Primary Schools in Bali for Expat Families: Guide for 2026
Bali's primary education options for internationally mobile families are genuinely good — better, in fact, than the secondary landscape. Several well-established schools offer strong primary programmes through Years 1–6 (ages 5–11), and the island's unique environment means children can experience an education that would be difficult to replicate anywhere else.
This guide covers the main primary school options, their curricula, practical considerations, and how to choose between them.
The Primary School Landscape in Bali
Unlike secondary education — where Bali's limited provision is a real constraint — the primary sector offers expat families meaningful choice across several curricula:
- Nature-based, sustainability-focused (Green School)
- British framework with IB pathway (Canggu Community School)
- Full IB continuum (Bali Island School, GMIS)
- Montessori method (Montessori School Bali)
- Australian curriculum (Australian Independent School, AIS Bali)
- Christian international (IPEKA International)
The key decision is philosophical as much as practical: what kind of early education do you want for your child, and does it align with where you expect them to finish secondary?
Green School Bali: Primary Years
Ages: 3–10 (Early Years through Year 5) Location: Sibang Kaja (between Canggu and Ubud) Curriculum: Green School own curriculum, strongly PYP-influenced
Green School's primary programme is its strongest offering in terms of distinctive educational character. Children learn in open bamboo structures surrounded by jungle and river, engaging with real-world projects, sustainability challenges, and the natural environment. The approach is transdisciplinary and project-based.
The school serves around 500 students in total across all ages — primary cohorts are small, which means strong staff-to-student ratios and genuine individual attention. The international mix (over 40 nationalities) is exceptional.
What makes it stand out: No other primary school in Bali, and very few in South-East Asia, offers this level of integration between education and environment. Children leave with an unusual combination of academic confidence and environmental literacy.
What to be aware of: The fee premium is significant (around USD 15,000–16,000 per year for primary), the waiting list is real, and the primary curriculum leads to the Green School's own senior diploma rather than the standard IB. Families who want the formal IB DP at Year 12 may need to transfer to a different school at secondary age. See International School Waiting Lists in Bali.
Annual fees (primary): Approximately IDR 240,000,000–260,000,000 (~USD 15,000–16,000)
Canggu Community School (CCS): Primary Years
Ages: 3–11 (Early Years through Year 6) Location: Kerobokan, Canggu Curriculum: British National Curriculum foundation
CCS is a non-profit school with a well-structured British-framework primary programme. Teaching is in English, with the content and progression of the British National Curriculum adapted to Bali's international and multicultural context. The school takes students from 36+ nationalities.
The primary pathway at CCS leads naturally into CCS's secondary programme (Cambridge IGCSE + IB Diploma), making it a strong choice for families who want a clear, internationally recognised academic path from age 3 to 18.
What makes it stand out: Clear curriculum pathway, established school community in the Canggu area, more accessible fees than Green School, and IGCSE/IB DP for secondary.
Annual fees (primary): Approximately IDR 180,000,000–220,000,000 (~USD 11,000–13,750)
Bali Island School (BIS): Primary Years (IB PYP)
Ages: 3–11 (Pre-K through Year 6, IB PYP) Location: Sanur Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme (authorised)
BIS is the only school in Bali that is a formally authorised IB World School offering the complete IB continuum — PYP through to IB Diploma. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an internationally standardised, inquiry-based curriculum used by IB schools worldwide. Children who complete PYP at BIS transition naturally to MYP and then IB Diploma at the same school.
For families who are committed to IB as their educational framework and want programme consistency from primary to pre-university, BIS is Bali's most coherent option.
What makes it stand out: Full IB authorisation; complete continuum on one campus; Sanur location is quieter and less congested than Canggu; more available places than Green School.
Annual fees (primary): Approximately IDR 100,000,000–150,000,000 (~USD 6,200–9,400)
Montessori School Bali
Ages: 3–12 (early years and primary) Location: Canggu Curriculum: Montessori method
Montessori School Bali offers early years and primary education using the classic Montessori approach: child-led exploration, mixed-age groups, hands-on learning materials, and minimal testing. It is popular with families who believe in progressive education and are based in the Canggu area.
Key limitation: Montessori Bali does not provide a secondary pathway. Families must transition to a secondary school (typically CCS or BIS) at around Year 6–7. Plan this transition in advance.
Annual fees: Approximately USD 4,000–8,000
Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School (GMIS): Primary
Ages: 3–18 Location: Denpasar area Curriculum: IB PYP + Cambridge IGCSE combination
GMIS offers IB PYP from early years and combines this with Cambridge IGCSE at secondary, providing a hybrid of two internationally recognised frameworks. Fees are broadly in the mid-range (approximately USD 6,000–11,000 for primary) and the school has been established in Bali for many years.
Choosing a Primary School: Key Questions
| Question | What it affects |
|---|---|
| How long are you planning to stay in Bali? | If 2–3 years, continuity through to secondary matters less |
| Where are you likely to base for secondary? | If UK/Australia, IB DP is universally accepted; if US, IB and Green School Diploma both work |
| What is your educational philosophy? | Nature-led (Green School) vs structured British (CCS) vs IB continuum (BIS) |
| Which area of Bali are you in? | School location matters for daily commute — see Best Areas in Bali Near Schools |
| What is your fee budget? | Range is roughly USD 4,000–16,000 per year for primary |
Extracurricular Life
All of the main international primary schools in Bali offer extracurricular programmes including sport, arts, music, and language classes. Green School's offering is particularly integrated with its sustainability mission — students participate in farm work, craft, and river conservation projects alongside conventional sport and arts.
The Bali environment adds naturally to childhood: swimming, surfing, cycling, and exposure to Balinese art and culture are available outside school hours in ways that are genuinely distinctive.
Healthcare and Practical Considerations for Primary-Age Children
Children pick up illnesses readily in tropical environments. Bali's tap water is not safe to drink; bottled or filtered water is the norm. Routine vaccinations (particularly Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Dengue) should be up to date before arriving. Dengue fever is present in Bali and parents should take mosquito precautions seriously.
BIMC Hospital and Siloam Hospitals Bali handle routine paediatric care. For anything serious — complex surgery, specialist referral — medical evacuation to Singapore or Jakarta is the standard approach. Medical evacuation insurance is essential for families with children. See Settling Your Child in School in Bali for health and transition practicalities.
How Global Investments Can Help
Families choosing between primary schools in Bali are typically also choosing between residential areas, and the two decisions are deeply linked. Global Investments helps internationally mobile families align property decisions with school catchment areas, lease timelines, and visa planning. View Bali property listings, explore the Bali location guide, or contact our team for a private conversation.
School fees and provision are subject to change; all figures are approximate and reflect publicly available data as of 2026. Always verify current fees directly with each school.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best primary school in Bali for expat children?
There is no single answer — it depends on your educational philosophy, budget, location, and plans for secondary. Green School is the most distinctive; CCS offers the most structured British/IGCSE pathway; BIS provides the complete IB continuum. All three are well-regarded for primary-age children.
At what age can children start at international primary schools in Bali?
Most Bali international schools accept children from age 3 (early years/nursery). Green School accepts children from age 3 into its Early Years programme. CCS and BIS both begin at early years (around age 3–4). Montessori Bali also starts from age 3.
Do Bali primary schools teach Bahasa Indonesia?
Most international schools include some Bahasa Indonesia instruction, reflecting the local environment. The depth varies — Green School integrates Balinese culture and language more deeply than most. Children at these schools learn primarily in English but gain some local language exposure.
Is home-schooling a practical alternative for primary-age children in Bali?
Some expat families in Bali home-educate, particularly while waiting for a school place or for philosophical reasons. Home education is not regulated for foreigners in Indonesia. Online curricula from the UK (e.g. Oxford Home Schooling) and Australia are used by some families.
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.