So you’re moving to Jakarta and need to find proper schooling and a comfortable place to live. Below we give you a straightforward briefing on the schools and areas popular with Jakarta’s expat community.

Let’s get our bearings. Jakarta is a massive place. A recent estimate put Greater Jakarta’s population at more than…

Relocating to Jakarta? The key to a happy family transition is finding your weekend rhythm. Explore our curated guide to 35 essential activities for children aged 2–10 in South Jakarta—from the best rainy-day indoor adventure parks to our new, open-to-all Saturday Football Club at ISJ.

Jakarta’s "ultra-premium" school tier is occupied by only a handful of institutions. For discerning families, the choice often comes down to the historic giants on the periphery versus the specialised boutique alternative in South Jakarta. This side-by-side analysis compares the distinct distinct operational models of JIS, BSJ, and ISJ.

Living in South Jakarta but commuting to Bintaro for school? Discover the hidden costs of the Jakarta school run and why families in Kemang and Pondok Indah are shifting to local international schools to reclaim their family time.

• Healthcare Briefing

• Health Insurance Costs

• Health Insurance Contacts

• Hospitals

• Tips and Information for Families

We outline how healthcare works for expats in Jakarta, focusing on private hospitals, international health insurance, and practical advice. Once settled in, and with access to the private system, healthcare is generally straightforward, well organised, and designed for long-term residents.

Jakarta’s cost of living varies widely depending on lifestyle choices. While local food, transport, and services are inexpensive, costs rise quickly with international housing, private healthcare, Western consumption, and international schools. Housing, education, and imported goods are the main cost drivers, and commuting time is often the hidden expense. For expats who adapt to local systems and prioritise wisely, Jakarta can offer a high quality of life at a lower cost than many regional hubs, but with far less predictability.

The 2025 Parent Survey highlights exceptionally strong satisfaction with pupils’ happiness, safety, academic progress and the quality of teaching at ISJ. The findings also inform board and senior leadership planning each year, helping the school build on its strengths while addressing areas where families see opportunities for improvement.

At our Jakarta international school, singing is woven through the curriculum to support language, memory, confidence, and wellbeing. Guided by specialist teachers such as Grace Wang, pupils learn through music in ways that make lessons more meaningful, creative, and joyful. Singing brings subjects to life and helps children connect emotionally and intellectually with what they learn.

At The Independent School of Jakarta, a leading British international school, multilingualism is recognised as a key strength. By valuing every child’s home language and creating a rich, inclusive learning environment, ISJ helps young learners build confidence, develop strong communication skills, and stay connected to their cultural identity while gaining proficiency in English.

Outdoor learning is a core part of early years education at The Independent School of Jakarta. With space to explore, investigate, and collaborate, young children develop confidence, resilience, and strong foundations for later academic success. This balanced approach reflects the best of British early years practice, adapted thoughtfully for Jakarta.

At the Independent School of Jakarta, teachers use the power of positive feedback to nurture confidence, motivation, and respect in every classroom. Drawing on the best of British international education, this approach transforms learning — helping students connect effort with progress, build resilience, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Regular movement doesn’t take time away from learning—it enhances it. At The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ), a leading British international school in Jakarta, physical activity is woven into daily life to boost focus, behaviour, and academic success. Research shows that active pupils often achieve higher results in mathematics and reading, demonstrating that keeping children moving helps them learn well and feel well.

At ISJ, the leading British International School in Jakarta for children aged 2 to 13, our focus is not just on the content of their learning, but on the craft of becoming a lifelong learner. We achieve this through metacognition: the powerful skill of thinking about thinking.

This process helps every student, from our Early Years pupils to our Primary School graduates, understand how their mind works. Instead of simply following instructions, our pupils learn to take control, recognizing what strategies help them succeed and how to adjust when things get tricky. This ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own progress is what makes ISJ students the confident and resilient thinkers ready for the next stage of their education.

British prep schools have shaped generations of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. From their 19th-century origins to their global presence today, these schools continue to balance tradition with modernity. ISJ brings this legacy to Jakarta, offering a truly authentic British prep-school education for the 21st century.

What makes students truly thrive? New research in neuroscience and education suggests that happiness and achievement aren’t opposites — they’re partners. When schools foster belonging, autonomy, and emotional safety, students don’t just feel better; they learn better.

From Jakarta to Dubai, British schools are thriving — not because of nostalgia, but because parents everywhere value clarity, calm, and results. This piece explores why the English National Curriculum has become the world’s most trusted educational model, how schools like ISJ embody its spirit, and what modern families really want from a prep-school education.

Smaller class sizes: do they really matter? Our latest blog delves into the evidence, revealing when fewer pupils can make a significant difference and when other factors take precedence. Read more to understand the nuances.