1.4 Map of International Schools in Greater Jakarta
Jakarta is a city where distance and time have only a passing relationship. A school that appears comfortably close on a map may, at 7.30am on a Tuesday, feel as distant as another province. For families arriving in the city, this is often the first surprise: curriculum, facilities and reputation may matter enormously, but the school run is what determines the rhythm of a child’s day.
"Curriculum, facilities and reputation may matter, but the school run is what determines the rhythm of a child’s day."
A city-wide map of international schools helps parents make sense of the sprawl. It reveals clusters that have formed over decades—around embassies, business districts, and long-established expatriate enclaves—and newer pockets emerging in suburban developments. Understanding this geography is the most reliable way to narrow a school search quickly.
How international schools are arranged across the city
International schools in Jakarta have never been evenly distributed. They gravitate to areas where international families tend to live and where journeys to work are manageable. These patterns hold because the city itself doesn’t move easily. The clusters in South Jakarta, Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, and the suburban belt of BSD, Bintaro and Alam Sutera reflect years of adaptation to the realities of Jakarta traffic.
"The schools here tend to be well established, often with broader subject offerings and deeper co-curricular programmes."
Each zone has its own character. Some feel tightly woven into expatriate life; others serve mixed communities of Indonesian and international families; some are defined by convenience rather than prestige. A good map shows this immediately—far more effectively than scrolling through websites.
South Jakarta: the long-standing hub
South Jakarta remains the gravitational centre of international schooling. Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cilandak and Cipete form an arc of neighbourhoods that have supported expatriate families for decades. These areas sit conveniently between major residential pockets and business districts such as SCBD and Kuningan, making them the default choice for many parents who want to keep the morning routine sane.
The schools here tend to be well established, often with broader subject offerings and deeper co-curricular programmes. Neighbourhood life—international supermarkets, sports clubs, cafés, and community services—reinforces the appeal. For many families arriving from overseas, this part of the city feels the most immediately navigable.
Central and West Jakarta: smaller clusters with distinct purposes
Central Jakarta
Central Jakarta’s international schools are fewer in number but serve a particular set of families. Menteng, Thamrin and Sudirman remain the natural choice for diplomats, government-linked households and parents working in the city’s political and corporate core. Proximity matters here: parents based in central offices often accept smaller campuses in exchange for predictable commuting.
West Jakarta
The western districts—Puri and Kembangan especially—have changed rapidly. As residential developments have expanded, international schools have followed, catering to families who prefer to live away from the traditional expatriate enclaves. These schools often serve mixed communities and can be a strong fit for those working in West Jakarta’s business hubs.
North and East Jakarta: convenient for some, essential for others
North Jakarta
In North Jakarta, neighbourhoods such as Kelapa Gading and Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) support families connected to port logistics, hospitality, aviation and the coastal business zones. These areas have grown dramatically, offering modern housing, malls, and family amenities. For parents working in the north, choosing a school in South Jakarta would be impractical; the local cluster exists because it must.
East Jakarta
East Jakarta remains the least served in terms of international schools. Families here generally prioritise logistics above all else, preferring shorter daily journeys over brand recognition. While the schools may be more local in composition, they suit parents who are realistic about the trade-offs imposed by Jakarta geography.
Greater Jakarta: BSD, Bintaro and Alam Sutera
Over the past decade, the suburbs of Greater Jakarta have become important destinations for international schooling. These areas offer something the inner city cannot: space.
BSD City
Planned developments in BSD have attracted large international schools with substantial land. Purpose-built campuses with expansive sports facilities and modern architecture are common, and the area’s toll-road access supports families who work in Tangerang.
Alam Sutera
Alam Sutera strikes a similar balance: newer housing, cleaner urban planning, and predictable routes to and from school. It appeals to families who want distance from the densest parts of the city without severing ties to central Jakarta.
Bintaro
Bintaro offers a suburban feel while remaining relatively connected to South and Central Jakarta. Many families choose it for the combination of housing, green space and steady access to the toll network. For those who plan to stay long-term, these suburban clusters can be more liveable than the city’s historic centres.
How to use the map—and what it cannot tell you
A map provides clarity that brochures rarely can. By plotting schools across the city, parents can immediately see:
• which neighbourhoods offer multiple international options
• which areas align with likely commuting routes
• where school choices and housing decisions intersect
• how far a school sits from major roads, toll gates or MRT corridors
What the map cannot show is traffic. Jakarta’s congestion is famously inconsistent; a trip that takes 15 minutes at noon may stretch to 45 minutes at 7am. Parents should test routes at real school-run times, ideally both directions. For most families, the constraint is less the curriculum than the daily journey. Living 20–30 minutes from school is often the point at which routines become sustainable.
Planning the search: a practical method
Parents tend to make faster, more confident decisions when they approach the process geographically first, academically second. A structured approach helps:
1. Identify the zones where commuting is feasible for your family.
2. Shortlist schools within those zones—not across the entire city.
3. Filter by curriculum, accreditation, fees and school culture.
4. Group school visits by location to reduce travel time during tours.
5. Revisit housing options once the school shortlist is final.
This method avoids the common trap of falling in love with a school that simply cannot be reached on a weekday morning.
Summary
Greater Jakarta offers an impressive spread of international schools, but geography remains the defining factor in how families choose. South Jakarta remains the traditional hub, but Central, West, North and the fast-growing suburbs each serve their own communities and work patterns. A detailed map helps families see the city’s educational landscape as it truly functions: shaped by roads, workplaces, neighbourhoods and the hidden arithmetic of Jakarta traffic.
FAQ: Jakarta International School Map
Where are most international schools located?
The largest concentration is in South Jakarta—Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cilandak and Cipete—where residential life and business districts intersect.
Are there strong options outside South Jakarta?
Yes. Central Jakarta schools appeal to diplomatic and corporate families, West Jakarta serves expanding residential communities, and BSD/Bintaro/Alam Sutera offer modern campuses on larger land.
Why do schools cluster in certain neighbourhoods?
Clusters follow housing, embassies, corporate offices and the roads that make daily travel possible. Schools thrive where families already live.
Is South Jakarta always the most convenient?
For most parents whose offices sit near SCBD or Kuningan it is clearly the most convenient option; for others—especially those based in Tangerang, West Jakarta or North Jakarta—it may not be the most practical.
Can a map predict commute times?
No map can account for Jakarta’s rush hour. It shows relationships, not traffic. Parents should test routes at school-run hours before deciding.
Should we choose a school first or a home first?
Many families choose the school first, then settle within a manageable radius. A stable school run often matters more to daily life than the exact neighbourhood.
Are BSD and Bintaro too far from the city?
For families working in south or central Jakarta, they can be frustratingly far. For those based in Tangerang of course they make a lot of sense.
How should we use the map when comparing schools?
Use it to set geographical boundaries first. Once those zones are agreed, compare curricula, accreditation and culture within a realistic catchment.