The 2026 Guide to Ubud's Schools: From Green School to Boutique Learning Communities

Choosing the right educational environment is one of the most critical decisions for families moving to Ubud. Beyond academics, your child's school becomes the center of their social world and your family's community. 

This expanded guide provides a detailed overview of Ubud's diverse educational landscape—from internationally accredited institutions to specialized boutique schools—to help you find the perfect philosophical and practical fit.

Understanding Ubud's Educational Spectrum

Ubud's schools can be viewed on a continuum from “structured international curricula” to “holistic, alternative learning”. Your choice will depend on your child's learning style, your family's values, and long-term educational plans. 

Below is a comparison of all schools covered in this guide to help you visualize the landscape.

1.Green School Bali

• Philosophy & Description: The iconic bamboo school focused on sustainability and holistic learning within an immersive, natural campus.
• Curriculum & Language: Green School's own curriculum, leading to an IB Diploma Programme. Instruction is in English with integrated Indonesian studies. Ages 3-18.
• Location & Size: Sibang Kaja (25-35 mins south-west of Ubud Center). Large community with 600+ students.
• Ideal For: Families committed to environmental values and progressive, experiential education seeking a K-12 pathway.
• Community: “world class”, global community, with many inspired parents and student learners. All alumni rave about the quality of the community. 
• Recommended locations to stay: Sibang & Abiansemal, Penestanan, Sayan, Nyuh Kuning, Titi Batu, Lodtunduh, Singakerta

**2. British School Bali **

• Philosophy & Description: A new (as of 2025) campus offering formal British education with academic rigor.
• Curriculum & Language: British National Curriculum (IGCSEs, A-Levels). The language of instruction is English. Planned for Ages 3-18 and for now until Age 12.  .
• Location & Size: north of the Ubud Center, located inside the impressive facilities of ParQ. Very central, but beware of traffic.
• Ideal For: Families seeking traditional, high-academic standards and a clear university pathway from within Ubud.
• Community: emerging global community of parents and students, growing phase-by-phase.
• Recommended locations to stay: Ubud Centre, Penestanan, Sayan, Nyuh Kuning, Titi Batu, Pejeng

3.Pelangi School

• Philosophy & Description: a long-established, beloved Montessori-inspired International Primary Curriculum (IPC) school emphasizing creativity, hands-on skill development and critical thinking.
• Curriculum & Language: Montessori inspired. Strong Math based on the Singapore method. The language of instruction is English. Ages 3-14, kindergarten till middle school.
• Location & Size: Mas, right opposite Titi Batu with good car access. Medium-sized (approx. 150 students), vibrant campus.
• Ideal For: Families wanting a warm, balanced academic and community-focused environment with a proven Ubud track record.
• Community: Mature, international community of long-term Ubud residents.
• Recommended locations to stay: Titi Batu area, Pejeng, Mas, Nyuh Kuning, Ubud Center, Lodtunduh, Singakerta, Singapadu, Sayan, Penestanan

4. Empathy School

• Philosophy & Description: A unique program built around the core principle of developing empathy, compassion, and communication skills. Conflict resolution and community circles are daily practices.
• Curriculum & Language: Project-based learning with empathy and social dynamics as foundational subjects. English-based. Ages 1-15, growing with each cohort.
• Location & Size: Located in a beautiful natural setting in Pejeng. Around 75-100 students. Intimate environment.
• Ideal For: Families who believe emotional literacy and interpersonal skills are the most important foundations for learning and life. 
• Community: Up and coming international community of learners
• Recommended locations to stay: Pejeng, Titi Batu area, Mas, Nyuh Kuning, Tegellang, Ubud Center

**5. Harmony School **

• Philosophy & Description: A small kindergarten located in an animal farm, that guides students to be in tune with both the natural and social environment
• Curriculum & Language: Montessori inspired, integrated thematic curriculum with a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) core. The language of instruction is English. Ages 2-6.
• Location & Size: Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Mas. Very small (under 50 students), family-like atmosphere with animal farm.
• Ideal For: Creative, sensitive children who thrive in expressive, cooperative environments and families valuing arts as highly as academics.
• Community: Mature, international community of long-term Ubud residents.
• Recommended locations to stay: Mas, Titi Batu area, Pejeng, Nyuh Kuning, Ubud Center, Lodtunduh, Singakerta, Singapadu, Sayan, Penestanan

6. Taman House (in stealth mode right now)

• Philosophy & Description: world-class international school in Ubud, with the ambition of becoming “the best school in Asia”.
• Curriculum & Language: International / Academic Excellence, formal British curriculum (IGCSE/A-Levels). Primary language is English. Planned for Ages 3-18 
• Location & Size: Located in Bongkasa, north of Abiansemal, ~25-35min from Ubud Center. They are building a massive multi-million dollar campus, with a planned opening in January 2027. The campus will include: the school, the boarding house for high schoolers and international-grade facilities for after-school activities (from theatre to robotics). For now, 3 temporary learning campuses have opened around Sayan and Lodtunduh to pilot the community and curriculum for primary, middle and high school.
• Ideal For: Globally-minded families seeking traditional, high-academic standards and a clear university pathway from within Ubud.
• Community: emerging global community of parents and students, growing phase-by-phase.
• Recommended locations to stay: Abiansemal, Penestanan, Sayan, Nyuh Kuning, Titi Batu, Lodtunduh, Singakerta

7**. Wood School**

• Philosophy & Description: A nature and craft-focused program where children learn traditional woodworking, building, and wilderness skills. Academics are applied through practical, hands-on projects.
• Curriculum & Language: Skill-based, outdoor-first experiential learning. Primary language is English. Ages 3-18.
• Location & Size: In Pejeng, the surroundings of Ubud (often in garden/forest settings). Very small, workshop-style groups.
• Ideal For: Hands-on, kinesthetic learners and families who value practical skills, craftsmanship, and deep nature connection over traditional classroom learning.
• Community: Up and coming international and local community of learners
• Recommended locations to stay: Pejeng, Titi Batu area, Mas, Nyuh Kuning, Tegellang, Ubud Center

8. Ubud High

• Philosophy & Description: A dedicated secondary program designed for teens, focusing on real-world problem solving, entrepreneurship, and self-directed learning projects. Fills a gap for older students in Ubud.
• Curriculum & Language: *Competency-based, project-focused curriculum, offering a globally recognized Cambridge and IGCSE curriculum. Instruction in English. Ages 13-18.
• Location & Size: Mas, near Titi Batu area. Less than 50 students. Small classrooms.
• Ideal For: Motivated teenagers who need a challenging and engaging pathway through adolescence.
• Community: Mature international community of long-term residents.
• Recommended locations to stay: Titi Batu area, Pejeng, Mas, Nyuh Kuning, Ubud Center, Lodtunduh, Singakerta, Singapadu, Sayan, Penestanan

9. Madu's School

• Philosophy & Description: A Waldorf-inspired school in a warm, farm and home-style environment. Learning emerges from children's interests, with a focus on natural materials and respectful, child-led exploration.
• Curriculum & Language: Emergent, Waldorf-inspired. Language is English in a multilingual environment.
• Location & Size: Sayan. Medium sized with around 100-150 students.
• Ideal For: Younger children who would benefit from gentle transition into formal learning through project based and nature-based group learning; and parents who prefer a highly personalized approach.
• Community: Mature community of international and local families, many long-term residents
• Recommended locations to stay: Recommended locations to stay: Sayan, Penestanan, Nyuh Kuning, Lodtunduh, Singakerta, Singapadu

10.Varvara Bali:

• Philosophy & Description: A full fledged Russian speaking school in Ubud
• Curriculum & Language: Russian academic curriculum, with bi-lingual Russian-English option. Ages 3-14, expanding as the children of the founders age 
• Location & Size: Singakerta. Medium sized with around 200 students.
• Ideal For: Russian-speaking families from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Central Asian countries, looking for educational continuity 
• Community: Mature community of Russian speaking families, many long-term residents
• Recommended locations to stay:  Singakerta, Mas, near Titi Batu, Sayan, Penestanan, Nyuh Kuning, Lodtunduh, Singapadu

There are many smaller schools and learning communities not mentioned here, especially for younger children - Ubud Montessori School, Yellow Coco Playgroups, Bali Earth School etc. The educational landscape in Ubud is dynamic as demand from international families is growing, so do check regularly for the latest updates.

Making Your Decision: A Practical Roadmap

1.  Identify Your Non-Negotiables: Is it pedagogical philosophy (Montessori, Waldorf, forest school), a specific curriculum for university pathways (IB, A-Levels), language, or community size?

2.  Prioritize Visits: A school's "feel" is everything. Attend open houses, observe classes, and talk to current parents. Ask about teacher retention (a major issue for many schools in Ubud!), daily rhythms, and how they handle conflicts between children.

3. Consider the Long-Term Arc: If you plan to stay in Bali long-term, consider if the school offers a complete pathway. If you might relocate, consider curriculum transferability. Boutique schools like Pelangi or Madu School often foster tight-knit communities but may require a transition for secondary years.

4.  Factor in Logistics & Community: Your school choice will influence your ideal neighborhood. Living near Pelangi in Mas or near BSB in Central Ubud simplifies life. The community around Green School or Madu's will often become your core social circle.

5.  Apply with Realism: Apply to 2-3 schools that match your criteria. Popular schools have waitlists. For newer or boutique schools like Empathy School or Ubud High, inquire deeply about their stability and long-term vision.

Your Partner in the Process

The journey of selecting a school is deeply personal. At Banyan Properties, we understand that this decision is intertwined with finding the right home and community. Our deep local connections provide insights beyond websites and brochures, helping you understand the true culture of each school and its surrounding neighborhood.

Ready to align your child's education with your family's new life in Ubud? Contact our team for personalized guidance that connects school choices with your perfect home.