Q. What type of school is Surabaya International School?
A. SIS is an international school following primarily an American system and is currently an International Baccalaureate (PYP) candidate school.
Q. What universities will accept Surabaya International School graduates?
A. SIS graduates go on to study in some of the best universities throughout the U.S., Singapore, Australia, and student host countries. There is a sample list of universities SIS graduates have attended on the school profile page.
Q. Can students from Indonesia enroll in Surabaya International School?
A. Yes. The school currently enrolls a significant numbers of host country nationals. Indonesian students need to follow the enrollment instructions posted on the admissions procedure page. It is important to note that SIS does not follow the Indonesian schools' curriculum and thus does not prepare students for the National Examination, UNAS.
Q. Does Surabaya International School provide an education from early childhood through high school graduation?
A. Yes, we have a complete program beginning with an early child program from age 3 through high school graduation at age 18.
Q. Is SIS an accredited institution?
A. Most definitely. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) which accredits over 4,000 schools in the U.S. and Asia. SIS is the only school in Surabaya accredited by WASC or any U.S. based agency.
Q. Who oversees the school?
A. As a Yayasan (Foundation), the school is overseen by a four person Board of Managers who are appointed by a seven member Board of Patrons who are all parents of students at SIS.
Q. Who manages the school?
A. The school is managed by the Superintendent who is appointed by the seven member Board of Patrons.
Q. Is SIS a for-profit school?
A. Most definitely not. The school runs on a zero budget meaning all money taken in by the school must be used exclusively for the school. Parents can be assured that no one but their children, through a quality education, will profit from the school.
Q. What is the basis for your fee structure?
A. We build our budget from the beginning every year. We look at all of our costs, both fixed and variable, and then look at what fees are necessary to meet these costs. For several years now we have been able to meet our costs with no fee increases. Recently, however, the cost of doing business in Indonesia has increased such that it was necessary to raise our fees slightly. Let's analyze the cost of a quality education:
- A majority of our teachers have Masters degrees from US universities. These are teachers with, on average, many years of teaching experience. They are native speakers of English. They use up-to-date methodologies and they are familiar with working with children with dreams of studying abroad. Staff development keeps them current with the latest teaching practices. Hiring quality, experienced teachers is an expensive proposition: Teachers' salaries and benefits, and teaching materials, library supplies, technology---all expenses in support of the actual teaching-learning process, account for about 2/3 of the school's budget.
- The facilities, fully air-conditioned, are second to none in Surabaya With large, bright and inviting classrooms, modern, fully-stocked science laboratories, a modern, responsive research library, Olympic-size swimming pool, double gymnasium, athletic field, theater, wired/wireless network infrastructure and modern canteen, SIS is a modern plant that needs constant attention. In addition to these "up front" items, the behind-the-scenes facilities include a tight, modern security system, our own generator system, a sewage-treatment system and manicured grounds you could "putt" on.
- Maintaining small class sizes requires a commitment to their expenses. By maintaining small class sizes, we are accepting that teacher contact with the students is worth the expense!
- The classroom materials are new, up to date, and field tested. Students are not charged for using the textbooks which are provided by the school.
- There is a high degree of state-of-the-art technology in the school. Students receive laptops for their use at no additional cost in addition to an online virtual school, shared network folders and school email.
- The campus itself is clean, pleasant and well-maintained. A fifteen-year-old campus costs money to maintain properly.
Q. Doesn't it seem as if there are many holidays?
A. While SIS does seem to have quite a few holidays, parents should not worry that their children are missing educational opportunities. The Board requires that school be in session 178 days per year. While we take the Indonesian holidays as well as six in-service days and two parent-conference days, we still MUST HAVE 178 days of school. A word about in-service days: these are school days for the teachers. With the many ongoing innovations which SIS offers, it is necessary to keep the teachers current.
Q. Is the school inclined to any specific religion?
A. No, Surabaya International School is a non-sectarian school.
Q. Is religion as a subject taught at any level in the school? (It does not include general reference to all religions for the sake of general knowledge?)
A. Religion as a subject is not taught at Surabaya International School. Students get information about the various religions through their normal classes, but in all cases, students are taught tolerance and respect for beliefs which may not mirror their own.
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