TERM 3, Academic Year 2025–2026: Updates and Reflections

Bridging The Academic Divide

Dear Families,

Skyhawk will be 10 years old in September 2026

As we approach our 10-year anniversary, we are focused on making 2026–27 our strongest year yet. Over the past decade, we have navigated a wide range of experiences alongside our students, teachers, families, and partners—many of them memorable, challenging, and ultimately formative. In short, we have seen how this landscape really works.

And once again, the education environment in Bali is shifting.

With increased competition, changing global conditions, and a softening international market, there is now greater capacity across the sector. In this environment, families are increasingly presented with unsustainable discounts, “scholarships,” and promotional offers that can appear attractive, but do not always reflect long-term academic quality or stability.

As a result, it is more important than ever to make careful, well-informed decisions when selecting a stable school.

We are also seeing a gradual shift toward regional (Asian) markets, requiring schools to adapt thoughtfully in order to remain effective.

Through all of this, our focus remains unchanged: to provide a reliable, high-quality learning environment, with strong academic outcomes and long-term sustainability.

Nyepi Celebration Photos 2026

This year’s Nyepi celebration was another very strong celebration and the children really loved seeing their families involved. If you missed it, then we are delighted to share with you the uniquely amazing Nyepi Celebration 2026 photos - we invite you to Click the link to the compiled web share folder here 

Real World Feedback

Over the past decade, we have consistently received feedback from external partners—hotels, photographers, excursion providers, activity leaders, and local businesses—regarding the conduct of our students. Without exception, we are told that our students are one of, if not the best groups they host in terms of politeness, behaviour, and respect, and that we are always warmly welcomed back.

This term alone, we received particularly strong feedback from providers.

We feel it is important to share this with families, as it is something that may not always be visible day to day. In reality, it reflects the unique culture, expectations, and values of the Skyhawk community.

Student Visa Capacity

We are cautiously optimistic to share that we have made strong progress in our application to become a registered sponsor of student study visas which would enable families to reside in Bali, while studying at Skyhawk. This would be a significant step forward, and we hope to confirm the outcome of our maiden application within the coming term.

Academic ProgressAs some of you may already know, from an academic perspective, international benchmarking (OECD PISA 2022) places Indonesia in the bottom quartile globally (~65th–70th) in Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Regionally, placing Indonesia 2–5 years behind comparable systems.

This is reflected in our own data. Of 300+ students assessed, approximately 80% enter 1–3 grade levels below international expectations, in English and Mathematics—critical for Cambridge IGCSE success.

With structured, targeted instruction, this gap is being addressed. Skyhawk students achieve an average of 1.5 grade levels of progress per year using the IXL diagnostic system, enabling them to catch up and realign with international standards within a clear timeframe.

Please see below the live data graphic on the school’s IXL.

Using real-time IXL diagnostic data, which continuously adapts to each student’s ability level. After nine months (three terms), average progress per student; per classgroup; is as follows:

• Elementary: Mathematics +101 | English +125

• Primary: Mathematics +80 | English +109

• Junior: Mathematics +117 | English +193

• Middle: Mathematics +140 | English +166

  
  

Across the school, this equates to a per-student class average for 9 months:

• Mathematics: +110 Grade Points 🤓

• English: +148 Grade Points 👏

KEY POINTS

On the IXL scale, approximately 100 points represents one full grade-equivalent of progress, providing a clear, internationally aligned measure of academic development.

We publish complete, unfiltered IXL Diagnostic data, reflecting the true whole-school average with no selection or exclusion of higher-performing groups. This ensures a fully transparent and accurate picture of student progress.

How This Compares to Industry Standards

Sustaining this level of whole-school progress is exceptionally challenging in any professional learning environment, yet Skyhawk has achieved it consistently for six consecutive years.

In most UK-aligned and international schools, the typical benchmark is approximately 1 grade level per year (~100 points). While high-performing schools may exceed this slightly, many—particularly those with mixed ability and language backgrounds—fall below it.

Continuity Pays

We are also pleased to mark another significant milestone: this is the fourth consecutive year in which all classroom lead teachers have remained unchanged. This level of staff continuity is increasingly rare in today’s education landscape.

Despite ongoing recruitment efforts from other competitors, our lead faculty team has remained stable—something we believe reflects strongly on the culture, professional environment, and shared sense of purpose within our learning community.

Heads up – clarification regarding our academic year and tuition structure

Skyhawk Academy operates on a 12-month academic year (e.g. July 2025–June 2026), in line with most international schools, delivering approximately 182 active school days.

Our tuition Rate Card follows the calendar year (January–December), reflecting standard practice for accounting and financial planning.

As outlined in our Terms and Conditions, fees may be updated through revisions to the Rate Card, and advance notice is not always guaranteed.

This flexibility is essential for a small, family-run school operating in a volatile currency and regulatory environment, allowing us to respond appropriately to changing conditions.

Price Adjustment in July

As you will be aware, there has been increasing global economic pressure, including currency volatility, rising taxes, operational costs, and regulatory demands. While Bali grows, it also remains particularly sensitive for small-medium enterprises.

The academy continues to service existing commitments while raising capital for future development, including land acquired last year adjacent to the PlayZone. Given current conditions, this development has been delayed.

Unlike many schools, we do not apply a separate facilities charge, managing investment within our overall fee structure.

With the Indonesian Rupiah remaining historically weak and costs rising, we will implement a 5% tuition adjustment in July to maintain programme quality and stability.

To secure current rates, families may renew or switch to the annual plan before 1 July 2026, or request an early invoice to lock in pricing. Please refer to the current rate card for details.

Given the fast-changing environment, we must remain flexible to ensure long-term stability.

🤓REMINDER OF THE PARENT PORTAL WITH ALL THE LATEST SCHOOL DOCUMENTS FOR PARENTS IN ONE CONVENIENT PLACE. (https://www.skyhawkacademy.info/parent-portal)

🤓REMINDER OF THE SCHOOL BLOG WITH ALL THE LATEST ARTICLES

UPCOMING EVENTS Put them in your diaries!!

Calendar: Skyhawk Academic Calendar 2026-2027

1. END OF YEAR GRADUATION SHOW (Wed. 20th May)

*Note that some of these dates are subject to final confirmation / Videos of past events can be found on our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@skyhawkacademyteam8831

ECA Update: 🤩

LATEST SCHEDULE: ECA SCHEDULE SKYHAWK 2025-26 - SEMESTER 2.pdf

Registration & Payment: 🤓

To secure your child’s spot, please complete payment in advance (as with all ECA programmes).

Why Participate?

All Skyhawk ECAs are subsidised by the school (sometimes at a cost) as we believe they play a vital role in helping students:

• ✅ Build friendships & strengthen peer bonds

• ✅ Develop meaningful skills

• ✅ Enhance social interaction through collaborative play

We highly encourage students to participate in as many ECAs as possible to maximise these benefits. Supporting your child’s involvement also helps foster lasting connections that extend beyond the classroom.

We look forward to seeing your child having fun at one of our great ECAs!

🙏