“We offer a holistic and comprehensive education that encompasses the students’ physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual developments. At the same time, we offer a high quality of academic and social experience that is unsurpassed by others. In partnership with parents and the community, we prepare students to achieve their full potential in an environment that is nurturing and yet challenging.”
Located at Austin Heights, Taman Mount Austin in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, Austin Heights International School (AHIS) is a renowned abode of top-class educational framework in Malaysia. It was founded in 2011 by Dato’ Steve Chong Yoon On, a chartered engineer and property developer, who envisioned the establishment of a premier and respected international school in Johor. At start, the school opened its doors to initial cohort of 450 students but, over the years the school has grown steadily and today, it plays host to students close to 1000 from more than 26 countries in a purpose-built integrated school on a 5-acre site within the prestigious Austin Heights Education Corridor. Together with SMK Taman Mount Austin, SRJK (C) Foon Yew 5, and Sunway College Johor Bahru, AHIS completes the Austin Heights Education Corridor and transforms it into a premier Education Hub in the region.
Austin Heights’ ‘Education without Boundaries’ philosophy challenges the frontiers of private education and brings home the benefits of International Education to all students. Its ‘East meets West’ approach entails the infusion of Eastern Values to Western Education by focusing on the 3F’s: ‘Filial Piety, Family Unity & Forgiveness’. With this knowledge, Austin Heights’ students are equipped to face the globalized world without compromising on the core values of Eastern Philosophy.
A Mission which Speaks of Dedication
AHIS is committed to offer an affordable, quality and holistic education by emphasizing on its core values which are Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Courage and Equality. Since its inception, the School has made dedicated efforts which encompass the students’ physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual developments. Affordability is another consideration in policies at AHIS; the school has not raised its fees since 2011. But doing so, it has never compromised on the Educational Quality. Quality is a hallmark of AHIS, which has repeatedly been proved by excellent results in public examinations.
The school’s Holistic learning principles go beyond the classroom through field trips and excursions to learn and protect the environment. Events are organized during Geography trips and World Ocean Day beach clean-up activity at Tanjung Balau, Desaru in Johor. The students gain immense level of self-confidence, leadership and team-building skills while participating in events at Young Leaders Camp at Trinity College, University of Melbourne Australia and Humanitarian and Educational Trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Committed Leadership
The school is managed by a Senior Leadership Team (SLT), led by the owners of the school, Founder Chairman, Dato’ Ir. Steve Chong Yoon On and Chief Executive Officer, Datin Low Peck Tim. The other members are Directors of School, Chong Khai Siang, Lui Lai Nam, Gloria Lim Zhengli, Principal, Alan Davidson Crombie and Deputy Principal, Suresh Kumar.
Over the years, the school has grown not only in student numbers but also enjoys a good reputation among the wider community. The school has received several distinguished recognitions and awards such as the 5-star rating by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia in 2015, the Excellent Education Award in the Best International School category, by the National Association of Private Education Institutions (NAPEI) in 2016 and the Best Business Awards, namely the Sin Chew Business Awards and the Nanyang Business Awards, by the two Chinese dailies in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
A Typical Day at AHIS
Life is ‘Happening’ at AHIS. It has an environment filled with multiple modes of learning along with an aroma of happiness all around. On a weekday, a student at Austin Heights International School will be studying subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, ICT and Drama besides other subjects. Students may conduct Science experiments at the Science Lab or learn about programming at the iMac Suite. They may also use the laser cutter at the Makerspace Lab to cut wood or metal while doing their Design Technology assignments. Then, later in the day they may go for co-curricular activities at Zumba Fitness, Eco Warrior Club, golf practice or fitness exercises at Anytime Fitness. Apart from these, on other days, they may join a field trip to participate in the recording session of Asia’s Got Talent or a factory visit.
Global Academic Offerings
AHIS is known for providing quality international pre-school, primary and secondary education. It offers both the Cambridge International Primary Program (CIPP) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to primary students. Lower secondary students at AHIS are taught the British National Curriculum but are appropriately modified to suit international students. Also the school’s Year 10 and Year 11 students follow the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
Holistic Approach of Education
Besides academic excellence, the school also emphasizes on all-round development of students. Students get the opportunity to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, field trips, excursions, leadership and motivational camps (local and international), career fairs, workshops and many more.
AHIS offer a variety of club activities such as Robotics Club, Science Club, Mathematics Club, Culinary Club, Cheerleading Club, Photography Club, Young Entrepreneurs Club and others. For games and sports, students can participate in swimming, badminton, basketball, football, figure skating, Trampoline@Jumpstreet and taekwondo. The school’s primary students also go on field trips and excursions based on their key stage and also IPC themes.
The School has a tie-up with its sister establishments such as Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park and Austin Heights Golf & Hotel Resort. Through this special relationship, it is able to offer unique and exciting co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as Trampoline@Jumpstreet, Figure Skating, Dodge Ball, Golf and Bowling.
In order to expose the school’s Year 10 students to the business world, it has initiated a Work Experience Program for them. Under this program, the year 10 students will participate in a one-week work placement in a private company in Johor during the December school holidays.
Proliferation of Education
Austin Heights has invested in an online learning platform called Blackboard Learning Management System. The school’s primary and secondary teachers use Blackboard as an additional teaching and learning tool.
In 2017, AHIS became the first international school to ink a memorandum of agreement with the Faculty of Languages & Linguistics, University of Malaya with the objective to co-organize language competitions in Johor to improve the standard of English among Johor school students. Then in January 2018, the Johor State Education Department joined the collaboration and under the tripartite collaboration, the Johor English Language Outreach Program was launched. Under the program, a primary Storytelling competition, a secondary Public Speaking competition and a 2-day 1-night English Language Camp were organized, which attracted the participation of students from national, private and international schools in Johor and also Indonesia, a first for such events in Johor.
Diversity at the Campus
Currently, AHIS has students from more than 26 countries. There is a good mix of local and international students in classrooms and year groups. International students also get opportunities to represent the school in seminars, workshops and also sports competitions such as at district and state levels. The school’s annual International Day celebration is a big hit among its international students and parents. They get to showcase their country’s culture and traditions at their respective country booths, together with cultural dances and an international food fair for them to sell their country’s delicacies to raise funds for charity.
Scholarship and Support
As part of the school’s social responsibility, Austin Heights provides scholarships to Year 7 students who achieved excellence in academic and co-curricular activities while in Primary 6. Besides, it is the School policy to award scholarships and financial aids to students who excel in studies and co-curricular activities but their family faces financial difficulties. Among those who have benefited from this aid are two Japanese students whose mother suffered illness while their father had financial problem.
Perfect Platform for Prolific Careers
Over the years, graduating students from AHIS have furthered their studies locally and internationally in various fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, actuarial science, ICT, business studies, accounting and many more. Moreover, AHIS also organizes yearly Career Fairs with the participation from universities, colleges and education agents from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and Canada
“Words of Trust”
“My experience in AHIS gave me really special and unforgettable memories, making a huge impact in my life. Firstly, when I first came to Malaysia, I was a clueless Japanese girl who was unable to speak English. So, my first ever academic grading was all UG except for PE. But with all the love and support from amazing friends and caring teachers who really believed in me, I graduated with 10 As in IGCSE which even enabled me to receive scholarships when applying for admission to colleges. I am grateful for all the help and encouragement given to me, and to all my juniors, don’t ever give up!”
–Aiko Shimada, Japan
“My learning experience in AHIS has been extraordinary. AHIS has given me a well-rounded and wholesome education which has developed me into the capable student I am today. I was also blessed to be surrounded by a loving and caring community that had enabled me to form long-lasting relationships. Our teachers have been more than supportive and enthusiastic towards our education, to which I will be forever grateful. Furthermore, the variety of activities and events had exposed me to different cultures and social issues.”
-Lee Shu En,Malaysia
“Moving from Penang to Johor Bharu was overwhelming. It was scary but the teachers and new friends I made had put all the scare factors away. Without the sincere guidance provided by our beloved teachers, I would not have been able to come this far. With the various events and CCAs provided by AHIS, I assure you that you will become a well-rounded student which universities all around the world look for. I am proud to say that AHIS has shaped me into the person I am today.”
–Maya Anura Hyune, South Korea
“I will remember the time spent at Austin Heights fondly. I enjoyed studying and I also enjoyed making new friends along the way. The teachers were very supportive and the staff helpful. The school has a vibrant international community and I made friends with students from around the world. I would not have been able to score the results I attained if it were not for the conducive learning environment.”
–Nadine Ophelia Zulkarnain, Singapore
