Overview
School Type
Preschool, International School, Boarding School
Curriculum
American
Levels Offered
Elementary, Middle, High School
Student/Teacher Ratio
22:1
Boarding
Available
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About Dalat International School
Founded in 1929 , Dalat International School is a Christian international school located on an oceanfront campus in Tanjung Bungah, Penang . The school began in Dalat, Vietnam, as a boarding school for missionary children before relocating to Bangkok, Cameron Highlands and eventually Penang.
Dalat offers an American, college-preparatory education founded on a biblical worldview , serving students from Preschool through Grade 12. Its community is highly international, with the school's 2025–26 profile reporting 728 students from 23 countries .
The school places emphasis on academic preparation, character development, service, leadership, athletics, fine arts and spiritual development. Its stated mission is centred around providing an “education for life” , with learning designed to prepare students for university and life beyond school.
Dalat follows an American-style, standards-based curriculum designed around college preparation .
Its academic standards include:
AERO Standards for Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies, World Languages and Visual Arts
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Science
SHAPE America Standards for Physical Education
National Core Arts Standards for Music
ISTE Standards for Technology
A dedicated Dalat Bible Curriculum
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) standards for AP courses
This gives students a U.S.-style educational pathway while incorporating international perspectives and a specifically Christian educational framework.
Dalat's Elementary School covers Preschool through Grade 4 .
The programme provides a holistic and differentiated education, with core academic learning supplemented by:
Music
Art
Physical Education
Library
Technology
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Kid Interest Clubs (KICs)
The school describes the elementary programme as focused on developing creativity, cooperation, academic foundations and character.
The Middle School covers Grades 5–8 .
Students develop foundations in:
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Bible
Technology
Art
Music
Physical Education
The school also incorporates daily advisory sessions focused on social-emotional learning and team building. Grade levels participate in community service projects each semester, giving students opportunities to apply learning beyond the classroom.
Dalat High School covers Grades 9–12 and follows a challenging, college-preparatory programme.
Students study areas including:
English
Mathematics
Sciences
Social Studies
Bible
Fine & Applied Arts
Fitness
Additional electives
The school awards an American High School Diploma after students complete a minimum of 24 credits , alongside 10 hours of community service for every year enrolled at Dalat.
Dalat has a particularly strong AP offering.
The school currently offers 16 AP courses on campus , with up to 30 additional AP courses available online depending on demand. Students typically take between 3 and 8 AP courses during their high school career.
AP subjects include areas such as:
AP English Language
AP English Literature
AP Calculus AB & BC
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
AP Economics
AP Mandarin
AP Art & Design
AP World History
AP Computer Science
AP Music Theory
English is the school's primary language of instruction and communication.
Dalat has a diverse multilingual student body and operates an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students who require additional English support. EAL students continue to participate in mainstream classes while receiving additional language instruction.
The curriculum also offers world-language opportunities, including Mandarin . AP Mandarin is also available at high school level.
Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum using ISTE standards , with the aim of developing students as digital citizens, knowledge constructors and innovative designers.
Students have access to:
Science laboratories
Technology learning spaces
Computer facilities
3D printing
Creative technology equipment
Digital media facilities
The high school programme also includes Computer Science and AP Computer Science .
Dalat offers a residence life/boarding programme , although places are limited.
Students who board must live in one of Dalat's boarding homes, while the school's current admissions requirements also allow students to live with their parents or a documented legal guardian in Penang.
Student safety is a major component of Dalat's wellbeing programme.
The school operates:
Child Safety Office
Child Safety Team
Child Safety Response Team
Annual staff and volunteer training
Age-appropriate student safety education
Parent code of conduct
Safeguarding procedures
Dalat is also an active member of the Child Safety & Protection Network (CSPN) .
SEN Support: Available
Dalat has a dedicated Learning Support programme for students with unique learning needs.
The programme provides targeted support intended to improve academic achievement and student independence. Services can include educational assessments, classroom observations, individual education plans, small-group instruction, classroom support and consultation with parents and teachers.
Support is available across Grades K–12 , although admission to the Learning Support programme is subject to the school's assessment and capacity.
Dalat provides dedicated EAL support for students whose English proficiency is still developing.
Applicants may complete a WIDA language assessment covering listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students admitted to the EAL programme continue learning alongside English-proficient peers while receiving additional language instruction.
The school intentionally limits the number of students requiring EAL support in each class so that appropriate support can be provided.
Dalat International School Fees
Application Fee
RM800
*Non-refundable
Placement Test Fee
RM300
*Non-refundable
Remote Test Fee
RM150
*If applicable
English as a Second Language Fee
Kindergarten - Grade 3: RM3,000
Grade 4 - 8: RM5,000
*One-time payment
*Applicable only if required
Registration Fee
Pre-School 3-4/Kindergarten: RM1,200
Grade 1 - 12: RM3,850
*Non-refundable
Position Holding Deposit
RM1,500
*Refundable
Building Fee (per year)
Grade 1 & 2: RM2,560
Grade 3 - 12: RM5,120
Technology Fee (per year)
Kindergarten–Grade 4: RM400 Grades 5–6: RM2,100 Grades 7–12: RM400
Tuition Fee (per year)
Preschool 3 - 4: RM11,500
Kindergarten - Grade 2: RM21,700
Grade 3 & 4: RM27,800
Grade 5 & 6: RM35,900
Grade 7 & 8: RM40,530
Grade 9 - 12: RM42,000
Room & Board Fee (per year)
RM45,200 annually, limited availability.
Lunch Fee (per year)
Kindergarten - Grade 4: RM1,350
Grade 5 - 12: RM1,620
Preschool - Kindergarten (Morning Snack): RM520
Grade 1 - 4 (Afternoon Snack): RM520
*Optional
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Dalat International School | Contact Details
Address
Dalat International School Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Penang
Phone
6043752100
info@dalat.org
Website
http://www.dalat.org