Our core values of light, local, immersed living and learning

Bali Dharmada School aims to live our values both in and outside of school. Bali Dharmada School is based on research that provides incontrovertible evidence that imperialism and large-scale mass industrialization have caused and continue to exacerbate anthropogenic climate change and social injustice and inequality. Our teaching program is fundamentally grounded in social justice and respect for all living and non-living entities, and we focus on empowering students to make meaningful change in the world.

Bali Dharmada School provides snacks and lunch that are 100% vegan, made using local Balinese ingredients.

In line with the Governor’s laws with respect to foreigners’ behaviour in Bali, we do not use or allow disposable plastic (including Aqua or soft drink bottles) on campus or in foreign students’ homes. Bali Dharmada School will support families in finding alternatives to goods packaged in disposable, single-use plastic. We also ask that families comply with all Bali’s laws that regulate foreigners’ behaviour:

  1. Respect sacred sites and symbols – This includes temples, religious statues (pratima), and other holy places. Visitors should observe and honor Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, especially during ceremonies.
  2. Dress appropriately – When visiting temples, tourist attractions, or public spaces, tourists are expected to wear modest and respectful clothing.
  3. Behave respectfully – Whether at religious sites, restaurants, shopping areas, or public roads, tourists must maintain polite and considerate behavior.
  4. Pay the tourist levy – A mandatory tourist fee must be paid electronically via https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/ before or during their stay.
  5. Use licensed tour guides – When exploring cultural or natural sites, tourists must be accompanied by certified guides who understand local traditions and natural conditions.
  6. Exchange currency at authorized money changers – Transactions should only be conducted at licensed exchange services with official QR codes from Bank Indonesia.
  7. Follow traffic laws – Tourists driving in Bali must:
    • Have a valid international or national driver’s license
    • Wear a helmet when riding a motorbike
    • Follow traffic signs and not overload vehicles
    • Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
    • Use legal transportation – Only licensed car rentals or transport services should be used.
    • Stay at licensed accommodations – Visitors must book hotels, villas, or homestays that comply with Bali’s legal accommodation standards.

What Tourists Are NOT Allowed to Do

  1. Enter sacred temple areas (Utamaning Mandala & Madyaning Mandala) unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire. Menstruating women are also prohibited from entering these areas.
  2. Climb sacred trees or monuments – This includes taking inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites.
  3. Litter or pollute Bali’s environment – Throwing waste in lakes, rivers, or the ocean is strictly prohibited.
  4. Use single-use plastics – Plastic bags, Styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks are banned.
  5. Engage in aggressive or disrespectful behavior – This includes swearing, causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists. Sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media is also prohibited.
  6. Work or run a business without proper permits – Tourists are not allowed to conduct business or work in Bali unless they hold official documentation from Indonesian authorities.
  7. Participate in illegal activities – This includes trading drugs, endangered animals, sacred artifacts, or any prohibited goods.

Governor Koster said: “Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them.”

In learning to understand and value the community-centred living that makes Bali the magical, kind haven that it is, we ask our families to comply with Indonesian law regarding land ownership, and instead live in registered homestays. Bali Dharmada School will connect families with registered homestays in areas that are conveniently located to the school as well as to local amenities. We also ask that parents become immersed in the school community and commit to volunteering at least 1 hour of service per week. This volunteering can be in our gardens, our kitchen, assisting with maintenance, or chaperoning or leading after-school activities.

The Bali Dharmada School Code of Conduct for Students and Families

  • l will respect and uphold the Bali Dharmada School core values in my daily life.
  • I understand that I represent the school in person and online at all times, everytime I am in the community and including evenings, weekends, or over any school break or holiday.
  • I understand, accept, and will respect all of my school-related commitments and responsibilities
  • I will behave in a way that supports and respects the school, my community, Bali and the planet.
  • I will demonstrate responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.
  • I will not engage in violent behaviour including hitting, pushing, spitting at another student or restricting their movement.
  • I will not touch other students or community members in ways that are not invited or welcome.
  • I will not take, steal, hide, or damage anything belonging to anyone else, even if it is the “public domain”.
  • I will not use offensive names, unwelcome teasing, or spreading rumours when interacting with or discussing other others.
  • I will not use racist, oppressive, sexist, or homophobic slurs or in anyway use language that tries to assert dominance or superiority over others.
  • I will not belittle other people’s abilities and achievements.
  • I will not exclude other students or community members from a group activity.
  • I will not ridiculing anyone else’s appearance, way of speaking or mannerisms.
  • I will not threaten the wellbeing of another person.
  • I will not use technology to hurt, intimidate, threaten, embarrass, or humiliate another person, the school, the community or Bali.

Students and families who attend Bali Dharmada School are asked to understand, accept and uphold Bali Dharmada School’s code of conduct. Violations will be addressed through Bali Dharmada School’s disciplinary process, which will involve parents and the school governance committee. Students and families who find that these principles do not align with their own personal values will be invited to discuss this with the school governance committee to identify how and whether ongoing enrollment in Bali Dharmada School is appropriate.