Relocating with a family can be stressful, and every parent wants to choose the school that is the best fit for their child. Explore our school information and practical guidance to compare your options and make a confident, informed decision.
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Choosing a school is usually one of the highest priorities for families moving to Indonesia. In fact, we recommend beginning the school search before looking for a home.
This is especially important in cities such as Jakarta, where the distance between your home and your child’s school can have a significant effect on daily family life. A school that looks relatively close on a map may still involve a long journey during the morning or afternoon rush hour.
Indonesia has a wide selection of international schools offering British, American, Australian, Singaporean, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate curricula. However, the number and type of schools available will depend on where you are relocating. Families moving to Jakarta will have considerably more choices than families moving to Surabaya, Batam, Balikpapan or other parts of the country.
The best international school in Indonesia is not necessarily the school with the most impressive campus or the most familiar name. It is the school that provides the right curriculum, learning environment, location and level of support for your child.
Parents often begin their search by typing “best international schools in Indonesia” or “best international schools in Jakarta” into Google. This can provide a useful starting point, but it cannot tell you which school will be the best fit for your particular child.
Every family arrives with a different educational background. One child may be transferring from a British school and preparing to begin IGCSE courses. Another may be coming from an American school and need to continue earning high school credits. A younger child may adjust easily to a new curriculum, while a teenager entering the final years of secondary school may have far less flexibility.
Before comparing schools, think carefully about your child’s age, present curriculum, academic strengths, language ability and personality. You should also consider how long your family expects to remain in Indonesia and where your child is likely to continue their education afterwards.
For a family relocating to Indonesia for two or three years, maintaining continuity with the child’s previous school system may be particularly important. Moving from one country to another is already a major transition. Moving into a completely unfamiliar curriculum can add another layer of difficulty.
International schools in Indonesia offer several different curricula. The most common choices include the International Baccalaureate, the British curriculum, Cambridge International, the American curriculum, the Australian curriculum and the Singapore curriculum.
The International Baccalaureate, usually referred to as the IB, is popular with internationally mobile families because it is offered by schools around the world. Depending on the school, students may be able to study the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme or Diploma Programme. Not every IB school offers the complete range, so parents should confirm exactly which programmes are available.
The British curriculum usually follows age-based year groups and may lead to IGCSE qualifications, followed by A Levels or the IB Diploma. This can be a comfortable choice for children coming from the United Kingdom or another British international school.
Schools following an American-style curriculum generally organise students by grade and work towards a high school diploma. Some schools also offer Advanced Placement courses. Jakarta Intercultural School, for example, follows a North American high school model and offers IB and Advanced Placement options in the later grades.
The Australian curriculum follows the Australian school system and calendar. Australian Independent School Indonesia uses the Australian Curriculum through Year 10, with senior secondary options available in Years 11 and 12. Parents should take note that the Australian academic year generally runs from January to December, while many other international schools begin their academic year around August.
Schools using the Singapore or Cambridge curriculum are also popular in Indonesia, particularly among families who prefer a structured academic programme with a strong focus on English, mathematics and science.
The name of the curriculum is important, but it should not be the only consideration. Two schools offering the same curriculum may have very different teaching styles, expectations and school cultures.
Jakarta has the largest selection of international schools in Indonesia. Families can choose from large, established schools with extensive facilities as well as smaller schools offering a more personal learning environment.
Some of the best-known international schools in Jakarta include Jakarta Intercultural School, British School Jakarta and Australian Independent School Indonesia and the ACG Group School. There are also international and national-plus schools offering IB, Cambridge, British, Singaporean, Christian, Islamic, bilingual and other educational programmes.
Jakarta Intercultural School offers education from Early Years through High School. Its secondary programme includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the IB Career-related Programme and Advanced Placement courses.
British School Jakarta provides education from Early Years through Year 13 and offers the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. Its primary curriculum incorporates elements of the English National Curriculum and inquiry-based learning.
Australian Independent School Indonesia operates according to the Australian school system and provides an option for families looking for an Australian education in Jakarta.
These are only a few examples. Jakarta also has French, German, Japanese, Korean, Indian and other community-based schools. Some were originally established to serve families from a particular country but now accept students from a wider range of nationalities.
When researching international schools in Jakarta, pay close attention to the campus location. Schools are spread across Jakarta and the surrounding areas, including South Jakarta, Tangerang, Bintaro, BSD, Bekasi and Cikarang.
A family working in central Jakarta may be tempted to choose a home close to the office. However, if the children attend school in South Jakarta or Tangerang, the school commute may become the more difficult part of the family’s daily schedule.
Some schools offer a bussing service. Normally it is a smaller bus and ony picks up a few families making the service almost door to door. The length of the commute should be considered however, especially if you have a young child.
This is why we recommend choosing the school first and then looking for a home within a reasonable travelling distance of both the school and the workplace.
Families moving to Bali will also find a varied selection of international and alternative schools. Schools are located in areas such as Sanur, Ubud, Canggu, Kerobokan and the southern part of the island.
Bali is known for schools offering more progressive, creative and environmentally focused approaches to education. Green School Bali, for example, offers a research-based programme from Early Years through Grade 12, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, experiential learning and student-led projects.
Canggu Community School offers an international education within a diverse school community and places importance on academic learning, creativity, physical activity, languages and student wellbeing. Australian Independent School also has a Bali campus.
Parents considering international schools in Bali should not underestimate the effect of traffic. Living in Ubud and attending school in Canggu, or living in the Bukit area and travelling to a school in Sanur, could create a difficult daily commute.
The atmosphere and educational philosophy of Bali’s international schools can also vary considerably. Some schools follow a conventional international curriculum, while others have developed their own approach. Parents should think about how easily their child will be able to transfer back into another school system at the end of the assignment.
This is particularly important for older students approaching IGCSE, A Level, IB Diploma or university entrance requirements.
Surabaya has fewer international school choices than Jakarta, but expatriate families can still find schools offering internationally recognised programmes.
Surabaya Intercultural School is one of the city’s established international schools and provides education from the early years through high school. Other options in and around Surabaya offer Cambridge, Singaporean, British, IB, Christian and bilingual programmes.
Location remains an important consideration. Some schools are situated in West Surabaya or in areas outside the central business districts. Families should check the travelling time between the school, workplace and proposed residential area before signing a lease.
If you are moving to Surabaya with teenagers, begin contacting schools as early as possible. The number of suitable secondary school places and curriculum options may be more limited than they are in Jakarta.
International education is also available in Batam and several other Indonesian cities, although parents will usually have fewer choices.
Batam has schools including Sekolah Global Indo-Asia and Independent School Batam. Families relocating to Balikpapan, Medan, Makassar, Bandung, Yogyakarta or areas connected to mining, energy and manufacturing projects may find international, bilingual or nationally accredited schools offering parts of an international curriculum.
When a company assignment is located outside Jakarta or Bali, school availability should be investigated at a very early stage. In some cases, the child’s educational needs may influence where the family chooses to live or whether the family accompanies the employee on the assignment.
Parents should not assume that every city will have a school offering the child’s existing curriculum through graduation. A school may offer an international primary programme but have fewer options at secondary level.
Large, well-established schools in Jakarta are expensive, particularly at middle school and high school level. Smaller schools and bilingual schools may be slightly less, but parents need to compare what is included in the published fees. International school fees in Indonesia can be a major expense. Before accepting an assignment or signing an employment contract, parents should confirm whether the employer will cover these costs and exactly which school-related expenses are included.
The tuition fee is not always the total cost of attending the school. Families may also need to pay an application fee, registration fee, enrolment fee, building or development levy, capital fee, technology fee, transportation fee, uniform costs, examination fees, school trips and extracurricular activity charges.
Some fees are paid once, while others are charged annually or by term. Certain payments may be non-refundable even if the family leaves Indonesia earlier than expected.
If your employer is paying the school fees as part of an expatriate relocation package, ask exactly which costs are covered. Do not assume that school transport, uniforms, laptops, examinations, trips or after-school activities are included.
Fees can change from one academic year to the next, so parents should always request the latest fee schedule directly from the school rather than relying on an old article or online discussion.
The international school application process in Indonesia will depend on the school and the child’s year level. Schools may request previous school reports, academic transcripts, passport copies, birth certificates, vaccination records, teacher recommendations and information about the child’s learning history.
Some children may be asked to complete an assessment or attend an interview. Older students may need to demonstrate that they are academically prepared to enter a particular programme. English language ability may also be assessed if English is not the child’s first language.
The school may ask about learning support, behavioural concerns, medical conditions or previous educational assessments. It is important to provide complete and accurate information. The purpose is not simply to decide whether the child will be accepted. The school also needs to determine whether it has the resources and specialist support required to help the child succeed.
For example, the admissions process at British School Jakarta considers academic records, assessments, English proficiency, readiness for the curriculum and the school’s ability to provide the necessary support.
Parents should begin the international school admission process before arriving in Indonesia whenever possible. Some year levels fill more quickly than others, and a place cannot always be guaranteed simply because an employer is relocating a family to Indonesia.
Ideally, families should contact schools as soon as the relocation to Indonesia becomes likely. You do not necessarily need to wait until every part of the assignment has been finalised.
Ask the admissions department about availability in your child’s year level, required documents, assessments, application deadlines and waiting lists. You should also confirm the school calendar and the proposed starting date.
Many international schools in Indonesia follow an August-to-June academic year, but this is not universal. Australian schools generally follow a January-to-December calendar, while other schools may divide the year into semesters or terms with different starting dates.
Children can sometimes be admitted during the school year if a place is available. However, joining a senior academic programme halfway through may be more complicated, especially for students studying IGCSE, A Levels or the IB Diploma.
One of the most common mistakes families make when moving to Indonesia is choosing a home before confirming the school.
A house may appear to be in a convenient location, but Jakarta traffic does not always follow the logic of a map. A relatively short distance can become a long journey at peak times. The same concern now applies in busy areas of Bali.
Before renting a home, travel between the property and the school during the actual morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods. Do not rely only on the estimated travel time shown outside peak hours.
Ask whether the school provides a school bus and which neighbourhoods are covered. Find out how long children normally remain on the bus and whether younger and older students travel together.
For many families, it is better for the working parent to accept a somewhat longer office commute than for a young child to spend several hours travelling to and from school every day.
A school tour is about more than looking at classrooms, sports facilities and playgrounds. It is an opportunity to understand how the school operates and whether your child is likely to feel comfortable there.
Ask how new students are helped to settle in, particularly those arriving in the middle of the academic year. Find out how the school communicates with parents and how teachers respond when a child is struggling academically or socially.
You may also want to ask about class sizes, teacher turnover, language support, learning support, counselling, university guidance, homework expectations and extracurricular activities.
For secondary students, ask detailed questions about subject availability. A school may advertise an IB or Cambridge programme but may not offer every subject your child needs. This can be particularly important for students planning to apply to universities in a specific country or study a specialised subject.
If your child has additional learning needs, do not rely on a general statement that the school is inclusive. Ask what support is actually available, who provides it, whether there is an additional cost and whether the support can continue as the child progresses through the school.
National Plus schools are another option for families looking for an international-style education in Indonesia. These schools are especially popular with affluent Indonesian families who want their children to study an internationally recognised curriculum, such as Cambridge or the International Baccalaureate, while remaining within a predominantly Indonesian school community.
Expatriate children are generally welcome to attend National Plus schools, but parents should understand that most of the students are likely to be Indonesian. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, although it can influence the overall culture and social life of the school. Parent participation, playdates, birthday parties, school events and the celebration of religious or national holidays may feel different from what a family would experience at a more internationally diverse school.
The curriculum may be similar to that of an international school, and most classroom teaching is normally conducted in English. However, the atmosphere outside the classroom can be quite different. Indonesian children will naturally return to Bahasa Indonesia when socialising with one another, during breaks or while participating in activities. A foreign child who does not speak Bahasa Indonesia may occasionally feel excluded, even when the other students do not intend to leave them out.
National Plus schools may be slightly less expensive than the larger international schools, although fees still vary considerably. They can provide a strong academic education, but families should visit the school and consider whether the social environment will suit their child as well as the curriculum.
Parents should also not assume that choosing a National Plus school means their child will automatically learn Bahasa Indonesia through daily classroom instruction. English is usually the main teaching language, while Indonesian language, culture and national studies are included to meet Indonesian educational requirements. A foreign child who wants to become confident in Bahasa Indonesia may still require additional language lessons and regular opportunities to use the language socially.
Even when children have attended international schools in other countries, moving to a new school can be emotionally difficult.
They are not only leaving behind teachers and friends. They are adjusting to a new home, climate, culture, language and daily routine at the same time. Teenagers may be particularly concerned about friendships, academic continuity and whether the move will affect their university plans.
Parents naturally focus on finding the best curriculum and facilities, but the social environment is equally important. A welcoming class, an understanding teacher and the opportunity to join activities can make an enormous difference during the first few months.
Give your child some involvement in the school decision when this is appropriate for their age. After visiting the school, ask what they noticed and how they felt. Their priorities may be quite different from yours.
A parent may be impressed by examination results and university placements, while the child may be wondering whether they will make friends, continue playing their favourite sport or find somewhere quiet to eat lunch.
There is no single best international school in Indonesia for every child.
The right school depends on your child’s age, curriculum, academic needs, personality and future plans. It also depends on where your family will live, how long you will remain in Indonesia and what your employer’s education allowance will cover.
A school with an excellent reputation may still be the wrong choice if the daily commute is exhausting, the required subjects are unavailable or the teaching style does not suit your child.
Begin your research early, speak directly with admissions departments and visit the schools if possible. Compare the complete cost rather than tuition alone, and confirm that a place is available before making a housing decision.
Most importantly, look beyond the campus and the school’s promotional material. Try to understand what your child’s everyday life will be like there.
Choosing an international school in Indonesia is an important decision, but families do not have to make it based only on rankings or online recommendations. With careful research and a clear understanding of your child’s needs, it is possible to find a school that provides both educational continuity and a supportive community during your family’s time in Indonesia.
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