Alice Smith School

Focus

Fostering courage, curiosity and compassion

Day fees 2025/26

$13,800-$30,100

Term dates

• Term 1: 21 August to 12 December 2025
• Term 2: 6 January to 20 March 2026
• Term 3: 8 April to 3 July 2026

Ages

3-18

Pupil count 

1,500

Spear’s Review

The first British international school in Malaysia was founded as a practical solution to a practical problem: in 1946 Alice Smith couldn’t find a school for her own daughter so she started one.

Today, the Alice Smith School educates over 1,500 pupils representing 53 nationalities across two campuses. It follows the UK curriculum through to Sixth Form, where it offers a broad range of A-Level subjects.

Membership of the Council of British International Schools and its role as a founding member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia place it firmly within the British international school network in the region.

Eight decades on, the founding ethos remains strong: a school created to meet a need, sustained by a community that continues to look outward.

Academics

In 2025:

• 76 per cent of (I)GCSE results were 7-9 grades
• 47 per cent of results at A-Level were A* or A

School Profile

Founded in 1946 by Alice Fairfield Smith, a Harvard graduate with a passion for education, the Alice Smith School began in her home in Kuala Lumpur. What started with just a handful of children quickly grew into the first international school in Malaysia. Over the decades, it has developed into one of Asia’s oldest international schools, serving over 1,500 students from preschool to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18 years old). Today, the school operates across two campuses and welcomes families from a diverse international community.

The school offers a rigorous British curriculum, with students studying the IGCSE followed by A-Levels in the Sixth Form. Consistently strong A-Level results reflect the high standards of teaching and learning at the school, with students regularly securing places at leading universities in the UK, Europe, US and beyond. This strong academic foundation is supported by a curriculum that blends with an international outlook, preparing students not only for examinations but for life in a globalised world.

The Alice Smith School prides itself on delivering a holistic, values-based and purpose-driven education. Academic achievement is balanced with a strong emphasis on student wellbeing, creativity, leadership and character development. Through a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop resilience and build meaningful connections within their community.

Inspired by its founder's pioneering spirit, the school continues to evolve its curriculum and approach to learning, combining the latest educational research with the experience and dedication of its educators. Reflecting this commitment to innovation and progress, the school adopted a purpose statement in 2023: ‘Spark Courageous Exploration to Inspire a Better World.’

Head teacher

Head of school Sian May describes herself as an ‘experienced, strategic, values-driven and student-centred leader of international education’. Prior to joining Alice Smith School in 2022, she was director of a senior school in Singapore for four years. She has also served as head and principal at schools in Hong Kong and Switzerland.

University and college destinations

For the graduating class of 2025, students accepted places at University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University College London. Other popular destinations include the United States, Australia and Ireland.

Admissions

According to the school, Alice Smith School is not selective; however, the school seeks out students who ‘have the capacity and capability to benefit from the curriculum’. All applicants are required to complete an assessment (which varies according to a student’s age) prior to the offer of a place or placement onto a waiting list. Candidates are assessed on an ongoing basis, within one month of the application being received, and assessments are valid for 12 months from the date of completion, though follow-up assessments may be required.

Accessibility

Kuala Lumpur International Airport: 45 minutes

Location

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