Originally published: 25 February 2026 · 6 min read
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TL;DR
Most Jakarta international schools accept mid-year transfers, but availability depends on the year group and school
British-to-British and IB-to-IB transfers are the smoothest. Switching curriculum systems mid-year is harder and best avoided if possible
Give the school at least 4-6 weeks notice. The assessment, paperwork and transition planning take time
Children adjust faster than parents expect. The first two weeks are the hardest; by week six, most children have settled
The biggest risk is disrupting external exams - avoid transferring during IGCSE Year 11, IB Diploma Year 2, or any external assessment year if at all possible
Corporate relocation. A family arrives in Jakarta in January or March and needs a school immediately. The academic year started in August. The child enters mid-year.
Waitlist place opening. A family enrolled their child at a second-choice school while waiting for JIS, BSJ or ISJ. A place opens in November. They transfer.
School mismatch. The school is not working for the child - academically, socially, or in terms of learning support. The family decides to move rather than wait for the end of the year.
AIS calendar difference. AIS runs January-December. Every other premium school runs August-June. A transfer in either direction will be mid-year for one of the two schools.
All four scenarios are common. Schools do not view mid-year entrants negatively. They view them as part of the rhythm of international education.
Curriculum Alignment
The smoothest transfers are within the same curriculum family.
British to British (e.g., NAS to BSJ, ISJ to BSJ): Minimal academic disruption. The English National Curriculum framework and Cambridge assessments are consistent. Subject content aligns closely. The child adjusts to a new school culture, not a new academic system.
IB to IB (e.g., ACG to JIS, Binus Simprug to NJIS): The IB PYP and MYP frameworks are designed for international mobility. Units of inquiry and assessment styles differ between schools, but the underlying structure is familiar. A child moving between IB schools mid-year will adjust faster than one switching curriculum systems.
American to American (e.g., between JIS and another American-curriculum school): JIS uses an American framework. Transferring from another American school - or from an international school abroad that uses AP or Common Core standards - is straightforward.
Cross-curriculum (e.g., British to IB, or Australian to American): Harder. The assessment styles, subject structures, and progression expectations differ. A child moving from BSJ (British/Cambridge) to JIS (American/IB) mid-Year 9, for example, will encounter different subject groupings, different assessment language, and different expectations about independent study. It is manageable - but requires active support from both schools.
The exam year ruleNever transfer mid-year during an external exam year if you can avoid it. IGCSE Year 11, A Level Year 13, IB Diploma Year 2 (Grade 12) - all of these involve coursework, internal assessments, and exam preparation that is school-specific. Transferring mid-assessment disrupts everything. If the transfer is unavoidable, talk to both schools' examination officers before committing.
The Process
A mid-year transfer follows the same steps as a standard application, compressed into a shorter timeline.
Step 1 - Contact the new school. Ask about availability in your child's year group. Do not assume space exists. If the year group is full, ask about the waiting list and likely timeline.
Step 2 - Submit an application. Provide transcripts, school reports (last 2 years), any standardised test results, passport copies, medical records, and a letter from the current school. The more complete the file, the faster the process.
Step 3 - Assessment. Even mid-year entrants are assessed. The format depends on the school and year group - it may be an online test, an in-person assessment, or a trial day. The assessment helps the school place the child correctly and plan any support needed.
Step 4 - Offer and acceptance. Once the assessment is complete and a place is confirmed, you accept and pay the enrolment deposit. The new school will advise on a start date.
Step 5 - Give notice at the current school. Most schools require one term's notice. Check your current school's policy - leaving without proper notice may mean forfeiting the deposit or paying fees for the notice period.
Step 6 - Transition planning. The new school should provide a transition plan: a buddy system, introductions to key teachers, orientation to the campus, and - at secondary level - a subject alignment review to ensure no gaps.
The whole process takes 4-8 weeks in most cases. For families arriving from overseas, some steps can be completed remotely.
Supporting Your Child
Children process change differently depending on age.
Early years (ages 2-5)Young children adapt quickly. The new routine, new friends, and new classroom feel disorienting for the first week. By the second or third week, most children are settled. Teachers at this level are experienced at managing transitions - let them lead.
Primary (ages 6-10)The social adjustment matters more than the academic one. Children worry about friendships, break times, and where to sit at lunch. The school's buddy system (if it has one) is the most effective intervention. Encourage your child to join a club or activity in the first week - shared activity builds connection faster than shared seating.
Secondary (ages 11-16)Harder. Social groups are more established. Academic content may differ between curriculum systems. The child is more aware of what they have lost (old friends, familiar routines) and less willing to be "the new kid." Give it six weeks before evaluating. The first two weeks are always the worst. The second two are uncertain. By week five or six, most children have found their footing.
Sixth form (ages 16-18)The academic stakes are highest. A transfer at this level only makes sense for a compelling reason - a school that genuinely cannot meet the child's needs, or a relocation with no alternative. If it happens, ensure subject continuity. A student switching from A Levels to IB Diploma mid-course (or vice versa) is looking at significant disruption.
Will my child lose a year by transferring mid-year?
Rarely. Most international schools place children by age and ability, not by the number of weeks completed. A child joining mid-year slots into the appropriate year group and catches up on any missed content. Schools manage this regularly.
Do I have to pay fees at both schools during the overlap?
Possibly. If your current school requires one term's notice and the new school starts immediately, there may be an overlap period where you are paying two sets of fees. Check both schools' notice policies before committing to a start date.
Can the current school refuse to release my child's records?
No - but they can delay if there are outstanding fees or notice period issues. Most schools release records promptly. Request them as soon as you decide to transfer. The new school will need transcripts, reports, and - at secondary level - any internal assessment data.
Is it better to wait until the end of the year?
Sometimes. If the current school is adequate and the transfer is by choice (not necessity), waiting until a natural transition point - the start of a new academic year, or the beginning of a new key stage - reduces disruption. If the current school is actively harming the child's wellbeing or education, do not wait.
How do I explain a mid-year move to my child?
Honestly and briefly. Children need to know what is happening, when, and why - in language appropriate to their age. Avoid overselling the new school ("it's going to be amazing!") or criticising the old one. Frame it practically: "We are changing schools. Your new school starts on [date]. Here is what will be the same and what will be different."
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About the author
Mia Windsor is the Managing Editor of The International Schools Guide. She covers school fees, admissions, curriculum and relocation in Jakarta.
