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International schools in Indonesia

The main international schools in Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta — curricula, fees, who they suit, waiting-list realities.

2 min read

Indonesia has one of Southeast Asia's strongest international-school markets. Jakarta competes with Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for top-tier IB and US-curriculum institutions. Bali has a smaller but growing scene with strong alternatives in Green School and Bali Island School. Yogyakarta has one solid mid-sized international school plus several bilingual options.

Jakarta

Top-tier

  • Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) — large American-curriculum + IB, established 1951, USD 32,000–42,000/year. Strong university outcomes. Long waiting list.
  • British School Jakarta (BSJ) — English National Curriculum + IGCSE/A-Level, USD 28,000–38,000. Strong on sport and humanities.
  • Australian Independent School (AIS) — Australian curriculum, USD 18,000–28,000.
  • Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) — Christian Cambridge curriculum, multiple campuses, USD 18,000–32,000.

Mid-tier

  • ACG School Jakarta — Cambridge + IB, USD 12,000–22,000
  • NJIS (North Jakarta International School) — IB, USD 14,000–24,000
  • HighScope Indonesia — American, USD 9,000–17,000

BSD / Serpong corridor (west)

  • Sinarmas World Academy — IB, USD 16,000–24,000
  • SIS Group (multiple campuses) — Cambridge + IB, USD 8,000–15,000
  • ACG School Jakarta (BSD campus)
  • Tzu Chi School — Cambridge, USD 10,000–18,000

Bali

  • Bali Island School (BIS) — IB, Sanur, USD 18,000–28,000. The traditional first choice for full-IB families in Bali.
  • Green School — Project-based, Sibang, USD 14,000–26,000. Famous bamboo campus, unique pedagogy. Strong creative outcomes; less conventional academic profile.
  • AIS Bali — Australian curriculum, Canggu, USD 12,000–20,000.
  • Sanur Independent School (SIS) — Cambridge, USD 7,000–14,000. Smaller, friendlier, good budget option.
  • Pelangi School (Ubud) — Project-based primary, USD 8,000–14,000. Strong primary years.
  • Canggu Community School (CCS) — Cambridge + IB, USD 11,000–18,000.

Yogyakarta

  • Yogyakarta International School (YIS) — small but reputable, Cambridge + IB primary, USD 7,000–11,000. Strong primary, limited senior options.
  • SPH satellite — Cambridge, USD 6,000–10,000.

Lombok and other islands

  • Tunas Daud Bali / SIS satellite — limited
  • Most relocating families with kids beyond primary should plan for Bali or Jakarta

How to actually pick a school

  1. Visit. In person. Photos and tours don't reveal classroom culture.
  2. Talk to current parents. Ask "what's the worst thing about this school?" — the answers are illuminating.
  3. Check exit data. Where do graduates go to university? IB scores? AP/A-Level results?
  4. Check the cohort. A 30% drop in cohort size between Year 9 and Year 10 is a warning sign.
  5. Check the after-school programme. This matters as much as classroom teaching for many families.
  6. Check waiting lists. Top schools in popular age groups may have 1–2 year waits.

Common mistakes

  • Picking on prestige alone without checking the cohort and pedagogy
  • Skipping the in-person visit
  • Underestimating the cost of additional fees (capital, transport, uniforms, trips)
  • Assuming a school will accept mid-year arrivals (often not in popular years)
  • Forgetting dependent visa requirements — children of KITAS holders need their own KITAS

Verify before acting

Confirm current fees, availability, and waiting-list times directly with the schools. Visa requirements for students should be confirmed with a licensed immigration agent. See disclaimer.

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