Surabaya International School is located in a very new planned-community called Citra Raya, which considers itself to be an "independent city" with amenities such as housing, shopping, golf, and education and recreation centers. Citra Raya is located some distance from Surabaya proper (about a twenty to forty-five minute drive depending upon where you are going within the city).

SIS was founded in 1971 with the assistance of the United States Consulate in Surabaya, and the first group of students numbered only 24. Several campus sites have been occupied in its fairly brief history, but the current campus was opened in August of 1995. The campus has four computer labs, three science labs, gym, 50-meter swimming pool, soccer field, music and art rooms, and over 40 classrooms. The campus was designed to hold approximately 700 students.

SIS students come from all over the world, and have a variety of educational backgrounds and interests. The total number of nationalities represented this year is 24, with students from Korea, Republic of China, Australia, Great Britain, United States, Philippines, India and Indonesia being the larger minorities in the student body.