The largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands with many interesting features. Indonesia provides opportunities for every student to explore various cultures and languages. Schools in Indonesia follow a competitive curriculum which serves as an ideal training ground for students to succeed in university and in life.
The education system in Indonesia is overseen by the Department of Education. Children are required to attend school from age 6 or 7. Compulsory education lasts for 12 years, which covers a 6-year primary school program, a 3-year junior secondary school program, and a 3-year senior secondary program. Below are detailed descriptions of each program provided by schools in Indonesia. Students can complete the 12-year mandatory program for free in public schools.
Primary School
This is the official start of a child’s learning journey. Children are usually enrolled in primary schools at age 6 or 7. Most children are first sent to optional pre-school playgroups or kindergarten centers before being enrolled at primary schools.
Junior Secondary School
This is equivalent to middle school or junior high school, which is taken after completing 6 years of primary education. It is often considered a bridge to senior secondary school, wherein students are guided as to what stream to pursue in senior high school.
Senior Secondary School
This is the last stage of compulsory education in Indonesia, where students can choose vocational or pre-professional junior schools. After senior secondary school, students may pursue a degree at a university, a vocational training course, or look for employment.
Public or National Schools
These schools are run by local governments and managed by the Department of Education. Public schools receive subsidies from the government and provide free education for their students. These type of schools strictly follow the Indonesian curriculum, which is taught in Bahasa Indonesia and other local languages.
Private Schools
Private schools in Indonesia are different from public schools because they exceed the requirements of the Indonesian curriculum. Most private schools in Indonesia use the Indonesian curriculum coupled with an international curriculum, i.e. the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Private schools usually use Bahasa Indonesia and English as languages of instruction.
International Schools
International schools in Indonesia use a foreign curriculum, rather than the local Indonesian curriculum. These schools are accredited institutions in their home countries. Most students enrolled in international schools are children of immigrants. Most international schools in Indonesia adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum, the British curriculum, or the American curriculum, among others. Generally, tuition fees in international school are higher than the typical private school.
Indonesia offers an exciting cultural and educational journey for your child. Start looking for schools today.
Below is a comprehensive list of all schools in Indonesia (Aceh, Banda Aceh, Lhokseumawe, Langsa, Subulussalam, Sabang, Bali, Denpasar, Bangka Belitung, Pangkal Pinang, Banten, Tangerang, South Tangerang, Serang, Cilegon, Bengkulu, Central Java, Semarang, Surakarta, Pekalongan, Tegal, Salatiga, Magelang, Central Kalimantan, Palangka Raya, Central Sulawesi, Palu, East Java, Surabaya, Malang, Kediri, Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Madiun, Batu, Blitar, Mojokerto, East Kalimantan, Samarinda, Balikpapan, Bontang, East Nusa Tenggara, Kupang, Gorontalo, Jambi, Sungai Penuh, Kepulauan Riau, Batam, Tanjung Pinang, Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Metro, Maluku, Ambon, Tual, North Kalimantan, Tarakan, North Maluku, Ternate, Tidore, North Sulawesi, Manado, Bitung, Kotamobagu, Tomohon, North Sumatra, Medan, Pematangsiantar, Binjai, Padang Sidempuan, Tebing, Tinggi, Tanjungbalai, Gunungsitoli, Sibolga, Papua, Jayapura, Papua Barat, Sorong, Riau, Pekanbaru, Dumai, South Kalimantan, Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Palopo, Parepare, South Sumatra, Palembang, Lubuklinggau, Prabumulih, Pagar Alam, Southeast Sulawesi, Kendari, Baubau, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, East Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, North Jakarta, Central Jakarta, Yogyakarta, West Java, Bekasi, Bandung, Depok, Bogor, Tasikmalaya, Cimahi, Sukabumi, Cirebon, Banjar, West Kalimantan, Pontianak, Singkawang, West Nusa, Tenggara, Mataram, Bima, West Sumatra, Padang, Payakumbuh, Bukittinggi, Pariaman, Solok, Sawahlunto, Padang Panjang). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best schools in Indonesia with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.
Edarabia showcases all private schools in Indonesia through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.
Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Indonesia tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.
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