Notes

How to choose an international school

How to read a school accurately, the signals that do not lie, how to test claims and visit well, and how to make a decision you can defend a year in.

AP (Advanced Placement) explained

What AP is, the College Board structure, the 1 to 5 scoring, how many subjects to take, and how universities read it.

English National Curriculum & Key Stages

What EYFS and Key Stages 1 to 5 mean, how they map to year groups and ages, and what actually gets taught and tested when.

IB HL vs SL

How Higher and Standard Level differ in the IB Diploma, and how to decide which subjects a student should take at each level.

A-Levels explained

What A-Levels are, the AS and A2 structure, how many subjects to take, the A* to E grades, and how university offers are built on them.

IGCSE explained

What the IGCSE is, where it sits in the English system, the Cambridge and Edexcel boards, subject choice, and how the 9 to 1 grades work.

Best International Schools in Berlin: The 2026 Guide for Families

Berlin's international school market is wider than the city's reputation suggests, and unusually well-served by free state-funded bilingual options alongside the private IB and British schools.

Best International Schools in Zurich: The 2026 Guide for Families

Zurich has a strong international school market, but it's expensive even by Swiss standards. Fees are among the highest of any city in this guide. The schools are good. Budget accordingly.

Best International Schools in Tokyo: The 2026 Guide for Families

Tokyo has a strong international school market, fees that are competitive by Asian standards, and a city that rewards families who take the time to understand it.

Best International Schools in Taipei: The 2026 Guide for Families

Taipei has a small but serious international school market. The leading schools produce strong results, the city is genuinely easy to live in, and fees are considerably lower than Singapore, Hong Kong, or Tokyo.

Best International Schools in Shenzhen: The 2026 Guide for Families

Shenzhen's international school market is smaller than Shanghai or Beijing but has improved sharply. You have genuinely good options across British, IB, and American curricula.

Best International Schools in Sharjah: The 2026 Guide for Families

Sharjah is the affordable alternative to Dubai that serious families often overlook. The schools are solid, the city is liveable, and your fees will stretch considerably further than across the border.

Best International Schools in Shanghai: The 2026 Guide for Families

Shanghai is one of the most expensive cities in Asia for international schooling, but it also has one of the strongest school markets. The choice is genuinely good. The fees are genuinely high.

Best International Schools in Seoul: The 2026 Guide for Families

Seoul has a compact but competitive international school market. The top schools produce IB scores well above the world average, fees are high by global standards, and the geography matters more than most families expect.

Best International Schools in São Paulo: The 2026 Guide for Families

São Paulo has one of the most developed international school markets in Latin America. The schools are genuinely good, the city is liveable once you find your neighbourhood, and fees are lower in real terms than many comparable postings elsewhere.

Best International Schools in Saigon: The 2026 Guide for Families

Ho Chi Minh City has more serious international schools than most families expect. The market has matured fast, the top schools post IB results well above the world average, and the two main residential areas give you a genuine choice of neighbourhood.

Best International Schools in Riyadh: The 2026 Guide for Families

Riyadh's international school market has grown fast. The options are better than most newcomers expect, the fees are broadly comparable to Dubai, and the city, once you know it, is considerably more liveable than its reputation suggests.

Best International Schools in Prague: The 2026 Guide for Families

Prague has a genuinely good international school market for a city of its size. The top schools produce strong IB results, fees are lower than most Western European capitals, and the city is easy to live in once you get past the bureaucracy.

Best International Schools in Phnom Penh: The 2026 Guide for Families

Phnom Penh's international school market is smaller than Bangkok or KL, but it has genuine depth at the top end. The right school exists for most families here.

Best International Schools in Paris: The 2026 Guide for Families

Paris has a well-established international school market with genuine options across British, American, and IB curricula. The city is more liveable than its reputation suggests, and you have more neighbourhood flexibility than you might expect.

Best International Schools in New Delhi: The 2026 Guide for Families

Delhi's international school market spans the city, Gurugram, and Noida — and the range is wider than most postings. A few schools produce IB results that rival anything in Asia. Most do not. Getting the choice right matters more here than almost anywhere.

Best International Schools in Nairobi: The 2026 Guide for Families

Nairobi has a well-established international school market, developed over decades of UN, NGO, and corporate presence. The range is genuinely good, and geography matters less than in most cities.

Best International Schools in Muscat: The 2026 Guide for Families

Muscat has a small but solid international school market. The top schools produce results well above regional averages, and you have more genuine choice here than the size of the place might suggest.

Best International Schools in Munich: The 2026 Guide for Families

Munich has a small but serious international school market. The IB options are well-established, the German bilingual alternatives are worth a real look, and the city itself is one of the most liveable in Europe.

Admissions Pressure by Year Group at Jakarta International Schools

A data-led analysis of where the bottlenecks are across Jakarta's international schools: by school, by year group, by time of year.

Jakarta Education Intelligence Report: 2026

Original analysis of Jakarta's international schools market: enrolment trends, fee movements, new developments, and what they mean for families making school decisions in 2026.

Jakarta International Schools Fee Report: 2026 Edition

The definitive annual comparison of international school fees in Jakarta. Ten schools, three age bands, verified data: updated for the 2025–26 academic year.

Corporate Relocation to Jakarta: International Schools Briefing

A practical briefing for HR teams, global mobility managers and relocating families on how international school selection works in Jakarta.

Jakarta International School Term Dates: Full Comparison

Jakarta's international schools run on different academic calendars. Here is a side-by-side comparison of term dates, holidays and key planning dates for 2025–26.

Relocating to Jakarta with Kids

The complete guide to moving to Jakarta with children, from choosing a school before you pack to settling in once you arrive.

Best International Schools Near Kemang

Which international schools are closest to Kemang? Distance, drive times, fees and curriculum for every school within a reasonable commute.

Best International Schools Near Pondok Indah

Which international schools are closest to Pondok Indah? Distance, drive times, fees and curriculum for every school within a reasonable commute.

Best Areas in Jakarta for Expat Families

Jakarta has distinct neighbourhoods for expat families: each with different vibes, costs and school options. Here's how the top areas compare.

Living in Cipete & Cilandak: An Expat's Guide

Cipete and Cilandak are South Jakarta's quieter alternatives to Kemang: better value, MRT access, and close to JIS and ISJ. Here is the full guide.

Living in Kemang: An Expat's Guide

Kemang is Jakarta's original expat village: walkable, social, full of restaurants. Here's what it's like to live there, what it costs, and which schools are nearby.

Jakarta International Schools for Gifted and High-Ability Students

Gifted provision at Jakarta's international schools is inconsistent. Some schools stretch high-ability students well. Others barely acknowledge they exist.

EAL Support at Jakarta International Schools

If English is not your child's first language, the quality of EAL provision at their school will shape the first two years. Here is what to look for.

Best Jakarta International Schools for SEN & Learning Support

Honest guide to SEN and learning support at Jakarta international schools. Which schools have genuine provision, what questions to ask, and when to look elsewhere.

IB Diploma Results at Jakarta International Schools

IB results are the single most requested data point parents ask about: and the one Jakarta's schools are least willing to share. Here is what we know.

Best Jakarta International Schools for University Placement

University counselling is one of the least visible: and most important: differences between Jakarta's international schools. Here is what separates the best.

Where Do Jakarta International School Graduates Go to University?

The best Jakarta schools send graduates to universities across the US, UK, Australia, Asia and Europe. Here is what the data shows: and what it does not.

For-Profit vs Non-Profit International Schools: Does It Matter?

Some schools answer to shareholders. Others answer to a board of governors or a foundation. The ownership model shapes more than you might expect.

How to Read an International School Inspection Report

Inspection reports are public, free, and full of useful information: if you know where to look. Here is how to read one like a professional.

SPK Schools in Jakarta Explained

Every international school in Indonesia is technically an SPK school. Here's what that means, what it doesn't mean, and what parents should focus on instead.

Which Year Groups Are Hardest to Enter at Jakarta International Schools?

Not every year group is equally competitive. Nursery, Year 1 and Year 7 are the three entry points where demand consistently exceeds supply.

How to Get Into the Top International Schools in Jakarta

Admissions at Jakarta's best international schools involve assessments, interviews and: at the most popular entry points: waiting lists. Here is how the process works.

Mid-Year Transfers Between International Schools in Jakarta

Sometimes the timing does not align. Here is what to expect when switching schools in Jakarta outside the normal admissions cycle.

International School Waitlists in Jakarta: How Long and What to Do

On a waiting list at your first-choice school? Here's what to expect, how long it takes, and what you can do while you wait.

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.

Merdeka, SPK or Bilingual? Jakarta's School Systems Explained

The IB Diploma Explained | What Parents Need to Know

Cambridge vs IB in Jakarta Schools: Which Curriculum Is Right for Your Child?

IB or A-Levels? How to Choose the Right Pathway

Jakarta vs Singapore vs KL: Comparing International Schools Across Three Cities

If your family can choose where to base yourselves in Southeast Asia, the schools landscape is very different in Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

SPH vs Binus Simprug: Jakarta's Leading Bilingual Schools Compared

Two of Jakarta's most established bilingual schools, both offering IB Diploma: but built on different foundations. Here's how they compare.

BSJ vs ISJ vs NAS vs ACG: Jakarta's Four British School Options Compared

JIS vs ACS Jakarta: Two Very Different Schools Compared

JIS and ACS Jakarta are two of the city's longest-established international schools: but they're very different. Here's a side-by-side comparison.

Scholarships and Financial Aid at Jakarta International Schools

Some Jakarta international schools offer scholarships and bursaries: but they are rarely advertised openly. Here is what we know and how to ask.

International Schools in Jakarta Under $20,000 a Year

The $20,000 bracket in Jakarta opens up a solid range of international schools. Here's what's available: ranked by curriculum, facilities and outcomes.

The Cheapest International Schools in Jakarta: Under $10,000 a Year

International school in Jakarta for under $10,000 a year is possible: but the options are limited. Here's what's available and what trade-offs to expect.

How Fast Are International School Fees Rising in Jakarta?

Jakarta's international school fees have risen significantly in recent years. Here is how much, what is driving it, and what families can plan for.

The International School Capital Levy in Jakarta: Explained

The capital levy is one of the biggest upfront costs at Jakarta's international schools: and one of the least understood. Here's what you need to know.

The True Total Cost of International School in Jakarta

Tuition is the starting point. Add capital levies, exam fees, uniforms, transport and trips: and the real number is considerably higher. Here's the full picture.

The Best International Schools in Jakarta for Early Years

The early years decision in Jakarta shapes everything that follows. Here's how the top schools approach EYFS, Montessori and play-based learning.

The Best International Schools in Jakarta for Secondary Age Students

Choosing a secondary school in Jakarta is a high-stakes decision. Here's how the top options compare on results, pathways and university outcomes.

The Best Bilingual International Schools in Jakarta

For families who want both languages: and don't want to sacrifice academic quality for either.

The Top 5 International Schools in Jakarta for 2026

Best Value International Schools in Jakarta: Where Fees Match Outcomes

Value isn't just about low fees. We rank Jakarta's international schools by what you actually get for the money: results, facilities and support.

The Most Affordable International Schools in Jakarta

International school in Jakarta doesn't have to cost $30,000 a year. Here are the best affordable options: with fees, curriculums and honest trade-offs.

The Best American International Schools in Jakarta

Jakarta's American school segment is small: but the options that exist serve very different families.

The Best IB Schools in Jakarta: Ranked for 2026

Which Jakarta schools offer the IB Diploma: and which deliver results worth the fees?

The Best International Schools in Jakarta (2026 Rankings)

The definitive guide to Jakarta's top international schools. Fees, curriculums, admissions and honest rankings, updated for the 2025–26 academic year.

Best International Schools in Abu Dhabi: The 2026 Guide for Families

Abu Dhabi's international school market is mature, regulated, and stronger than its profile suggests. The top schools are competitive on results, fees are reasonable by Gulf standards, and there is a clear residential pattern around where families settle.

Best International Schools in Barcelona: The 2026 Guide for Families

Barcelona has a smaller English-medium international school market than Madrid, but the top of it is genuinely strong. The schools cluster in three areas: the upper city around Sarrià and Pedralbes, the coast south through Castelldefels and Sitges, and a few outliers up the Maresme.

Best International Schools in Bali: The 2026 Guide for Families

Bali's international school market is small, concentrated, and unusual. Most of the families filling these schools are not corporate relocations: they are nomads, lifestyle movers, and long-stay residents.

Best International Schools in Brussels: The 2026 Guide for Families

Brussels has one of the most developed international school markets in Europe, shaped by decades of EU institutions and NATO headquarters drawing families from every corner of the world. The schools are genuinely strong, the city is very liveable, and there is enough geographic spread to give you real choice about where you live.

Best International Schools in Beijing: The 2026 Guide for Families

Beijing is the most expensive international school market in mainland China. The top schools produce genuinely strong results and are mostly concentrated in Shunyi, northeast of the city, where the majority of expat families live.

Best International Schools in Cairo: The 2026 Guide for Families

Cairo's international school market is larger and more varied than most families expect. The top schools are genuinely strong, fees are lower than almost anywhere else in the region, and the city rewards families who do their research before they arrive.

Best International Schools in Amsterdam: The 2026 Guide for Families

Amsterdam has a small but distinctive international school market. There is a clear top tier, two strong second-tier options, and a uniquely Dutch tier of subsidised international schools that no other major European city offers.

Best International Schools in Bangalore: The 2026 Guide for Families

Bangalore's international school market is large, IB-heavy, and very good at the top end. The bigger question for most families is not which school but where in the city you live, because traffic, not distance, is the real constraint.

Best International Schools in Amman: The 2026 Guide for Families

Amman has a small, mature international school market with several genuinely strong IB and bilingual schools and a credible American option. Fees are lower than the Gulf, the city itself is liveable, and the choices are real.

Best International Schools in Almaty: The 2026 Guide for Families

Almaty has a small but credible international school market, dominated by a handful of long-running British, IB and American schools. Fees are well below the Gulf and Asian capitals, and the choices are real.

Best International Schools in Geneva: The 2026 Guide for Families

Geneva is the most expensive international school market in Europe, with fees that will surprise even families coming from London or Singapore. The schools are genuinely strong and the IB results are some of the best in the world.

Best International Schools in Hanoi: The 2026 Guide for Families

Hanoi's international school market is smaller and less fragmented than Ho Chi Minh City's. There are perhaps half a dozen schools genuinely worth shortlisting, which actually makes the decision easier than it sounds.

Best International Schools in Chiang Mai: The 2026 Guide for Families

Chiang Mai's international school market is small by design. Three schools account for almost every family in the city who wants a recognised international curriculum and a clear path to university.

Best International Schools in Jeddah: The 2026 Guide for Families

Jeddah has a smaller international school market than Dubai or Riyadh, but it has depth where it counts. The top schools are genuinely strong, the city is more relaxed than most families expect, and Vision 2030 has brought a new wave of international families to figure it all out.

Best International Schools in Guangzhou: The 2026 Guide for Families

Guangzhou's international school market is smaller and quieter than Shanghai or Beijing, which suits many families down to the ground. Fewer schools to research, less competition for places at the top end, and a city that gets on with things.

Best International Schools in Johannesburg: The 2026 Guide for Families

Johannesburg's school market is more interesting than most arriving families expect. The fees are low by global standards, the IB results at the better schools are genuinely strong, and the northern suburbs cluster means you can live close to school without spending a fortune.

Best International Schools in Istanbul: The 2026 Guide for Families

Istanbul is a serious relocation, not a straightforward one. School choice is part of the homework, and getting it right means knowing more than just which names come up first in a search.

Best International Schools in Doha: The 2026 Guide for Families

Doha's international school market is smaller than Dubai's but more straightforward. A handful of genuinely strong schools, a compact residential belt, and a post-World Cup city that has settled into a rhythm.

Best International Schools in Mumbai: The 2026 Guide for Families

Mumbai's international school market is compact. There are perhaps a dozen schools worth seriously considering, and the two anchors - Dhirubhai Ambani and Oberoi - set a high bar. Understanding where you'll live shapes almost every other decision.

Best International Schools in Manila: The 2026 Guide for Families

Manila's international school scene is anchored by a handful of genuinely strong schools, most of them concentrated in Makati and BGC. The challenge isn't finding a good school. It's finding the right school before traffic turns your morning into a two-hour ordeal.

Best International Schools in Mexico City: The 2026 Guide for Families

Mexico City has a serious international school market that most families underestimate before they arrive. The options are good, the city is genuinely liveable, and the altitude will surprise you more than the school search will.

Best International Schools in London: The 2026 Guide for Families

London has more international school options than almost any city in the world. The range is genuinely impressive, the results at the top schools are strong, and geography matters far more than most school guides let on.

Best International Schools in Johor Bahru: The 2026 Guide for Families

Johor Bahru is not the obvious choice until you look at the numbers. Singapore school fees have doubled in a decade; JB fees have not. Many families who live here commute across the causeway to work in Singapore every day.

Best International Schools in Lagos: The 2026 Guide for Families

Lagos is not an easy posting. The traffic alone will reshape your daily life. But the international school options are better than most people expect, and families who plan well tend to find a rhythm.

Best International Schools in Kuwait City: The 2026 Guide for Families

Kuwait has a small but established international school market, dominated by long-running British and American schools serving a mixed expat and Kuwaiti population. Fees are lower than the Gulf headline cities, the choices are real, and the geography is simple.

Cracks in the IB

By any commercial measure the IB is thriving. By the measure that matters to parents, what is actually happening in classrooms, the picture is less flattering.

Best international schools in Dubai: the 2026 guide for families

Dubai has more credible international schools than almost any city in the world. The hard part is not finding a school. It's getting a place at the one you want.

Where Did Obama Go to School in Jakarta?

Two Jakarta schools claim Barack Obama. One taught him for nearly three years. The other for about a year and a half. The shorter stint won the PR war.

Best International Schools in Madrid: The 2026 Guide for Families

Madrid has a mature, well-developed international school market. The schools are genuinely good, the city is liveable, and you have more neighbourhood flexibility here than in many other expat postings.

Moving to Bangkok with Kids

The practical guide to relocating to Bangkok with children, from choosing a school before you sign a lease to surviving burning season.

Bangkok: Best IB Schools (Results, Fees, Rankings)

A data-led ranking of Bangkok's IB Diploma schools by average score, fees, and value, with full results tables for the nine schools where we found published data.

Bangkok: British Curriculum Schools Guide

Thirty-six schools, fees from US$2,000 to US$35,000, and a results picture that ranges from world-class to completely opaque.

Bangkok International School Fees: Full 2026 Data Guide

A practical 2026 guide to Bangkok international school fees across c. 96 schools, with tier benchmarks, top-end pricing, and what new premium openings mean for mid-range families.

Best International Schools in Hong Kong: The 2026 Guide for Families

Hong Kong has one of the most established and competitive international school markets in Asia. This guide covers the most sought-after schools, new openings for 2026, realistic alternatives, and which neighbourhoods suit different family lifestyles.

Dubai: A Situation Update (March 2026)

A dated March 2026 situation note on schools, flights and expat life in Dubai and the UAE after the Gulf security disruption.

Best International Schools in Singapore: The 2026 Guide for Families

Singapore's international school market is tightly regulated and genuinely competitive. This guide covers which schools most families target, recent openings, where to live, and the practical things you need to know before arriving.

Best International Schools in Bangkok: The 2026 Guide for Families

Bangkok has one of the fastest-growing international school markets in the world. This guide covers which schools exist, how competitive admissions are, what's new for 2026, and which neighbourhoods suit different family lifestyles.

Best International Schools in Kuala Lumpur: The 2026 Guide for Families

Kuala Lumpur has quietly become one of the most popular cities in Asia for relocating families. This guide covers the schools most expat families target, what has recently opened, where people live, and the practical things worth knowing before you arrive.

Best British Schools in Jakarta

An honest, tier-by-tier guide to Jakarta's British international schools, from genuine UK independent school quality through to affordable alternatives.

International School Fees in Jakarta

The complete cost guide for expat families: headline tuition, hidden charges, and realistic annual budgets for Jakarta's international schools.

Best International Schools in South Jakarta

A complete guide to the international schools in South Jakarta, with honest school-by-school profiles, fees, commute realities, and how to choose.

International School Accreditation Explained

What CIS, COBIS, BSO, WASC, and ISI mean, and how to use accreditation when choosing a Jakarta international school.

20 Questions to Ask on a Jakarta International School Tour

What good schools can answer, and what the answers tell you.

Living in Pondok Indah

An honest expat family guide to housing, schools, commutes, and daily life in South Jakarta's most popular family neighbourhood.

British vs IB vs American Curriculum in Jakarta: Which is Right for Your Child?

A straightforward guide to the three main international school curricula for families choosing in Jakarta. What each means, which qualifications they lead to, and how to decide based on your family's situation.

ISJ vs BSJ: Which British School in Jakarta is Right for Your Family?

A detailed comparison of The Independent School of Jakarta and British School Jakarta. Location, age range, curriculum, class sizes, fees, and ownership.