Sekolah SPK, or Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama, is a school in Indonesia that is organized or managed through an official partnership between an Indonesian Education Institution (LPI) and a Foreign Education Institution (LPA) that is already accredited or recognized in its home country. The term SPK replaced the label "international school," which was previously used widely by private schools across Indonesia.

Sekolah SPK is officially regulated under Permendikbud Number 31 of 2014 on Cooperation in the Organization and Management of Education by Foreign Education Institutions with Indonesian Education Institutions. Since this regulation took effect, every school in Indonesia that once carried the international label has been required to change its status to SPK or revert to being a regular national school. This change was designed to keep schools using foreign curricula under the supervision of the national education system.

For parents considering an internationally standardized education for their child, understanding SPK status matters because it directly affects legality, curriculum, and diploma recognition. The following sections explain the characteristics, requirements, and advantages of sekolah SPK in more detail.

What Is Sekolah SPK

In simple terms, SPK is a formal cooperation between a school in Indonesia and a credible foreign education institution. This partnership can take the form of shared curriculum, teaching methods, or international certification, yet it still operates under Indonesian education law.

Before Permendikbud Number 31 of 2014 was issued, many schools in Indonesia freely used the term "international" without clear government oversight. The regulation was introduced to ensure that every school using a foreign curriculum remains subject to Indonesian education rules, including reporting obligations and quality supervision.

Since then, the term "international school" is no longer used officially. Schools that want to keep an internationally standardized curriculum must change their status to SPK, while those that do not meet the requirements return to operating as ordinary national schools. This shift also gives parents a clearer benchmark for judging a school's credibility, since a formal SPK status is harder to claim without a genuine partnership with an accredited foreign institution.

Characteristics of Sekolah SPK

The following characteristics set sekolah SPK apart from both regular national schools and national plus schools. They relate to curriculum, learning environment, and official government supervision.

Combined National and International Curriculum

Sekolah SPK applies a curriculum from a foreign education institution that is already recognized in its home country, such as Cambridge or the International Baccalaureate. Even so, the school is still required to teach three national subjects: Religious Education, Pancasila and Civic Education for Indonesian citizen students, and Bahasa Indonesia for all students, including foreign nationals.

Bilingual Learning Environment

English generally serves as the main language of instruction at sekolah SPK. This helps students grow accustomed to global communication from an early age. At the same time, Bahasa Indonesia remains a compulsory subject for Indonesian citizen students, so national identity is preserved alongside the international curriculum.

Official Recognition and Accreditation

Sekolah SPK must hold an A accreditation from BAN-S/M as one of the main requirements for obtaining this status. Beyond that, the entire process of organizing and managing the school remains under the supervision of Kemendikbud, from licensing through periodic evaluation.

Requirements for a School to Obtain SPK Status

Not every school can simply adopt SPK status. Several requirements must be met, including:

• Holding an A accreditation that proves the school meets eight national education standards
• Establishing a formal partnership with a foreign education institution that is accredited or recognized in its home country
• Following the full licensing procedure set by Kemendikbud, including submitting a recommendation from the relevant local government

This process ensures that any school carrying SPK status genuinely meets quality standards, rather than simply using the international label to attract parents.

Difference Between Sekolah SPK and National Plus Schools

Many parents still equate SPK with national plus schools, even though the two differ fundamentally in legal status and curriculum.

Sekolah SPK is tightly regulated by the government under Permendikbud Number 31 of 2014, covering everything from the licensing process to regular quality supervision. The school is also required to follow the national curriculum for three compulsory subjects, even though most of its learning content follows a foreign curriculum.

National plus schools, on the other hand, generally use the national curriculum as their main foundation, then add international content as a supplement, such as stronger English instruction or student exchange programs, without being bound by a formal partnership with a foreign institution the way SPK schools are.

This difference matters to parents because it affects the type of diploma a child receives after graduating. Diplomas from sekolah SPK generally follow a clearer recognition standard since they fall under the direct supervision of Kemendikbud, while diplomas from national plus schools need to be checked more carefully depending on the curriculum each school uses.

Advantages of Choosing Sekolah SPK for Your Child

Now that the definition and the differences are clear, here are the concrete benefits students gain from attending a school with SPK status.

Global Competence with a National Foundation

Students at sekolah SPK build academic skills and ways of thinking that match international standards, without losing their identity as part of the Indonesian nation. This combination makes them better prepared to compete globally, both in further studies and in the workforce.

Opportunities to Study Abroad

The international curriculum used at sekolah SPK is generally more readily accepted by universities abroad, since its assessment system and competency standards are already recognized globally. For students who want to continue to a public university in Indonesia, a diploma from sekolah SPK can also still be used once it has gone through the official recognition process from the government, so students do not need to worry about losing access to state universities.

Sampoerna Academy as an Example of Sekolah SPK in Indonesia

Sampoerna Academy is one example of a sekolah SPK in Indonesia that holds this official status at the elementary, middle, and high school levels across its various campuses. The school combines a national curriculum with an international curriculum centered on the STEAM approach, so students not only excel academically but are also trained to think critically and creatively from an early age.

The learning environment at Sampoerna Academy is designed to prepare students for global education, from strong English proficiency to exposure to international competitions and activities. With its SPK status, parents can feel more confident knowing the school operates according to official standards and government supervision.

Want to give your child an internationally standardized education that still stays rooted in national values? Visit Sampoerna Academy and consult your child's education needs with our admissions team.