The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$10K – US$32K
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Age Range: 2–13
Students: ~200
Location: Jakarta
Updated February 2026
In Brief
The Independent School of Jakarta is a British preparatory school serving ages 2-13 with the English National Curriculum, positioning itself as Jakarta's leading British primary school. While it offers traditional UK prep school elements like house systems and small class sizes, it maintains relatively low visibility in Jakarta's competitive international education market compared to established institutions like JIS or British School Jakarta.
ISJ operates from a modern campus in Pondok Indah with facilities including swimming pool, football pitch, and new multi-sport gymnasium under construction. Under Academic Director Mrs. Eileen Fisher, the school emphasizes traditional British prep school elements including house systems, distinctive uniforms with boater hats for girls, and daily assemblies. With nearly 200 students across early years through Year 8, ISJ maintains small class sizes taught by teachers recruited from top UK independent schools.
The school recently joined The Schools Trust, a UK educational group that provides governance oversight and enhanced resources while maintaining local identity and operations. This partnership represents ISJ's effort to strengthen its British credentials and align with proven international frameworks. However, unlike Jakarta's tier-one international schools that dominate expatriate discussions, ISJ serves primarily as a preparatory school feeding into secondary institutions rather than offering complete K-12 education pathways.
What parents value
- –Authentic British prep school experience with traditional elements like house systems and assemblies
- –Small class sizes with teachers recruited from top UK independent schools
- –Strong facilities including swimming pool, sports areas, and new gymnasium under construction
- –Recent partnership with The Schools Trust provides enhanced governance and resources
- –Focuses specifically on primary education (ages 2-13) allowing specialized attention to younger learners
Points of consideration
- –Limited to preparatory level only - students must transfer to secondary schools at age 13
- –Lower visibility in Jakarta's international education discussions compared to established schools like JIS
- –No specific fee information or university placement data available publicly
- –Newer institution without the long-established reputation of Jakarta's tier-one international schools
- –Located in challenging Jakarta environment with traffic and pollution concerns affecting all schools
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Nursery (Age 2–3) | 2–3 years | 8,739 |
| Nursery (Age 3–4) | 3–4 years | 13,306 |
| Reception (Age 4–5) | 4–5 years | 19,577 |
| Year 1 (Age 5–6) | 5–6 years | 24,694 |
| Year 2 (Age 6–7) | 6–7 years | 24,694 |
| Year 3 (Age 7–8) | 7–8 years | 25,760 |
| Year 4 (Age 8–9) | 8–9 years | 25,760 |
| Year 5 (Age 9–10) | 9–10 years | 27,358 |
| Year 6 (Age 10–11) | 10–11 years | 27,358 |
| Year 7 (Age 11–12) | 11–12 years | 28,520 |
| Year 8 (Age 12–13) | 12–13 years | 28,520 |
Fees converted from IDR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 275 |
| Enrolment Deposit | 961 |
Photos
Academic Results
| English, Maths & Science (vs UK) | Top 10% |
| Class Size (Primary) | Max 20 |
ISJ follows the English National Curriculum throughout, with specialist teaching from Year 1. The school reports that students consistently achieve results in the top 10% nationally in English, Mathematics, and Science. Currently there are no external exams at ISJ (expansion to GCSE and A-Level is planned); these are internal assessments benchmarked against UK standards.
Class sizes are capped at 15 in Early Years (with three adults per room) and 20 in primary (with two adults per class). Older pupils in Years 7–8 are taught in small groups by subject specialists. The pupil-to-adult ratio is one of the lowest in Jakarta's international school market.
The curriculum includes STEAM activities, French language instruction, swimming, and music. The school is working towards alignment with BSO standards through its Schools Trust membership.
Extra Curriculars
Extra-curricular activities: 20+
Facilities: Swimming pool · Football pitch · Multi-sport gymnasium (new, under construction) · Art and music studios · Science laboratories · Library · Age-appropriate play areas · Green grounds and outdoor spaces
ISJ runs co-curricular clubs including football, climbing, choir, coding, enterprise, dance, robotics, creative writing, and bouldering (the latter at IndoClimb Kemang). Clubs are led by ISJ staff and external specialists.
The sports programme includes specialist-led sessions in gymnastics, athletics, football, badminton, dance, and swimming. The on-site pool is used for enhanced weekday swimming. The school is planning a Saturday football initiative.
Educational enrichment includes museum and gallery visits, science centre trips, and community projects. Residential trips for older pupils - including the annual residential at partner school Ipswich High School (UK) - combine academic enrichment with adventure. The campus is still developing - a new gymnasium is under construction for sports, assemblies, and community events.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: Ongoing
Inspection body: The Schools Trust / BSO (in progress)
Rating: British National Curriculum standards
ISJ is part of The Schools Trust (schoolstrust.co.uk) and follows British National Curriculum standards. BSO accreditation is in progress.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
ISJ serves approximately 200 students from 30+ nationalities. The school is co-educational and serves an international community, with a significant proportion of British and European families alongside families from across Asia and the Middle East.
The small size creates a close community where children across year groups know each other. The school's British identity is central - assemblies, pastoral care, and values education follow British independent school traditions. A dedicated safeguarding lead sits on the senior leadership team.
ISJ has a partnership with Ipswich High School (UK). Each year the school sends its top-year pupils to Ipswich High School for residentials, combining academic enrichment with the experience of a UK independent school.
Leadership
Eileen Fisher - Academic Director
Eileen Fisher is a highly respected leader in UK independent education, having served as Chair of the Prep Heads' Committee for the Girls' Day School Trust, mentoring preparatory school heads across the UK.
