International Curriculum International Schools in Surabaya, Indonesia
Compare 3 International Curriculum international schools in Surabaya, Indonesia. Filter by curriculum, fees (average IDR 60,250,000), location, and more to find the right international school now.
About international schools in Surabaya, Indonesia
International-curriculum schools in Surabaya most commonly offer externally recognised programmes such as the Cambridge (IGCSE/AS-A level) and International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP), with some campuses using IPC/IEYC or American-style programmes; instruction is usually in English while Bahasa Indonesia is taught as the host-country language and Mandarin is widely offered as a second language. Annual tuition varies by school and by year group, but many parents in Indonesia budget in a broad band from the lower hundreds of millions of rupiah to higher mid-to-premium fees for senior/IB years, and should expect additional one-off registration, exam and support charges. Admissions are typically tied to the July/August academic year with schools recommending applications several months ahead; common application paperwork includes passports and previous school reports, and expatriate students normally present a valid residence permit (KITAS/KITAP) or sponsor details. Relocating families should check each school’s Indonesian operating status and which grades accept non-Indonesian citizens, confirm language and learning-support provision, and arrange a visit and any entry assessment before accepting an offer.
What curricula are most common at Surabaya international-curriculum schools and how do they differ?
Cambridge (Cambridge Assessment/IGCSE and A levels) and the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP) are the most common internationally recognised options; Cambridge tends to be subject-based and exam-focused at IGCSE/A-level, while the IB is structured as an inquiry-led continuum emphasising the learner profile and interdisciplinary skills. Some schools also use IPC/IEYC or American approaches at early years and primary levels, so parents should compare programme structure, assessment style and senior-school pathways when choosing a match for their child.
How much should we budget beyond headline tuition?
Beyond published tuition, expect one-off registration or development fees, costs for textbooks and devices, uniforms, school transport, lunches, external examination charges (IGCSE/IB) and any EAL or specialist learning-support services, all of which can add a substantial amount to the annual cost. Independent fee surveys for Indonesia show wide bands by tier - parents commonly see registration fees in the millions of rupiah and should ask each school for a full total-cost worksheet before deciding.
When should we apply and what documents are usually required?
Most international-curriculum schools recommend applying several months before the intended start (many operate on a July/August year and run assessments in the months prior), although some accept applications year-round for vacancies. Typical documentary requirements are the child’s passport and birth certificate, recent school reports and transcripts, immunisation/health records, and for expatriate students a valid residence permit (KITAS/KITAP) or sponsor information; an entrance test or interview is commonly part of the process.
Is English the main language of teaching and will our child need Bahasa Indonesia?
Yes - the majority of international-curriculum schools in Surabaya teach primarily in English, but national regulations and local practice mean Bahasa Indonesia is taught and usually required each year as the host-country language. Many schools also offer Mandarin (and sometimes other modern languages) as part of the regular timetable or as electives.
How can we tell whether a school will support a child who needs English language help or special educational support?
Ask for the school’s published EAL/learning-support policy, the size and training of specialist teams, typical class-grouping for language support and whether external assessments are used; check whether those services are included in published fees or charged additionally. During a visit, request to meet the learning-support lead, see sample individual education plans and speak to current parents about how needs are identified and monitored.
