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Bali is home to a range of international schools, each offering a different curriculum, teaching philosophy, and campus setting. For expat and relocating families, choosing the right school usually comes down to five practical factors:

• Curriculum
• Location
• Total cost
• Admissions availability
• Immigration requirements

For many families, choosing the school first and finding a home nearby afterwards makes everyday life easier. Bali’s traffic can turn a short distance on the map into a long school-run commute, so where you live matters just as much as which school you choose.

Explore family-friendly properties in Bali as you work through your shortlist.

What to Consider When Choosing an International School in Bali

Before comparing individual schools, it helps to run through the basics:

1. Curriculum: does it match your child’s current education and future plans?
2. Location: is the daily commute realistic at school-run times, not just off-peak?
3. Fees: what will you actually pay in the first year, not just the advertised tuition?
4. Admissions: is a place actually available for your child’s age and start date?
5. Immigration: what visa or KITAS arrangement applies to your child and family?

The sections below work through each of these in more detail.

1. Choose the Right Curriculum

Bali’s international schools follow a mix of curricula, so it is worth understanding the main pathways before narrowing your shortlist.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB can suit internationally mobile families and students who may eventually apply to universities in different countries. Bali Island School in Sanur is an IB Continuum school, authorised to teach the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme.

Canggu Community School’s primary years draw on the English National Curriculum and the Indonesian National Curriculum through an inquiry-based learning approach, and the school offers the IB Diploma Programme in its senior years.

Australian Curriculum

The Australian Independent School (AIS) Indonesia, Bali campus, follows the Australian Curriculum from the early years through Year 10, then offers a flexible IB Diploma pathway in Years 11 and 12. This can suit families who want an Australian-style foundation with an internationally recognised senior qualification.

British Curriculum

A British-style pathway generally leads towards IGCSE in the middle years and A Levels in the final two years of secondary school. British School of Bali, a newer school based in Ubud, follows the English National Curriculum and is progressively adding year levels as it grows.

Since new schools expand their offering over time, families interested in this pathway should confirm directly with the school which year levels and qualifications are currently available.

Other Approaches

Bali also has schools built around other philosophies, including sustainability and experiential education, such as the approach associated with Green School Bali in Abiansemal, alongside:

• Bilingual Indonesian-international programmes
• Montessori-influenced early years settings
• Project-based learning models

These can suit families looking for a different balance between academics and hands-on learning.

Key advice: check each school’s current accreditation, qualifications on offer, and whether the curriculum genuinely fits your child’s future education plans, directly with the school, since programmes and grade levels can change as schools grow.

2. Consider the School’s Location

School location matters more in Bali than it might elsewhere, mainly because of traffic. A route that takes fifteen minutes outside school hours can easily take forty minutes or more during morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up.

Canggu

A major expat hub with several international school options nearby, including Canggu Community School, though traffic on the area’s main access roads can be heavy at peak times.

Sanur

A quieter, more established area popular with families, and home to Bali Island School.

Denpasar

A more urban area with several established schools, including the AIS Indonesia campus in Bali, generally offering shorter commutes for families already based in or near the city.

Ubud and Abiansemal

Greener, inland areas that may appeal to families interested in creative, outdoor, or sustainability-focused education, including Green School Bali and the newer British School of Bali campus.

Uluwatu and the Bukit

Fewer school choices directly on the peninsula, but potentially convenient for families based there who are prepared to factor in a longer commute for schools elsewhere.

Key takeaway:

Choose the school first, then look for a home nearby. A short drive during quiet hours can become a much longer one during school drop-off and pick-up, so it is worth test-driving the actual route at real school times before committing to an area.

Explore family-friendly areas and properties in Bali once you have a shortlist of schools in mind.

3. Understand the Full Cost of International School

International school fees in Bali vary significantly by school and by grade, so it is worth checking each school’s own published figures rather than relying on one general range. It also helps to separate the advertised tuition fee from the total amount payable in the first year, which usually includes extra one-off and annual charges.

Based on each school’s own published 2026/27 fee schedules:

Bali Island School

Tuition alone for the 2026/27 school year runs from around IDR 55 million for a half-day preschool place up to around IDR 302 million for Grade 11 or 12. Once the Capital Levy is added, the total school fee ranges from about IDR 77 million to IDR 330 million per year, before any sibling or early-payment discounts.

New students also pay a one-off, non-refundable application fee, and current students pay an annual registration fee that is later deducted from tuition.

Canggu Community School

Published annual tuition for 2026/27 ranges from IDR 117 million (Early Years to Reception) to IDR 272 million (IB Diploma years). On top of tuition, families pay an annual Capital Levy and Materials and Resources Levy, plus one-off application and registration fees and a refundable notice deposit, so the total cost in the first year is meaningfully higher than the tuition figure alone.

AIS Indonesia, Bali Campus

Tuition for mainstream students in 2026 ranges from around IDR 46 million (Early Years, part-time) to approximately IDR 190.72 million (Year 11 or 12) on an annual basis. Including the Capital Levy and Materials and Resources Levy, the total annual school fee ranges from around IDR 52 million to approximately IDR 253.52 million.

New students also pay a one-off application fee and registration fee, plus a refundable enrollment notice deposit.

Green School Bali

Published 2026/27 tuition varies by grade and is available directly from the school. Families should also budget for a one-off application and registration fee of IDR 40 million per new student, plus an annual Local Scholar Program levy of IDR 8.5 million per family.

Beyond tuition, most schools also charge separately for some combination of uniforms, books and learning materials, transport, lunch, examination fees, and additional learning support. It is worth asking each school for a full first-year cost estimate rather than budgeting from the tuition fee alone.

Fees are reviewed and updated annually, so always confirm current figures directly with the school before making a decision.

4. Start the Admissions Process Early

Popular schools in Bali can have limited spaces or waiting lists, particularly for sought-after year levels and mid-year starts. A simple process to follow:

1. Shortlist schools by curriculum, location, age group, and budget.
2. Request the latest fee and admissions information directly from each school.
3. Arrange a school tour.
4. Submit school records and required documents.
5. Complete an assessment or interview if required.
6. Review the offer and pay the required enrollment amount.

It is worth asking each school directly about mid-year admissions, waiting lists, grade placement, language support, and re-enrolment policies, since these can vary by school and by year.

5. Check Immigration Requirements Separately

School admission and immigration status are two separate processes, and it is easy to assume that one automatically covers the other. It does not.

E30A is Indonesia’s student KITAS, and it relates to a child’s enrolment in a recognised primary or secondary education programme in Indonesia. Exactly which education levels, ages, and circumstances qualify is set by Indonesian immigration and can be applied on a case-by-case basis, so families with younger children in nursery, preschool, or kindergarten should not assume that enrolment automatically provides a student-KITAS route.

Because immigration requirements can change and are applied case by case, treat any information in this article, or elsewhere online, as a starting point only. Always confirm your family’s specific situation directly with the school’s admissions or visa team, official Indonesian immigration channels, or a qualified Indonesian immigration adviser before making relocation or enrollment decisions.

Choosing a School and a Home Together

Choosing the right school is only part of building a comfortable life in Bali. Where you live matters just as much, especially once school commutes, traffic, and everyday access to shops, clinics, and family activities become part of your daily routine.

Bali Coconut Living can help your family explore family-friendly neighbourhoods, properties close to suitable schools, and different areas of Bali, with villas and homes for sale and property viewings arranged around your family’s needs. Explore family-friendly properties in Bali, or discover the best areas for families in Bali, to start narrowing down the right location for your household.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do International Schools Cost in Bali?

Fees vary by school and grade. Based on official 2026/27 fee schedules, established schools generally charge tuition of roughly IDR 45 million to IDR 300 million per year, with additional levies, deposits, and one-off fees on top.

Always confirm current figures directly with each school rather than relying on a single average.

What Curriculum Do International Schools in Bali Offer?

Options include the International Baccalaureate, the Australian Curriculum, British-style pathways towards IGCSE and A Levels, and alternative approaches such as Green School’s sustainability-focused programme, bilingual schools, and Montessori-influenced settings.

When Should I Apply to an International School in Bali?

As early as possible. Popular schools and year levels can fill up or carry waiting lists, so shortlisting schools and requesting admissions information well ahead of your intended start date gives your family more options.

Where Should I Live if My Child Attends an International School in Bali?

Ideally, close enough for a realistic school-run commute at peak traffic times, not just off-peak. Canggu, Sanur, Denpasar, Ubud, and Abiansemal each suit different schools and family lifestyles, so it is worth matching your preferred area to your shortlisted schools before choosing a home.