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Bali’s appeal to global families lies in its diverse schools, emphasising nature, an international community, child-led approaches, and creativity.

Regardless of the educational approach you choose, residing in Bali for a period will undoubtedly contribute to fostering a global citizen and offering a unique world education experience.

It is recommended to prioritize selecting your school before finalizing your choice of neighborhood and home. The school community significantly influences your overall experience in Bali, impacting friendships, support networks, and the overall quality of your life on the island. Choosing the right school is crucial for building connections and fostering a positive living experience.

Our specialised services cater to families seeking optimal school solutions for children across various age groups, spanning from toddlers to high school. We provide valuable advice and establish connections with international schools, nature-based schools and smaller home schools.

By conducting routine school inspections and maintaining strong connections with school principals and founders, our services offer families extensive advice and in-depth guidance through a comprehensive school and education guide.

Additionally, we provide essential contacts for key schools and offer a convenient Google map highlighting the locations of more than 50 schools across Bali, empowering families to make well-informed decisions about their children’s education and where they want to live.

Child care, nurseries and preschools

In the well-known expat communities, you’ll discover international early learning centres, preschools, and daycare drop-ins catering to children aged six months to six years old. These facilities offer various options, including part-time enrollment, camps, and after-school activities.

Click here for the list

Primary schools and learning centres

In the well-known expat communities, you’ll come across international early learning centres and primary schools designed for children aged six to 12 years old. Additionally, there are smaller schools and study groups tailored to these age groups.

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Nature-based schools

Bali offers such exciting opportunities when it comes to learning in nature and to create passionate and curious, life-long learners.

Imagine having rice fields as part of your campus and backdrop! Bali offers one of the most amazing environments for your child to thrive.

These schools usually cater for all ages and are growing in popularity.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a nature school as they are purpose built to be in harmony with nature. You may have heard of the Green School – welcome to learning in the jungle!

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High schools

In the well-known expat communities, you’ll discover international high schools tailored for children aged 12 to 18 years old. Additionally, there are smaller high schools and study groups specifically available for these age ranges.

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School fees

The annual tuition fees for international schools in Bali typically range from $3,000 to $20,000 USD, varying based on the child’s age and year level.

Additionally, consider other expenses such as non-refundable deposits, registration and application fees, technology levies, uniforms, camps, Student KITAS and miscellaneous costs.

With the exception of the Australian school, all other schools follow the academic calendar, commencing in August over four terms and concluding in June the following year.

School curriculum

Bali schools offer a diverse range of curricula, incorporating combinations like the National Indonesian curriculum along with others such as the British Cambridge System, International Baccalaureate (IB), Australian, Montessori, The Green School Way, Steiner, Finnish, and Reggio-Emilia Inspired Nature-Based systems.

Some schools offer a blend of the National Indonesian curriculum along with another international curriculum like the British.

School Spotlight

This month we feature the Caterpillar School which is an outstanding early learning centre for children aged 15 months to 8 years old. 

Caterpillar School Bali, situated in Umalas, prioritises innovative education by placing students at the center of their learning journey, emphasising child-led exploration and nature-based activities to inspire compassionate and confident global citizens.

The school stands out with its hybrid curriculum, combining the Finnish Early Childhood Education Curriculum with the National Curriculum in England, creating a holistic educational experience that focuses on academic excellence and overall well-being. Located strategically in the Umalas, the school embodies a philosophy that recognizes each child’s uniqueness and nurtures their natural curiosity.

Extra curricular activities

Living on an island, there may be some limitations on the number of children participating in certain activities, but neverthless, Bali offers an incredible numerous after-school and weekend extracurricular options.

Dedicated Facebook, Instagram and parent WhatsApp groups serve as platforms for inspiration, as people share lessons, events, workshops, and activities.

Various activities, include, surfing, swimming lessons, art classes, film school, music, martial arts, yoga, horse riding, dance, gymnastics, soccer and tennis, are available, with schools often organising inter school sport competitions and offering diverse extracurricular activities such as language lessons, photography, cooking and Zumba.

Student KITAS

Certain international schools mandate that their students hold a Student KITAS, signifying their status as full-time students in Indonesia. These visas are initially valid for one year and can be renewed annually throughout the study period.

The school’s legal department typically handles the visa arrangements for students, facilitating the process by taking them to immigration.  It’s important to note that, as parents, you are still responsible for arranging your own individual visas separately.

The alternatively, the school will also accept  a Dependent/Family KITAS that has been arranged from the parents having a KITAS.

Read about visas

Alternative schooling

When relocating to Bali for a specific duration, you may need flexibility in your children’s education, considering options like unschooling, world schooling, homeschooling, and online distance education.

Affordable home-based schools in Bali offer flexibility for travelling families interested in diverse subjects, languages, and skills.

Support groups are accessible for parents, providing opportunities to connect with families having children of similar ages.

Families worldwide are proactively establishing online schooling solutions before moving to Bali, ensuring a seamless continuation of their child’s studies from home.

Click here for the list

Additional information

Schools in Bali, expect smaller class sizes and a transient community with 40-50% student turnover annually, fostering a diverse global environment.

Explore the essential aspects to weigh when selecting an ideal school, including considerations about school environment, community dynamics, specialized education for diverse needs, tutoring options, commuting logistics, and more.

Discover the most comprehensive insights on finding the best schools in Bali for 2023.

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