school day where your child doesn’t just memorise facts — but asks questions, explores ideas, collaborates with classmates, and learns how to think critically. That’s the everyday experience for students in the Canadian Programme at SIS.
Offered from kindergarten through Grade 11 at the Sunway City Kuala Lumpur campus, this curriculum is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education in Canada, making SIS one of the few schools in the region to offer a truly authentic Canadian education. Students work towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) — a globally respected qualification accepted by top universities worldwide.
But it’s not just about academic credentials.
At the primary level, the Canadian Programme nurtures young minds by focusing on literacy, numeracy, and global competencies, all delivered through a student-centred framework.
What makes this programme stand out?
• Character education and global citizenship are woven into the curriculum.
• Inclusive, multimodal learning caters to diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• A strong emphasis on real-life connections through field trips, school events, and community involvement.
• Daily physical activity and extracurriculars are part of the learning journey — not an afterthought.
And when your child reaches secondary level? The Canadian pathway is incredibly flexible. After completing Grade 11, students can choose to continue with Grade 12 to earn their full OSSD, or transition into other international pre-university programmes like Sunway College’s A-Level or AUSMAT.
It’s an education that keeps doors open — just the way learning should be.
The Cambridge International Programme: A Legacy That Spans Centuries
What if your child’s education could open doors to some of the world’s most prestigious universities —while also nurturing their confidence, curiosity, and character?
That’s the vision behind the Cambridge International Programme, where students in Malaysia can access a Cambridge International education delivered to the highest British standards through a groundbreaking collaboration.
This marks the first-ever partnership in Asia with Magdalen College School (MCS), Oxford — one of the UK’s most respected independent schools, with a legacy stretching back to 1480. Founded by a Lord Chancellor of England and closely connected to the University of Oxford, MCS has long been known for academic excellence, global outlook, and an unwavering commitment to helping students achieve their full potential.
A Pathway to the World’s Top Universities
The Cambridge pathway is widely recognised by leading institutions — including Oxford, Cambridge, the Ivy League, and beyond. With MCS’s outstanding track record (over 25 per cent of its Sixth Form students go on to Oxbridge), students at SIS will benefit from the same high expectations and academic preparation.
A Curriculum that Builds More Than Knowledge
From Years 1 to 6, students develop strong foundations in English, Maths, Science, and more — through engaging, inquiry-based lessons designed to spark a love of learning. The programme balances academic rigour with creativity, exploration, and character development.
Dual-Language Option (English & Chinese)
For families seeking bilingual fluency, SIS offers a Dual-Language Programme, where students can study in both English and Chinese, opening even more doors, particularly in Asia’s rapidly growing education and career markets.
What makes this pathway so special isn’t just the elite academic connections — it’s the way it combines heritage with innovation, global thinking with local relevance, and structure with flexibility. As your child grows, they’ll have the option to sit for the IGCSE exams in Year 11, and naturally progress into the A-Levels led by Magdalen College School, while also keeping the choice open for the IB Diploma Programme at SIS or other pre-university options.
It’s not just a programme that helps students to succeed – but to stand out.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (IBDP): Grades & A Global Mindset
What if your bright child is eager for a challenge or ready to go deeper than just textbooks?
That’s where the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at SIS comes in. Offered since 2017, the IBDP is a world-renowned pre-university programme that goes beyond academic excellence. It’s designed to shape thoughtful, independent learners who are ready for university and life beyond the classroom — wherever that may be.
What makes the IB different?
Rather than focusing on just one area of study, IB students explore a broad range of subjects and learn how they connect across disciplines. They build strong research and writing skills, manage their time effectively, and gain confidence in self-directed learning — all while becoming fluent in at least two languages. Three elements that are also unique to the IB:
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A critical thinking course about how we know what we know. It pushes students to reflect on the nature of knowledge itself.
• Extended Essay (EE): A 4,000-word independent research paper on a topic of the student’s choice — a great preparation for university.
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students complete real-world projects outside the classroom that involve arts, sports, volunteering, and other community engagement.
Where does it lead?
IB graduates from SIS have gone on to top universities around the world — including the National University of Singapore (NUS), King’s College London, University of Toronto, McGill, and many more in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. With internationally standardised assessments, universities know exactly what to expect from IB students — and often value them highly during admissions and scholarship evaluations.
The IB programme isn’t easy — but that’s what makes it so rewarding. It’s designed for students who are curious, committed, and eager to challenge themselves. And at SIS, those students are supported every step of the way.
Choosing Their Own Unique Journey
Every child is different — and education should reflect that. At Sunway International School, students are not boxed into one path. Instead, they’re given the tools, support, guidance and opportunities to carve out a journey that’s uniquely their own.
Whether your child is just starting school or preparing for university, SIS offers a nurturing environment, flexible pathways and world-class opportunities — all under one roof.
Explore SISKL’s Open Day on 11th October 2025
Step into a vibrant world of learning at Sunway International School Kuala Lumpur (SISKL) this 11th October 2025. Join their Open Day to explore the campus, meet dedicated educators, and get a first-hand look at what makes SISKL’s internationally recognised programmes so distinctive.
Highlights of the day include a guided campus tour, interactive activities for families, and a special Introduction & Dialogue session featuring Helen Pike, Master (Headteacher) of the prestigious Magdalen College School, Oxford, and Professor Cheng Mien Wee, Executive Director of Sunway International Schools.
As an incredible bonus, Open Day visitors can also enjoy up to RM9,000 in registration fee waivers for 2026 intakes (*T&Cs apply).
Visit the SISKL Open Day and discover the heart of its promise: Two campuses, one vision — nurturing minds, building character, and shaping values for life.
This post is sponsored by Sunway International Schools. As the only Canadian, Cambridge & International Baccalaureate School in Malaysia, it is a place where students work on different skills at different paces through a highly personalised learning journey.
Drop by their Open Day on Saturday, 11th October 2025 at the Sunway City Kuala Lumpur campus at PT 1379, Jalan Subang 1, USJ 1, 47600, Selangor. Grab the opportunity to gain insight into their three pathways through exclusive previews presented by their SIS Community.
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