Indonesia's capital Jakarta is not a city that does anything small. Seventeen million people across a sprawling metro, traffic that defines patience, and an expat community that's been quietly thriving for decades. The international school market here reflects that scale: 76 schools tracked on Scholae, spanning 34 curricula, from premium IB campuses with Olympic pools to scrappy national-plus schools where your kid will actually learn Bahasa Indonesia.
If you're relocating to Jakarta, the school decision will likely be the single biggest factor in where you live, what you pay, and how your family experiences the city. The good news: there's genuine quality across a wide price spectrum. The less-good news: sorting through 76 options while managing a visa timeline from another continent is nobody's idea of fun.
This guide is here to help. Real school names, real fees, honest trade-offs.
Explore all 76 Jakarta international schools to filter by curriculum, age range, or fee bracket.
The curriculum landscape: What's actually on offer
Jakarta's international school market is dominated by British-style and IB programmes, but the picture is more nuanced than that. Here's what each path means for your child — and some things the glossy brochures won't tell you.
British curriculum (Cambridge / IGCSE / A-Levels)
British is the single most common curriculum framework in Jakarta, with 47 schools offering some variant. That includes everything from full English National Curriculum schools through to SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) schools that bolt Cambridge IGCSEs onto an Indonesian foundation.
At the top of the British pile sits British School Jakarta — 1,462 students, 50 nationalities, a Banten campus with serious facilities. BSJ runs the English National Curriculum through primary years, then transitions to IB MYP and IB Diploma for secondary, which is a smart hybrid that gives kids structure early and breadth later. Fees run from IDR 150 million to IDR 531 million per year (roughly USD 9,500–33,800), placing it firmly in the premium tier. It's a FOBISIA member and an Apple Distinguished School, for whatever that second designation is worth.
ACG School Jakarta in South Jakarta is part of the Inspired Schools Group and follows British curriculum through primary before offering Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma. With 298 students, it's intimate. Their 2025 IB cohort averaged 33.5 points — comfortably above the global average of 30.5. Fees start around IDR 158 million and top out near IDR 415 million (USD 10,000–26,400).
For families wanting British curriculum with a faith dimension, Sekolah Pelita Harapan runs five campuses across greater Jakarta — Lippo Village, Sentul City, Lippo Cikarang, Kemang Village, and Pluit Village — serving 2,200 students total. SPH combines British and IB frameworks within a Christian ethos. Fees range from IDR 130.5 million to IDR 414.5 million (USD 8,300–26,400), varying by campus and grade level.
Other solid British-track options include Bunda Mulia School (A-Levels and IGCSE), Jakarta Nanyang School (British with Singaporean flavour), and Penabur International School Kelapa Gading (Cambridge IGCSE within a Christian framework).
The honest trade-off with A-Levels: your child narrows to three or four subjects at 16. If they already know they want medicine or engineering, that focus is a gift. If they're still figuring things out, it can feel premature. Many Jakarta schools hedge this by offering the IB Diploma alongside or instead of A-Levels in the senior years — BSJ and ACG both do this.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Thirty-three schools in Jakarta offer some form of IB — PYP (primary), MYP (middle years), the Diploma Programme, or some combination. The IB's inquiry-based approach and built-in international-mindedness make it the natural choice for globally mobile families who might move again in three years.
Jakarta Intercultural School is the flagship. Founded in 1951 by UN workers — originally the Joint Embassy School — JIS is now the largest and most established international school in Indonesia. Over 2,000 students across three campuses (Cilandak, Pondok Indah, and Pattimura), 70+ nationalities, IB and American curricula. Class sizes average 18 in elementary and 12 in early years. The school offers EAL support, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a dedicated Learning Center for students with mild-to-moderate learning differences.
JIS is also the most expensive school in Jakarta. Annual fees run from IDR 375.8 million for early years up to IDR 604.3 million for high school — that's roughly USD 23,500 to 37,800. The school buses, the three-campus model, the breadth of languages offered (Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean alongside Bahasa Indonesia) — you're paying for an institution that operates at a scale most Jakarta schools can't match.
Global Jaya School in BSD City runs the full IB continuum — PYP, MYP, and Diploma — for 680 students. It's WASC-accredited, which matters if you're thinking about US university applications. The student mix is 85% local and 15% international, which some families see as a plus (your child will be immersed in Indonesian culture) and others see as a limitation. Fees are mid-range: IDR 79 million to IDR 215 million (USD 5,000–13,700), making it one of the better-value full-IB options in town.
North Jakarta Intercultural School offers IB and American curricula in Kelapa Gading for 295 students. Fees range from IDR 69.5 million to IDR 255.6 million (USD 4,400–16,200). NJIS is WASC-accredited and an EARCOS member — the kind of smaller school where teachers know every child's name.
Sinarmas World Academy in BSD City, founded in 2008, runs British, IB, and Cambridge tracks for 500 students. It has a distinctive partnership with Peking University for its Chinese programme, which is a genuine differentiator if Mandarin acquisition matters to your family.
American curriculum
Less common in Jakarta than in, say, the Middle East, but Jakarta Intercultural School and North Jakarta Intercultural School both offer American pathways alongside their IB programmes. If your child needs to slot back into a US high school transcript framework, these are your best options.
Sampoerna Academy at the L'Avenue Campus in Pancoran is connected to Sampoerna University and emphasises pathways into Indonesian and international higher education. With 1,994 students, it's one of the larger schools in the city.
Australian
AIS Indonesia in Pejaten (South Jakarta) offers IB and Australian curricula for 530 students. Fees run IDR 149.9 million to IDR 442.7 million (USD 9,500–28,000). It's the natural fit for Australian expat families — the teaching culture, the assessment philosophy, the general vibe all track with what you'd expect from an Australian school overseas.
Other curricula worth knowing about
- German: Deutsche Schule Jakarta follows the German national curriculum (USD 9,600–15,300/year). Small, focused, very German.
- French: French School Jakarta provides a French-language education with American curriculum elements (USD 5,100–12,900/year).
- Korean: Jakarta Indonesia Korean School serves the substantial Korean expat community.
- Taiwanese: Jakarta Taipei School offers British and Taiwanese curricula in Chinese and English (USD 3,700–6,500/year).
- Dutch: Nord Anglia School Jakarta is one of the few schools worldwide offering Dutch curriculum alongside British — a lifeline for Dutch expat families, and part of the global Nord Anglia network. It only goes to age 12, though, so you'll need a secondary plan.
- Montessori: Jayakarta Montessori School and Green Montessori School offer Montessori approaches for families who want child-led, hands-on early education.
National-plus / SPK schools
Indonesia's SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) framework allows schools to combine the Indonesian national curriculum with international programmes. Schools like Cikal School, Sekolah Cita Buana, and Sekolah Perkumpulan Mandiri blend Cambridge or IB elements with Indonesian standards. These are worth considering if you plan to stay long-term, want your child to maintain eligibility for Indonesian universities, or simply value deeper integration with local culture.
The trade-off: SPK schools must comply with Indonesian Ministry of Education requirements, which means more prescribed content and less flexibility than a fully international school. But the bilingual immersion and cultural grounding can be genuinely valuable, especially for mixed Indonesian-expat families.
What you'll actually pay: Fee ranges in Jakarta
Jakarta's fee spectrum is wide enough to accommodate most budgets, from schools that cost less than a family car to institutions that rival the priciest in Singapore.
Budget tier: IDR 48–120 million/year (USD 3,000–7,500)
Gandhi Memorial International School in North Jakarta is the standout here — 870 students, 40+ nationalities, British and IB curricula, with early years fees starting at just IDR 48.5 million (about USD 3,100). Senior school tops out around IDR 140 million (USD 8,900). GMIS has a large Indian, Indonesian, and Korean student body and has been operating for decades. The campus in Pademangan won't win architecture awards, but the education is solid and the community is warm.
Jakarta Taipei School (IDR 58–103 million / USD 3,700–6,500) and Al Jabr Islamic School (IDR 63–115 million / USD 4,000–7,300, with IB PYP, MYP, and CP) also fall in this bracket. At these prices, expect modest facilities and a more local-heavy student mix, but don't assume the teaching is second-rate.
Mid-range: IDR 120–350 million/year (USD 7,500–22,000)
This is the sweet spot for many expat families. You get proper campuses, experienced international teachers, and genuine curriculum depth.
Nord Anglia School Jakarta charges IDR 116–351 million (USD 7,300–22,000) for its British/Dutch programme. It's primary-only, but the Nord Anglia network gives access to global collaborations with MIT and Juilliard — tangible enrichments, not just marketing.
North Jakarta Intercultural School in Kelapa Gading (IDR 69.5–255.6 million / USD 4,400–17,900) offers IB and American tracks with WASC accreditation and the intimacy of a 295-student school. Global Jaya School in BSD (IDR 79–215 million / USD 5,000–13,700) delivers the full IB continuum with WASC accreditation at fees that feel almost too reasonable.
Kharisma Bangsa School (IDR 104–129 million / USD 6,600–8,200) and Mentari Intercultural School Bintaro (British/IB with Cambridge IGCSE) round out the mid-tier with solid reputations in their respective neighbourhoods.
Premium: IDR 350–550 million/year (USD 22,000–35,000)
The established names live here. British School Jakarta (IDR 150–531 million / USD 9,500–33,800) offers the kind of campus, faculty depth, and extracurricular breadth that justifies the price for families who want a world-class British school experience. ACG School Jakarta (IDR 158–415 million / USD 10,000–26,400) and Sekolah Pelita Harapan (IDR 130.5–414.5 million / USD 8,300–26,400 across five campuses) compete in this tier.
AIS Indonesia (IDR 149.9–442.7 million / USD 9,500–28,000) brings Australian-quality education with IB options to Pejaten, South Jakarta.
Ultra-premium: IDR 500 million+/year (USD 32,000+)
Jakarta Intercultural School sits alone at the top. Senior school fees reach IDR 604 million (USD 37,800). You're paying for history (founded 1951), scale (2,000+ students, three campuses), breadth (70+ nationalities, seven languages), and support services (learning center, speech therapy, OT) that few schools in Southeast Asia can match. If your company is paying, JIS is an easy yes. If you're self-funding, the question becomes whether the experience justifies a fee that's 3-4x what schools like Global Jaya charge for a comparable IB Diploma.
Schools worth a closer look
Here are 10 schools across different tiers and curricula that stand out for specific reasons.
Jakarta Intercultural School
IB & American | 2,000+ students | USD 23,500–37,800/year The gold standard. Three campuses — Cilandak (the main secondary campus), Pondok Indah (elementary), and Pattimura (early years). Class sizes of 18 in elementary, 12 in early years. Languages from Korean to Japanese to Spanish. The Learning Center for students with mild-to-moderate learning differences is rare in Southeast Asia. Not cheap, but nothing else in Jakarta quite matches the depth.
British School Jakarta
British + IB | 1,462 students | USD 9,500–33,800/year The British-to-IB hybrid model — English National Curriculum in primary, IB MYP and Diploma in secondary — gives families the structured early years of the British system with the breadth of IB for university preparation. FOBISIA member, 50 nationalities, strong pastoral care. The Banten campus is technically outside Jakarta proper, so factor in commute times from central neighbourhoods.
ACG School Jakarta
British + IB | 298 students | USD 10,000–26,400/year Small enough that every student is known, large enough to offer a credible IB Diploma programme. The 33.5-point IB average is quietly impressive. Located in South Jakarta near the Ragunan area. Part of the Inspired Schools Group, which means access to a global network. Good fit for families who value community and don't need a 2,000-student mega-campus.
Global Jaya School
IB (full continuum) | 680 students | USD 5,000–13,700/year The best value for a full IB education in Jakarta, full stop. WASC-accredited, 19 nationalities, and the full PYP-MYP-DP pathway. The 85/15 local-to-international ratio means your child will be immersed in Indonesian peer culture, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you're looking for. Located in BSD City, so this makes most sense for families in the Tangerang/Serpong corridor.
Sekolah Pelita Harapan
British + IB + Christian | 2,200 students | USD 8,300–26,400/year Five campuses across greater Jakarta means there's probably one near you. SPH is the dominant faith-based international school in Indonesia, with a genuine Christian mission that permeates school culture — chapel, service projects, biblical studies. The Lippo Village campus is the flagship. Faculty recruited from the US, UK, Canada, Australia. If faith-based education matters to your family, SPH should be at the top of your list.
North Jakarta Intercultural School
IB & American | 295 students | USD 4,400–16,200/year The go-to for Kelapa Gading families. WASC-accredited, EARCOS member, IB PYP and MYP. Small enough that teachers genuinely know each student. The Kelapa Gading location means easy access for North Jakarta's substantial Japanese, Korean, and Chinese expat communities. Significantly cheaper than JIS with solid academic credentials.
Gandhi Memorial International School
British + IB | 870 students | USD 3,100–8,900/year The best-value larger school in Jakarta. Forty nationalities, decades of operating history, and fees that are a fraction of the premium schools. The student body skews Indian, Indonesian, and Korean. GMIS won't have the facilities of BSJ or JIS, but the education is genuine, the community is tight, and you can send two kids here for the price of one at JIS.
AIS Indonesia
IB & Australian | 530 students | USD 9,500–28,000/year The only school in Jakarta built around an Australian educational philosophy. Located in Pejaten, South Jakarta — well-positioned for Kemang and Pondok Indah families. The IB/Australian hybrid means your child can transfer seamlessly back into an Australian school system if needed. About 530 students, so still personal enough that your child won't get lost.
Sinarmas World Academy
British + IB + Cambridge | 500 students | BSD City The Mandarin programme, built in partnership with Peking University, is the standout feature. If trilingual education (English, Bahasa, Mandarin) matters to your family's plans, SWA offers something genuinely distinctive. Located in BSD City alongside Global Jaya and BSJ, forming a cluster that makes the Tangerang corridor attractive for school choice.
Nord Anglia School Jakarta
British + Dutch | 300 students | USD 7,300–22,000/year The only school in Jakarta offering Dutch curriculum, which makes it essential for Dutch and Belgian expat families. Part of the global Nord Anglia network with MIT and Juilliard collaborations. The catch: it only serves ages 2-12, so you'll need a secondary school plan. Located in Cilandak, South Jakarta. Twenty-six nationalities in just 300 students — genuinely diverse for its size.
Neighbourhoods: Where you live determines where you learn
Jakarta is enormous, and traffic is unforgiving. The 15-kilometre drive that Google Maps says takes 20 minutes will take 75 in morning rush hour. Your neighbourhood choice and school choice are essentially the same decision.
South Jakarta (Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cilandak, Pejaten)
This is the traditional expat heartland and home to the densest cluster of international schools. JIS has campuses in both Cilandak and Pondok Indah. ACG School Jakarta is near Ragunan. AIS Indonesia is in Pejaten. Nord Anglia School Jakarta is in Cilandak. Kemang itself is the social hub — restaurants, cafes, the expat networking scene — and most school buses serve this corridor well.
Expect the highest rents in Jakarta and the most familiar expat infrastructure. If you want an easy landing with English-speaking neighbours and an international school within 20 minutes, South Jakarta is the default.
BSD City / Tangerang (West)
The Tangerang satellite city corridor has become a serious contender. British School Jakarta, Global Jaya School, and Sinarmas World Academy are all in BSD or nearby Pondok Aren. Sekolah Pelita Harapan's flagship Lippo Village campus is here too.
Housing is significantly more affordable than South Jakarta, and the newer developments (BSD City, Alam Sutera, Gading Serpong) have excellent amenities. The trade-off: getting to central Jakarta is a slog. If both parents work downtown, the commute will test your marriage. But if one parent works from home or your office is in the west, BSD is arguably a better quality of life than central Jakarta.
Kelapa Gading / North Jakarta
Home to North Jakarta Intercultural School, Gandhi Memorial International School, Penabur International School Kelapa Gading, and several SIS campuses. Kelapa Gading is Jakarta's de facto Chinatown successor — malls, food, a large ethnic Chinese Indonesian community, and increasingly, Japanese and Korean expats.
Schools here tend to be more affordable than South Jakarta equivalents. The neighbourhood is self-contained enough that you can live and school in Kelapa Gading without regularly fighting the toll road south. Good infrastructure, good food scene, slightly less "expat bubble" than Kemang.
Central Jakarta (Menteng, Sudirman, Kuningan)
Fewer international schools are based here (most have migrated to South Jakarta or the satellites), but this is where many expat parents work. If you live centrally, you'll likely be busing your child south to Cilandak/Pondok Indah or north to Kelapa Gading. Some families make it work; others find the daily commute exhausting and relocate after the first semester.
Sampoerna Academy in Pancoran is one of the closer options for central Jakarta residents.
East Jakarta and Bekasi
Sekolah Pelita Harapan's Lippo Cikarang campus serves families in the eastern industrial corridor. Fewer international school options overall, but housing is affordable and the SPH campus provides a known quantity. This corridor suits families where one parent works in the Cikarang/Bekasi industrial zone.
Admissions: What to expect and when to act
Timing matters
Most Jakarta international schools run an August-to-June academic year aligned with Northern Hemisphere seasons (a legacy of the diplomatic community). Applications typically open in November-February for the following August intake, but popular schools fill early.
JIS, BSJ, and SPH all maintain waiting lists for certain grade levels. If you know you're moving to Jakarta, start applications 6-12 months before your arrival date. "We'll sort the school when we get there" is a strategy that works in some cities; in Jakarta, it can mean settling for your fourth choice.
Entry assessments
Nearly every school requires some form of admissions screening. For younger children, this is usually a play-based observation or trial day. For older students, expect written assessments in English and mathematics, and possibly an interview.
JIS evaluates English language, reading, mathematics, and writing for all applicants from Early Years 3 to Grade 10. BSJ uses CAT and NGRT tests for secondary applicants. NJIS requires an ESL test for non-English-school students in Grades 3-12.
If your child's English isn't yet fluent, schools with strong EAL (English as an Additional Language) programmes — JIS, BSJ, AIS Indonesia — are better bets than those without dedicated language support.
Documents you'll need
Keep these ready: passport copies, birth certificate, most recent school report cards (two years if possible), immunisation records, and passport-size photos. Some schools also want standardised test results or teacher recommendation letters. All documents in non-English languages will need certified translations.
Mid-year entry
Good news: most Jakarta international schools accept students throughout the year, not just in August. JIS, BSJ, NJIS, ACG, and Global Jaya all allow mid-year enrolment, subject to space. This is Jakarta being pragmatic — expat families arrive year-round, and schools have adapted accordingly.
Making the decision
There's no single "best" international school in Jakarta. There's the best school for your child, your budget, and your neighbourhood.
If money is no object and you want the broadest possible experience, JIS is hard to beat. If you want British rigour with IB breadth, BSJ is the obvious choice. If value matters and you want a full IB education, Global Jaya delivers at a fraction of the premium-school price. If you're in Kelapa Gading, NJIS makes geography easy. If faith-based education is a priority, SPH has a campus near you.
Visit in person if you possibly can. Jakarta's schools feel different from each other in ways that data can't capture — the energy in the corridors, the way teachers interact with kids, whether the playground feels joyful or regimented. A two-day school visit trip, even before you've finalised housing, is the single best investment you can make in your family's Jakarta experience.
Browse all 76 Jakarta international schools or compare schools side by side to find the right fit for your family.
