HighScope Indonesia

Founded in 1996 by Antarina S.F. Amir with just 6 teachers and 8 students, HighScope Indonesia has grown into a substantial educational network with 15 branches nationwide, including six Jakarta campuses at TB Simatupang, Kelapa Gading, Alfa Indah, Kuningan, Bintaro, and Pluit. The network serves nearly 4,500 students across all locations, with over 800 trained teachers delivering brain-based research-driven education. Founder Antarina S.F. Amir continues as CEO, working alongside K-12 Management and Quality Coordinator Hendro Ismoyo Jati to maintain educational standards across the expanding network.

The curriculum blends HighScope methodology with Indonesian national curriculum, emphasizing Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) and preparing students as innovators for global challenges. Students participate in distinctive programs including Culture Week, Business Day requiring 60% local materials in projects, and the prestigious HighScope Model United Nations (HSMUN) running since 2008. The network's approach prioritizes Indonesian pride while developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills through experiential learning, with facilities including science laboratories, computer labs, libraries, sports facilities, and arts spaces across multiple Jakarta locations.

Strengths

• Large established network with 29 years of educational experience in Indonesia
• Six convenient campus locations across Jakarta providing accessibility
• Brain-based curriculum combining international methodology with Indonesian values
• Strong emphasis on cultural identity and national pride alongside global skills
• Experiential learning programs including Model UN and business projects
• Over 800 trained teachers supporting 1,500+ Jakarta students
• Multiple facility types including science labs, sports facilities, and arts spaces

Considerations

• Limited public information about specific academic outcomes or university placements
• No clear international accreditation or recognized examination pathways mentioned
• Fee structure and admission requirements not publicly available
• Curriculum may be less familiar to expatriate families seeking traditional international qualifications
• Large network structure may mean less individualized attention compared to smaller schools

• Parent voice splits between curriculum and culture. The HighScope active-learning model is described as a real change of pace from rote-heavy local schools, and several parents report children who are confident, articulate and engaged.
• Culture concerns recur. One parent who pulled their daughter out of the Cilandak campus after early-primary years wrote that the parent and student environment "oozed class consciousness entitlement."
• A parent at a sister campus said the school is "good" overall but that bullying handling is inconsistent and religious instruction is heavy-handed.
• Affordability is a recurring positive in expat-parent threads. Reviewers describe it as a stronger value than the better-known international schools in Jakarta, while noting it is a national-plus school, not a fully international one.
• Staff-side reviews on aggregator sites flag management that prioritises parent feedback over teacher input.