Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons
International school fees in Jakarta vary more than almost any other cost families encounter when relocating here. The range runs from around IDR 80 million per year at the lower end of the market to well over IDR 600 million at the most established schools, and the headline tuition number tells only part of the story. Understanding what different schools charge, what those fees cover, and how the total cost builds up is essential before any family commits to a school.
International School Fees in Jakarta: The Three Tiers
Jakarta's international school market divides into three broad bands. The budget tier covers national-plus and smaller independent schools where annual primary tuition typically sits between IDR 80 million and IDR 150 million (roughly USD 5,000 to USD 9,500). Schools like Bina Bangsa School and Sekolah Pelita Harapan on certain campuses operate at this level. Curricula are internationally recognised but facilities and staffing depth differ from higher-tier options.
The mid-tier runs from approximately IDR 180 million to IDR 280 million per year for primary (roughly USD 11,000 to USD 18,000). Gandhi Memorial International School falls in this band, with published fees from around USD 6,300 per year for primary rising to USD 10,000 for senior secondary. Schools at this level typically offer IGCSE or IB pathways, with solid facilities and experienced teaching staff.
The premium tier starts at around IDR 300 million per year and extends to over IDR 600 million for senior years at the most established schools. Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) sits at the top of this band, with published annual fees ranging from IDR 291 million in early years to over IDR 600 million for certain secondary programmes. British School Jakarta (BSJ) runs from IDR 114 million for kindergarten to IDR 411 million for Years 12 and 13. ACG School Jakarta sits across the upper mid to premium range, with 2025/26 annual fees from IDR 158 million for the youngest year groups rising to IDR 375 million for Years 12 and 13. In USD terms, premium schools typically run USD 17,000 to USD 39,000 per year depending on the year group.
What Fees Usually Include
Most schools include tuition, core textbooks, stationery, and access to standard facilities in their annual fee. BSJ, for example, states that school fees cover tuition, textbooks, stationery, and minor excursions. Some schools include year-group residential trips in certain year groups at the primary level, though this varies and should be confirmed with each school individually.
What is almost never included in the headline tuition: lunch programmes, transport, IGCSE or IB exam fees, co-curricular clubs, EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, uniform costs, and residential trips at secondary level. These are billed separately throughout the year and represent the single biggest source of budget surprises for families new to Jakarta.
The Hidden Costs Families Often Miss
Enrolment and registration fees are one-off charges paid when a child is first accepted, typically IDR 20 million to IDR 50 million and non-refundable. BSJ charges an application fee of IDR 4 million and a New Enrolment Deposit of IDR 30 million. JIS charges IDR 5.5 million as a non-refundable application fee, plus a separate technology fee for new students. These amounts do not reduce future tuition bills.
Many schools also charge an annual continuing enrolment deposit or capital levy. At BSJ this is structured as a Capital Levy Contribution, payable annually or over four years. At JIS, an annual Enrollment Guarantee Fee applies on top of tuition. These recurring charges are easy to overlook when comparing schools on the basis of advertised fee schedules.
Exam fees at IGCSE, A-Level, and IB level are a significant line item for secondary families. IB Diploma exam fees run approximately USD 120 to USD 125 per subject; a full Diploma candidate sitting six subjects can expect to pay over USD 750 in exam fees per exam session. IGCSE and A-Level exams carry similar per-subject charges. Some schools absorb these into tuition; most in Jakarta do not. Confirm this with the school at the time of inquiry.
EAL support, when required, is charged on top of tuition at a number of schools. At JIS, the published EAL fee is a one-time charge of over IDR 71 million per student if the school determines support is needed. This is assessed at enrolment, and families who are not expecting it can find it materially increases their first-year cost.
Employer Packages and School Fee Allowances
Many companies posting staff to Jakarta include a school fees allowance in the expatriate compensation package. Schooling is typically the largest expense after salary and housing for expat families. The critical detail is what the allowance actually covers, not just the total figure. Some packages cover only tuition. Others extend to the capital levy, school bus, and exam fees. Caps set several years ago may not match current fees at Jakarta's premium schools, leaving families with significant out-of-pocket costs.
For families without an employer allowance, mid-tier schools represent a meaningful value point. Curricula are internationally recognised, IGCSE and IB outcomes are strong, and the all-in annual cost sits well below the top tier.
How Schools Bill and the Currency Question
Under Bank Indonesia regulation 17/3/PBI/2015, all transactions within Indonesia must be conducted in Indonesian Rupiah. Every school in Jakarta, regardless of how it historically marketed its fees, must invoice and receive payment in IDR. Some schools publish indicative USD equivalents for convenience, but the binding amount is in Rupiah.
This creates real currency risk for families budgeting in a foreign currency. If the IDR weakens, tuition costs in home-currency terms fall; if it strengthens, the same IDR bill becomes more expensive in USD or GBP. Annual fee increases are also applied in IDR, so the real cost trajectory depends on both the school's pricing decisions and exchange rate movements over the length of a posting. Build in a buffer when planning school costs across multiple years.
Comparing Schools: What to Actually Request
Schools publish fee schedules, but the schedule alone does not give the total cost. Before committing, request a full cost breakdown for your child's specific year group: tuition, any annual levy or capital contribution, exam fees for the relevant curriculum year, activity and trip costs, and any one-off charges. Some schools will produce this on request; others require you to ask about each line item individually.
Look at how fees progress across year groups, not just the current year. Fees step up at secondary transition points, and IGCSE or IB years are consistently more expensive than primary. A school that appears affordable at Year 4 may sit in a different bracket by Year 10. Billing schedules also vary: most schools offer termly or semester payment, with an annual discount in some cases. BSJ offers 3% for annual upfront payment; ACG offers 2.5%.
A Note on ISJ Fees
For ISJ fee information, the admissions fees page has current figures, including the full schedule by year group and details of any additional charges. For a broader comparison of schools across Jakarta by location, curriculum, and indicative fees, the international schools guide covers the full market with regularly updated data.