Where Is ISKL?
The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is at No. 2, Lorong Kelab Polo Di Raja, in Ampang Hilir, about 3 km from KLCC. The whole school, from early years to Grade 12, has shared this 26-acre campus since August 2018. Before that it was split between two campuses, in Ampang and Melawati.
Ampang Hilir is a quiet, green neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur's embassy district. Our Ampang Hilir neighbourhood guide covers the area in more detail.
ISKL at a Glance
According to the school:
- A non-profit, co-educational day school founded in 1965, with more than 1,700 students aged 3 to 18 from over 60 countries.
- A curriculum built on North American frameworks. ISKL has offered the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma since 1989, alongside its own High School Diploma.
- Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
- The school year starts in August and runs in two semesters, and ISKL admits students throughout the year.
- It's a day school, so students must live with a parent or legal guardian. That makes where you live part of the plan from the start.
ISKL publishes its fees for each school year on its fees page. It doesn't offer sibling discounts, and 6% SST applies unless an exemption does. The school works directly with families and has no agents, so please contact its admissions team for anything about places, fees or applications.
How Do ISKL Students Get to School?
About half of ISKL's students ride the school bus. Each route has a bus assistant on board, and Elementary School children travel separately from older students. An adult must take younger children to the stop and collect them.
| Where bus riders live | Share of bus riders |
|---|---|
| Jalan Ampang, Ampang Hilir, U-Thant, Ukay Heights | 40% |
| KLCC and the city centre, Setiawangsa | 32% |
| Bangsar, Damansara, Sri Hartamas, Mont Kiara | 28% |
Morning buses arrive by 7:50am. The fare depends on how far you live from campus and is billed each semester with tuition. Many condominiums have their own stop, so it's worth checking ISKL's route list for any building you're considering.
Where Do ISKL Families Live?
Most families weigh the same trade-off: a short school run against being closer to the city centre or to friends in other expat areas. ISKL's bus stops give a good picture of where families actually live:
| Area | Why families choose it | Examples on ISKL's bus routes |
|---|---|---|
| Ampang Hilir and U-Thant | The shortest school run, quiet and green | Seriska, Villa Putra Putri, Gerbang Ampang Hilir, The Edge of U Thant |
| Jalan Ampang | Close to school, Gleneagles Hospital and the embassies | Embassy View, Pavilion Embassy, D'Rapport Residence (now Cappella Embassy) |
| KLCC and the city centre | Walk to malls and offices; a longer school run | Pavilion Residence, Marc Residence, The Avare |
| Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas, Bangsar | Established expat areas with their own schools and shops | Many Mont Kiara condominiums; the longest ride to ISKL |
If the school run matters most, Ampang Hilir, U-Thant and Jalan Ampang are the obvious places to start.
What to Look for in a Home Near ISKL
- A bus stop at, or near, the building. It saves a daily drive, especially in morning traffic.
- Room for the family. Three bedrooms plus a study or helper's room is a common brief.
- Facilities for children: a pool, a playground and a safe place to ride a bike.
- Your own commute. Try the drive to your office at rush hour before you decide.
- How long you'll stay. A two- or three-year posting and a ten-year move call for different choices (see below).
Should You Rent or Buy Near ISKL?
Many families rent for their first year, while they get to know the city, then decide. Buying tends to make sense if you expect to stay for several years: the purchase costs are front-loaded, and foreign owners pay 30% Real Property Gains Tax on any gain if they sell within five years.
If you do buy as a foreigner, the minimum price in Kuala Lumpur is RM1 million per unit, each purchase needs approval from the relevant authority (your lawyer applies for it), and stamp duty is a flat 8%. Our foreign-buyer rules guide and how much cash you'll need explain the details.
A Completed Option 1.6km From ISKL: Cappella Embassy
Cappella Embassy, formerly D'Rapport Residences, is about 1.6km from ISKL by the developer's map, and ISKL's bus list already includes a stop there under its old name. It's a completed development on Jalan Nipah, off Jalan Ampang, with four three-bedroom-plus-utility layouts of 1,625 to 2,260 sq ft, four bathrooms and a powder room. Gleneagles Hospital is about 350m away.
Its address is in Selangor, but the project has special approval, so foreigners can buy from RM1 million, the same as in Kuala Lumpur. Read what changed when D'Rapport became Cappella Embassy.
FAQ
The International School of Kuala Lumpur is at No. 2, Lorong Kelab Polo Di Raja, Ampang Hilir, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, about 3 km from KLCC. All three divisions have shared this campus since August 2018.
Yes. About half of ISKL's students ride the school bus, which covers Ampang, the city centre, Bangsar, Damansara, Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara. The fare depends on distance and is billed each semester with tuition.
Of the students who ride ISKL's bus, 40% live around Jalan Ampang, Ampang Hilir, U-Thant and Ukay Heights, 32% in KLCC, the city centre and Setiawangsa, and 28% in Bangsar, Damansara, Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara.
No. ISKL is a day school, and students must live with a parent or legal guardian.
ISKL's curriculum is built on North American frameworks. It has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma since 1989, alongside its own High School Diploma.
Yes. In Kuala Lumpur the minimum price for foreign buyers is RM1 million per unit, and each purchase needs approval from the relevant authority. Cappella Embassy, about 1.6km from ISKL, is in Selangor but has special approval at the same RM1 million minimum.
Updated October 2026. KLCC Investor is not connected with ISKL. School details are from iskl.edu.my and can change, so please confirm admissions, fees and bus routes with the school directly. This article is general information, not legal advice.