International School of Kuala Lumpur
Encyclopedia
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, parent-owned and parent-governed school in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia, accredited by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
and internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS)
Council of International Schools
The Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...
. It has three divisions: elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
and high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
.
Established in 1965, the ISKL was the first school with an American curriculum in Malaysia. It was also the first fully accredited international school in Malaysia. The curriculum is US-based, and offers students the chance to earn a High School Diploma, an International Baccalaureate diploma (or certificates), and to attend Advanced Placement programs. The majority of students are from expatriate families seeking a western school system for their children while living abroad, while Malaysians seeking an American-based education may also attend the school. While the school focuses on a western education system, it also maintains and stresses cultural relations with its host country, encouraging students to participate in a variety of cultural activities. The school also employs the national and compulsory law of enforcing school uniforms.
As of 2009, there are approximately, 1600 students from more than 62 countries, with the most common nationalities being American, Korean, Malaysian, and Indian. ISKL’s faculty comprises highly qualified and experienced individuals, many from the USA and Canada, with over 95% of them holding degrees at Masters and Doctorate level.
Information technology
Each classroom at ISKL is equipped with at least one networked computer with Internet access. Additional stations at the libraries and computer labs accommodate student needs for computer resources. Each student is provided with an account with ISKL Online, a bulletin-board and e-mail system which they can use to collaborate on academic work, store files, discuss ongoing events, communicate with teachers, and access school-related materials from home. ISKL Online has also been known for its use of students in its administration, as ever since its introduction its moderation and maintenance has been assisted by selected student system operators. Computers are regularly used in courses as well as after-school activities and the production of publications.Malaysia Week
Each year all middle school students are provided the opportunity to participate in Malaysia Week, a week-long program where students are taken to nature and urban sites around Malaysia according to fitness level and preference. Students select the degree of adventure and cultural experience they wish to have, with accommodations ranging from outdoor camping to hostels. The goals of the program include developing community living, increasing knowledge of Malaysian nature and culture, and learning and reinforcing new skills. Activities include hiking, caving, climbing, boating, snorkeling, sightseeing, and many others.Exchange programs in Southeast Asia
ISKL is a member of the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian SchoolsInterscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools
The Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools is an association of six schools in and around Southeast Asia. The member schools are International School Bangkok , International School of Kuala Lumpur , International School Manila , Jakarta International School , Singapore American...
(IASAS). Participating international schools include International School Bangkok
International School Bangkok
The International School of Bangkok is in the western-style community of Nichada Thani, in Nonthaburi Province.- ISB history :ISB opened in 1951. Its initial enrollment was 50 children of United Nations and U.S. diplomats. First located on Rajadamri Road, ISB expanded to provide both primary and...
(ISB), Jakarta International School
Jakarta International School
Jakarta International School is a private, international school in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was established in 1951 for expatriate students living in Jakarta and is the largest international primary and secondary school in Indonesia....
(JIS), International School Manila
International School Manila
International School Manila is a private school in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is non-denominational and co-educational, and primarily serves Manila's multinational community...
(ISM), Singapore American School
Singapore American School
RedWebsiteThe Singapore American School is a private international school in Singapore. Established in 1956, the school offers an American-based curriculum from preschool through to Grade 12 for approximately 3,800 expatriate students, making it the largest international school in the world...
(SAS) and Taipei American School (TAS).
IASAS sponsors many athletic and fine/performing arts events throughout the school year. For each event, competitive high school students from all participating schools travel to a designated school for the year's event, housed by volunteer families of the host school and competing as well as enjoying the culture of their destination. The IASAS activities, in addition to athletics, also include two Cultural Conventions that take place simultaneously in differing host schools. One of the Cultural Conventions focuses on music, visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
, and fine arts that are exhibited from travelling students from all six schools. The second Cultural Convention focuses on drama, dance, handstand fighting, mixed martial arts, debate, Forensics and extreme death chess. The activities within Forensics include Extemporaneous speaking, and Oral Oratory. During this Cultural Convention, dramas and dances are performed throughout, while students compete for medals in debate and Forensics.
Athletics
ISKL's athletics fall into three distinct categories. Intramural events are held for beginners and fun-seekers to take part in physical activity after-school. Junior varsity and varsity sport teams train students who are selected by tryouts, and engage in regular practice and competition throughout a season. Finally, selected students are sent on IASAS exchanges as detailed above, to compete with other schools in southeast Asia. Students can explore the martial arts, including Tae Kwan Do, KarateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, in the form of afterschool lessons. Also, students can learn breakdancing by joining Soul Bratz crew.
Model United Nations
Held annually in November, the Model UNModel United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
provides students with an opportunity to participate in a simulation of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. IASAS Model UN is the only event that allows for not only the six IASAS schools to participate, but also other international schools in different countries ranging from Bangladesh to Japan. Using specific topics of international importance, participating schools are assigned various countries. Students are then expected to research the debate topics in light of the countries assigned and to represent the views in a general assembly. Participation in the Model UN program is limited. Some debating competitions
Debate
Debate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
may be used to select those individuals who will attend this year's session. The middle school also offers a Mini-MUN program, held annually in Singapore.
Theatre and musicals
ISKL is home to a number of theatre and musical performances. Both the high school and middle school produce musicals, and the high school also produces an ensemble show, in cooperation with the school's band and choir. Most productions are typically shown in the Robert B. Gaw theater on-campus. Recent productions include Kiss Me Kate (high school) and The Nightmare before Christmas (middle school), among others. In 2009, the yearly Middle School play was the first-ever licensed play of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Students also learn to control the sound and lights of the theatre for performances, with assistance from theatre staff.Community service
Students can participate in a variety of established community serviceCommunity service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
programs. In the middle school, students work with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit animal welfare organization originally founded in England in 1824 to pass laws protecting carriage horses from abuse. SPCA groups are now found in many nations, where they campaign for animal welfare, assist in cruelty to animals...
(SPCA), the Rumah Anbu Illam that is a foster home for boys, and a day care facility as part of the curriculum, while afterschool activities provide additional community service opportunities with local organizations. Past accomplishments include planting trees, raising money for charities, and providing help to other local centres. Students can also participate by helping the Chin refugees. At the high school level, many students participate in voluntary service at the local hospital and other organizations. Students at the high school are also required to have a specified number of CAS (Community and Service) hours to graduate.
Student government
ISKL's high school student government comprises 26 elected students, who address various issues at the school and provide an interface between the administration and the student body. The Student Council holds positions for each grade as well as an overall executive committee. Together, the body raises funds and organizes a variety of events including the promProm
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
, other dance events, and several social activities throughout the year. The Student Council is also capable of organizing Tag Days, in which students purchase a ticket for a small fee to wear normal clothes (as opposed to the standard uniform) on a specific day, with all proceeds going towards respective class funds.
ISKL's middle school student government comprises 10 students, with representatives from each grade level. They plan various fundraisers for charities as well as four Middle School parties each year.