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Calendar and School Hours

Diversity in ISKL

ISKL’s calendar is accessible below and includes start and end dates for each semester, ISKL and public holidays, IASAS events, GAP, and Malaysia Week programs.

Are you an existing ISKL Parent?
Find out more information, including upcoming events, via the Parent Portal.

Three children in traditional Chinese attire sit on a wooden floor, holding red fans.

 

Looking Ahead

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You can download the PDF version of ISKL school year calendar here:

What are the school hours at ISKL?

At ISKL, our school day begins at 8:00 am and concludes at either 2:45 pm or 3:00 pm, providing a consistent routine for all divisions. Our thoughtfully designed schedule balances core academics, specialized electives, and a supervised lunch break, supporting both learning and well-being. We also offer late bus service for Middle and High School students participating in after-school activities, ensuring every student can fully engage in our vibrant community.

How to sync ISKL school calendar to Google Calendar?

Families can easily stay connected with our school community by syncing the ISKL academic schedule and division-specific events to their personal devices through the ISKL Parent Portal. For those planning ahead, we also provide a comprehensive Academic Year Calendar as a high-resolution PDF, ensuring everyone has access to important dates and milestones throughout the year.

School Hours, Class Size, and Schedule

Division Grade Age by September 1 Average Class Size School Hours Break Times Co-Curricular
Activities
Elementary
School		 Prep Reception 3 Years old Up to 18 8:00 am -
12:30 pm		 30 minutes
Morning Break		 30 minutes
Recess		  
Prep Junior 4 Years old Up to 18 8:00 am -
12:30 pm		 30 minutes
Morning Break		 30 minutes
Recess		  
Prep Senior 5 Years old Up to 20 8:00 am -
2:45 pm		 15 minutes
Morning Break		 50 minutes
Lunch		 2:45 pm -
3:45 pm
Grade 1 6 Years old Up to 20 8:00 am -
2:45 pm		 15 minutes
Morning Break		 50 minutes
Lunch		 2:45 pm -
3:45 pm
  Grade 2-5 7-10 Years old Up to 22 8:00 am -
2:45 pm		 15 minutes
Morning Break		 50 minutes
Lunch		 2:45 pm -
3:45 pm
Middle School Grade 6-8 11-13 Years Old Up to 24 8:00 am -
2:50 pm		 10 minutes
Morning &
Afternoon Break		 45 minutes
Lunch		 3:10 pm -
4:10 pm
High School Grade 9-12 14-17 Years Old Up to 24 8:00 am -
3:00 pm		 10 minutes
Morning &
Afternoon break		 40 minutes
Lunch		 3:10 pm -
6:00 pm

 

Eight-day Rotating Schedule

ISKL uses an internationally recognized 8-day rotating schedule, a model used by many leading schools worldwide to maximize student learning.

Research shows that students perform better in different subjects at varying times of the day and the rotating schedule ensures all students access each subject during their optimal focus times.

How it works

  • Days 1–8 rotate continuously. For example, if Monday is Day 1, then Wednesday is Day 8, with Thursday starting again as Day 1.

  • 8 periods alternate every other day (e.g., odd periods on odd days, even periods on even days) with classes ranging from 75 – 80 minutes, depending on the division.

Benefits

  • Encourages deeper learning and collaboration with longer class periods.

  • Minimizes the impact of absences or schedule changes on any single subject.

  • Offers variety, keeping students engaged and reducing stress.

School-wide, students also benefit from regularly scheduled protected time to work independently, on a collaborative project, or with a teacher.

Depending on the division, students may also engage in regularly scheduled sessions over a period of time in order to review or develop certain skill sets or prepare for an upcoming event. These also may be student-initiated or teacher-recommended.

When used effectively, protected time results in less stress and less homework and fosters self-directed learning.

Common Questions from New Families

At ISKL, we understand how important it is for families to plan ahead. Our academic calendar is carefully designed to support students in their learning achievements and overall well-being alike. The schedule balances engaging academic experiences with meaningful breaks, helping students stay immersed throughout the school year.

When does the ISKL academic year typically begin and end?

Our academic year typically runs from August until mid-June and is divided into two vibrant semesters. The first semester starts in August and ends in December, while the second semester begins in January and wraps up in June. This practice provides a rhythm that supports both learning and community connection.

What major holidays and breaks are included in the school calendar?

Throughout the year, we honor the diversity of our international community and the rich cultural traditions of Malaysia by providing several extended breaks.

Families can look forward to a one-week Mid-Semester break in both October and March, a three-week Mid-Year break in December and January, and time off for the Lunar New Year and Hari Raya.

We also celebrate important local holidays such as Hari Raya, Deepavali, Lunar New Year and Malaysia’s National Day, ensuring our community feels connected and supported.

What are the key annual events for students and parents?

The ISKL school year is filled with meaningful community events that bring students, families, and teachers together.

We begin with Open House nights in August and continue with Parent-Teacher Conferences each semester, fostering open communication and partnership.

Students of all ages take part in experiential learning journeys, including Malaysia Week for Middle School and the Global Action Program for High School.

Our campus also accommodates numerous IASAS sporting and cultural exchanges, celebrating the talents and passions of our diverse community