Within the nation’s capital are some of the country’s most transformative and inspiring schools. Jakarta schools range from decades-old institutions to contemporary organizations, and offer educational programmes starting from the prime age of [insert youngest age here]. These schools may differ in facilities, curricula, and locations but all share the same objective to prepare your kids in the best way they can. To help you choose which school is best for you and your family, we’ve compiled a list of eight schools that we think capture the finest of the city’s schooling opportunities.
Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS)
As a vibrant global community of learners, the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) unites students of over 60 nationalities over two distinct campuses. Offering elementary, middle school, and highschool programmes in its interconnected Cilandak-Pondok Indah Campus, JIS has an additional elementary school campus located in Kebayoran Baru. With a strong focus on creating extensive yet rigorous educational opportunities for its students, JIS aim to inspire joyful but challenging learning through its academic and cocuriccular programmes.
JIS offers premier academic programmes for all ages; from its Early Years Programme (3 to 5 years old) up to its High School Programme (14 to 18) years old). The Southern Jakarta school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Council of International Schools (CIS), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP). The Early Childhood Programme is based on the Creative Curriculum® for preschools, which takes a holistic approach to developing children’s physical, social, and cognitive abilities. While the Elementary and Middle schools are also worth noting, the High School Programme offers students the choice between IB and AP courses which gives students flexibility in forming their ideal academic pathways post-graduation.
The school also boasts one of the best on-campus facilities, which assist both academic and extracurricular aspirations. With four libraries, four arts and technology workshops, and a plethora of arts venues – it’s easy to get caught up exploring all the areas and resources available to students. Those looking to take up or develop their physical skills also have access to swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums, and a well-equipped fitness centre.
Interested in the Jakarta Intercultural School?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below.
+62 21 5098 9555
admissions@jisedu.or.id
ACG School Jakarta
Established in 2004 is ACG School Jakarta (Academic College Group), another school located in South Jakarta. The independent institution prides itself on creating opportunities for students to grow in a safe, values-driven and forward-thinking environment. Utilizing world-class pedagogy to guide its students from early years to Year 13, ACG Jakarta is an accessible yet premier school for families seeking an English-based education.
ACG offers a variety of academic courses and programmes for its students. For younger children (aged 3 to 12), ACG’s IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) helps develop a student’s inquisitive yet caring attitude through its student-focused curriculum. The PYP sets a foundation for their lifelong adventure of learning and developing as global citizens. Following on from the PYP is the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) which challenges students to make connections between their learning environment and the real world. Alternatively, students may opt to choose the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (or IGCSE) route. The main difference being that the MYP is a holistic frameworks for students aged 11 to 16 whereas IGCSEs are exam-based qualifications that boast a wide range of subjects and standardized curriculum.
Located in Pasar Minggu, this Jakarta school is on a single site. The campus comprises 30 classrooms, two science laboratories, a library, music and art rooms, a dance studio, and a design technology room. These learning areas are well-equipped with excellent resources and comfortable furnishings. Furthermore, the school features a Musholla (Prayer Room), as a reflection of the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in its community.
Interested in ACG School Jakarta?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below.
acgjkt@acgedu.com
+62-21-2978-0200/+62-816-297800
Ichthus Schools (South & West Campus): A Christian Jakarta School
Ichthus Schools are two interlinked Christian international schools serving the Southern and Western communities of Jakarta. Accredited by WASC, Cambridge International, and the Association of Christian School International (ACSI), Ichthus creates an environment conducive to learning, growing, and preparing students to “live a Christian life in a [globalized society].” As such, the school welcomes students aged 6 up to 19 to start their
Ichthus operates its primary and secondary school programmes under the Cambridge International curriculum as well as the Indonesian National Examinations. The Cambridge curriculum helps prepare students not only for their IGCSE exams in grade 10, but also for the pre-university program which uses Cambridge’s Advanced Level System (A-Levels) which propel alumni to international university destinations.
Outside of academics, the school provides extracurricular opportunities for students such as performing arts, sports & athletics, and student leadership roles. One of the claims to fame is Ichthus’s three-year sustained successes at the Christian Choir Competition. The student choir has traveled all around Indonesia as a representative of Christian Jakarta schools to places such as Pontianak, Ambon and Yogjakarta.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to one of Ichthus’ Jakarta schools?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
South Campus: +62 813-1872-1313
West Campus: +62 851-6122-2855
British School Jakarta (BSJ)
Originally called British International School Jakarta, the British School Jakarta is an independent, international standard school catering to children aged 2 to 18 years old. Located 7km South-West of Jakarta, the campus is a sprawling 18-hectare estate that is home to an impressive array of facilities: a theater hall with a seating capacity of 750, coupled with extensive sports amenities, encompasses five full-sized football fields, twelve badminton courts, three basketball courts, five semi-indoor tennis courts, a gym, a dance studio, a rock climbing wall, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
As a British Heritage school, the school follows the UK Early Foundation Stage and International Primary Curriculum for its kindergarten and primary school programmes. As common with other international Jakarta schools, the school offers IB programmes for its secondary school students such as the MYP, DP, and more recently IB Career Programme (CP).
BSJ’s curricula has a strong emphasis on life outside the classroom and is proud to offer a diverse choice of activities to its students: arts, music, sports, and support for other interests that students may have. One of the highlights of BSJ’s commitment to sports is its partnership to the professional football club, Manchester City, bringing world-class coaching and methodology to students and the greater community alike.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to the British School Jakarta?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
admissions@bsj.sch.id
Phone: 021 7451670
Fax: 081119918162
Nord Anglia School Jakarta (NAS Jakarta)
NAS Jakarta is a British international school located in South Jakarta. Thanks to its small classes and vibrant community, the school can celebrate the unique qualities of each student through its personalised approach to learning. However, in contrast to other international Jakarta schools, NAS Jakarta only caters to students from one and a half years old up to 12 years old.
For its younger students, NAS Jakarta deploys the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, also known as the Reggio Emilia approach. This syllabus targets three specific areas: Personal, Social, and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development. From 5 years old onwards, students move on to their primary school programme: a blend of the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum.
To facilitate this outstanding primary education, the school spared no expense in augmenting its facilities with resources such as: a spacious music suite, a STEAM maker space, comprehensive library, science lab, and a modern Apple computer suite.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to NAS Jakarta?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
admissions@nasjakarta.sch.id
(+62) 081 1972 7979
HighScope Indonesia
On a mission to redesign the world by empowering children to be life-long learners is HighScope Indonesia. Commencing in the US, the Indonesian chapter opened in 1996 with eight students and now has eleven campuses and over 3000 students. Its main Jakarta campus is its TB. Simatupang location where admissions are open to students from early years until high school.
For its early years programme, the curriculum combines nationally certified content with international standards. HighScope encourages “Making Good Choices (MAGIC), a special class where [students] learn how to consciously develop a plan, [and] implement the plan through a thoughtful learning process.” This approach continues in its elementary and middle schools but strays in its high school pedagogy as students prepare for university; learners are enrolled in a credit system to give each one flexibility in their individual career path. To assist the university admissions process, HighScope implements AP courses due to its rigorous curriculum that exposes students to university-level coursework.
In addition to its wide-range of subjects, HighScope Simatupang also accomodates students extracurricular passions through its on-site facilities like: its indoor and outdoor sports areas, performing arts stages, swimming pool, ICT lab, and music rooms.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to HighScope Simatupang?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
info@highscope.or.id
+62 21 75917888
BINUS SCHOOL Simprug (BINUS)
As part of the larger BINA NUSANTARA Education Group, BINUS School Simprug has been providing a strong foundation for further study since its creation in 1998. Located in South Jakarta, the school is a stone’s throw away from the ASEAN MRT station and nearby malls and residential buildings. As an IB World School, it’s one of the few Jakarta schools offering an all-IB curriculum from the early year PYP to the pre-university DP pedagogy.
For families with small children, BINUS has its PYP: an inquiry-based, concept-derived and interdisciplinary curriculum for students between the ages of 3 and 12. Students aiming for BINUS’ middle school will find its holistic Middle Years Programme a refreshing break from more traditional curricula. Learners will study eight different subjects and work on a personal project – a significant body of work that showcases each individual’s initiative and commitment. Last is its IB Diploma Programme which has produced notable alumni, some of which have received perfect scores from the IB examination board.
To enable students’ learning and development, BINUS SCHOOL Simprug has a balance of academic and non-academic facilities: such as two libraries, a spacious music room, science laboratories, outdoor play areas, and an indoor gymnasium.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to BINUS SCHOOL Simprug?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
infobinus@binus.edu
+62 811 9700 6969 or 0804 169 6969
SIS South Jakarta
Singapore International School, or SIS, was brought about by Jakarta’s business community needing a Singapore-style school. Growing from in a single school in the late-1990s, the SIS Group now encompasses 13 schools in four countries, with 9 of said schools in Indonesia alone. SIS South Jakarta, its first international school continues on its current premises 21 years later and now offers a challenging yet engaging academic programme aimed to develop the creativity and risk-taking abilities of its students.
Preschool and primary students’ curricula are more closely aligned with the Singaporean curriculum which emphasizes “Life Skills, Knowledge Skills and Subject Based Learning.” In the transition to Secondary school, students familiarise themself with the Cambridge International system through their checkpoint and IGCSE assessments. Before university, students prepare themselves through SIS’s Junior College which turns to the IB Diploma Programme.
Interested in visiting or admitting your child to SIS South Jakarta?
Visit their website here, or contact the Admissions team via the details below:
sissouthjakarta@sisschools.org
+62 21 7591 4414
