International Schools in Bangkok: Complete 2025 Guide

Why International Schools in Bangkok?

Bangkok has one of the largest concentrations of international schools in Asia, with over 150 schools offering international curricula. For expat families, these schools provide:

• Continuity of education when moving from your home country
• Globally recognized qualifications (IB, British A-Levels, American High School Diploma)
• English as primary language of instruction
• Diverse, multicultural environment
• High academic standards and modern facilities
• Strong university placement records worldwide

Understanding the Cost

International schools in Bangkok are expensive, but significantly cheaper than comparable schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Western countries.

Typical Annual Costs (2025)

Additional Costs

• Application Fee: ฿5,000-15,000 (non-refundable)
• Capital Fee/Debenture: ฿100,000-500,000+ (refundable when leaving, if paid)
• Registration Fee: ฿20,000-60,000 per year
• Uniforms: ฿10,000-20,000 per year
• School Bus: ฿40,000-80,000 per year
• Lunch: ฿30,000-50,000 per year
• After-school activities/sports: ฿20,000-100,000 per year
• School trips: ฿10,000-50,000 per year

Total annual cost per child: ฿500,000-1,500,000 ($15,000-45,000)

Top Tier International Schools

1. NIST International School

Website: www.nist.ac.th

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 15, central Bangkok

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) - Full continuum (PYP, MYP, DP)

Founded: 1992

Students: 1,500+ from 50+ nationalities

Tuition (2025): ฿1,021,700/year (~$30,000) for high school

What Makes NIST Stand Out:

• One of only three schools in Thailand offering full IB continuum from nursery to diploma
• Consistently top IB results in Thailand (average 36-37 points)
• Non-profit foundation governance ensures reinvestment in facilities/programs
• Most central location in Bangkok (Sukhumvit area)
• Strong university placement record (Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, Stanford, etc.)
• Excellent facilities including Olympic-size pool, theaters, labs
• Strong emphasis on service learning and global citizenship

Best For: Families prioritizing IB curriculum, academic rigor, central location

Challenges:

• Most expensive school in Bangkok
• Very competitive admissions
• Limited spaces - long waiting lists for some grade levels

2. International School Bangkok (ISB)

Website: www.isb.ac.th

Location: Nichada Thani, Nonthaburi (northwest Bangkok)

Curriculum: American (with AP courses and IB Diploma option)

Founded: 1951

Students: 1,700+ from 60+ nationalities

Tuition (2025): ฿1,075,000/year (~$32,000) for high school

What Makes ISB Stand Out:

• Oldest international school in Thailand (founded for UN/US diplomat children)
• Large, sprawling 27-acre campus with extensive facilities
• Strong American curriculum with 25+ AP courses
• IB Diploma option for juniors/seniors who prefer it
• Excellent sports programs (championship athletics, swimming, basketball)
• Very strong university placement, especially to US universities
• Well-established alumni network

Best For: American families, those prioritizing sports/extracurriculars, families in north Bangkok

Challenges:

• Location in Nichada (45-60 min from central Bangkok in traffic)
• Most expensive school in Bangkok
• Can feel very "American bubble" - less international diversity

3. Bangkok Patana School

Website: www.patana.ac.th

Location: Bang Na, southeast Bangkok

Curriculum: British (with IB Diploma in final years)

Founded: 1957

Students: 2,300+ from 60+ nationalities

Tuition (2025): ฿460,000-945,000/year ($13,500-28,000) depending on grade

What Makes Patana Stand Out:

• Largest British international school in Asia
• Follows British National Curriculum through GCSE, then IB Diploma
• Consistently highest IB scores in Thailand (average 37-38 points)
• Outstanding facilities on 35-acre campus
• Strong pastoral care system (house system like British boarding schools)
• Excellent university placement, especially UK/Europe
• Robust arts, music, drama programs

Best For: British families, those wanting British curriculum with IB option, families in east Bangkok

Challenges:

• Location in Bang Na (30-45 min from central Bangkok)
• Less American university focus
• British system can be adjustment for non-British families

Strong Mid-Tier Schools (฿400,000-700,000/year)

4. Ruamrudee International School (RIS)

Website: www.rism.ac.th

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 61 (Ekkamai)

Curriculum: American (with IB option)

Tuition: ฿550,000-750,000/year

Strengths:

• Excellent central location on Sukhumvit
• Strong American curriculum
• Good value for quality delivered
• Smaller class sizes than top-tier schools
• Nice blend of Thai and international students

5. KIS International School

Website: www.kis.ac.th

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 77 (On Nut)

Curriculum: IB continuum

Tuition: ฿500,000-700,000/year

Strengths:

• Full IB continuum at lower cost than NIST
• Modern facilities (opened 2015)
• Growing reputation for IB results
• Good location on Sukhumvit BTS line

6. Shrewsbury International School

Website: www.shrewsbury.ac.th

Location: Rama 3 / Riverside

Curriculum: British

Tuition: ฿450,000-650,000/year

Strengths:

• Affiliated with prestigious Shrewsbury School in UK
• Strong British curriculum and pastoral care
• Beautiful riverside location
• Growing rapidly with good facilities

7. St. Andrews International School

Website: www.standrews.ac.th

Locations: Sukhumvit 107 (Green Valley), Sathorn, Dusit

Curriculum: British

Tuition: ฿400,000-600,000/year

Strengths:

• Multiple campuses across Bangkok
• Solid British curriculum
• Good value proposition
• Accepts wider range of abilities

Budget-Friendly Options (฿200,000-400,000/year)

8. Ascot International School

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 49/15

Curriculum: British

Tuition: ฿280,000-380,000/year

9. Sisb International School

Locations: Multiple campuses

Curriculum: Bilingual Thai-English/British

Tuition: ฿200,000-350,000/year

10. Bangkok Prep

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 53

Curriculum: British

Tuition: ฿300,000-450,000/year

Curriculum Options Explained

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Structure:

• PYP (Primary Years): Ages 3-11
• MYP (Middle Years): Ages 11-16
• DP (Diploma Programme): Ages 16-19

Pros:

• Globally recognized and respected by universities worldwide
• Inquiry-based, conceptual learning
• International perspective built into curriculum
• Consistent across countries (good for mobile families)
• IB Diploma highly regarded by top universities

Cons:

• Rigorous and demanding workload
• Not as flexible as other curricula
• Can be stressful for some students

Best For: Academic students, families planning multiple international moves, students targeting global universities

American Curriculum

Structure: K-12 system with Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school

Pros:

• Familiar to American families
• Flexible and allows for individualized learning paths
• AP courses provide university credit
• Broad curriculum with many electives
• Strong extracurricular emphasis

Cons:

• Less standardized than IB or British systems
• American diploma less recognized in some countries
• Can vary significantly between schools

Best For: American families planning to return to US, students targeting US universities

British Curriculum

Structure: Key Stages 1-5, IGCSE (14-16), A-Levels or IB (16-18)

Pros:

• Structured, clear progression
• IGCSE and A-Levels internationally recognized
• Subject specialization in later years
• Strong in UK/European university placement
• Good balance of academics and pastoral care

Cons:

• Early specialization (choosing subjects at 16)
• A-Levels less flexible than IB/AP
• Can feel formal/traditional to some

Best For: British families, students targeting UK universities, those wanting structured progression

Admission Process

Typical Timeline

1. Research (6-12 months before): Visit schools, attend open houses
2. Apply (3-6 months before): Submit application and documents
3. Assessment (2-4 months before): Entrance exams, interviews
4. Decision (1-2 months before): Admission offers sent
5. Enrollment: Accept offer, pay fees, secure spot

Required Documents

• Completed application form
• Student passport copy
• Birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Recent report cards (2-3 years)
• Teacher recommendations
• Passport photos
• Application fee payment

Entrance Assessments

What to expect:

• Early Years (3-6): Play-based observation, parent interview
• Primary (7-11): English and Math tests, classroom observation
• Secondary (12-18): English, Math, sometimes Science tests, student interview

Assessment areas:

• English proficiency (critical for all schools)
• Mathematics ability
• Academic potential
• Social/emotional maturity
• Fit with school community

Admission Criteria

Top schools are highly selective. Factors considered:

• Academic ability: Test scores, previous grades
• English level: Must be proficient or near-proficient
• Sibling preference: Priority to families with siblings already enrolled
• Nationality balance: Schools aim for diversity
• Special needs: Some schools better equipped than others
• Age appropriateness: Birth date cutoffs apply

Waiting Lists and Availability

Reality check: Top schools often have waiting lists, especially for popular entry points (Early Years, Year 7, Year 10).

Entry Points with Best Availability:

• Nursery/Pre-K (age 3-4)
• Year 1 (age 5-6)
• Year 12/Grade 11 (less common to switch at this point, so sometimes spots)

Competitive Entry Points:

• Year 7 (start of secondary, many families enter)
• Year 10 (start of IGCSE/IB MYP5)

Strategies if Waitlisted:

• Accept spot at second-choice school, stay on waitlist for first choice
• Consider starting at mid-tier school, transfer later
• Look at multiple entry points (e.g., if Year 7 full, check Year 6 or 8)
• Consider newer/expanding schools with better availability

School Location Considerations

Central Bangkok (Sukhumvit)

Schools: NIST, RIS, Ascot, Bangkok Prep, KIS

Pros: Central location, easy commute, near expat housing

Cons: Smaller campuses, higher land costs = higher fees

Northwest (Nichada/Chaengwattana)

Schools: ISB, St. Andrews Dusit

Pros: Huge campuses, excellent facilities, Nichada expat community

Cons: Far from central Bangkok (45-90 min in traffic)

Southeast (Bang Na)

Schools: Bangkok Patana, St. Andrews Green Valley

Pros: Large campuses, good value, growing residential area

Cons: 30-60 min from central Bangkok

South (Sathorn/Riverside)

Schools: Shrewsbury, St. Andrews Sathorn

Pros: Beautiful riverside locations, central-ish

Cons: Limited number of schools in this area

Important: Choose school based on proximity to your housing. Bangkok traffic is brutal - a 45-minute commute can become 90 minutes during rush hour.

School Transportation

Most families use school buses due to Bangkok traffic and safety concerns.

School Bus:

• Cost: ฿40,000-80,000/year per child
• Door-to-door service
• Air-conditioned buses with attendants
• Pickup times: 6:30-7:30 AM typically
• Drop-off times: 3:30-5:00 PM typically

Private Car:

• Flexible timing
• Traffic can be nightmare during rush hour
• Parking at schools sometimes limited

Tips for Choosing the Right School

1. Visit Multiple Schools

Don't just look at rankings or reputation. Visit campuses, observe classes, talk to current parents. Each school has a different culture.

2. Consider Your Timeline

How long will you be in Thailand? If 2-3 years, prioritize curriculum continuity with home country. If 5+ years or permanent, more flexibility.

3. Match to Your Child'sNeeds

• Academic child: NIST, Patana, ISB
• Sports-focused: ISB, Patana
• Arts-focused: Patana, Shrewsbury
• Needs support: Look at support services, smaller class sizes
• Social butterfly: Larger schools with more extracurriculars

4. Don't Overstretch Financially

If top-tier schools strain your budget, mid-tier schools still provide excellent education. Many students from mid-tier schools get into top universities.

5. Check University Placement Records

Ask schools where graduates go. Top schools publish this data. Look for:

• Universities your child might target
• Percentage going to university vs. gap year/other
• Quality of university counseling support

6. Talk to Current Parents

Join Facebook groups for expat parents in Bangkok. Ask honest questions:

• "How does [School X] handle bullying?"
• "Is the academic pressure manageable?"
• "How good is the EAL (English as Additional Language) support?"
• "Would you choose this school again?"

Special Considerations

English as Additional Language (EAL)

If your child is not native English speaker, check:

• Does school offer EAL support?
• Is it pull-out (child leaves class) or push-in (support teacher in classroom)?
• How long is support provided?
• What'sthe success rate for EAL students?
• Are there additional fees for EAL?

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Bangkok schools vary widely in SEN support:

• Strong SEN support: Some schools have dedicated learning support departments
• Limited SEN support: Many top schools have minimal support
• No SEN support: Some schools don't accept students with significant needs

Be upfront during admissions about any learning differences or needs.

Mid-Year Transfers

Moving to Bangkok mid-school-year?

• More availability than at start of academic year
• Schools more flexible about entry
• Pro-rated tuition usually available
• May need to repeat grade or adjust to new curriculum

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Most Bangkok international schools don't offer need-based financial aid. However:

• Company-paid tuition: Many expat packages include school fees
• Merit scholarships: Some schools offer for exceptional students (rare)
• Sibling discounts: Some schools offer 5-10% discount for 2nd+ child
• Staff discounts: If you work at the school, often free/reduced tuition

Beyond Academics: Extracurriculars

Bangkok international schools offer extensive activities:

Sports:

• Swimming, football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton
• Inter-school competitions (BISAC, SEASAC leagues)
• Some schools have championship-level programs

Arts:

• Music (orchestra, band, choir), drama, visual arts
• Annual performances, exhibitions
• Some schools have theater programs rivaling professional productions

Clubs:

• Model UN, debate, robotics, coding, environmental clubs
• Cultural clubs, language clubs
• Typically 50-100+ clubs at larger schools

Service Learning:

• Community service projects
• Environmental initiatives
• Partnerships with local Thai communities
• International service trips

Common Questions

Q: Can my child get in mid-year?

A: Yes, usually easier than at start of academic year. Contact admissions directly.

Q: What if my child doesn't speak English?

A: Depends on age. Younger children (under 8) can usually adapt quickly with EAL support. Older students may struggle. Some schools require minimum English level for admission.

Q: Is the high cost worth it?

A: Bangkok international schools are significantly cheaper than comparable schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, or US, while offering similar quality. If you can afford it, the education is excellent.

Q: How do Bangkok schools compare to Western schools?

A: Top Bangkok schools (NIST, ISB, Patana) are on par with top private schools in UK/US. Mid-tier schools comparable to good state schools in West. Facilities often better than Western schools.

Q: Can Thai children attend?

A: Yes, most schools accept Thai nationals. Some have quotas to maintain international diversity.

Need Help Choosing a School?

Selecting the right international school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an expat family. Our relocation services include:

• School consultation based on your child'sneeds, budget, location
• Arranging school visits and tours
• Application assistance and timeline management
• Entrance exam preparation resources
• Connecting you with current parents at schools you're considering
• Support with education visa applications

Book a free consultation to discuss your family'seducation needs in Bangkok.