The Best International Schools in South Jakarta

A complete guide for expat families - 2026

Published by The Independent School of Jakarta · Updated February 2026 · ISJ is one of the schools covered in this guide. We've aimed to be accurate and fair across all entries. Let us know if anything needs correcting.

TL;DR - Quick answers

• Best British school in South Jakarta: The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ), Pondok Indah - ages 2-13, BSO-accredited, UK independent school quality
• Best IB school in South Jakarta: Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), Pondok Indah - ages 3-18, established, genuinely international community
• Best American-curriculum school: ACG or JIS - though pure American-curriculum schools (JAIS, etc.) are not as strong in South Jakarta
• Most important factor people overlook: Commute time. Schools in Bintaro or Kelapa Gading are not "South Jakarta" schools - they add 40-60 minutes each way from Pondok Indah.
• If your children are primary age: ISJ is the standout choice in South Jakarta for quality of education. Book a tour before making any decision.

South Jakarta is where most expat families live when they move to Jakarta. Pondok Indah, Kemang, Cilandak, Fatmawati, and Senopati offer the combination most families need: green space, larger houses, international community infrastructure, good medical facilities, and proximity to the city's best international schools.

It also means that the school search for most new arrivals in Jakarta is effectively a South Jakarta school search. This guide covers every serious international school option in and around South Jakarta - genuinely in South Jakarta, not in Bintaro or BSD which are frequently (and misleadingly) marketed as South Jakarta alternatives despite being 40-60 minutes away in school-run traffic.

We'll be direct about quality differences. Not every school in this guide is the same - and if you've relocated from the UK, Australia, Singapore, or a country where private school education is the norm, the quality gaps that exist here will matter to you.

In this guide

1. Why South Jakarta - and what counts as South Jakarta
2. The top international schools in South Jakarta
3. The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ)
4. Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS)
5. Other options in and around South Jakarta
6. Comparison table
7. How to choose
8. FAQ

Why South Jakarta - and What Actually Counts as South Jakarta

South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan) is the administrative area covering Pondok Indah, Kebayoran Baru, Kemang, Cilandak, Fatmawati, Pesanggrahan, and several adjacent neighbourhoods. It's where the majority of Jakarta's expat families choose to live - for good reason. The streets are wider and greener than central or North Jakarta. Housing stock tends towards larger properties. Traffic, while still significant, is more manageable than in the CBD. And the neighbourhood infrastructure - international supermarkets, international healthcare, expat-frequented restaurants and clubs - is concentrated here.

It's also worth being precise about what isn't South Jakarta, because the school market is frequently imprecise about this. Bintaro is not South Jakarta. It is in South Tangerang (Tangerang Selatan), a separate municipality. BSD City is not South Jakarta. It is in Serpong, South Tangerang. Both are frequently described as "South Jakarta adjacent" or simply lumped in with South Jakarta in school listings and relocation guides. The practical implication: a family living in Pondok Indah choosing a Bintaro school is adding 35-60 minutes to the daily commute each way, in Jakarta traffic, during the school rush. That is not trivial. See our detailed commute guide for school-by-school travel times from different South Jakarta neighbourhoods.

For a broader look at Jakarta's neighbourhoods and which ones suit which families, see The Ultimate Guide to Jakarta's Neighbourhoods and International Schools.

The Top International Schools in South Jakarta

South Jakarta has two schools that stand out clearly from the rest at the top of the market: ISJ and JIS. They serve somewhat different needs, offer different curricula, and sit in different locations within South Jakarta. Below them is a second tier of solid but clearly different schools, and a third tier of affordable options that primarily serve Indonesian families rather than transient international expats.

The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ)

Jl. Metro Pondok Indah, South Jakarta · Ages 2-13 · British curriculum · BSO-accredited, ISI-inspected
Part of The Schools Trust · Fees · Entry · About

Top pick - South Jakarta

ISJ is South Jakarta's leading British prep school and, for families who have come from the UK, Australian, or Singaporean private school sector, it is the most natural fit in Jakarta. Not because it markets itself as such, but because it actually operates to the standards those families are used to: selective teacher recruitment, small classes, a pastoral system that knows every child, a school day that encompasses academic rigour alongside sport, music, drama, and the arts - and external, verified evidence that it delivers academically.

The school sits on Jl. Metro Pondok Indah - within 10-15 minutes of most Pondok Indah, Kebayoran Baru, and upper Kemang addresses in normal conditions. It is, in terms of commute from South Jakarta's expat heartland, by far the most conveniently located top-tier international school in the city.

What it's like in practice. Classes run 16-20 pupils. Every teacher holds UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and has been recruited from the UK independent school sector - not a recruitment agency, but actively sought from the schools that produce the best primary educators in Britain. The Academic Director holds ISI inspector status. The head runs school tours personally, not through an admissions officer.

The pastoral system is the full British independent school model: form tutors who know every child as a person, PSHE embedded into the timetable, clear escalation pathways when a child is struggling - academically or otherwise. Parents consistently describe the experience as the school feeling genuinely interested in their child's development rather than administering it from a distance.

Academically, ISJ benchmarks against an international reference group via GL Education standardised assessments. Current results: mean Standard Age Score English 122, Maths 118.7, Science 119.7 - placing pupils in the top decile of the international reference group. These are externally verified numbers, not school-generated claims. See the full academic results page and how ISJ measures and achieves academic excellence.

The sports programme includes rugby, football, swimming, athletics, cricket, and netball - timetabled into the school week, not optional extras. Music, drama, and art are similarly embedded. Character education - confidence, public speaking, resilience, leadership - is explicitly taught rather than hoped for.

ISJ is part of The Schools Trust, a network of British independent schools, which provides governance, curriculum oversight, and - importantly - active pathways to UK independent boarding schools for families planning secondary transitions. For families who plan to return to the UK, this matters significantly: children leave ISJ ready for Year 7 entry at any UK independent school, without academic gaps or adjustment periods.

The honest caveats. ISJ is a prep school - it educates to age 13. Families who need secondary provision within Jakarta will need to plan a transition at that point. The school supports this actively and the boarding school pathways programme addresses UK transitions specifically. For secondary in Jakarta, see the JIS profile below or the full British schools guide. ISJ is also a premium school - fees reflect that. Bursaries are available for qualifying families.

Book a School Tour Read the FAQ

16-20

Pupils per class

122

Mean SAS - English

118.7

Mean SAS - Maths

BSO

UK government accreditation

10-15 min

From Pondok Indah

Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS)

Pondok Indah, South Jakarta · Ages 3-18 · IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma) · CIS-accredited, NEASC-accredited · Founded 1951

Best K-13 IB option in South Jakarta

JIS is one of the oldest international schools in Southeast Asia and the most established IB school in Jakarta. It sits in Pondok Indah, making it one of the few top-tier schools genuinely proximate to the South Jakarta expat cluster. The school runs the full IB programme - Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma - offering a coherent pathway from age 3 to 18 without a curriculum switch.

JIS has a large student body (approximately 2,400 pupils across the primary and secondary campuses) and a genuinely international community - drawing from over 60 nationalities. The American-influenced culture reflects the school's origins, though the IB programme is thoroughly international. The campus is well-resourced with strong facilities including a large sports complex, performing arts centre, and modern science labs.

Academically, JIS produces solid IB Diploma results. The school is strong in the arts and sports programmes, and the secondary campus has a well-developed activities and service programme. University destinations include strong US universities as well as UK, Australian, and European institutions.

What to consider honestly. JIS is a large school - which for some families is a feature (breadth of nationality mix, extensive facilities, wide choice of activities) and for others is a drawback (less individual attention, pastoral care that is harder to personalise at scale). Class sizes are typically 22-26 in primary and up to 28 in secondary. Teacher quality is generally good but more variable than at ISJ, reflecting the different scale of recruitment. Fees are at the higher end of the Jakarta market.

The school is associated with the United States and its educational culture, though it serves families from all nationalities. Families from the UK who are used to a British independent school experience will find JIS considerably different in tone and pastoral structure - which is not a criticism, simply a difference worth understanding before visiting.

Other Options in and Around South Jakarta

Schools that serve specific communities, budgets, or geographic needs.

Cikal School

Cilandak, South Jakarta · Ages 3-18 · Inquiry-based (not international accredited)

An Indonesian progressive school with an inquiry-based approach, strong arts and creativity programme, and a reputation for developing independent thinkers. Teaches primarily in Indonesian with English as a strong second language. Does not follow IB or British curriculum frameworks. Well-regarded within Jakarta's Indonesian professional community. Best for: Indonesian families who want a progressive, child-centred education and are comfortable with an Indonesian-medium school. Not typically appropriate for transient expat families requiring a transferable international qualification.

High/Scope Indonesia

Multiple South Jakarta campuses · Ages 3-18 · HighScope curriculum, IB Diploma at secondary

A well-established Indonesian chain with multiple campuses across South Jakarta. Uses the HighScope curriculum (US-developed, child-centred) in primary and offers the IB Diploma at secondary. Serves primarily Indonesian and mixed-heritage families. English instruction increases through the school. Fees are mid-range for Jakarta. Teacher quality is variable. Best for: Indonesian families wanting English-medium education with IB access at secondary, at mid-range fees.

Gandhi Memorial Intercultural School

Kemang, South Jakarta · Ages 3-18 · Indian CBSE + Cambridge International

The go-to school for Jakarta's Indian expatriate community. Offers both Indian CBSE curriculum and Cambridge International examinations. Strong academic culture, competitive environment, and an active Indian cultural community. Teaching quality is generally solid at IGCSE level. The school primarily serves Indian expat families - the cultural fit and community feel is a major draw for this community, less relevant for others. Best for: Indian expat families who want to maintain connection with the Indian curriculum system or transition back to India.

Springfield School Jakarta

Cilandak / Fatmawati, South Jakarta · Ages 3-18 · British NC · Fees approx. $4,000-$9,000/yr

An affordable British-curriculum school serving primarily Indonesian and mixed-heritage families in South Jakarta's Cilandak and Fatmawati areas. Uses the British National Curriculum framework. Teaching quality is more variable than at the top tier, classes are larger (typically 26-30), and co-curricular provision is limited. A functional school for budget-constrained families who want English-medium British-framework education. Best for: Budget-constrained families who want British-curriculum English-medium education and cannot access ISJ or JIS financially.

A note on BSJ and Bintaro schools

British School Jakarta, Global Jaya, Sekolah Cikal Cilandak

British School Jakarta (BSJ) is frequently mentioned in South Jakarta school searches despite being in South Tangerang, not South Jakarta. It is a top-tier school and the right choice for families living in Bintaro or who need a full secondary pathway. But from Pondok Indah or Kemang, the daily commute is 35-60 minutes each way - a real cost that compounds over a school year. If you are based in South Jakarta proper, read the commute guide before shortlisting schools by name rather than by location. See commute times from your area.

Side-by-Side Comparison

How to Choose the Right School in South Jakarta

Step one: pin your address first. Before shortlisting schools, decide where you'll live - or if you're already in Jakarta, apply that geography as a hard filter. The schools genuinely in South Jakarta (ISJ, JIS, Cikal, High/Scope, Gandhi, Springfield) are achievable commutes from Pondok Indah or Kemang. Schools in Bintaro or BSD are not South Jakarta schools for commute purposes, regardless of how they market themselves. Use our commute time tool.

Step two: match curriculum to your exit plan. If you're returning to the UK in 2-4 years, British curriculum is the right choice - ISJ prepares children for UK Year 7 entry with no adjustment required, and the school actively facilitates this. If you'll be in Jakarta long-term and need secondary provision here, IB (JIS) becomes relevant. If you're American or planning for US universities, JIS or schools with a US orientation work better. The curriculum guide explains the practical implications of each choice.

Step three: decide what quality means to you. The quality gap between ISJ and the other schools in South Jakarta is real and significant. ISJ is substantially better on the measures that matter most to families coming from private school backgrounds - teacher quality, class sizes, pastoral depth, co-curricular provision, external accountability. JIS is a good school, but it's a large school, and that scale creates trade-offs. Schools in the third tier are functional but considerably different from what UK or Australian private school families are used to.

Step four: visit. ISJ runs regular school tours - small groups, hosted by the head, with live classroom access. JIS runs formal admissions tours. The atmosphere of a school is immediately apparent in person in a way that no guide captures.

Still comparing? Use the tool.

Our Jakarta international schools comparison tool lets you filter by location, curriculum, age range, and fee level. It's the fastest way to build a realistic shortlist.