Parent's Review of New Zealand International School in Jakarta, Indonesia

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

New Zealand International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Jakarta

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K - 12

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

There are three or four school cars that can pick up your child, most are delivered by parents' drivers.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Very poor. Pupils are bussed out for PE to proper facilities elsewhere, and have to rush getting changed and returning to catch the bus, through the hot jakarta traffic, twice a week because there are no onsite sporting facilities at all. My daughter complains that her hair is still wet returning to lessons, and she feels too cold afterwards in the air conditioning of the classroom, but it is only for two hours after, before she is collected by our driver and then her hair is usually dry.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

There is no comparison between the curriculum in the US and at The New Zealand International School in the Secondary School. In fact, there is no consistent curriculum in the Secondary School at all, at least as far as I have been able to ascertain from the teachers in what they call 'Years 7, 8 and 9'; One teacher seems to be using an Australian curriculum, another a British Curriculum, another a New Zealand Curriculum and the Principal, LHH, couldn't give us a clear answer about consistency either way, just to say that it was consistent later on in the school, when they all had to do Brisith IGCSEs and British A levels, but then why are they all prepared for this so differently and the curriculum leading up to this so random? This is the cost of saving money from not sending our child to a 'proper' international school, but frankly,we just cannot afford them, but are looking at ACG and AIS, which at least are internationally accredited unlike NZIS.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

Parental involvement is frowned apon. The Principal prefers to keep central control, and the Chinese-Indonesian private owner,Sean, likes to keep a tight grip on the reigns without interference. Please be aware that this school has absolutely NOTHING to do with New Zealand - the owner just chose that name to appeal to parents. The primary curriculum apparently follows the NZ curriculum, but this is not accredited by ANY international organisation. And this school is more like an English Language Centre, as the sign 'Language Centre' outside, describes, rather than a proper 'International school' - this is not. But if that really is all you can afford, like us, well, it is better than nothing.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

AIS and ACG are cheaper, smaller and more reliable and reputable schools five minutes away from The New Zealand International School. They have waiting lists because they are both internationally accredited. Don't believe The New Zealand International School's excuse that they are accredited by 'Cambridge International Exams' - that is true - but all that means is that they have approval for children to sit exams there - currently under observation by the examining board because the results are so terrible. Ask to see the results and you will be appalled. When you see your daughter or son shaking because their hair is still wet when they come home from school, you will think about the level of care there too.

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