The Best International Schools in Jakarta. An Insider’s Guide
The Schools Popular With Expats
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.
| School | Style | Ages | Annual Fees (USD) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) Best for: scale, breadth, US-style campus life |
US-style, IB & AP | 3–18 | $17,500–$39,000 | Pondok Indah & Cilandak |
| 🇬🇧 The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) Best for: pure British education without the Bintaro commute |
British Prep School | 2–13 | $9,500–$29,000 | Pondok Indah |
| 🇬🇧 British School Jakarta (BSJ) Best for: families in Bintaro wanting a full K–13 pathway |
Blended British / IB | 3–18 | $10,000–$36,000 | Bintaro |
| 🇦🇺 Australian Independent School (AIS) Best for: learning support & genuinely inclusive community |
Australian & IB | 3–18 | $11,500–$30,000 | Pejaten |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand School Jakarta (NZSJ) Best for: close-knit community at a lower price point |
New Zealand Curriculum | 1–18 | $4,500–$18,000 | Kemang |
| 🇬🇧 Nord Anglia School Jakarta Best for: bilingual families wanting a warm, community school |
IPC / British, Bilingual | 1.5–12 | $12,000–$24,000 | Jeruk Purut |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare All Jakarta International Schools
Filter by curriculum and location, or sort by fees and social score. Data covers 70+ schools across Greater Jakarta.
| School ↕ | Location ↕ | Curriculum ↕ | Fees ↕ |
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Where Do the Expats Live?
Use the interactive map below to explore Jakarta's expat neighbourhoods and international schools. Click any marker for details, then read our notes on each area.
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.
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.
PIK & 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.
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.
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.
Bintaro
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.
How Long Is the School Run?
Compare estimated driving times from each school to popular office areas and expat shopping destinations across 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?
What's the difference between British, IB, and American curriculum?
British (English National Curriculum) is structured and sequential. Children follow defined Key Stages, building toward IGCSEs at 16 and A-Levels at 18. It's the most globally portable curriculum. British schools exist in almost every major city, and transfers between them are straightforward.
IB (International Baccalaureate) is inquiry-based and broader. The Diploma Programme at 16–18 requires six subjects plus extended essay, theory of knowledge, and community service. It suits self-motivated learners who want breadth over early specialisation.
American uses a credit-based system with Advanced Placement (AP) courses for university-level work. It offers the most flexibility and elective choice, and is the natural path if your child is heading to a US university.
If you're likely to move countries again, pick the curriculum that matches your next likely destination, not just the one that sounds appealing today. We break this down further in our Curriculum Guide.
Should I choose the school first or the house first?
How bad is the school-run traffic, really?
Can my child start mid-year?
How far ahead should I start planning?
What if we're only in Jakarta for one or two years?
My child has additional learning needs. Which schools can help?
How do I tell if teachers are properly qualified?
Are the expensive schools better?
What does the admissions process look like?
Will my child's education transfer if we move to another country?
Is Jakarta safe for school-age children?
What if my child doesn't speak much English?
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.