SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama, or Collaborative Education Unit) is the Indonesian government’s designation for international-standard schools that are not run by embassies. Under Ministry of Education regulations in force since 2015, schools may no longer use the word “International” in their name — which is why many well-known schools have quietly rebranded in recent years. You will also encounter “National Plus” schools, which teach in English but follow the Indonesian national curriculum more closely. The distinction matters when it comes to university admissions pathways, so it is worth discussing curriculum and recognition with each school directly. Learn more about the Indonesian education system.
Finding the right school is usually the first — and most pressured — item on an expat family’s Indonesia checklist. The good news is that Indonesia, and Jakarta in particular, has a well-developed international school sector with strong options across a wide range of curricula, price points and educational philosophies. The schools listed on this page have contacted us directly or have been brought to our attention by the expat community; it is not an exhaustive national directory. For further research, the companion pages linked above — on pre-schools, boarding schools and private tutors — are worth reading alongside this one.
A few practical notes for parentsWaiting lists. The most popular international schools in Jakarta can have waiting lists of a year or more for certain year groups. Contact your preferred schools as early as possible — many will add your child to a list on receipt of a simple expression of interest, well before you have a confirmed move date.School buses. Most international schools in Jakarta offer a school bus service, which is widely used given the city’s traffic. Bus routes typically cover the main expat neighbourhoods of Kemang, Pondok Indah, SCBD, Sudirman, Cipete and Menteng, and increasingly the BSD City and Bintaro corridor. Confirm route availability for your neighbourhood before committing to a school.Fees. Annual tuition at Jakarta’s established international schools currently ranges from approximately IDR 80 million to IDR 250 million per year (roughly USD 5,000 to USD 15,500 at current exchange rates), with registration fees, capital levies and activity fees charged separately. Fees at Bali schools are generally somewhat lower. Always confirm the full fee schedule directly with the school, as figures change annually.BSD City and Bintaro. A significant number of expat families now live in the BSD City and Bintaro/Serpong corridor south of Jakarta, partly because several large international schools are located there. British School Jakarta (Bintaro), Jakarta Nanyang School and Wellington College Independent School Jakarta are among the well-established schools in this area. If you are deciding where to live in greater Jakarta, school location is worth factoring into your housing search from the outset.
More About the Indonesian Education System
Indonesia’s school system has changed considerably since the mid-1990s, when the government first permitted what were then called “national plus” schools offering instruction in English alongside the national curriculum. The framework has since been formalised into three distinct categories:
National schools (Sekolah Nasional) follow the full Indonesian national curriculum and teach entirely in Bahasa Indonesia. These schools are for Indonesian citizens; foreign children on KITAS are generally not eligible to enrol.
National Plus schools teach primarily in English but incorporate the Indonesian national curriculum to varying degrees. They are popular with Indonesian families seeking an English-medium education, and many also accept expatriate children. Academic standards and facilities vary considerably between institutions.
SPK schools (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) are what most expat families mean when they say “international school.” These schools are authorised to teach recognised international curricula — IB, Cambridge, Australian, American and others — and may enrol both foreign and Indonesian students, though the proportion of Indonesian students is subject to a regulatory cap. Embassy schools, which are run by foreign missions primarily for their own nationals, operate under a separate framework but are broadly similar in practice.
Since 2015, no SPK school may use the word “International” in its name — which accounts for the wave of rebranding you may have noticed among well-known Jakarta schools. The education they offer has not changed; only the labels have.
The most common curricula offered by SPK schools in Indonesia are the International Baccalaureate (IB, including PYP, MYP and Diploma), Cambridge (IGCSE and A-Levels), the Australian curriculum and, in some schools, the American curriculum. The choice of curriculum affects university admissions pathways, which is worth researching before enrolling if you plan to return to your home country for university.
For authoritative information on the Indonesian education system and school categories, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) publishes guidance at kemdikbud.go.id, though most families find it easier to visit prospective schools directly and ask questions in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SPK school in Indonesia?
SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) is the Indonesian government’s designation for international-standard schools that are not run by embassies. These schools are authorised to teach international curricula such as IB, Cambridge, Australian or American, and can enrol both foreign and Indonesian students. Since 2015, they are no longer permitted to use the word “International” in their name — which is why many well-known schools have rebranded in recent years.
How much do international schools in Indonesia cost?
Annual tuition at established international schools in Jakarta typically ranges from approximately IDR 80 million to IDR 250 million (roughly USD 5,000 to USD 15,500 at current rates), with registration fees, capital levies and activity fees charged on top. Schools in Bali are generally somewhat less expensive. Always request the full fee schedule directly from the school, as fees change annually and vary widely.
Can foreign children attend Indonesian public schools?
Foreign children on KITAS are generally not eligible to enrol in Indonesian national (public) schools, which are reserved for Indonesian citizens. Most expatriate families use SPK schools or National Plus schools. Some families opt for homeschooling or online schooling, particularly for younger children, while awaiting a school place.
What curricula do international schools in Indonesia offer?
The most common curricula at international schools in Indonesia are the International Baccalaureate (IB, including PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme), Cambridge (IGCSE and A-Levels), the Australian curriculum, and in some schools the American curriculum or British National Curriculum. The curriculum choice affects university admissions pathways, so it is worth checking which qualifications are recognised in your home country before choosing a school.
Do international schools in Jakarta have long waiting lists?
Yes — the most popular schools can have waiting lists of a year or more for competitive year groups, particularly in primary school. Contact your preferred schools as early as possible. Many will add children to a waiting list informally on receipt of a simple expression of interest, well before you have a confirmed arrival date.
Are there international schools outside Jakarta and Bali?
Yes. Surabaya, Bandung, Batam, Semarang, Malang, Yogyakarta and several mining and oil and gas company towns across Kalimantan, Sumatra and Nusa Tenggara all have international or English-medium schools. The listings on this page cover those that have been brought to our attention; for a more comprehensive national directory, indonesiaexpat.id maintains a searchable school finder.
