MIS was established in 1983 to provide an international standard of education for the children of expatriates working in South Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia. In 1991 the school was formally licensed by the Indonesian Government as an International School. In 2006, adapting to changes in Government policy and the make-up of the Makassar community, MIS opened its doors to Indonesian students.

In 2008 MIS decided to standardise its aims and curricula around the internationally-recognised University of Cambridge IGCSE system of international qualifications. Although IGCSE exams are taken at 16, preparation starts as early as primary grade 1. Also to this aim, the school strengthened its Kindergarten program with the introduction of the highly effective Jolly Phonics reading and writing program widely used in UK state schools.

To cap of a busy year, MIS moved into our newly-completed, purpose-built accommodation, which is described below.

Our Facilities

MIS are based in a newly-completed, four story, purpose-built building in the city centre, close to Makassar’s picturesque Pantai Losari sea front.

Large classrooms for play group, Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2 are bright, colouful and well organised. The open-plan design, ideal for kineasthetic activity, is also subtly subdivided into into separate activity areas to reinforce routine and variety. The rooms are fully-equipped with a range of tactile and multi-sensory learning materials, toys, games and puzzles and books and audio visual resources.

In our primary and secondary classrooms our aim is to create a resource-rich and multi-media environment conducive to both interaction and cooperation, independence and multi-sensory learning. Standard contents include an internet-capable laptop and TV / DVD player and LCD projector for audio visual material. The tables and seating arrangements are flexible to accommodate individual work, small group work and whole group discussion.

Our IT Centre contains fully-networked and internet-capable student PC terminals and a large collection of CD Rom educational software for all levels and ages, including publications such as DK, Rosetta Stone and Jumpstart. IT is considered a core subject, both in its own right and as an extention of other subjects in the form of internet research for projects, presentational requirements for homework and classwork and targetted CD Rom practice of subject material.

Our library contains an extensive collection (over 5000 items) of English language books for ages. Facilities include TV with VHS video, current subscription to a cable TV that includes such channels as Discovery, BBC World and The Disney Channel. We encourage our children to use the library regularly and library slots are included within the timetable. We emphasise independent research in all subjects, as well as the importance of reading for pleasure.

In addition to our large multi-purpose sports hall for basketball, badminton and general PE, our building also has the use of a swimming pool. Regular and fully supervised swimming lessons are had by all classes, starting at playgroup / toddler level.

Our Approach and Philosophy

As a small, multi-ethnic and very close-knit community with a homeschool atmosphere, we hope that life at MIS instills in our students the importance of ...

• going beyond passive 'rote learning' and into practical exemplification and application of knowledge and problem-solving.
• encouraging student self-responsibility and independence through developing self-study abilities such as note taking and research skills.
• developing not just subject knowledge but also the language ability to actively explain that knowledge.
• emphasising the importance of IT across all subject areas.
• learning through multiple-intelligences, by using a range of classroom resources and activities beyond the text book.
• emphasising the importance of writing skill for all purposes both in and out of lessons and of developing a writing habit in our students.
• maintaining a partnership in learning between school and parents, whereby important aspects of home life such as TV time, English language exposure, positive habits such as reading for pleasure and the maintenance of physical health and well-being are actively advised and encouraged.
• developing in our students an innate empathy and understanding of all cultures, religions and races and also a system of 'balanced values' regarding family, religion, academic aims, home life, career aspirations and all other interests