It was established in 1951 for expatriate students living in Jakarta and is the largest international primary and secondary school in Indonesia.

[7] Due to an increased international presence in Jakarta, the school moved into newer facilities at its Pattimura campus in 1953.

[7] Architectural and engineering practice International Design Consultants (IDC) was commissioned to build additional facilities for the school.

Cilandak Games[21]: An annual competition amongst the high school students hosted on campus, where teams correspond to grade level.

Each grade competes in various in-person and online activities such as Jenga Challenge, Escape Room, Among Us, Amazing Race, Banner Painting, Basketball, Jeopardy, Minute-To-Win-It, and Tug of War.

[22] The collection has a foreword by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and proceeds were donated to a school-rebuilding program.

[23] The funds raised by JIS Peduli went towards a new community high school on the campus of Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh.

In 1998, the school year ended early due to riots leading up to President Suharto's resignation, during which time most expatriate families were evacuated from the country.

[27][28] JIS was also on the target list of the terrorist group responsible for the 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing, which killed 13 people.

[30] According to the head of the Australian International School in Jakarta, JIS received $2 million in US government security assistance in 2004.

[14] From May 2005 to June 2008, counterterrorism officials stated their belief that the threat of a terrorist attack in Jakarta had diminished, although authorities continued to stress the need for vigilance.

[37] Several cleaners who previously admitted to the charges recanted, claiming that police had used physical violence to make them confess.

[39] Once the civil suit against the school for US$125 million was denied by the Jakarta court[40] the two accused teachers were subsequently freed from jail.

[42] Based on information provided by Canadian and UK news media in July 2019, it would appear that one of the accused has been granted clemency and has returned home to Canada.

[43][44] The case was considered by some to be flawed[45] with "malicious prosecution" or "investigation with evil purpose"[46] while one of the accused cleaners died in custody with signs of violence.