Social change is an integral phenomenon in every society. The dynamics of social change present a phenomenon of a society or a part of society that is eroded by change; some are immersed in the flow of change, some exercise resistance measures, and some are even able to contribute to the dynamics of social change by conducting transformation. Pesantren, as one of the oldest Islamic educational institution, demonstrates efforts of defense and transformation as a form of adaptation towards social change. The history of education in Indonesia cannot be separated from the role and contribution of pesantren. In its development, Indonesian education which adopted modernization of western education shifted pesantren to become an additional alternative educational institution, rather than primary institution it used to be. However, the most recent development shows a return of pesantren’s presence and contribution as a significant alternative for education system in Indonesia. This cannot be separated from the fact that the pesantren has applied a model of adaptation. The purpose of this research is to analyze diversity of adaptive models in three pesantrens in Java. With methods of observation and in-depth interviews in three pesantrens which are Cidahu in Pandeglang, Banten; Langitan in Tuban, East Java; and Darul Ulum in Jombang, East Java, this research confirms that adaptive models of pesantren have created diversity in pesantren models. However, through this diversity it is still evident that the pesantren is a model of typical Indonesian education.