International School of Kuala Lumpur

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is an independent private school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, accredited by the United States-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It has three divisions: elementary school, middle school and high school.

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 English-based education also attend the school. While the school focuses on a western education system, it also maintains and stresses cultural relations with its host country, requiring students to participate in a variety of cultural activities. The school also employs the local custom of school uniforms.

As of 2006, there are approximately, 1350 students from more than 50 countries, with the most common nationalities being American, Korean, and Japanese. ISKL’s faculty comprises highly qualified and experienced individuals, many from the USA and Canada, with over two thirds of them holding degrees at Masters and Doctorate level.

Campuses

Today, ISKL comprises two campuses - the Melawati campus, which contains the elementary school (Pre-school through Grade 5) and the Ampang Campus, which consists of the middle school and the high school (Grades 6 through 12). School buses shuttle students from various points in the Kuala Lumpur metro area to and from the campuses each school day, with long-distance routes being air-conditioned. All classrooms have air-conditioning and hallways are outdoors and shaded, as is typical of schools in tropical climates. Each campus is equipped with a library holding over 40,000 materials and several computers for student use, and separate computer labs for classes and after-school use. Both campuses also have swimming pools, theatres, and music rooms, while the Ampang campus extends the fine arts facilities with a dance and drama studio as well. Students may find meals at one of the canteens, with the Ampang campus hosting a few franchises as well.

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 required to participate in Malaysia Week, a week-long program where students are taken to nature sites of their preference around Malaysia. 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, and many others.

Athletics & Activities

Exchange programs in Southeast Asia

ISKL is a member of the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools (IASAS). Participating international schools include International School Bangkok (ISB), Jakarta International School (JIS), International School Manila (ISM), Singapore American School (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 a Cultural Convention, in which music, visual arts, and fine arts are exhibited from travelling students from all six schools. Another interscholastic event focuses on Forensics, including Drama, Debate, Extemporaneous speaking, and Oral Oratory. An orchestral exchange exclusively between ISKL and SAS in nearby Singapore, combining the musical groups of the two schools at alternating host schools every year.

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 Taek Won Do and Judo, in the form of afterschool lessons.

Model United Nations

Held annually in November, the Model UN provides students with an opportunity to participate in a simulation of the United Nations. 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 may be used to select those individuals who will attend this year's session.

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 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (high school) and Pink Panther (middle school), among others. 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 service programs. In the middle school, students work with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a foster home for Hindu 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. At the high school level, many students participate in voluntary service at the local hospital and other organizations.

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 prom, 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) the next day, with all proceeds going towards respective class funds. The current Executive Student Council consists of Sara Nazim (Executive President), Pranav Rastogi (Executive Vice-President), Athenais Sivaloganathan (Executive Treasurer), Sally Hahn (Executive Secretary) and George Bull (Executive PRO).

ISKL's middle school student government comprises 10 students, with representatives from each grade level. They plan various fundraisers for charities as well as 4 Middle School parties each year.

Other activities

Plenty of other afterschool activities provide additional learning experiences for students, including clubs specializing in science, yearbook publication, and other interest groups.

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