Founder Message
Jaspal Sidhu
Founder
“SIS was established in 1996 with the support of respected individuals from the Singapore government and Raffles Institution. SIS subscribes to the Singapore education system because of its disciplined approach to educational pedagogy. It is also responsive to changes in the world. No wonder it ranks number one in the world, based on the latest PISA rankings. Today with our schools in almost all major cities in Indonesia and the region, we look to promote 21st century skills in this unpredictable world. My dream is to make all SIS schools accessible to as many people as possible in this lovely archipelago.”
Aditya Bharat Shah
“In SIS Group, I am deeply aware of the immense responsibility we carry. Therefore, my vision for SIS Group is twofold – vertical growth and horizontal expansion. Vertically, we will become a comprehensive educational ecosystem, offering offline and online learning platforms, language programs, and teacher training initiatives. This will cater to diverse learning styles, broaden access to quality education, and empower educators to become agents of positive change. Horizontally, we will expand across borders, bringing our unique blend of values-based and technology-integrated education to students worldwide. This expansion will be mindful, ensuring affordability and cultural sensitivity, so we can create a truly international learning community. This is the future we strive to create, one student, one school, one nation at a time.”
The SIS Journey Timeline
1995
Conception of a Vision
Inspired by Singapore’s educational excellence, Singaporean business leaders in Indonesia envisioned a Singapore-style school in Jakarta for expatriates and local families, following discussions with Singapore’s national leadership on bringing this model abroad.
1996
SIS is Born
Jaspal Sidhu, a Singaporean, embarks on a mission to make quality education affordable and accessible in Indonesia. With support from his alma mater, Raffles Institution — Singapore’s premier school and the alma mater of founding father Lee Kuan Yew — the first SIS school opens in Jakarta.
1998
The May Riots, Schools Close
Riots erupt across Indonesia, toppling President Suharto and disrupting schools. SIS stays connected with students, supports safety and evacuation, and keeps learning going through technology during the national crisis.
2002
A Defining Year
SIS relocates to South Jakarta, transforming an unfinished clubhouse into a modern IGCSE-accredited campus, and expands with new schools in Kelapa Gading (North Jakarta) and Kebon Jeruk (West Jakarta).
2003
Expanding Horizons
Responding to demand from major Indonesian cities, SIS partners with the World Bank Group (IFC) and opens its first school outside Jakarta in Medan (North Sumatra), while introducing Middle and High School levels across all campuses.
2004
Compassion in Crisis
After the Aceh tsunami, SIS supports relief efforts with partners like Rotary, while expanding with new campuses in Pantai Indah Kapuk (North Jakarta) and Cilegon (Banten), bringing affordable international education to more communities.
2005
Strengthening Presence in Indonesia
With rising enrolments, SIS relocates its Kelapa Gading campus to a new site and expands further by opening a new school in Semarang (Central Java).
2006
Leadership Collaboration
SIS forms its first Leadership Council of Head Teachers, creating a collaborative platform for principals to share best practices, learn together, and strengthen leadership across all schools.
2007
First SIS Olympics
SIS launches the SIS Olympics to unite schools, strengthen alumni and community ties, and promote competitive sports across multiple disciplines.
2008
Education Through Crisis
The global financial crisis impacts economies worldwide, including Indonesia. SIS responds by launching scholarships to help many in its community continue their education journey.
2012
Affordable Education, Global Reach
SIS opens in Palembang (South Sumatra) to meet demand for affordable quality education in Sumatra, and expands overseas with SIS Gwangju in South Korea following strong parent interest.
2014
Three World-Class Curricula
SIS adopts the IB Programme, becoming Southeast Asia’s only school group offering Singapore, Cambridge, and IB curricula, fully integrated with local values.
2016
Refining Brand, Mission & Vision
SIS refines its brand, mission, and vision to reflect growth, align with evolving needs, inspire, connect, and guide communities toward lasting impact.
2018
National Impact
SIS renames its Management Team as the Support Team to strengthen guidance, collaboration, and transparency, and launches a series of Public–Private Partnership programmes to deepen its impact in the communities it serves.
2019
Global Awards, National Voice
SIS earns global recognition from the World Bank Group (IFC) and Financial Times for transformative impact, and later joins a national think tank advising Indonesia’s education leaders.
2020
Innovation & ASEAN Expansion
Amid COVID-19, SIS enrolment grows through its outstanding online programmes. It adopts life skills (PACE) as its Desired Student Learning Outcomes, strengthens its Active Learning approach, and develops the unique EFFECTOR model to transform teacher recruitment and development. SIS expands overseas to Myanmar, marking its next step into ASEAN.
2021
India Expansion & Global Recognition
SIS is recognised by Capital Finance International (London) as Southeast Asia’s Best International Education Institution, featured in Singapore’s Business Times for delivering top education at non-prohibitive costs, and expands its regional presence with new campuses in Chennai and Mumbai (India).
2022
Setting a Sustainability Benchmark
SIS’ environmentally driven design philosophy and UNSDG-aligned curriculum gain global recognition as SIS Chennai becomes India’s first school to earn the World Bank Group (IFC) Advanced EDGE certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainable campuses and student environmental awareness.
2023
Schools of Tomorrow
SIS unveils a five-point progressive design philosophy for all its schools — Community, Future-Ready, Resilient, Green, and Model Schools — ensuring future campuses become exceptional learning environments, while expanding into Surabaya (East Java) through the acquisition of an existing campus.
2024
From Early Learning to Global Leadership
SIS opens its first stand-alone preschool in Sedayu (North East Jakarta), expands to Bandung (West Java), and is uniquely invited to present at Cambridge’s Global Leadership Conference. Meanwhile, OECD’s PISA rankings reaffirm Singapore as the world’s number one education system.
2025
A Defining Year of Global Recognition and Growth
■ Cambridge praises SIS in an independent audit.
■ SIS is selected by President Prabowo’s education foundation to train public-school teachers and is invited by the Government of Rwanda and Samsung’s leadership to share its success story.
Our Brands
In our digital age, a website serves as the virtual storefront of an organization, offering a glimpse into its identity, values, and achievements. For SIS, the decision to showcase three distinct logos on our website is rooted in our commitment to transparency and each logo represents a unique trade name under which we operate schools, all registered under the umbrella of Southgate. This intentional display is a testament to our global recognition and the impact we’ve made under these three distinctive banners.
Global Recognition
The use of three logos underscores our global reach and recognition under these distinct trade names. Whether our schools operate under either of the 3 trade names we take pride in being recognized across the world for our commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development. This intentional display is a declaration that, regardless of the trade name, the quality of education and the values we uphold remain consistent.
Legal Compliance and Trademark Protection
Each logo showcased on our website represents a trade name that is legally registered under Southgate globally. This not only assures our stakeholders of the authenticity and legality of our operations but also serves as a reminder that we operate with the necessary legal approvals and protections, instilling confidence in our students, parents, and partners. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or modification of these Trademarks is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. If you become aware of any unauthorized use or infringement of our Trademarks, please promptly notify us at [email protected]. We appreciate your assistance in maintaining the integrity of our brand.
Our Academic Programme
At SIS we believe that all children are natural learners. They just need to be engaged in a manner that’s right for them. Through years of experience, we have hence designed an ecosystem that brings out the best in each student.
Inspired by Indonesia’s potential and Singapore’s ever-evolving methodology, our network of schools offer the Singapore, Cambridge and IB curriculum in a family-like environment that prioritises personalised learning.
With an unparalleled proficiency in English, Math, Science enriched by the humanities, regional languages and the Arts, we equip our students with the fundamentals to thrive on their own terms – now, and for the future.
Our 5 Core Values
Our Desired Student Learning Outcomes
Our United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Good Health And Well-Being
Quality Education
Read More
Gender Equality
Clean Water And Sanitation
Affordable And Clean Energy
Responsible Consumption And Production
Life Below Water
Read More
Life On Land
Read More
Accreditation and Partnerships
Our Students
In SIS, learning is all about inspiring the student. We just don’t teach here. Instead we mentor, stimulate, provoke and engage, in a holistic nurturing environment. All kids are natural learners; they just need to be engaged in a manner that’s right for them to discover their talents and interests. We offer a family like environment with emphasis on academic proficiency but also enriched by languages and the Arts in an ecosystem that brings out the best in each student. At SIS, not only do we show children the path, we walk alongside them.
Nikita Mawarni
In her own words, Nikita shares how SIS became more than a school. It was a place where learning went beyond the classroom, where she was encouraged to take risks, build ideas, make mistakes, and grow from them.
Madeline
With the support of her teachers, the encouragement of friends, and opportunities that pushed her to achieve more, Madeline discovered not only knowledge, but also resilience, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.
Jin Hoo
Guided by dedicated teachers, supported by friends, and inspired by meaningful opportunities, Jin Hoo gained not only knowledge but also resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Parent Support Group
Our parents believe great communication is at the heart of active, fully engaged school life and our PSG play an active role in this daily engagement. Our teachers prioritise personalised learning techniques and our parents see their role as to support the teaching and learning process in the school and at home. Our progressive, passionate parents and family members are committed to empowering our children to step into the future with confidence.
