We aren't here to list every school in Jakarta. Instead, we've curated a shortlist of the contenders that are typically popular destinations for expats in Jakarta: the institutions truly worth a closer look and a campus visit.
When choosing, three things matter most: curriculum fit (British, IB, American — each shapes how your child learns and where they can transfer), commute (in Jakarta, anything over 20 minutes each way will grind you down), and age range (if the school stops at Year 8 or Year 6, you need a plan for what comes next). Fees vary enormously — from $4,500 to $39,000 — but the most expensive school isn't necessarily the best fit for your family.
Schools Popular With Expats
The six schools below are the ones expat families most commonly consider. Each has a distinct character, and the right choice depends on where you live, how long you're staying, and what kind of education you want.
| School | Style | Ages | Annual Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) Best for: scale, breadth, US-style campus life | US-style, IB & AP | 3–18 | $17,500–$39,000 |
| The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) Best for: pure British education without the Bintaro commute | British Prep School | 2–13 | $9,500–$29,000 |
| British School Jakarta (BSJ) Best for: families in Bintaro wanting a full K–13 pathway | Blended British / IB | 3–18 | $10,000–$36,000 |
| Australian Independent School (AIS) Best for: learning support & genuinely inclusive community | Australian & IB | 3–18 | $11,500–$30,000 |
| New Zealand School Jakarta (NZSJ) Best for: close-knit community at a lower price point | New Zealand Curriculum | 1–18 | $4,500–$18,000 |
| Nord Anglia School Jakarta Best for: bilingual families wanting a warm, community school | IPC / British, Bilingual | 1.5–12 | $12,000–$24,000 |
Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS)
Established in 1951, JIS is the flagship of the Jakarta school scene and often the first name expats encounter. It functions almost like a small university, with massive campuses, world-class facilities, and a deep bench of extracurricular programmes from robotics to competitive swimming. The culture is distinctly American: confident, high-energy, and heavily invested in school spirit. JIS produces well-rounded graduates, many of whom go on to excellent universities worldwide. The sheer scale offers incredible opportunities, though families who prefer a smaller, more intimate setting may find it overwhelming.
- Style: US-style, IB & AP
- Ages: 3–18 years
- Annual Fees: USD $17,500 – $39,000
- Location: South Jakarta (Pondok Indah & Cilandak)
The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ)
A convenient, high-quality option for families who want a pure British education without the commute to Bintaro. Currently for children aged 2 to 13, the school is academically focused, yet like the best modern independent schools, the philosophy is that school should be fun — both because happy children learn faster and as an end in itself. It features expert teachers from leading UK independent schools and follows British independent school best practices around safeguarding, training, curriculum, staffing, and inspections. ISJ is part of The Schools Trust and has a sister school, The British School of Bali. Senior school families typically transition to schools such as International High School, Surrey, or other leading British boarding schools.
- Style: British "Prep School"
- Ages: 2–13 years (Pre-Nursery to Year 8)
- Annual Fees: USD $9,500 – $29,000
- Location: South Jakarta, Pondok Indah
Arrange a campus tour or find out more about admissions.
British School Jakarta (BSJ)
A well-established school with an impressive campus in Bintaro, offering the kind of space and greenery that's hard to find inside Jakarta proper. BSJ is a strong all-rounder with solid academics, good pastoral care, and a wide range of activities. While it carries the "British School" name, it has evolved into a more international model — blending the English National Curriculum in early years with MYP and IB in the senior school. For families who live south or are happy to relocate to Bintaro, it's an excellent choice. The main consideration is geography: it's a meaningful commute from Pondok Indah or Kemang.
- Style: Blended British / IB
- Ages: 3–18 years (Foundation to Year 13)
- Annual Fees: USD $10,000 – $36,000
- Location: Bintaro (South Tangerang)
AIS Indonesia
An established, genuinely inclusive school with a strong sense of community. Located in Pejaten, AIS is known for its "success for all" philosophy: prioritising student well-being and running one of the best Learning Support programmes in the region. Families with children who have additional learning needs should put AIS at the top of their visit list. It features a comfortable, purpose-built campus with good functional facilities and a down-to-earth, egalitarian community feel that many families find refreshing.
- Style: Australian Curriculum & IB
- Ages: 3–18 years
- Annual Fees: USD $11,500 – $30,000
- Location: South Jakarta, Pejaten
New Zealand School Jakarta (NZSJ)
A conveniently located, budget-friendly option at the top of Kemang with a genuinely warm community feel. NZSJ operates with more modest facilities than the bigger schools, but families who value a close-knit, personal environment — where teachers know every child by name — often find it the right fit. The holistic New Zealand curriculum emphasises well-rounded development, and the school's cheerful, unpretentious atmosphere makes new families feel welcome quickly.
- Style: New Zealand Curriculum
- Ages: 1–18 years
- Annual Fees: USD $4,500 – $18,000
- Location: South Jakarta, Kemang
Nord Anglia School Jakarta
A community-focused school with real character and a strong bilingual element. Formerly the Dutch School before being acquired by Nord Anglia (owned by EQT), it is primarily a primary school currently expanding into Year 7. The school maintains a unique identity, combining a diverse international faculty with a warm, resilient culture — famously illustrated by children taking little orange boats into school when the floods hit. A happy medium between a community school and a corporate group, with the IPC framework and growing access to Nord Anglia's global resources.
- Style: IPC / British Enhanced, Bilingual
- Ages: 1.5–12 years
- Annual Fees: USD $12,000 – $24,000
- Location: South Jakarta, Jeruk Purut
Compare All Jakarta International Schools
All fees are annual tuition in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) millions. Fees may not include lunch, transport, exam fees, EAL, SEN, or other charges. Please verify directly with each school.
| School | Curriculum | Fees (IDR M/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) | American, IB | 287–604 |
| British School Jakarta (BSJ) | British, IB | 172–538 |
| The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) | British | 149–485 |
| Australian Independent School (AIS) | Australian, IB | 150–431 |
| ACG School Jakarta | IB, British | 166–425 |
| Nord Anglia School Jakarta | British | 116–351 |
| BINUS School Simprug | IB | 180–340 |
| Sampoerna Academy Jakarta | American, IB | 120–310 |
| Sinarmas World Academy | IB, British | 100–300 |
| Sekolah Pelita Harapan | IB, British | 100–300 |
| ACS Jakarta | IB, British | 242–295 |
| Tunas Muda School | IB | 80–280 |
| New Zealand School Jakarta | New Zealand | 58–279 |
| NJIS | IB, British | 90–250 |
| Global Jaya School | IB, British | 95–245 |
| Cikal School | IB | 85–220 |
| Bina Bangsa School | British, IB | 70–200 |
| Global Sevilla | British | 40–190 |
| HighScope Indonesia | American | 50–180 |
| Mentari Intl Bintaro | IB | 65–175 |
| Mentari Intl Jakarta | IB | 62–170 |
| Mentari Intl Grand Surya | IB | 60–168 |
| Raffles Christian School | British | 60–165 |
| Jakarta Multicultural School | British | 45–160 |
| Kharisma Bangsa | British | 55–155 |
| Jakarta Montessori School | Montessori, IB | 75–150 |
| Penabur International | British | 50–145 |
| Tzu Chi School | IB | 52–145 |
| Springfield School | British | 52–142 |
| SIS Kelapa Gading | British, IB, Singapore | 60–140 |
| Gandhi Memorial Intl School | IB, British | 49–140 |
| SIS South Jakarta | British, Singapore | 58–138 |
| SIS Pantai Indah Kapuk | British, Singapore | 55–135 |
| Millennia World School | British | 48–135 |
| French School Jakarta | French | 48–132 |
| Ipeka Christian School | British | 45–130 |
| Deutsche Schule Jakarta | German | 45–125 |
| Woodlands Montessori | Montessori | 55–120 |
| Jakarta Taipei School | British | 42–118 |
| Blossom International | British | 42–115 |
| NationalHigh Jakarta | American | 40–110 |
| Narada School | British | 38–105 |
| Jakarta Korean School | Korean | 38–105 |
| Australian School Sacred Heart | Australian | 38–105 |
| Saint Peter's School | British | 36–102 |
| Stella Maris School | British | 35–98 |
| Jayakarta Montessori | Montessori | 45–95 |
| Jakarta Academics | American | 35–95 |
| Jakarta Nanyang School | Singapore | 35–95 |
| Bunda Mulia School | British | 33–92 |
| Holy Angels School | British | 32–88 |
| Beacon Academy | British | 32–88 |
| Global Nusantara | British | 31–86 |
| Green Montessori | Montessori | 40–85 |
| Sekolah Cita Buana | British | 30–85 |
| Ichthus School | British | 28–82 |
| Regality Academy | British | 30–82 |
| El Shaddai School | British | 29–80 |
| Universal School | British | 28–80 |
| Kanaan Global School | British | 27–78 |
| Hope Academy | American | 27–78 |
| Saint Monica Jakarta | British | 28–76 |
| Sekolah Victory Plus | British | 25–75 |
| Jubilee School | British | 26–74 |
| Lilin Bangsa | British | 26–72 |
| HolyStar Christian | British | 25–70 |
| Sekolah Bukit Sion | British | 24–68 |
| Mutiara Harapan Islamic | British | 23–67 |
| Al Jabr Islamic School | British | 22–65 |
| Sekolah Perkumpulan Mandiri | British | 22–62 |
| Sekolah Lentera Indonesia | British | 21–60 |
| BTB School | British | 20–58 |
All fees are annual tuition in IDR millions and may not include lunch, transport, exam fees, EAL, SEN, or other charges. Please verify directly with each school.
Where Do the Expats Live?
Where you live and which school you choose are decisions that need to be made together. Jakarta's traffic means that a 5km commute can take 45 minutes at the wrong time of day. For real commute time data comparing ISJ, JIS, BSJ, and AIS to offices and malls across the city, see the Jakarta school commute times guide. The sections below outline each area and the schools nearby.
Neighbourhoods
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South Jakarta
Spanning Pondok Indah, Kemang, Cipete, and Cilandak, this is the centre of gravity for internationally minded families. The city's best lifestyle infrastructure — Pondok Indah Mall, Lotte Mall, golf courses, the Water Park — plus the highest concentration of cafes, restaurants, and children's activities.
Schools nearby: JIS, ISJ, NZ School, AIS, Nord Anglia
Central Jakarta: The CBD
SCBD, Senopati Business District, has a strong dining and nightlife scene, plus shopping at Grand Indonesia. A good fit for professionals and expatriates without school-age children.
Schools nearby: Few international options in the immediate area
North Jakarta: PIK and Kelapa Gading
PIK is popular with Indonesian-Chinese and mainland Chinese expat communities, functioning as a self-contained city with excellent restaurants, particularly for Chinese and Japanese cuisine. A growing international community is developing here.
Schools nearby: NJIS, Tzu Chi School, SIS Kelapa Gading
East Jakarta
Largely industrial and local residential. Worth considering only if you happen to work in the area, though a handful of international schools have campuses here.
Schools nearby: ACS, Global Sevilla
West Jakarta
Strong Indonesian-Chinese demographic, offering a more local lifestyle geographically separated from expat hubs. Note: 'local-international' schools here may differ in management culture and workload from schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Europe.
Schools nearby: Sampoerna Academy, Tunas Muda
Bintaro (Outside Jakarta)
A trade-off: green suburbia and less local traffic, but significant distance from the city centre. A growing number of families are making the move, drawn primarily by the large British School Jakarta campus and a more relaxed pace of life.
Schools nearby: British School Jakarta
Common Questions About Jakarta International Schools
The questions we hear most often from families relocating to Jakarta, answered directly.
How much does international school in Jakarta cost?
Tuition ranges from around $4,500 to $39,000 per year, but that's not the full number. Add registration fees ($1,000–$3,500), development levies, exam fees, transport, and uniforms, and the true first-year cost can be 20–30% higher than advertised. Ask every school for a total cost breakdown for your child's year group. For reference, see ISJ's published fees.
What's the difference between British, IB, and American curriculum?
British is structured and sequential: Key Stages leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels. The most globally portable. IB is inquiry-based and broader, with the Diploma requiring six subjects plus extended essay, TOK, and community service. American uses a credit-based system with AP courses, offering the most elective choice and the natural path to US universities.
If you're likely to move countries again, pick the curriculum that matches your next destination. The Curriculum Guide covers this in more detail.
Should I choose the school first or the house first?
The school. Always. Jakarta traffic turns a 5km drive into 45 minutes during school hours. Pick the school, then find housing within a 15–20 minute radius. If you choose a school in Bintaro, plan to live in Bintaro.
How bad is the school-run traffic, really?
Bad enough to decide where you live. A school 10 minutes away on Google Maps can take 40–60 minutes during the 6:30–8:00am school run. Keep the commute under 20 minutes and choose your neighbourhood accordingly. Buses sit in the same traffic.
Can my child start mid-year?
Usually yes. Most schools accept rolling admissions throughout the year, but popular entry points (Nursery, Reception, Year 7) fill up at top schools. Contact schools early, even before the move is confirmed.
How far ahead should I start planning?
Three to six months is ideal. Book tours, submit enquiry forms, and gather documents (school reports, passports, vaccination records, learning support assessments). Waiting lists at the most popular schools are real. Families who leave it until the last month often find their first choice full. See the age guidelines for entry points.
What if we're only in Jakarta for one or two years?
Curriculum continuity is what matters. If your child will return to a British school, keep them in British curriculum here. Switching systems is manageable at primary level but gets disruptive from age 11 onward. Also check the school's reporting format: will the next school accept the reports your child leaves with?
My child has additional learning needs. Which schools can help?
Most schools say they offer learning support; the depth varies enormously. AIS Indonesia has the strongest reputation for inclusive education. JIS has a formal model but caps supported students per year group. Smaller schools may be more flexible with fewer specialist resources. Bring full assessment documentation and ask to speak with the learning support team directly, not just admissions.
How do I tell if teachers are properly qualified?
"International school" is loosely regulated in Indonesia. Ask whether staff hold recognised qualifications from their home country (QTS in the UK, a licence in the US or Australia). Schools accredited by CIS, COBIS, or WASC are held to external standards. On your visit, ask to meet the teachers who would actually teach your child.
Are the expensive schools better?
Generally, yes. Higher fees fund better teachers, better facilities, and the support infrastructure (counsellors, SEN specialists, university advisors) that makes a real difference. A handful of mid-range schools punch above their weight, and a few expensive ones coast on brand recognition. If a school charges $5,000 a year and claims to employ qualified British teachers, ask how.
What does the admissions process look like?
Enquire, tour, apply, assess, enrol. Book the tour early; it's the single most useful thing you can do. From Year 1 upward, expect a simple assessment in English and maths. Early years entry is often non-selective. Processing takes days to weeks; some schools charge $200–$400 just to apply.
Will my child's education transfer if we move to another country?
British and IB are the most portable: schools exist in almost every major expat city, and records transfer cleanly. American transfers well within the US system. Problems arise when switching between systems at secondary level. Choose the curriculum you're most likely to continue with.
Is Jakarta safe for school-age children?
The South Jakarta expat neighbourhoods are generally safe, well-serviced, and accustomed to foreign residents. Schools have gated campuses, ID checks, and controlled access as standard. The practical concerns are traffic, air quality (the AQI regularly exceeds healthy levels), rainy-season flooding (November to March), and dengue. Manageable, but worth understanding before you arrive.
What if my child doesn't speak much English?
Most schools offer EAL programmes, but delivery varies: some embed support in the classroom, others pull students out. A few cap EAL numbers per year group. At primary level, children generally pick up conversational English within months. At secondary level the academic language demands are much higher, so the quality of EAL support matters significantly.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a school in Jakarta isn't complicated, but it does require a visit. No website, including this one, can replace walking through a campus and meeting the people who'll be teaching your child.
This guide is published by The Independent School of Jakarta. We've worked to be fair and accurate across all schools listed. If you spot an error or feel a school has been misrepresented, please let us know.
If you'd like to visit ISJ, we run open campus tours throughout the year. Arrange a tour and we'll be in touch within one working day.