Sekolah Pelita Harapan is a private Christian international school with five campuses in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2017, it was one of the most expensive schools in the country.
History
Sekolah Pelita Harapan was founded in 1993 by two Indonesian businessmen, Johannes Oentoro and James Riady. The first SPH campus, built in 1993, is located in Tangerang in the city of Lippo Village. It was followed by campuses in Sentul City in 1994 and Lippo Cikarang in 1995. Kemang Village opened in 2011 and Pluit Village in 2014.
Programs
Sekolah Pelita Harapan offers International Baccalaureate and Cambridge programs, from kindergarten to grade 12 with above average IB results each year. In Lippo Village and Sentul City, the schools offer IB programs for the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma. The Kemang Village and Pluit Village schools offer the Cambridge program until Grade 10 then IB from Grades 11 to 12.
Co-Curriculars
SPH offers co-curricular activities including student newspapers, musical performances, art shows, mock trials, debate competitions, mathematics, robotics, and engineering teams. As well as a diverse sports program such as soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, rugby, taekwondo, swimming, and badminton.
Summer Program
Sekolah Pelita Harapan offers a two-week summer program for students.
Facilities
The schools have facilities such as classrooms, gymnasiums, swimming pools, sports fields, libraries, science and technology laboratories, music facilities, art studios and dance studios. SPH Sentul City also has a boarding house to cater to students from outside the Jakarta area.
Campuses
Lippo Village
The first SPH campus, built in 1993 at Lippo Village.
It includes facilities such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, full-size soccer fields, technology workshop, science labs, libraries and more.
Around 1000 students with 93% Indonesian and 7% expatriate families.
International Baccalaureate program from kindergarten to grade 12.
Sports programs include soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, rugby, tae kwon do, swimming, badminton, student council, speech club, and more.
Sentul City
Founded in 1994 in Sentul City, a satellite town south of Jakarta, near Bogor.
10 hectares of grounds with facilities such as a gymnasium, swimming pool, fields, science labs, and a library.
Music programs starting in primary school including choir, piano, strings, guitar and traditional Indonesian instruments.
A sports program including soccer, basketball, swimming, and volleyball.
Featuring a Student Residence on campus. Provides boarding.
Lippo Cikarang
Founded in 1995, located east of Jakarta in Bekasi, in a housing complex at Lippo Cikarang.
Located in 6 hectares of grounds with facilities such as a gymnasium, swimming pool, fields, science labs, library and more.
Around 250 students with 50% Indonesian and 50% Expatriate families.
Utilizes the Cambridge curriculum up to grade 10 and the IB Diploma for grades 11-12.
English is the language of instruction with Indonesian compulsory for all and Korean also an option.
A music program in strings, choir and various instruments including traditional Indonesian.
Sports options including soccer, basketball, swimming and badminton.
Kemang Village
Founded in 2011 in Kemang Village, South Jakarta.
A 17,000 m2 facility with a full-size gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, outdoor court, performing arts theatre, science labs, library, canteen and more.
Around 500 students with 65% Indonesian and 35% Expatriate families.
Utilizes the Cambridge curriculum up to grade 10 and the IB Diploma for grades 11-12.
English is the language of instruction; Indonesian and Mandarin are compulsory through grade 8; Korean is offered in grades 9-12.
Classroom music program with options for choir, band, and strings.
A sports program including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Pluit Village
Opened in 2014 and is now up to grade 9 and continuing to develop.
Facilities of 6,000 m2 in Pluit Village Mall complex with library, labs, music room, canteen and play space.
280 Indonesian students from the surrounding area.
Utilizes the Cambridge curriculum.
Mandarin program with English as the language of instruction and Indonesian compulsory.
Music program of choir and band with a string program are in the works.
Sports program with soccer and basketball.
Notable alumni
- known as NIKI, Indonesian singer Agnes Monica - known as Agnez Mo, Indonesian singer
Controversies
In the last few years, the school has faced numerous controversies. It came on fire in late 2016 for the underpayment of its national teachers and racial discrimination against staff, which led to the exit of twelve of its Senior School teachers. It has also faced numerous protests among parents and students alike for the hike in tuition prices, which came around the same time that many in the community saw as a marked decline in the quality of education, especially in the wake of many teachers leaving. In the same year, the school's discriminatory policies were exemplified when the administration intervened in the Student Council elections by not permitting a non-Christian student to serve as the Council's president. In 2017, its former Principal, James Anderson, was accused by several students and staff of inappropriate behavior and conduct in the workplace. Amidst scandals, Anderson exited the school under mysterious circumstances. In 2018, the school's founder, James Riady, who was earlier indicted by the federal government of the United States for campaign finance violations to the Democratic Party, was charged by the Indonesian government for corruption.
