Surabaya Intercultural School
"Surabaya Intercultural School (SIS) is a private international school located in Surabaya, Indonesia, offering a rigorous, internationally recognized education to students in one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic and culturally rich cities."
Founded in 2013, SIS was established with a commitment to providing a globally minded learning environment that serves both the local and expatriate communities of Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city and a major hub for commerce, industry, and international business. At the heart of SIS's academic identity is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), one of the world's most respected pre-university curricula. The IB Diploma Programme, designed for students in the final two years of secondary school, challenges learners to think critically, engage with complex ideas across disciplines, and develop the intellectual independence that top universities around the world value highly. For families relocating to Surabaya from abroad, the IB framework offers meaningful continuity, as its qualifications are recognized and welcomed by universities across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. SIS draws together a diverse community of students, reflecting the international character of Surabaya itself. The city hosts a significant population of expatriate professionals across industries including manufacturing, shipping, finance, and trade, and SIS is well positioned to serve families arriving from a wide range of national backgrounds. This intercultural dimension is central to the school's identity, as its very name suggests — the school aspires to be a place where different cultures meet, exchange, and enrich one another within a structured academic environment. The school's campus is situated in Surabaya, giving students access to the energy and opportunity of a major Indonesian metropolitan area while maintaining a focused learning community. Surabaya itself offers a compelling backdrop for internationally minded education, with its blend of Javanese heritage, Chinese-Indonesian cultural traditions, and a growing modern economy that connects Indonesia to global markets. English serves as the primary language of instruction, ensuring accessibility for expatriate families and preparing students for the demands of the IB Diploma Programme and international higher education. At the same time, the school's location within Indonesia means students have natural exposure to Bahasa Indonesia and the broader linguistic and cultural landscape of the archipelago, an enriching dimension for young people developing global awareness. For relocating families evaluating their options in East Java, Surabaya Intercultural School presents a focused, academically oriented choice built around one of the world's leading educational frameworks. Its founding in 2013 reflects a relatively recent but deliberate response to the growing demand for quality international education in Surabaya, and the school has developed its programs with that specific community need in mind. Parents seeking an environment that combines the credibility of IB-certified education with a genuinely intercultural student community will find SIS a school worth careful consideration. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school's website at sis. sch. id or contact the admissions office directly to learn more about current programs and enrollment.