THE SCHOOLS

The legal ownership of MZIS belongs to PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) and this is outlined in the Yayasan Pendidikan Jayawijaya (YPJ Foundation) license agreement #43 (dated 26/4/1976) between PTFI and the Indonesian Government. PTFI has ownership and financial control of the school, and is also responsible for ensuring that the policies and procedures adopted by the school are congruent with PTFI policies.

MZIS offers an internationally-based curriculum to students from pre-school through grade 8. MZIS’s two physical sites operate exclusively for expatriates, and are funded in full by PTFI, whose company headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona. PTFI is informed of the school’s decision making processes via the Superintendent and the Executive, a self perpetuating, company appointed group, which includes members of PTFI senior management.

PTFI is extremely supportive of MZIS both financially and in terms of resources, and views the school not only as a quality educational institution, but also as a significant contributor to Jobsite’s quality of life, which helps attract and retain PTFI employees and their families.

Kuala Kencana from the Air

The KK school site opened in 1996 and is a relatively new collection of spacious classrooms and covered areas which were specifically designed as a school, is fully air-conditioned, and very well equipped. The school has access to an Olympic sized swimming pool, covered basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, and a spacious football pitch.

The TPRA school site was opened in 1972, when PTFI began its mining operation. MZIS TPRA used to be known as "the most remote International School on the planet" and while there may be other remote International Schools, MZIS TPRA is truly isolated. It is a single building which houses all grade levels, sandwiched between the YPJ (local Indonesian schools) Elementary and Secondary schools.

Due to its mountain setting, students at the MZIS TPRA site need to find alternative means of exercise. Riding bikes in TPRA is prohibited and walking/hiking at such an altitude can be taxing. Consequently, TPRA students take full advantage of the Company-provided facilities. There is an adjacent covered outdoor play area shared with YPJ. MZIS students also have access to sporting facilities such as an indoor pool, a covered recreation hall (basketball, tennis, etc…) and a football pitch which is covered in artificial turf. MZIS TPRA, like KK is very well equipped with school supplies, computers, etc…

The Tembagapura School

The KK site has a current enrollment of 34 students PS-8 and the TPRA site has a current enrollment of 87 students, PS-8. MZIS operates mixed age group classes and depending on the year and enrollment the age mix changes.

Overall responsibility for MZIS operations lies with the Superintendent. The Superintendent is supported by a Principal at the TPRA site, who is in charge of the day to day activities of that site. School policy, operations and management are overseen by the Executive.

The Western Associations of Schools & Colleges first accredited the school in 1993 and the school has held continuous accreditation since that time.

In addition to WASC accreditation, MZIS was authorized in May 2008 to deliver the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate. This framework is particularly well suited to smaller international schools like MZIS. Thus, within the PYP framework, staff have created a trans-disciplinary curriculum which is relevant, challenging, and engaging for learners from ages 3-14.

MZIS is a Company-owned and governed school which exists for the educational needs of PTFI’s expatriate families and PTFI’s designated affiliates. It operates under policies and procedures approved by PTFI Management. While Company management holds financial control, the school is governed by the Executive and administered by the Superintendent and the Principal.

The Superintendent oversees the activities at both sites and serves as the KK Principal. The Superintendent spends three days in the lowlands and two days in the highlands. The TPRA site has its own Principal who oversees the day to day operations of that site. At each site, weekly staff meetings are held to address day to day operations of the school.

The role of coordinating the IB Primary Years Programme is directed by the PYP coordinator, who resides in the lowlands, yet there is a co-coordinator in the highlands. These two individuals hold weekly PYP meetings with all staff to ensure that there is coordination of the PYP between sites. The PYP coordinator and co-coordinator liaise very closely with the Superintendent and the TPRA site Principal.

Currently, MZIS has 16 overseas hires, 2 part-time local hires, 2 Nationals who are "visiting teachers", 2 secretaries, and 4 janitors.

Both sites enjoy a very active Parent Teacher Association. Each PTA is democratically elected and meets once per term (PTA Executives meet more regularly). The PTA is often the springboard for ideas and activities in which the whole school participates. All PTA meetings are recorded with the minutes being circulated via e-mail and school newsletter.

MZIS students, with very few exceptions, come from dual parent, high income, English speaking homes set in active, well-appointed communities. Because of our location and the lack of specialized human resources available at jobsite, MZIS does not cater to students with moderate to severe learning needs. MZIS does, however, make accommodations for students with mild learning differences and ESL. Students come from many different countries and backgrounds and in terms of nationality, the student breakdown is:

As the Country of Origin table indicates, the MZIS student population is predominantly Australian and American and with this, there is a rising trend of children with dual cultural heritage, i.e., Australian/Indonesian, American/Indonesian parents. This mix has changed over the years, but has not had a significant effect on the school. One demographic that has had a dramatic change on the school is the age of the student population, as indicated in the following table.

Total student enrollment over the last several years has been on the increase, yet has fluctuated over the years and this has presented challenges at MZIS. The greatest challenge related to student enrollment is ensuring that MZIS maintains a viable programme, both academic and extracurricular, for the KK site.

Current total enrollment is approximately 121 students

Having students of different backgrounds is a strength that MZIS capitalizes upon. It is used as a catalyst for creating and fostering a "global identity" among the students. Many students at MZIS are from a dual cultural and linguistic heritage (namely Indonesian and Australian/American), and as such, the faculty recognizes the enormous impact this "dual identity" has on pedagogy. We strive to celebrate each student’s diversity, while, at the same time, espousing an English language, internationally oriented curriculum.

Tembagapura From The Air

A challenge for MZIS is its isolation from any major city center. The student body, like PTFI itself, is quite isolated and, consequently, normal Western-style standards of living and cultural/civic outlets are limited. Keeping in mind that MZIS’s primary focus is to promote global perspectives, provide memorable learning experiences, and instill appreciation for its host country, every opportunity is taken to promote inter-site communication and activities via whole-school field trips and events.

In Tembagapura

Thus, although the MZIS school sites are, in effect, isolated learning communities, the faculty and students find many ambitious, exciting, and academically-sound ways to take full advantage of their environment, and, as a result, students have historically found that, rather than being at a disadvantage after leaving MZIS, they are quite often more mature, globally mindful, and academically suited to their home country’s school environment.

MZIS enjoys a parent community which is very involved with and supportive of school activities (e.g., trips, sporting events, school programs). Additionally, many parents are more than willing to take part in school activities as either sponsors, co-facilitators, or chaperones.

There is a PTA at each site and they have helped establish a strong calendar of events that enhance the life of the students at MZIS. These events include: Halloween, End of Semester Performances a Christmas Dinner, Art Show, Tuck shop and Hot Lunch Fridays, Coordination of Scholastic Book Club orders, School / Community Triathlons, International Days and Quiz Nights.

Parent-teacher conferences and "learning journeys/showcases/work shares" enjoy very high attendance rates, and school-to-parent communication is promoted via weekly newsletters that keep parents abreast of school functions and expectations. Judging from all available data (both qualitative and quantitative) parents are pleased with MZIS.

Recent Parent surveys illustrate a high level of satisfaction with the school, and the overwhelming majority of parents feel that their input regarding school matters is treated as constructive and appropriately addressed by the school faculty.