Location : RA. Kartini Street No. 12 Timuran, Banjarsari, Surakarta, Central Java

Designation Decree : SK Walikota Surakarta No. 432.2/310 Tahun 2019

The history of the SMPN 3 Surakarta complex is closely tied to the existence of SMPN 10 and SMPN 5 Surakarta. All three were originally part of the Mangkunegaran Palace’s property. On July 1, 1927, the school was officially inaugurated as a girls’ secondary school called Van Deventer School by Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Timur together with Mangkunegara VII, along with the opening of HIS Siswa (now SMPN 3).

Mangkunegara VII had a strong vision to educate the nation, which led him to establish many schools, especially elementary schools. His close relationship with Mr. Conrad Theodor van Deventer, a Dutch figure known for advocating ethical policy in the Dutch East Indies, inspired him to name the girls' school “Van Deventer School.” This school was intended for girls aged 12 to 15 and focused on teaching domestic and life skills, such as cooking, sewing, ironing, embroidery, and batik-making.

According to the Government Decree of the Republic Indonesia No. 1254/B/50 of the year 1950, the former Van Deventer School building was officially designated as the place for teaching and learning activities for SMPN 3 and SMPN 10 Surakarta.