Best International Schools in Indonesia – Top Rated Schools of Indonesia
When it comes to education, most parents want to provide their children with the kind they truly deserve.
Naturally, they want their kids to be happy and safe, have great friends and get the best learning experiences possible. Most importantly, they want their children to succeed in life once they graduate.
There are many things parents need to consider when choosing the right international school in Indonesia. School plays an important role in shaping a child’s future, so parents may have a specific set of expectations when deciding which one is most suitable for their kids. Some parents may want their children to master a new language, channel their passions in extracurricular activities like sports and creative arts, or perhaps discover a hidden talent.
For expat families, the pressure is especially on when making sure kids receive the best service and facilities possible, while also hoping the school can be a home for students who hail from different parts of the world.
To help expat parents find the right institution in Indonesia, we have rounded up a brief list of the country’s best international schools.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Organization for Primary Years Programme from K to Y6; Cambridge Curriculum for Y7 to Y12
Recognized as one of Indonesia’s top international schools, ACG School Jakarta (which is part of the Academic Colleges Group) takes pride in its qualified expat teachers, purpose-built campus and international education standards that both encourage and challenge students to meet their potential. It provides an inquiry-based learning environment that is as relevant as possible to the ‘real world’ outside the walls of the school.
Guided tours are provided for new families and prospective students may avail themselves of the ‘student for a day’ trial to know first-hand the ACG School Jakarta experience.
Curriculum: Cambridge Primary Checkpoint for Grades 1-6, IGCSE for Grades 7-10, IBDP/CP for Grades 11-12
Committed to high standards, ACS Jakarta’s education programme aims to deliver academic excellence. The school claims to represent the child’s total development to maximize their potential.
The ACS education model is based on the idea that shaping a child’s character needs more than just investing in her mind, body and spirit but also enriching the soul. The curriculum is designed to help develop compassion, consideration, respect and openness. ACS provides comprehensive programmes for music, sports, drama and arts, among others.
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum for Primary (Preschool to Year 10) and IB Curriculum for Years 11-12
The curriculum at the Australian Independent School (AIS) aims to consistently provide opportunities to help students work on each subject according to their appropriate level. The school says its interactive teaching approach inspires student participation to boost confidence, proficiency in communication, effective analysis and problem-solving skills.
The AIS syllabus is structured to enable students to invest in and build upon their knowledge and experiences. Complemented by qualified teachers with international experience, the school’s friendly and vibrant community and values-based education provide every student a solid foundation that promotes personal growth and ensures academic success, says AIS.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Programme from Preschool to Grade 12
Formerly Bali International School, Bali Island School (BIS) encourages students to be confident, globally-minded, diligent, interactive, respectful and creative. As the oldest school of its kind in Bali, BIS takes pride in its dedicated, experienced and IB-trained international teaching staff that helps engage students.
BIS is known for its diverse, free-of-charge extracurricular programmes, on-campus sports facilities, proactive parents association and full accreditation from the Council of International Schools, the International Baccalaureate and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England for Primary and Secondary School and International Baccalaureate Programme for Years 12 and 13
In line with its mission to “inspire, challenge and nurture for excellence,” British School Jakarta offers world-class learning experiences that encourage students to be prepared and well-equipped for the real world. BSJ understands that for students to be happy and successful after leaving school, they need to demonstrate character, academic prowess and a wide range of personal skills.
BSJ seeks to integrate the best of global teaching and learning practices and their team of professional and dedicated teachers that offer support and challenge. The entire BSJ team is also encouraged to be mindful of their mantra of “continual improvement” that will enable a successful implementation of their guiding principles, including the ability to sustain its reputation for academic excellence, encourage students to be compassionate lifelong learners and to be globally recognised for its commitment to education for international partnerships.
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Indonesian National Curriculum for Early Years, IGCSE Curriculum for Years 10 and 11 and IB Programme for Grades 12 and 13
What started out as a class of ten students and two teachers in 2001, Canggu Community School (CCS) has grown to become one of the region’s most renowned international schools that has recently produced its first set of IB diploma graduates with one of the world’s highest averages of 35.
CCS aims to mould their students into becoming “confident, socially engaged and globally responsible citizens.” With their unique School-Wide Learner Expectations (SWLEs) on which they measure their mission’s success, they expect their students to not only be academically excellent but also to be effective communicators and socially responsible.
Curriculum: Reggio Philosophy for Kindergarten, Thuringian Curriculum (core curriculum for the basic schools of both regions) for Primary School and Secondary Levels (with access to the Cambridge English Language Assessment on all levels).
Deutsche Schule Jakarta aims to be among the high-quality schools in the archipelago with its world-class standards through holistic methods that will enable students to be “competitive in the age of globalization without having to deny their cultural roots.”
DSJ administers a 12-year-long academic curriculum – primary level, secondary level 1 and secondary level 2 – before students take their school-leaving certification. The school serves as a place of encounter and of dialogue between countries and cultures.
Deutsche Schule Jakarta is officially recognized by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Gandhi Memorial International School, Jakarta
Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme
As a multicultural international school, the Gandhi Memorial International School Jakarta offers a dynamic learning community where diversity is considered as a strength and differences are viewed as assets.
The GMIS Jakarta looks to encourage a lifelong learning process and responsible citizenship among its students through its multidisciplinary, challenging and internationally recognised curriculum. The curriculum has been designed to specifically cater to the diverse needs of their students, while simultaneously ensuring equal learning opportunities for every individual.
That said, the GMIS Jakarta aims to enable students to be more self-confident, to be equipped with adaptability and problem-solving skills, to be ready to face the inevitable elements of emerging globalism and to grow with desirable interpersonal traits of self-discipline, sportsmanship, strong work ethics and self-esteem.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Delivering three IB programmes (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma), Global Jaya School (GJS) provides an international dimension to its curriculum that seeks to ensure students take pride in and get a good understanding of local cultures and heritage.
Using dual language (English and Bahasa Indonesia) instruction for Years 7 to 10, GJS aims to offer a balanced programme that encourages excellent academic results while at the same time supporting students as they explore sports, leadership and performing arts.
Curriculum: Cambridge IGCSE for Grades 9-10 and International A Levels for Grades 11-12
“So that whoever comes will have a Transformed life”
Ichthus School is known for its strong academics and value-based education, with an emphasis on the Christian faith and character building. The school embraces creativity and multiple intelligence, collaborative and cooperative learning, entrepreneurial skills, sports and fitness, performing and visual arts, as well as community services.
The comprehensive and integrated Ichthus curriculum meets the rigorous requirements of multiple international standards, including ACSI and WASC accreditation. Our Secondary Curriculum is designed around the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10 and the International A Levels in Grades 11 and 12.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Programme and Advanced Placement Courses
The Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) offers a global learning environment that prepares students for the world’s premier universities and equips them for real-life challenges.
JIS‘s diverse community is made up of a student body from more than 60 nationalities and teaching staff from 30 countries, empowering a healthy collaboration in the continuous pursuit of learning that is streamlined with the school’s values.
Outside the classroom walls, JIS outlines co-curricular programmes that offer creative arts, student clubs and athletics, and service-learning is embodied in the curriculum.
LIFE School Jakarta (French Intercultural School of Jakarta)
Curriculum: French, International Baccalaureate with Optional European English
Following the French national program for all grades (ages 3-17), LIFE School Jakarta (French Intercultural School of Jakarta) has over 350 students and 32 nationalities. The school works in partnership with the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), with a network of 535 schools worldwide. After-school activities are in abundance here – there are more than 35 activities, 30 expert instructors and 140 hours of activities. We prepare your children for the Baccalaureate (English section) which paves the way for studies in all universities in the world. The excellent results obtained in the Cambridge, IELTS and Baccalaureate certifications prove the recognized quality of our modern language teaching.
NHJS, an international school, implements the Singapore Ministry of Education’s curriculum alongside a blend of western and eastern pedagogical approaches. We employ the Singaporean Curriculum for Primary education and the Cambridge Curriculum for Secondary education, fostering an integrated and holistic learning environment.
As part of the Piaget Academy network, NHJS is affiliated with schools in Jakarta and Surabaya, sharing a unified Vision and Mission. Operational coordination is centralized through an office in Singapore, overseen by the Academy’s Superintendent, who facilitates information and programs across the schools. The Board of Governors ensures alignment with Piaget’s Vision and Mission in delivering education at each school within the network.
Curriculum: The English National Curriculum and International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
Nord Anglia School Jakarta is part of Nord Anglia Education, the world’s leading premium international schools organisation with over 60 schools across the globe. Our school in Jakarta delivers a dynamic British international education to Early Years and Primary students, aged 18 months – 12 years old. Our school’s welcoming atmosphere and leafy green campus provide a haven for our truly international community in the heart of Jakarta.
NAS Jakarta adopts a blended curriculum based on the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum, which focuses on high expectations, key skills and knowledge and understanding, as well as encouraging excellent attitudes to learning and metacognition. As a Nord Anglia Education school, we recruit only the best international teachers to make every day impactful for our students. Our international educators are highly experienced and qualified, and our excellent standards in learning and teaching create a curriculum that is relevant, rich and rewarding.
Our amazing students are the lifeblood of our school. They embody the ambitious aspirations of NIS as curious, creative and enthusiastic young people with an appetite for learning and thirst for knowledge. And with families from over 30 nationalities, we are proud of the rich diversity of our school community and take every opportunity to celebrate the many cultures represented here.
New Zealand School Jakarta (NZSJ)
Curriculum: Cambridge and New Zealand curricula
The New Zealand School (NZS) Jakarta is a tight-knit community and international school situated in the heart of Kemang in South Jakarta. NZS puts students at the centre of teaching and learning and sees children as whole human beings with academic needs, social-emotional needs, physical needs, as well as the need for the development of character. We aim to give children the support and experiences that they need to grow into happy and resilient young adults, excited for a lifetime of learning, achievement and creativity, as well as the foundations they require to create meaning in their later lives.
To do this, we employ the holistic New Zealand Curriculum supplemented with other academic programs including the Cambridge International Curriculum to serve the educational needs of children aged between 18 months (Pre-School) to 14 years (Grade 8). We are also now welcoming ‘pioneers’ into our soon-to-be newly opened Grade 9 class in the 2020/2021 academic year, which will grow into high school through to Grade 12 in the following academic years.
Curriculum: Singapore, Cambridge, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate Programme (IB)
In SIS, learning is all about inspiring the student. We just don’t teach here. Instead, we mentor, stimulate, provoke and engage, in a holistic nurturing environment. All kids are natural learners; they just need to be engaged in a manner that’s right for them to discover their talents and interests.
We offer a family-like environment with an emphasis on academic proficiency but also enriched by languages and the arts in an ecosystem that brings out the best in each student. At SIS, not only do we show children the path, we walk alongside them.
SIS holds true to its five core values of respect, integrity, innovation, perseverance and collaboration producing graduates that are ready to face an uncertain future with courage and optimism, no matter what challenges they face.
Wellington College Independent School Jakarta (WCIJ)
Curriculum: Early Years Foundation Stage, English National Curriculum through enquiry-based studies and the skilful teaching of subjects.
Wellington College Independent School Jakarta (WCIJ) is a prestigious new co-educational school nurturing young minds from ages 3 to 11. Part of the esteemed Wellington College International family, WCIJ offers a world-class education rooted in the excellence of the UK’s top private schools.
This innovative school boasts a state-of-the-art campus designed to ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning in its early years and primary school programs. Led by a dedicated faculty, WCIJ cultivates a vibrant and multicultural environment with high standards of the English National Curriculum and Indonesian Ministry of Education where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally, preparing them for success on a global stage.