FAQ

When was ACS Jakarta established?
The school began in July 1996 as Sekolah Tiara Bangsa in Cibubur. In July 2006, the school became part of the Anglo-Chinese family of schools and relocated to Kelurahan Setu, East Jakarta. It then took on the name Sekolah Tiara Bangsa ACS (International) Jakarta or STB ACS (International) Jakarta, for short.

What is the relationship with ACS Singapore?
We are the seventh member of the Anglo-Chinese family of schools and the first of the schools to be located outside Singapore. Over 11,000 students currently attend the ACS schools. All ACS schools are Methodist institutions. Due to this relationship, we are closely associated with the brother ACS schools in Singapore and embrace the ACS traditions, culture and ethos. We have also ties with the Methodist Church in Indonesia and also that in Singapore. A full-time Methodist Chaplain serves in our School.

Where is the campus located?
The Campus is located on a 5.5 hectare site at Jl. Bantar Jati, Kelurahan Setu, Jakarta Timur (adjacent to the Cilangkap toll gate to Jakarta on JORR). Refer to the map on our website www.acsjakarta.sch.id

Does the school provide a school bus for students?
Currently, we do not offer transport to or from school. Children come in their own cars. Some parents have made arrangements with other parents to roster transport. We have adequate car park space/waiting area though it is expected that vehicular traffic will be heavy in the morning when school begins and in the afternoon when school dismisses.

Will my child have to sit for admission tests?
Yes, there are admission tests. All prospective students entering the school from Grade 1 to 12 must sit for English Language and Mathematics tests (and any other tests that may be required depending on the Grade that they wish to enroll into). Interviews with prospective students are conducted after they have sat for the tests and have achieved a satisfactory grade in them.

Those who barely meet the entry standards may be required to go through a bridging programme during school holidays or attend extra Saturday classes prior to the start of the academic year. Parents would have to pay extra fees for this.
Places will only be offered to those who perform well. For entry to higher levels, students are expected to have adequate language competency and the relevant subject knowledge. Those who have not may be required to repeat the level that they are in.

We are very selective of our students coming into the School and not all who have applied to us and sat for the admission tests will be admitted.
Test topics for Admission tests : Kindly visit our website www.acsjakarta.sch.id, go to our Curriculum section and look for the information based on your child’s potential existing grade (example : for entry into Grade 7, please check Grade 6 curriculum).

How will a student transferring from local Indonesian school cope with the English language?
The younger the student the better he/she will be able to cope. Students who have limited English Language ability may be required to attend a bridging English Language course before admission can be considered. These run on Saturdays and the student remains in his/her current school until such time that ACS Jakarta deems that he/she has the adequate standard for admission to ACS Jakarta. Parents of these students would have to pay for the bridging programme. Without an adequate foundation in the English Language, success in all other subjects will be limited.

What is the current schedule for the school fees?
The current school fee schedule can be obtained from the School Admissions Office. However, a fee review is carried out by January each year for the following year.

Can I pay in installments?
In exceptional circumstances, the Board will approve payment of the tuition fees in two (2) or three (3) installments at most. Applications must be made to the Board via the Executive Principal. Please note that there may be an additional charge if installments are made.

What is the language of instruction?
English.

What is the curriculum like?
We use curricula from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Board. We prepare our students to be successful in Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Tests at Grade 6, CIE IGCSE Examinations at Grade 10, and the IBO Diploma Programme Examinations at Grade 12. We adopt best practices from Singapore, U.K and U.S and incorporate aspects of the Singapore Mathematics and Science curriculum at all levels.

What subjects are taught in Indonesian?
Bahasa Indonesia and some religion classes. All other subjects are taught in English Language.

Do students have textbooks?
Yes, for each Grade and for all Core subjects (and most non-Core subjects) students have textbooks which the School has adopted. In addition, students may be given additional learning material (in the form of notes, worksheets, etc) to supplement their learning.

What religion classes are there?
Religion classes for students are conducted once each week. Students select to attend Moslem, Christian or Catholic classes. There is also a multi-faith class for students who do not opt for the Moslem, Christian or Catholic classes.

Is Chinese language (Mandarin) taught? Do you employ native speakers?
Yes. Lessons in Mandarin are offered throughout the school. Students have up to 5 lessons per week. Classes are offered at foundation, standard and advanced levels. At Grade 9 and 10, students who have been following our programme and/or have the sufficient proficiency can sit for Chinese Language as an IGCSE subject at Foreign Language or at the First Language level. We have teachers from both China and Indonesia to bring an international approach to learning Chinese while keeping it relevant in a local setting.

Do students go on excursions and field trips?
Yes. Excursions and field trips are always carefully planned and are an intrinsic part of the educational programme. Additional costs are involved and every student is expected to participate.

Where can I find out more about the Cambridge Primary, IGCSE and IBDP?
Details on the IBDP can be found on the IBO website, www.ibo.org, and the Cambridge Primary and IGCSE can be found at www.cie.org.uk.

What kind of school examinations or assessment does the School conduct?
Assessment is an essential part of learning. We have the Continual Assessment for each quarter and two Semestral Examinations, and these are carried out in the course of the academic year. Continual Assessment would comprise class tests, assignments, oral presentations, project work, homework and other forms of assessment. Semestral Examinations are conducted in Oct/Nov (academic mid-year) and Apr/May (academic year-end). Students in Grades 1 to 3 do not have Semestral Examinations but they will be assessed through Continual Assessment.

What is the reporting system?
We have quarterly and semestral reports. Each report will contain quantitative as well as qualitative information for students (and parents) to know about the students’ performance in the various subjects they are taking. Parent information sessions, workshops, curriculum events and interviews are held regularly throughout the year. Parents are welcome to contact the school to arrange for teacher interviews at other mutually convenient times.

Are there external examinations?
Students in the Primary School will be prepared to take the Cambridge Primary Checkpoint tests in Grade 6.
Students entering secondary school at Grade 7 will progressively be prepared for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses and take the external examinations conducted by CIE at the end of Grade 10.
Grade 11 students embark on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) (full diploma or otherwise) and sit for their external examinations at the end of Grade 12.

Does the School conduct national examinations?
As regulated by Permendikbud No. 31/2014, all Indonesian citizens students at 'Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama (SPK) school, including ACS Jakarta' must sit the National Examination starting from the school year 2015/2016 onward. The computer-based examination will be conducted at the school.
 

What is the average class size?
The maximum number is 24 to 25 students. The average class size is currently 20.

Does the School cater for special needs students?
We are unfortunately unable to cater for special needs students.

What are the school hours like for my child?
Students are expected to be in school by 7.25am. Generally, the start of the day will see all students attending morning assembly with their respective schools (or as a whole school). Lessons will begin from 7.50am and students in the Kindergarten will be dismissed at 12 noon, Grades 1 – 6 at 2.30pm, Grades 7 – 12 at 3.30pm. Each day, after their respective dismissal times, Co-curricular Activities will commence.

How many periods are there in a normal school day and the duration of each period?
Primary students function on a 45-period week (average 9 study periods per school day) and secondary students function on 49-54 period week (average 10 to 11 study periods per school day). In addition, there are two breaks for the students – Snack Time and Lunch Break. Each period/break is 35 minutes.

What is the policy on ages of students and the Grades they are placed in?
Kindergarten A students must be 4 years of age by 31 October in the year of entry Kindergarten B students must be 5 years of age by 31 October in the year of entry. Grade 1 students must be 6 years of age by 31 October in the year of entry. For Grade 2 through to Grade 10, students are placed in a Grade compatible with their age and on evidence of successful completion of the preceding Grade or year.

Can the nanny or the mother accompany their kindergarten children into class?
We have found that young children quickly bond with the Early Childhood staff and other children if they are not accompanied by their mother or nanny. For this reason we discourage parents and/or nannies coming into the class with their children. We do ask that a parent or a nanny be present in the school for the first few days of the school year just in case the child is particularly distressed. In this case parents/nannies will be invited into class – but this is hardly ever needed.
 

What are the qualifications and experience of teachers, both expatriates and Indonesian?
The school has implemented a policy that teachers must have a university degree, a teaching qualification (or working towards one) and a level of English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5. Expatriate teachers must have international experience.

Do you have expatriate teachers?
Yes. Experienced expatriate teachers are recruited from Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, the U.K., the U.S and Vietnam. Our mainstream English Language classes are all taught by qualified expatriate teachers from the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In our recruitment of teachers, we make an effort to recruit local teachers who have studied overseas and obtained their educational/teaching qualifications. Together with the expatriate teachers, they form about 75% of our teaching faculty.

From time to time, all our teachers receive in-service training and attend professional development courses to upgrade themselves and keep abreast with educational developments in the world.

How do the Indonesian and expatriate teachers work together?
Teaching is collegial throughout the school. This means that all teachers must work to produce the best learning for students. Sometimes there will be instruction by one teacher and at other times the instruction will be given by 2 or more teachers.

Will ACS schools in Singapore accept students from ACS Jakarta?
The Singapore ACS schools will be more familiar with our standards than those of other schools. However, as with all schools worldwide, enrolments will depend on the vacancies they have and on their own entrance requirements and tests.

If I want my child to study in Singapore/other countries, will he/she be able to meet the standards required?
Parents should find out information about admission to institutions overseas, what is required and the curriculum which these institutions have adopted. They may differ from the curriculum which the School has adopted and implemented. However, we know that the differences are not likely to be great and in most cases, our students may have covered more. Nevertheless, it would be better to seek advice from the respective Vice-Principals or the Executive Principal early so that they could advise you accordingly.

What courses are available to students after completing Grade 10?
Our students having sat and completed their IGCSE at Grade 10 and if their results permit, they could continue their schooling with us and undertake the IBDP (full or otherwise) in Grades 11 and 12. Others leave at the end of Grade 10 or 11 and do the GCE “A” Level, enter University Foundation courses (e.g. in Australia) or go for further studies (e.g. do a two-year Community College course in the U.S., followed by 2-year U.S. University degree course).

Where can IB Diploma (full or otherwise) students apply to after Grade 12?
After successful completion of the IBDP (full or otherwise) students may apply to universities worldwide as the IB Diploma (full or otherwise) is recognized around the world. Students still need to check with individual universities as the requirements differ from university to university. Students who wish to study in the Indonesian universities require their school reports and certificates legalized through us.

To provide a fuller picture of our students’ bright prospects after an ACS Jakarta education, here are some of the universities that our recently graduated students (IBDP 2023) have gained entry into: Harvard University, University of Oxford, Berkeley University of California, University of Pennsylvania, Imperial College London, Stanford University, University of Warwick, Northwestern University, University of California Los Angeles, University of British Columbia, New York University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin Madison, University of Wageningen, University of Melbourne, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Korean Advance Institute of Science and Technology, etc.

What is the Parents Support Group (PSG)?
The PSG is a group of parents who meet regularly to organise activities and seminars that engage and inform parents on topical issues and raise support for the school. All parents of students enrolled in the school are automatically part of the PSG and can participate in its activities. The School will set aside a budget for the PSG Committee to function and operate.

How active is the PSG?
The PSG always does its best to support and be involved in all activities of the school. It continually provides feedback for the School and is a partner in nurturing the students of the School.