ISJ rises to 17th in Asia British school rankings

The Independent School of Jakarta has climbed five spots to No. 17 in the British Schools Asia rankings, making it the top-ranked British school in Jakarta. The move comes as ISJ commits to GCSEs, A-levels and a new senior campus in Pondok Indah.

Why it matters: - ISJ's rise gives Jakarta families a higher-ranked British school option without leaving the city. - The school's move to offer GCSEs and A-levels reduces the need for students to switch systems before university. - The ranking also signals growing competition among British international schools across Asia.

What happened: - The Independent School of Jakarta moved up five places to 17th in the British Schools Asia rankings. - ISJ is now the highest-ranked British school in Jakarta. - The school opened in 2021 in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, as a small British prep school. - ISJ now sits in the same regional table as schools including Harrow, Shrewsbury and Dulwich.

The details: - ISJ will teach the full English National Curriculum through GCSEs and A-levels. - The school has committed to building a new senior campus next to its current site in Pondok Indah. - Eileen Fisher, head of ISJ, said the new campus gives parents clarity on where their children will continue their education. - ISJ now offers one continuous route from age two to 18, from Pre-Nursery through A-levels, without changing schools. - Tanglin Trust School in Singapore remains No. 1 in the rankings, ahead of Harrow in Hong Kong and the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City.

Between the lines: - The ranking gain appears tied to ISJ's decision to extend beyond primary years into exam-focused secondary education. - For Indonesian families aiming for UK universities, a full British pathway can be a major practical advantage. - Expatriate families may also value a school route that ends with portable qualifications rather than a midstream transfer.

What's next: - ISJ's next milestone is the opening of the new senior campus in Pondok Indah. - The school will continue building out its GCSE and A-level pathway for older students. - The first cohort of A-level students is currently in Year 8, setting up the school for future secondary growth.

The bottom line: - ISJ's climb in the regional rankings reflects a broader shift from a primary-only British school to a full age-2-to-18 pathway in South Jakarta.