The School Locations

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.

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.

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.