Best International Schools in Bali: 10 Top Picks for 2026
Bali hosts ten established international schools serving expat families from preschool to Grade 12. Annual tuition ranges from around $3,000 at bilingual local-international schools to over $30,000 at premium eco-campuses. Curricula include the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, the Australian Curriculum, and Montessori. Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Denpasar and Sanur each host at least one established option.
Choosing a school is the single most asked question from international families planning a move to Bali. It sits at the centre of three other decisions: where to live, which visa route to take, and how long to commit. Investland Bali Properties has worked with over 100 international investors and families since 2023, most of them relocating with school-age children. This guide lists the ten schools our clients most often shortlist, with 2026 fee ranges, curriculum types, age groups, location notes, and where each one fits. No fluff, no rankings manipulated by paid features.
At a Glance: All 10 International Schools in Bali
A quick comparison before the detail.
| School | Location | Ages | Curriculum | 2026 Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green School Bali | Ubud | Preschool to Grade 12 | Proprietary (IB Diploma at senior level) | $18,000 to $30,000+ |
| Canggu Community School (CCS) | Canggu | Preschool to Grade 12 | IGCSE + IB Diploma | $14,000 to $20,000 |
| Bali Island School (BIS) | Sanur | Grade 1 to Grade 12 | IB (all three programmes) | $12,000 to $18,000 |
| Australian Independent School (AIS) | Seminyak, Denpasar | Preschool to Grade 12 | Australian Curriculum + IB Diploma | $10,000 to $14,000 |
| Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School (GMIS) | Renon, Denpasar | Preschool to Grade 12 | Cambridge + IB | $5,000 to $9,000 |
| Dyatmika School | Denpasar | Playgroup to Grade 12 | Cambridge IGCSE + A-Level, bilingual | $5,000 to $8,000 |
| Sanur Independent School | Sanur | Preschool to Elementary | Cambridge + Australian | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| Montessori School Bali | Berawa, Canggu | Infant to Elementary | Montessori, bilingual | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| The Garden Early Learning Centre | Berawa, Canggu | 6 months to 6 years | Reggio Emilia + Montessori + Walker Learning | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| ProEducation School | Umalas, Canggu | Early years to high school | British Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level, 1 to 1 | $8,000 to $14,000 |
Fee disclaimer: Figures above are indicative annual ranges based on 2024 to 2025 published rates plus typical annual increases. Many schools charge separate registration, capital, and resource fees. Verify current 2026 figures directly with each school before budgeting.
Scroll to: fee comparison analysis, curriculum comparison, location breakdown, or FAQ.
What to Consider Before Choosing
The four factors that matter most for relocating families are curriculum continuity, location fit, age coverage, and total cost including hidden fees. The order depends on your situation.
Curriculum is usually the first filter because it determines how portable the education is. A child moving between international schools globally finds the IB Diploma the most recognised, followed by Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels. Australian Curriculum holds weight in APAC universities. Montessori and bilingual models focus more on pedagogy than on global continuity.
Location matters in Bali differently than in most cities. Bali has no metro, rush-hour traffic in Canggu and Denpasar can turn a 10 km commute into 45 minutes, and many international families choose their home based on which school they enrol in first. Plan the school before the house, not the other way around.
Age coverage matters because some schools cap out at elementary. If you want one school from preschool through Grade 12, only Green School Bali, CCS, AIS, GMIS, and Dyatmika offer the full range in 2026.
Total cost is almost never the sticker price. Budget for registration ($500 to $3,000 one-off), capital fee ($1,000 to $5,000 one-off or refundable deposit), resource fees, uniforms, transport, and extra-curriculars. At the premium end, all-in annual cost can run 20 to 30 percent above headline tuition.
2026 Fee Comparison
Fees vary by an order of magnitude across Bali international schools. The range below reflects per-child annual tuition for 2026. Most schools publish three to four pricing tiers by age.
| Fee Tier | Annual Range (USD) | Schools in This Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Premium eco / proprietary | $18,000 to $30,000+ | Green School Bali |
| International premium | $12,000 to $20,000 | Canggu Community School, Bali Island School |
| International mid-range | $8,000 to $14,000 | Australian Independent School, ProEducation |
| Affordable international | $4,000 to $9,000 | GMIS, Dyatmika, Sanur Independent, Montessori Bali |
| Early-years specialist | $3,000 to $6,000 | The Garden |
What investor families notice: Fee tier does not reliably predict academic outcomes. Bali Island School and AIS both have strong IB Diploma track records despite sitting in different tiers. Dyatmika regularly places students into top UK and Australian universities on fees a third of the Green School sticker price.
Currency risk: The highest-fee schools are the ones most exposed to currency risk for foreign-domiciled parents. USD-earning families absorb IDR depreciation; EUR and GBP earners can find real-terms tuition rising even when published fees hold flat.
Legal disclaimer: School fees are set by each school and change annually. Ranges above are indicative and not offers or guarantees. Verify current rates directly with each school admissions office.
Curriculum Comparison
Every curriculum offered in Bali has trade-offs. Here is the short version.
International Baccalaureate (IB) is offered by Green School, CCS, BIS, AIS (Diploma), and GMIS. It is the most portable curriculum internationally. The Diploma Programme (ages 16 to 19) is recognised by universities worldwide. It is inquiry-based, requires strong writing, and rewards students who can self-manage.
Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level is offered by CCS (IGCSE alongside IB), Dyatmika, GMIS, Sanur Independent, and ProEducation. Cambridge is content-heavy, exam-based, and widely recognised. It suits students who perform well in structured assessment. Cheaper in total than IB at most Bali campuses.
Australian Curriculum is offered by AIS and Sanur Independent. Particularly strong for families planning to return to or enter Australia, where it maps directly onto state-level systems.
Montessori and bilingual models (Montessori School Bali, The Garden, Dyatmika) focus on early years and elementary. They prioritise pedagogy and often include Bahasa Indonesia alongside English. Better for families staying 3+ years and wanting genuine bilingual exposure than for short-stay expats.
Green School's proprietary curriculum merges IB framework at the senior level with sustainability-focused, project-based learning throughout. Not for every family, but highly differentiated and alumni include students admitted to Harvard, MIT, and Oxford.
International Schools by Location
Where you live in Bali and where your children go to school are intertwined. Here is the geography.
International Schools in Canggu
Canggu is the default choice for most relocating families aged 30 to 45 who want beach lifestyle plus digital-nomad infrastructure. Three schools sit directly in the area.
Canggu Community School (CCS)
The Canggu local option from preschool to Grade 12. IGCSE plus IB Diploma. Average class size 20 to 25. Strong surfing and sports culture, TED Club, and a genuine community feel with regular parent events. The default shortlist for international families settling in Canggu, Berawa, or Pererenan. Website: Canggu Community School.
The Garden Early Learning Centre
Preschool and playdates (6 months to 6 years) in Berawa. Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Walker Learning inspired. Small groups, English plus Indonesian, inquiry-based. Popular with families planning a soft landing before committing to a long-term primary school. Website: The Garden Bali.
Montessori School Bali
Infant to elementary, authentic Montessori, bilingual English and Indonesian. Traditional Balinese pavilion campus in Berawa. The strongest choice for parents committed to Montessori pedagogy who want it delivered with cultural depth. Website: Montessori Bali.
ProEducation School
1 to 1 British Curriculum model in Umalas. Early years to high school. IGCSE, A-Level, and ASDAN programmes. Class sizes of 8 to 15, with flexible curriculum and strong SEN (special educational needs) support. Best option for families with a child who needs personalised pacing or additional learning support. Website: ProEducation School.
International Schools in Ubud
Ubud attracts families who prioritise nature, wellness, and creative culture over beach access. One landmark school dominates.
Green School Bali
Preschool to Grade 12, proprietary sustainability-focused curriculum with IB Diploma at the senior level. Bamboo campus, hands-on project-based learning, small-to-medium class sizes. The most internationally known Bali school by far, and the most expensive. Alumni outcomes include admissions to Ivy League and Oxbridge universities. Works best for families committed to the Green School philosophy who are in Bali 3+ years. Families treat the commute to Ubud from Canggu as a dealbreaker, so most Green School families live in Ubud, Penestanan, or nearby villages. Website: Green School Bali.
International Schools in Seminyak and Denpasar
Seminyak, Kerobokan, and the adjacent Denpasar suburbs host four schools covering Australian, Cambridge, IB, and bilingual tracks.
Australian Independent School (AIS)
Preschool to Grade 12 across Seminyak and Denpasar campuses. Australian Curriculum with IB Diploma option. Strong inclusive education programme. Swimming pool, amphitheatre, and a broad student mix. The default choice for Australian-domiciled families and expats planning a future move to Australia. Website: AIS Indonesia.
Dyatmika School
Playgroup to Grade 12 in Denpasar. Cambridge IGCSE, AS, and A-Level, delivered bilingually (English and Indonesian). Not-for-profit, founded by international and local parents over 25 years ago. Consistent record of placing students into competitive UK and Australian universities. Strong community feel and outstanding value at its fee tier. Website: Dyatmika School.
Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School (GMIS)
Preschool to Grade 12 in Renon, Denpasar. Combines Cambridge and IB. Multilingual teaching (English, Mandarin, Bahasa, Hindi, French). A culturally diverse student body reflecting the global community. Good fit for families prioritising cultural breadth. Website: GMIS Bali.
International Schools in Sanur
Sanur is the choice for families wanting a quieter, family-oriented pace, good medical access (BIMC Hospital is there), and beach-town calm.
Bali Island School (BIS)
Grade 1 to Grade 12, full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). Well-established campus, class sizes around 20, more than 80 percent expat faculty, average teacher tenure 16 years. A strong academic track record and one of the most consistent IB programmes in Indonesia. Website: Bali Island School.
Sanur Independent School
Preschool to elementary. Cambridge and Australian Curriculum blend. Small groups, caring environment, focus on holistic development. Best for younger children and families wanting a local community school feel with international standards. Website: Sanur Independent School.
How to Choose the Right School for Your Family
Our relocating clients use the same filter sequence. It works.
- Start with curriculum. Pick the track that matches your child's likely university destination. IB for open-ended global, Cambridge for strong exam performers, Australian for AU-bound, Montessori for committed early-years families.
- Filter by age coverage. If you want one school through Grade 12, the list shrinks to five (Green School, CCS, BIS, AIS, Dyatmika, GMIS).
- Visit three schools. Never pick a Bali international school without visiting. Online reviews skew wildly and the culture of each school is specific. Schedule tours for one week, ideally when school is in session.
- Talk to current parents. Every Bali school has parent WhatsApp and Facebook groups. Ask to join one before committing. Ten minutes in an active group tells you more than a campus tour.
- Lock location after school. Commuting 40 minutes each way in a tropical climate with a toddler kills lifestyle. Decide school, then find housing within 15 to 20 minutes.
- Budget the all-in figure. Registration, capital fee, uniforms, transport, extra-curriculars, and school trips can add 20 to 30 percent above headline tuition.
What We've Learned from 100+ Investors
After helping over 100 international investors purchase real estate and move to Bali since 2023, three patterns repeat.
Shortlists change after arrival. Most families shortlist three schools before moving, then switch shortly after arrival. Typically they downgrade from a premium fee tier toward a mid-range option once they see the quality on offer at half the cost. Dyatmika and AIS are the two schools most often added after arrival.
School quietly determines property location. Families who commit to Green School almost always buy or lease in Ubud or Penestanan. Families at CCS concentrate in Canggu, Berawa, and Pererenan. This shapes demand for rentals and creates a pricing premium near each major campus. For investor families, a villa within 15 minutes of a major school holds stronger rental demand than one in an equivalent area without a nearby school.
The commute disappointment is real. Families underestimate how long 8 km takes in Bali traffic. Factor in 25 minutes per 5 km in the Canggu-Seminyak-Denpasar corridor during school hours. Budget 45 minutes each way for Canggu to Ubud.
Investland Bali Properties helps international families map school shortlist, housing location, and property investment into one plan before arrival. Most of our clients buy or build a villa within 15 minutes of their chosen school, and route rental income from the property through Pellago, our property-management arm, during school holidays when the family travels. It is a full-cycle approach that makes relocation financially self-supporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Plan Your Move to Bali
Choosing a school is step one of a relocation plan. The other steps, visa route, where to live, how to structure property ownership legally, and whether to buy or rent, stack on top. Investland Bali Properties is the only Bali partner that handles investment planning, legal structure, property search, construction, and rental management under one roof, which matters when you are coordinating a school enrolment, a visa timeline, and a property purchase in the same three months.
Download our free Bali Investment Guide for the full relocation and investment framework, or book a strategy call to map your specific situation.
