Green School Bali: Complete Guide for International Families (2026)
Green School Bali is, by considerable distance, the most internationally known school on the island. Founded in 2008 by John and Cynthia Hardy, it has attracted global attention for its distinctive bamboo campus, its commitment to sustainability-led education, and the quality of its community. For many internationally mobile families, it is the primary reason they consider Bali at all.
This guide covers everything you need to know before applying — curriculum, fees, waiting lists, location, and the practical realities of building a life around Green School.
The School: Background and Philosophy
Green School sits on a roughly 20-acre campus along the Ayung River in Sibang Kaja, a rural area in Badung Regency. The campus — constructed largely from bamboo — is internationally celebrated for its architecture and its integration with the natural landscape. There are no conventional classrooms in the traditional sense; learning happens in open-sided bamboo structures, gardens, workshops, and the surrounding jungle.
The educational philosophy is explicitly sustainability-centred and project-based. Students engage with real-world problems, community service, and environmental stewardship alongside formal academic subjects. The school draws students from over 40 nationalities, and the atmosphere is genuinely international rather than shaped by any single national culture.
As of 2025–26, the school serves approximately 500 full-time students aged 3–18.
Curriculum and Qualifications
This is where Green School differs from the mainstream IB World Schools in Bali, and families need to understand the distinction.
Early Years and Primary (Ages 3–10)
The primary curriculum is strongly influenced by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework — inquiry-led, transdisciplinary, and internationally articulated — though Green School describes its programme as its own rather than as a formally authorised IB PYP school. In practice, the educational approach aligns closely with IB philosophy.
Middle Years (Ages 11–14)
The middle school programme is project-based and contextualised within sustainability themes. Again, it is shaped by IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) thinking without being a formally authorised MYP provider.
Senior Years: The Green School Diploma (Years 11–12)
At senior level, Green School offers the Green School Diploma — a two-year programme that is its own accredited qualification rather than the standard IB Diploma Programme. The diploma is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is accepted by a wide range of universities in the UK, US, Australia, and Europe. However, it is not the formal IB DP that many UK universities and UCAS process as a standard offer.
Important note: Green School does not accept new enrolments directly into Year 12. Students entering the diploma programme must join at Year 11 at the latest.
Families specifically seeking the IB Diploma Programme should consider Bali Island School (full IB continuum including DP) or Canggu Community School (IGCSE + IB DP). See IB Schools in Bali.
Fees (2025–26)
Green School is among the most expensive schools in Bali. All fees below are in Indonesian Rupiah unless otherwise stated; exchange rates fluctuate and the school quotes in IDR.
| Year Group | Annual Tuition (approx. IDR) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years Gecko/Starling | 177,800,000 | ~11,000 |
| Early Years Kindy | 210,140,000 | ~13,000 |
| Primary (Grades 1–5) | ~240,000,000–260,000,000 | ~15,000–16,000 |
| Middle School (Grades 6–8) | ~278,000,000 | ~17,000 |
| High School (Grades 9–12) | ~290,000,000–320,000,000 | ~18,000–20,000 |
One-time fees on entry:
- Non-refundable admission/registration fee: IDR 40,000,000 (~USD 2,500)
- Refundable security deposit: IDR 30,000,000 per child (~USD 1,900)
- High School Service Trip levy: IDR 7,000,000 (~USD 430)
Sibling discounts: 5% for the second sibling, 10% for the third, 15% for the fourth.
The total first-year cost for a primary-age child is likely to fall in the range of USD 18,000–22,000 once one-time fees are included. This is comparable to mid-tier international schools in Singapore, though more than most other Bali schools. See International School Fees in Bali for a comparison across schools.
The Waiting List: Plan for It
Green School's waiting list is not a formality — it is a genuine constraint that catches families off guard. The school is popular, cohort sizes are deliberately small, and demand consistently outpaces supply for most year groups.
Key points:
- The waiting list for primary year groups can stretch 12–24 months or longer during periods of high demand.
- The school has two main annual intakes: August (start of academic year) and January (mid-year). Applying for both increases optionality.
- Spaces do occasionally open at short notice when expat families depart Bali unexpectedly. Staying in regular contact with the admissions team after submitting an application is worthwhile.
- Early Years (ages 3–5) allows single-semester enrolment when space exists — more flexibility for younger children.
A full guide to navigating the process is at International School Waiting Lists in Bali.
Admissions Process
The application process is managed through Green School's online admissions portal at bali.greenschool.org/admissions.
Steps typically include:
- Submission of an online application form
- School records and assessment materials (varies by year group)
- Admissions team interview or call with parents and, for older students, the child
- Placement on the active waiting list with a confirmed position
- Offer of place when space is available
The school does not guarantee a timeline for offers; families should treat application submission as the beginning of a wait rather than a near-term resolution.
Location and Commute
Green School's address is Jalan Raya Sibang Kaja, Banjar Saren, Sibang Kaja, Abiansemal, Badung. It sits roughly 15 minutes south of Ubud and 20 minutes north of Denpasar, in a rural area away from the main beach-town corridors.
Living Near Green School
Ubud is the most natural base for Green School families — proximity is real (15–20 minutes without traffic), the environment is quieter and more aligned with the school's ethos, and Ubud has a strong long-term expat community. Property in Ubud leans towards villas and land rather than beachfront, with leasehold prices typically lower than Canggu or Seminyak. Land in the Ubud centre area runs approximately IDR 500,000,000–1,000,000,000 per are (roughly USD 175–350 per sqm) as of 2025–26.
Canggu is the most popular expat residential area in Bali, but it is 30–45 minutes from Green School in normal traffic — and considerably longer during the school run. Many families make this work, but it should be factored carefully.
Sibang / Mengwi / Kedungu — the surrounding rural areas offer villas at lower price points with shorter commutes, but less community infrastructure.
See Best Areas to Live in Bali Near International Schools for full neighbourhood comparisons.
Who is Green School Right For?
Green School is an exceptional fit for families who:
- Are committed to sustainability, project-based learning, and non-conventional education
- Have younger children (early years to Year 9) where the curriculum strength is most evident
- Are comfortable with a diploma pathway that is not the standard IB DP
- Can commit to Bali for the medium term and join the waiting list early
It may be a less strong fit for families who:
- Need the formal IB Diploma for university admissions (UK universities making conditional offers on IB points, for example)
- Have children at Year 10 or above who need IGCSE results
- Cannot commit to the waiting list timeline
- Need proximity to a beach-town base and cannot manage the commute
Healthcare and Practical Family Considerations
Families based near Green School in the Ubud area rely on BIMC Hospital (Kuta, ~45 minutes) or Siloam Hospitals Bali for serious medical care. Ubud has local clinics, but medical evacuation insurance is essential for any family in Bali — serious illness or complex surgery typically requires transfer to Singapore or Jakarta. Budget for this as part of your Bali living costs.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments works with internationally mobile families making property decisions in Bali. Whether you are targeting the Ubud hinterland for proximity to Green School, or the Canggu corridor for a broader lifestyle offering, we can help you identify suitable villas and understand the legal structures available to foreign buyers — leasehold, Hak Pakai, and PMA frameworks. View Bali listings or explore the Bali property hub for current market context. Contact our team for a private consultation.
School fees, visa rules, and property regulations change; all figures are approximate and based on publicly available information as of 2026. Seek independent legal and financial advice before making relocation or investment decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Does Green School Bali offer the IB Diploma?
Green School offers its own Green School Diploma at senior level (Years 11–12), which is grounded in IB principles and internationally recognised for university entry, but is not the standard IB Diploma Programme. Families seeking the formal IB Diploma should also consider Bali Island School or Canggu Community School.
How long is the waiting list for Green School Bali?
The waiting list for popular year groups (particularly Years 1–6) can stretch 12–24 months or more. The school has around 500 students and small cohort sizes, so places are genuinely scarce. Applying as early as possible is strongly advised.
How much does Green School Bali cost per year?
Annual tuition for 2025–26 ranges from approximately IDR 177,800,000 for early years (roughly USD 11,000) to around IDR 319,000,000 for senior years (roughly USD 20,000). One-time fees on entry — registration, deposit — add significantly to the first-year cost.
Where do families living near Green School usually live?
Green School is in Sibang Kaja, approximately 15 minutes south of Ubud and 30–45 minutes from Canggu in normal traffic. Families most commonly live in Ubud, the Mengwi or Sibang area, or accept a longer Canggu commute.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.