When to Apply for International Schools in Jakarta
Timing matters. Apply too late and you are on a waiting list. Apply too early and some schools will not process your application. Here is the timeline.
Most Jakarta international schools follow an August-to-June academic year, aligned with the Northern Hemisphere pattern.
School
Academic Year
Term Structure
JIS
August-June
Semester (2 terms)
BSJ
August-June
Trimester (3 terms)
ISJ
August-June
Trimester (3 terms)
NAS
August-June
Trimester (3 terms)
ACG
August-June
Semester (2 terms)
AIS
January-December
4 terms
AIS is the exception. It runs a calendar year aligned with the Australian school system. Families transferring from an August-June school to AIS - or vice versa - need to plan the timing carefully to avoid a gap or overlap.
Application Timeline
This timeline assumes an August start. Adjust for AIS (January start) by shifting everything forward by approximately five months.
18-12 months before entry (February-August, the year before)
Research schools. Visit campuses during open days or arrange private tours.
Submit applications. Most premium schools open applications 12-18 months ahead.
BSJ and ISJ typically require application by December-January for the following August start.
JIS opens a rolling admissions process but has structured assessment windows.
12-6 months before entry (August-February)
Assessments and interviews take place. JIS, BSJ and ISJ all assess applicants - the format varies by school and year group.
Offers are made. Premium schools typically send offers in the January-March window for August entry.
Accept the offer, pay the deposit, and secure the place.
6-0 months before entry (February-August)
Complete enrolment paperwork: visa documentation (KITAS/KITAP for non-Indonesian families), medical records, previous school transcripts.
Attend orientation. Most schools run new-family orientation sessions in June or July.
Uniform fittings, technology setup, and settling-in logistics.
The short version
For the most competitive entry points (Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 7), begin 18 months out. For less competitive year groups or mid-tier schools, 6-12 months is usually sufficient. For mid-year entry, contact the school directly - timelines are case by case.
Entry Points by School
Not every year group is equally competitive. The pressure points are predictable.
JIS - Early Years 1 (age 3) and Kindergarten (age 5) are the most competitive entry points. Elementary Grade 1 is also popular. JIS runs rolling admissions but has structured assessment dates. The school is large (2,500+ students) and has more capacity than BSJ or ISJ, but specific year groups can be full.
BSJ - Kukangs (age 2) and K1 (age 3) fill first. Year 7 (secondary entry) is also competitive, as some families target BSJ specifically for the IGCSE-to-IB pathway. BSJ runs a structured admissions round with a January-February deadline for August entry.
ISJ - Pre-Nursery (age 2) and Nursery (age 3) are the main entry points. ISJ is targeting an optimal enrolment of around 500 pupils, and year groups are deliberately kept smaller than at JIS or BSJ. This means fewer places and earlier filling. Year 1 and Year 3 can also see pressure if families transfer from other schools.
AIS - Preschool 3 (age 3) is the earliest entry. AIS runs a January start, which means its admissions cycle is offset from every other school. Applications for January entry typically need to be in by the previous August-September.
NAS, ACG, NJIS - These mid-tier schools are generally less competitive for admissions. NAS attracts families who want a British curriculum at a lower price point. ACG offers the full IB continuum. Both typically have availability across most year groups.
Most Jakarta international schools accept mid-year applications, but availability depends on the specific year group. A family arriving in January for an August-start school is entering mid-year - and the school may or may not have space.
The practical advice:
Contact the school directly as early as possible. Do not assume space exists.
Ask for the specific year group your child needs. Schools may have space in Year 5 but not Year 3.
Expect an assessment. Even mid-year entrants are assessed at premium schools.
Be prepared with transcripts, school reports, and a reference from the current school. This speeds up the process.
If your first-choice school is full, ask to be placed on the waiting list and apply to a second-choice school simultaneously. Families move frequently in Jakarta - places open up.
Every premium school in Jakarta assesses applicants. The format varies.
Nursery / Early Years (ages 2-4)Typically a play-based observation session. The school is looking at developmental readiness, social interaction, and language. It is not a test in any meaningful sense - but it is a gate. Schools may also interview parents.
Primary (ages 5-10)Written assessments in English and maths are standard. Some schools use CAT4 or similar standardised tests. A school report from the current school is always required. At JIS, the assessment includes a writing sample and a teacher interview.
Secondary (ages 11-16)More formal. Written assessments in English, maths and sometimes a second language. Interview with the student. School reports covering the last two years. Some schools ask for external exam results (e.g., CAT4 scores, standardised test results).
IB Diploma / Sixth Form (ages 16+)Academic transcripts, predicted grades, and a personal statement or interview. Entry at this level is competitive at BSJ and JIS. Schools need to be confident the student can handle the Diploma workload.
The assessment is not designed to exclude. It is designed to ensure the school can meet the child's needs - including learning support, EAL provision, and academic placement. If your child has additional learning needs, disclose this at application stage. Schools that know early can plan support. Schools that discover needs after enrolment are less well positioned to help.
Yes, and you should. There is no centralised admissions system in Jakarta. Each school runs its own process. Applying to two or three schools simultaneously is standard practice for expat families - particularly if your preferred school has a waiting list.
Do I need to be in Jakarta to apply?
No. Most schools accept applications from overseas. Assessments can sometimes be arranged remotely (online tests, video interviews) or through a partner school in your current city. Confirm the process with each school's admissions office - the remote options expanded during the pandemic and most schools have kept them.
What documents do I need?
At minimum: passport copies (child and parents), birth certificate, current school reports (last 2 years), any standardised test results, immunisation records, and a passport-size photo. Some schools also require a letter from the current school, a parent questionnaire, or previous school transcripts. KITAS/KITAP documentation is required for non-Indonesian families - the school can advise on visa requirements.
How long does the admissions process take?
From application to offer, expect 4-8 weeks at most schools. This assumes all documents are submitted and the assessment is completed on schedule. Waiting list placements can take much longer - from weeks to a full academic year.
What happens if my child does not get into our first choice?
Accept a place at your second-choice school and ask to remain on the waiting list at your first choice. This is common in Jakarta. Places open up throughout the year as expat families relocate. Some families transfer within the first year once a place becomes available.
Is there a best time of year to apply?
For August-start schools, the strongest position is to apply in the October-December window (10-12 months before entry). For AIS (January start), apply in the May-August window. Mid-year applications are viable at most schools but availability is unpredictable. The earlier you apply, the more options you have.
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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.
