About Us
We help families find the right school. That's it.
International Schools Guide is an independent editorial platform. We profile international schools across Asia - fees, results, facilities, and an honest written review - so expat families can make informed decisions instead of relying on school marketing and word of mouth.
We don't take money from schools. We don't run sponsored rankings. We don't earn commissions on enrolments. We visit, we research, we write what we think.
Why We Built This
The school search is broken
If you're an expat family arriving in Jakarta - or Singapore, or Bangkok, or Dubai - finding the right school for your child is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make. It's also one of the least well-served by good information.
Most “school guides” are funded by the schools themselves. Rankings are paid placements. Relocation agents earn commissions. The glossy brochure tells you everything except what you actually need to know: is this school worth the money, will my child thrive here, and what do parents who are already there really think?
We started with Jakarta because it's the city we know best - 90+ international schools, fee ranges from US$5K to US$36K a year, and very little independent information to help parents navigate it all. We're expanding across Southeast Asia and beyond, one city at a time.
Our Principles
What we promise
Editorially independent
Schools don't pay to be listed, can't pay to improve their review, and don't see our editorial before it's published. Our revenue comes from parents (premium features) and advertising that is clearly labelled - never from schools.
Data you can trust
We publish verified fee schedules, IB results, inspection ratings, and accreditation status. Every data point is sourced and dated. If we can't verify something, we say so rather than guess.
Written for parents
Our reviews are written by people who've been through the school search themselves. We write the way we'd talk to a friend who just landed in the city and needs to find a school by next term.
Editorial Process
How we research and review schools
We gather the data
Fee schedules, inspection reports, IB results, accreditation status, admissions policies. We get this from public filings, school websites, FOI requests, and direct enquiries. If a school won't share their fees publicly, we say so.
We visit and research
We visit campuses, sit in on tours, talk to current parents, and interview heads of school. We read the inspection reports cover to cover. We check claims against data.
We write what we think
Every school profile includes an editorial review - our honest assessment of who the school suits, what it does well, and where it falls short. Schools don't get to approve or edit these reviews before publication.
We keep it current
Fee data is updated annually. Editorial reviews are refreshed when there's a leadership change, a new inspection report, or significant developments. Every profile shows when it was last updated.
The Team
Who's behind the reviews
Mia Windsor
Managing Editor
Mia sets the editorial standards at The Guide, drawing on eight years navigating the international school landscape as a parent and an ex-London journalist.
James Chen
Head of Development
James builds and maintains the platform, tools, features, and data infrastructure that keep The Guide going.
Emma Torres
Content & Research
Emma researches, writes, visits, and interviews to get the data and information we need. As a former teacher she knows the difference between good teaching and a good brochure.
Questions, tips, or corrections?
If you're a parent with a school recommendation, a head of school who wants to update your profile, or a journalist who wants to talk - we'd like to hear from you.
Get in Touch