Resources
IB, Cambridge, A-Level and the Indonesian national curriculum sit side by side in Bali's schools. These guides explain how each system is structured, graded and assessed.
Bali's international schools teach three main systems: the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Cambridge pathway leading to IGCSE and A-Level, and the Indonesian national curriculum, Kurikulum Merdeka. Some schools blend systems or follow UK, US or Australian programmes.
Each system has its own vocabulary, its own assessment style and its own calendar. Parents rarely need all of it; they need the slice their child is sitting in right now. The table below maps the stages side by side, with typical ages, and the guides in this section explain each piece in plain terms.
| Typical ages | IB programmes | Cambridge pathway | UK key stages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 12 | Primary Years Programme (PYP) | Cambridge Early Years and Primary, Stages 1 to 6 (about ages 5 to 11) | Key stages 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 11) |
| 11 to 16 | Middle Years Programme (MYP) | Cambridge Lower Secondary, Stages 7 to 9 (about ages 11 to 14) | Key stage 3 (ages 11 to 14) |
| 14 to 16 | MYP final years | Cambridge IGCSE (Upper Secondary) | Key stage 4, GCSE years (ages 14 to 16) |
| 16 to 19 | Diploma Programme (DP) | Cambridge International AS and A Level | Sixth form, A-Levels (ages 16 to 18) |
The IB runs a continuum: the Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 12, the Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16, and the Diploma Programme for ages 16 to 19. Each is assessed differently, and the Diploma has its own 45-point grading scale. The explainer guide lays out ages, structure, assessment and grading in one table.
Many IGCSE subjects are offered at two tiers. Core covers the foundational content and is graded C to G; Extended adds harder material and reaches A*. The school chooses the tier, and the choice sets a grade ceiling and often a post-16 route. The tier guide explains the grade ranges, how schools enter students, and what to do if you disagree.
Students who cruised through IGCSE can find the first term of A-Level a shock: fewer subjects, far more depth, and a grading structure that rewards independence. The step-up guide explains what actually changes, how AS and A2 work in international schools, and how to choose subjects with university in mind.
Families move children from Kurikulum Merdeka into English-medium international schools every year in Bali. The adjustment is real: a new language of instruction, a new assessment style and different expectations at home. The transition guide sets out what changes and how to support it.
Four explainers, each checked against the awarding bodies’ own publications.
When a child needs support inside one of these systems, the tutor should work from the syllabus the school actually teaches. Our curriculum pages describe how we tutor each one, and the A-Level page covers post-16 support.
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