Choosing the right school in Bali takes more than just finding out its curriculum and fees, location considerations are equally (if not the most) important. Families who are relocating or have already settled on the island may quickly realise that Bali’s traffic and geography make the daily commute a huge factor in school choice.
Researching schools in Bali by area can help balance your child’s education with your family’s lifestyle. If you’re exploring schools in Ubud, this guide will highlight what makes the area unique, what to expect as a family, and where to start your research for 2026 enrolments.
Living in Ubud: What Families Should Expect
Ubud is often described as Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart.
Families that prefer a slower pace compared to the bustle of the south may find Ubud the ideal home, surrounded by rice terraces, jungle, and rivers.
Families in Ubud benefit from:
- Nature on your doorstep – daily life comes with forest walks, waterfalls, river play, and eco-conscious living.
- Wellness and creativity – yoga centres, art classes, dance, events and music thrive here.
- A thriving food scene – Ubud is known for its diverse cafés and restaurants, especially its wide range of vegan and plant-based options.
- Community connections – family-friendly activities, playgroups, and an international parent network make it easy to build lasting friendships.
Ubud comes with a few things to keep in mind. While the town doesn’t have malls, its boutique shops, local markets, cafés, and sports clubs more than make up for it.
Reliable 24/7 medical clinics operate locally, though the larger international hospitals are located closer to Denpasar. Traffic can be heavy in certain areas, so choosing the right location to live is very important. And although Ubud isn’t on the coast (about 40+mins away from a beach) it has its own unique appeal — from lush jungles and waterfalls to pool clubs and family-friendly attractions like the Bali Zoo and Bali Safari in nearby Gianyar, offering plenty of weekend adventures close to home.
Schools in Ubud: Key Considerations for Parents
While Ubud is best known for its nature-based and creative approaches to learning, parents should also consider:
- Curriculum and philosophy – varying from British to Montessori, Steiner/Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia-inspired models.
- Community fit – many families choose Ubud for values like sustainability, child-led and project-based learning and creativity; schools reflect this ethos.
- Facilities – nature-based campuses often prioritise outdoor classrooms and eco-friendly design rather than high-tech buildings.
- Flexibility – some schools in Ubud are more open to short-term enrolments, suiting families on gap years or worldschooling paths.
- Fees, policies and visas: Some schools may require minimum commitments; varying visas (such as Student Kitas) always check policies carefully with non-refundable fees.
A Few Options to Explore in Ubud
To give you a sense of what’s available, here are a just a few of the schools in Ubud that we have personally toured many times. The full list can be found in our Bali Schools & Education Guide 2026/27
- Green School Bali – globally recognised for its bamboo campus and focus on sustainability.
- Empathy School – inclusive, values-based education for children up to 15 years.
- Madu Waldorf Learning Center – a nature-inspired approach rooted in Steiner philosophy.
- Wood School Bali – An open-air school in Ubud combining inquiry-based learning, permaculture, and Neohumanist principles.
- The British School of Bali – Opened September 2025 in Ubud, offering a British curriculum for ages 2–11 with a focus on creativity and outdoor learning.
British Curriculum Options in Ubud
While Ubud is traditionally known for its alternative and nature-based education models, families looking for a more structured academic pathway now also have a British curriculum option in the area.
The British School of Bali opened in Ubud in 2025, offering the English National Curriculum for children aged 2–11. The school combines a UK-based curriculum with a learning environment that reflects Bali’s outdoor lifestyle and creative community feel.
For British families — or internationally mobile families wanting continuity with the UK education system — this provides another option to consider alongside Ubud’s more holistic, Montessori, Waldorf, and project-based schools.
As the international family community in Ubud continues to grow, the range of schooling choices in the area is also expanding, giving parents more flexibility to find an educational approach that aligns with both their child’s needs and their family lifestyle.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
If you’re considering schools in Ubud, Bali, for 2026, it’s important to look beyond just the curriculum. Here, education choices often go hand in hand with lifestyle. That can mean immersing your family in eco-conscious communities, prioritising creativity, or seeking flexibility for shorter stays.
Schooling will also likely be one of your largest investments, so having clarity around fees, commitments, and enrolment terms is essential. Families should also take into account visa options such as Student or Family KITAS, which are often tied directly to school enrolment.
With careful research, you can make sure your child’s learning environment reflects your family’s values, while your whole household settles confidently into Ubud’s slower pace, cultural richness, and holistic way of life.
For a complete overview of schools in Ubud and across Bali that includes fees, curricula, facilities, and other insider insights you won’t find online, get your copy of the Bali Schools & Education Guide 2025/26.
For more tailored support, book a one-hour School Deep Dive session with Simone, from Our Year in Bali, to save hours of research and connect directly with schools.
