What “International School” Means in Jakarta
The term “international school” is used widely by parents in Jakarta, yet it has a specific regulatory meaning in Indonesia that often differs from how families understand it. The result is a landscape where the legal framework, the labels schools use, and the educational experience do not always line up neatly. This guide sets out the context clearly so parents can judge schools on substance rather than terminology.
"Parents are better served judging the educational model—what happens in classrooms, who teaches, and what curriculum is followed—rather than the regulatory label."
The regulatory framework
In 2014, the Indonesian government brought all schools using foreign curricula into the national system. Schools that once operated as fully independent “international schools” were required to register under Indonesian oversight. The most common route is the SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) licence, which formalises cooperation between an Indonesian foundation and a foreign educational institution.
Under this system, schools must meet Indonesian requirements in areas such as governance, staffing ratios, and compulsory national subjects. The framework ensures oversight, but it does not define the quality or character of the educational model a school provides. This is where parent expectations and regulatory labels can diverge.
Two parallel realities
For families, “international school” usually means a school that delivers a foreign curriculum, employs qualified international staff, and prepares children for global pathways. Legally, however, most of these schools are classified simply as SPK institutions.
"Accreditation is often the clearest indicator of educational standards. It is a more reliable measure than the label 'international school'."
Because of this, the term “international school” in Jakarta operates on two levels: 1. Regulatory category – how the school is licensed. 2. Educational model – what happens in classrooms, who teaches, and what curriculum is followed. Parents are better served judging the second rather than the first.
SPK schools: the dominant model
The majority of schools that parents consider “international” are SPK schools. Within this regulatory structure, schools have considerable freedom to deliver a genuinely international programme.
What SPK means
An SPK school operates through a partnership between an Indonesian body and an overseas institution. Requirements include:
• delivery of a recognised foreign curriculum
• inclusion of certain Indonesian subjects
• adherence to Indonesian standards for governance and compliance
• a mix of Indonesian and foreign-qualified teachers
SPK status does not dictate the style or ambition of the school. It simply sets the framework within which an international programme can run.
Common curriculum models in SPK schools
SPK schools in Jakarta typically adopt one of the following:
• British curriculum (leading to Cambridge, IGCSE, or A-level pathways)
• International Baccalaureate
• American curriculum (often with AP)
• Montessori and other specialist frameworks in the early years
The SPK licence does not prescribe which curriculum a school should use, how international its staffing should be, or the level of academic ambition. Those decisions are made by the school’s leadership.
Misunderstandings
Parents often assume that SPK status means a school is less international. In practice, the opposite is usually true: SPK status is the mechanism through which schools deliver genuine international programmes legally and consistently. The compulsory Indonesian components do not alter the core curriculum or the long-term pathways available to pupils.
Internationally-oriented schools within the SPK system
Some SPK schools present and operate in ways that parents still describe as “fully international”. This is not a legal classification but a pattern of practice.
These schools typically have:
• foreign-led senior leadership
• a foreign curriculum delivered exactly as intended
• strong recruitment of experienced expatriate teachers
• established governance structures aligned with overseas standards
• fees in line with international benchmarks
• locations in expatriate hubs such as South Jakarta, Pondok Indah, Kemang, Menteng, and BSD
The distinction is cultural and educational rather than regulatory. These schools operate within the same licensing framework but often offer a depth of international provision that parents associate with the traditional international-school model.
Schools with international elements
Alongside SPK schools, Jakarta has institutions that describe themselves as bilingual, national plus, or offering international programmes. These schools vary widely. Most follow the Indonesian national curriculum but incorporate elements of foreign frameworks, extended language provision, or international methodologies.
While these schools can be strong in their own right, they are different from schools built around a fully international curriculum. They may suit families seeking a bilingual model or a more local context, but they do not offer the same foreign qualification pathways.
Why the distinctions matter
The regulatory label alone does not tell families what they need to know. More important factors include:
Curriculum depth
A school should teach its chosen curriculum with accuracy and integrity, not as a superficial blend.
Teacher expertise
International curricula require teachers who are trained and experienced in those systems.
Quality assurance
Accreditations, external inspections, and overseas partnerships give clearer signals of quality than licensing terms.
Pathways
For families looking ahead to IGCSE, the IB Diploma, A-levels, or international senior schools, the curriculum foundation must be secure.
School culture
Leadership style, classroom practice, behaviour expectations, and community mix all influence the educational experience far more than the regulatory category.
Accreditation and external validation
Accreditation is often the clearest indicator of educational standards. Common bodies include:
• CIS (Council of International Schools)
• WASC and NEASC
• Cambridge International
• International Baccalaureate Organisation
• Ofsted-linked and British-based inspection frameworks
Accreditation looks at governance, safeguarding, curriculum delivery, teacher qualifications, and long-term outcomes. It is a more reliable measure than the label “international school”.
Questions to Consider
To understand a school’s true model, parents should enquire about:
• which curriculum is used and how consistently it is delivered
• the proportion of teachers with overseas training and experience
• how Indonesian requirements are integrated
• inspection reports or accreditation status
• leadership structure and governance
• pupil profile and community mix
• preparation for senior schools or university pathways
Straightforward answers to these questions help families compare schools objectively.
Summary
After the 2014 reforms, most international-style schools in Jakarta operate within the SPK framework. The regulatory category is important for compliance but does not define the ambition or quality of a school’s educational model. Parents should focus on curriculum integrity, teacher qualifications, inspection evidence, and long-term pathways. These factors reveal far more about a school’s international character than any licensing term.
About the author
Isobel, BEd (Hons), QTS
Isobel is a practitioner with a particular interest in bilingual learners and early language acquisition. She trained in the UK and taught at Fettes College before entering the international sector. Her classroom culture reflects warmth, inclusivity and high expectations, ensuring that every child feels valued and motivated to participate fully in learning.
FAQ: International Schools in Jakarta
What does “international school” mean in Jakarta?
It is an informal term used by parents to describe schools delivering a foreign curriculum with international staffing. Legally, most operate within the SPK framework. The educational model matters more than the label.
Ultimate Guide to International Schools in Jakarta
What is an SPK school?
An SPK school is a partnership between an Indonesian foundation and a foreign educational institution. It follows Indonesian regulations but delivers a recognised international curriculum. It is the main legal structure for international-style schools.
Do SPK schools teach the Indonesian curriculum?
No. They deliver a foreign curriculum but must include certain Indonesian subjects as required by law. These additions do not change the core curriculum or qualification pathways.
Are “fully international” schools still allowed in Indonesia?
Schools once operating independently now fall under national regulation. Most still follow a strongly international model in practice, but they are licensed through the government system, usually as SPK.
What is the difference between SPK and bilingual or national-plus schools?
Bilingual and national-plus schools follow the Indonesian national curriculum with international elements. SPK schools use a foreign curriculum as the foundation of teaching and assessment.
How can parents assess the quality of an international school?
Look at curriculum integrity, teacher qualifications, accreditation or inspection evidence, leadership experience, and the school’s pathway outcomes. Licensing terms alone are not reliable indicators of quality.
Why do fees vary so much between schools?
Fees reflect staffing, curriculum requirements, facilities, governance expectations, and the depth of international provision. Schools with experienced overseas teachers and established foreign curricula typically have higher operating costs.
More about fees at international schools
Will attending an SPK school affect my child’s ability to enter overseas schools?
No. Quality SPK schools deliver recognised international qualifications and prepare pupils for global pathways. Admission outcomes depend on curriculum strength, not on the regulatory category.
