TiS FAQ
What curriculum does it follow and how long has it been operating?
What Qualifications & Background do TiS Teachers have?
What are your main intake years and on what basis are students selected for admission?
Are Malaysians allowed to study at TiS?
Are places available now and can students join mid-term?
How many students are at the school and where do they come from?
What is the maximum class size?
Do you have Waiting Lists at the school?
Can my child spend some time at the school before we make a decision?
How do your IGCSE results compare?
Does the school have Boarding facilities?
What Sports & Games / ECA activities do you offer?
What Music and Dance opportunities are available?
Do you have a Private Bus Service?
Do you have out of hours care?
What facilities are available for students?
What curriculum does it follow and how long has it been operating?
Tanarata International Schools - TiS is a Year 1- 11 full day primary and secondary school set on a single campus. (Our name Tanarata is derive from the Malay words "Tanah" and "Rata" or "Level Land" to signify a level playing field we strive to offer our students).
TiS was established in September 2007 for Academic Year (AY) 2007-08 with 8 students and has grown to over 330 students in 3 years i.e. by the end of AY 2009-10. It provides an educational programme based on the British Cambridge International Curriculum for Key Stages 1 - 4. But more than just education, the school aims to grow skilled students into individuals with strength of character and a broad outlook on life.
What Qualifications & Background do TiS Teachers have?
TiS selects its teachers very carefully so as to provide an "optimum" mix of influence to the Tanaratian student - in terms of academics, values/ethos, inter-cultural exposure, no-academic activities etc.
The school strives to have a staff profile balanced between the older and more experienced and the younger and more dynamic teachers, mentors, coaches - in the various disciplines. All secondary teachers have qualified professional degree level and/or teaching qualifications - as do most primary school teachers. In addition, the school tries to have teachers who have had some years of living overseas to provide students with some global perspectives. TiS Teachers are mostly a mix of locals and expatriates living in Malaysia for some time. (The school generally avoids hiring non-resident expatriates as core school teachers as they are usually not long term and work on 2-year contracts only).
What are your main intake years and on what basis are students selected for admission?
TiS accepts students at all year levels where places are available. We accept students from age 5 (Year 1) to age 16 (Year 11- leading to IGCSE).The major intake years, however, are Year 1 and at Years 7 to 9, subject to availability (as class sizes are limited). The school generally rarely admits students direct into Year 11 when students sit for their O Levels - and only admits students into Year 10 on a very selective basis - after a rigorous academic assessment. TiS admits students based on a multitude of criteria and considerations - some tangible and others intangible. In general, student candidates admitted into TiS should come from families consistent with the values, ethics and basic ethos that the school aims to build in its community of Staff - Students - Parents. In addition, it should be noted that the school has to abide by various MOE regulations and quotas
Are Malaysians allowed to study at TiS?
The admission of Malaysian students to International Schools in Malaysia is governed by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The conditions under which such permits are issued by MOE are limited to several specific criteria. Please contact the School's Admin Office for further information.
Are places available now and can students join mid-term?
For the latest information on the availability of places at TiS, please contact the Admin Office / Registrar. Although students are encouraged to commence school at the beginning of each academic year, we do accept students joining us at any time during the school year provided the entry requirements are met.
How many students are at the school and where do they come from?
School has a maximum enrollment of 500 which enables us to ensure small class sizes to deliver the personalised / differentiated learning experience for which we were set up to achieve. Currently we have over 330 students enrolled in AY 2010-11. About 40% of this are Malaysians with both parents Malaysians, 35% children of Malaysians with a non-Malaysian spouse; and 25% foreigners - mainly from Indonesia, the Indian sub-continent, the Orient. There are some Korean and Iranian students and a small minority of Caucasians from the UK/EU, US, Australia/New Zealand and others. Note: the school currently has a policy of not more than 2 students of the same foreign nationality in a class.
What is the maximum class size?
Note: the school currently has a policy of maintaining a maximum class size of 20 to 25.
Do you have Waiting Lists at the school?
Waiting lists operate at numerous year levels and we encourage families to enroll their child/ren as early as possible (but not more than 1 year early to the expected enrollment date). Placements are confirmed up to twelve months prior to entry when our Registrar's Office contacts the family to confirm interest in a place for the specified year level. The parents/guardian need to complete a TiS Enrollment Application Form and provide the supporting documentations. We then organise a placement test and an interview with the Principal or Head of the Primary / Secondary School, as appropriate. Offers of a place are usually made after this interview.
Can my child spend some time at the school before we make a decision?
Yes - but only after the admission process is complete and an official offer of acceptance for admission is given by the school. We encourage families to consider doing this - in conjunction with the Class Teacher, our Registrar will work out a day that is mutually suitable.
Do you have the IB?
No. TiS is set up and authorised to teach only the Cambridge IGCSE educational programme administered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) body.
How do your IGCSE results compare?
Our class of 2009-10 produced a fine set of IGCSE results. Key achievements were:-
Do you offer Scholarships?
As the school was established to provide quality education at an affordable cost, we do not offer scholarships. We do however allow for flexible payment plan under special circumstances in addition to providing sibling discounts.
Does the school have Boarding facilities?
No. TiS is a day school only.What Languages do you offer?
At TiS students may elect to study as a secondary language, Malay (compulsory for Malaysian nationals), Mandarin, Spanish and French from Year 1 - 11. Hindi as a second language will be offered when the optimum number of students are there.
What Sports & Games / ECA activities do you offer?
The school has a sports field for soccer/hockey and other field sports such as volleyball/netball, baseball, cricket, etc. We also have an outdoor basketball court and indoor badminton courts. TiS student teams compete in some inter-school competitions, which involves private / international schools in the Klang Valley area. Sports include soccer, basketball, badminton, judo / taekwondo, swimming/diving, etc. We offer a whole range of ECAs from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm where professional coaches are hired.
What Music and Dance opportunities are available?
Students have the opportunity to experience music right from Year 1! A hands-on approach begins from with the Years 4 onwards. From Years 7 onwards, students get involved in the Performing Arts. Private tuition in a multitude of instruments is available, as well as private Speech and Drama and Dance classes.
Do you have a Private Bus Service?
The school does not directly operate or manage a school bus service. However, several private bus / transport service operators have been allowed by the school to provide student transport and they cover specific sections / regions in the schools vicinity / Klang Valley area. Please contact the school Admin Office for further details including contact details of currently active private transport operators. Note that while the school carries out some basic checks regarding vehicle condition, transport insurances and the operators track record (safety history etc.), it cannot be responsible for the services provided by these private transport operators and their drivers when transporting your children.
Do you have out of hours care?
No. Parents are responsible for dropping off their child/ren at school after 7.30 am (before school officially starts) and picking them up after school before 3.30 pm - unless there is a later official school function and/or special arrangements have been made with the school. Note: Students from Year 7 up are able to go to the school Library after formal school teaching hours end at 1.50 pm for quiet study and homework - upto 3.30 pm. This option may be more appealing for parents who wish to pick up their children at the end of a work day.
What facilities are available for students?
The school has the following facilities at its 4½ acre campus:-