IB Schools in Bali: International Baccalaureate Guide for Expat Families (2026)

The International Baccalaureate is the dominant academic framework in Bali's international school sector. For families committed to IB as their educational pathway — whether for philosophical reasons, for the university access it provides, or for curriculum consistency across relocations — understanding which Bali schools offer which IB programmes is essential.

This guide maps IB provision across Bali's international schools and explains what each programme involves.

The IB Framework: A Quick Primer

The International Baccalaureate offers four programmes:

Programme	Age Range	Key Feature
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)	Ages 3–12	Inquiry-based; transdisciplinary
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)	Ages 11–16	8 subject groups; holistic assessment
IB Diploma Programme (DP)	Ages 16–19	6 subjects + TOK + EE + CAS; university gateway
IB Career-related Programme (CP)	Ages 16–19	IB + vocational; less commonly offered

Schools must be formally authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to offer each programme and use the IB name. Authorisation requires curriculum compliance, teacher training, and regular external review.

IB Provision in Bali: School by School

Bali Island School (BIS) — Full IB Continuum

IB programmes: PYP + MYP + Diploma (fully authorised) Location: Jalan Danau Buyan IV No. 15, Sanur Ages: Preschool to Year 12

BIS is the only school in Bali offering the complete IB continuum across all three age-group programmes on a single campus. It has been offering IB education since the late 1990s and is listed as an authorised IB World School by the IBO.

IB PYP at BIS (ages 3–12): An inquiry-based, transdisciplinary primary curriculum focusing on six transdisciplinary themes. Children develop academic, social, and personal skills within a structured IB framework.

IB MYP at BIS (ages 11–16, Years 7–11): The Middle Years Programme covers eight subject groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. Assessment is criterion-referenced.

IB Diploma Programme at BIS (ages 16–19, Years 12–13): Students choose six subjects across IB groups, including Higher Level and Standard Level choices, plus three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Maximum 45 points.

For families committed to IB from preschool to university entry and seeking a single-campus Bali experience, BIS is the most coherent option. Annual fees at BIS range from approximately IDR 75,000,000 (early years) to IDR 320,000,000 (IB DP level), making it one of Bali's more affordable IB paths.

See International School Fees in Bali for full fee comparison.

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Canggu Community School (CCS) — IGCSE into IB Diploma

IB programmes: IB Diploma Programme (authorised); not IB PYP or MYP Location: Kerobokan, Canggu Ages: Early Years to Year 13

CCS offers the IB DP in Years 12 and 13. Its primary and lower secondary programme is grounded in the British National Curriculum rather than IB PYP/MYP, and Years 10–11 follow Cambridge IGCSE.

This means CCS offers a different pathway from BIS:

• Primary (Years 1–6): British curriculum framework
• Years 7–9: CCS's own holistic curriculum
• Years 10–11: Cambridge IGCSE
• Years 12–13: IB Diploma Programme

For families in the Canggu area who want a structured British primary education leading to internationally recognised qualifications at secondary (IGCSE) and a strong university-entry qualification (IB DP), CCS represents an excellent and coherent pathway. The IGCSE + IB DP combination is well-regarded by UK and international universities.

Annual secondary fees at CCS: approximately IDR 230,000,000–295,500,000 (~USD 14,400–18,500).

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Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School (GMIS) — IB + Cambridge

IB programmes: PYP, MYP, and Diploma (authorised) Location: Denpasar area Ages: 3–18

GMIS offers the full IB PYP, MYP, and DP alongside Cambridge IGCSE. This combination school is well-established in Bali and suits families who want IB continuity with the option of Cambridge qualifications at middle school level. GMIS is less well-known internationally than BIS or CCS but holds solid IB authorisation.

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Green School Bali — IB-influenced but NOT an IB World School

This point matters and causes genuine confusion among families.

Green School Bali is frequently associated with IB in parents' minds because its curriculum is philosophically aligned with IB values — inquiry-led, transdisciplinary, internationally minded, sustainability-focused. The school itself describes its approach as IB-influenced.

However, Green School is not a formally authorised IB World School and does not offer:

• IB PYP (formally authorised)
• IB MYP (formally authorised)
• IB Diploma Programme

Instead, Green School offers its own Green School Diploma at senior level (Years 11–12). This is an accredited qualification in its own right (WASC accreditation) and is accepted by many universities, particularly in the US. It is not the same as the IB Diploma, and universities that make conditional offers based on IB point totals will not apply that framework to the Green School Diploma.

For families whose university admission strategy requires the formal IB Diploma — for example, UK medical school with an IB points offer, or universities that grant IB credit — Green School at senior level is not the right school.

See Green School Bali Guide for full curriculum detail.

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IB Diploma: Subject Choices and University Preparation

At CCS and BIS, IB Diploma students choose six subjects:

• Three Higher Level (HL) — studied in depth; key for university offers
• Three Standard Level (SL) — broader coverage

Plus:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): An interdisciplinary critical thinking course
• Extended Essay (EE): A 4,000-word independent research essay
• CAS: Creativity, Activity, Service — extracurricular engagement requirement

Subject choices matter for university admissions. Students targeting:

• Medicine (UK/Australia): HL Chemistry plus HL Biology (or HL Maths) typically required
• Engineering: HL Maths and HL Physics strongly preferred
• Law/social sciences: HL History, Economics, or Language Literature common
• US universities: Broad IB score and HL subjects relevant to intended major

Advising on IB subject selection is typically handled by school guidance counsellors in Year 11. At a small school like BIS or CCS, this is personalised.

IB in Bali vs Other School Hubs

Factor	Bali (BIS/CCS)	Singapore	Dubai
Number of IB DP schools	2–3	20+	15+
Class size	Small (20–30)	Varies (25–35)	Varies
IB Diploma quality	Solid, accredited	Very high competition	High
Fee range (IB DP)	USD 15,000–18,500/yr	USD 25,000–40,000/yr	USD 20,000–35,000/yr
Secondary choice	Very limited	Extensive	Good

Bali's IB schools are smaller and less competitive in total cohort size than major city equivalents, but the qualification produced is identical and equally recognised by universities worldwide.

How Global Investments Can Help

Families seeking IB-aligned property locations in Bali — Canggu for CCS, Sanur for BIS — can benefit from advice that aligns school catchment with property market dynamics. Global Investments works with internationally mobile families to find Bali properties in the right location for their school and lifestyle priorities. View Bali listings, explore the Bali property hub, or contact our team for guidance.

IB authorisation status can change; always verify current programme authorisation directly with the IBO at ibo.org and with each school. University entry requirements are indicative and subject to change.