The last 2 decades have been a game changer in the education system of Thailand. Initially, only Thai children born and raised in the country were guaranteed an affordable education. This was due to the rights they were granted with the passing of the 1999 Education Act.
However, this law adapted and evolved as per the need of the hour. Since 2005, many public schools and private establishments provide low-cost and affordable education to all children studying in Thailand.
With Private International schools, now offering world-class education to both Thai and foreign children from the ages of 2 to 18, the country is at its peak. It is estimated that the education system in Thailand is set to improve even further in the next 2 decades.
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Note-Worthy Facts You Should Know About The Best Schools in Bangkok
Fact #1 – The government of Thailand continuously invests a significant amount of money, effort, and resources in providing a public education system for Thai children. However, despite having high literacy rates and the efforts put in by the government, Thailand’s population fails at acquiring a high achievement rate. This can be chalked up to a bias in the education system, that has caused the country to rank #35 out of #40 on the 2014 PISA tests which is much lower than the international average.
Fact #2 – Thailand has some of the best private schools in Asia, that offer an international curriculum in English. These international schools offer an all-around development for children who seek to acquire a high achievement rate. These private schools do not always follow a typical and stern methodology for education.
Fact #3 – Most of these private schools follow a very progressive and hybrid methodology of education, which incorporates both serious classroom learning and lighter play while learning ideologies. These schools and colleges include extra-curricular activities that students are encouraged to choose from. The campuses are built on expansive green grounds, with recreational courts, arenas, swimming pools, and a wide array of other facilities all available on campus for interested students.
Fact #4 – Free education is an age-old concept and a worthwhile one, especially when it comes to shaping the young minds of future generations. Before the year 2009, free education was granted to students up to the age of 12 years. However, the decision to increase this time from 12 years to the initial 15 years of education, has increased the enrollment rates almost twice!
Fact #5 – Thailand is a cultural melting pot, with private and international schools welcoming students from around the world. The laid-back country of Thailand is very tolerant when it comes to accepting foreign children, but is equally serious when it comes to providing a stellar education in an English and Thai curriculum to all the students enrolled, irrespective of their nationality.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best International Schools in Thailand
These frequently asked questions can help you understand more about the features of the best international schools in Thailand, their fee structure, and other important aspects that come into play while you are choosing the best international school for your child.
Is Studying in International Schools In Bangko Good Experience For Children?
Studying in Thailand can be a wonderful experience for students from different countries as the education system in private international schools is very inclusive. A hands-on approach and immersive learning experience, with puzzles, learning blocks, books, games, and exercises is a concept that is used to teach younger children basic concepts.
Like in most countries, Thailand offers students classroom learning and a practical learning experience for most applied knowledge subjects, for instance, science subjects. In addition, students can choose more than 1 extra-curricular activity when the term starts. Terms in most international schools are aligned to that of international countries such as the UK and the USA so that international students can join easily and catch up with other students without any difficulty. Teachers ensure that with learning aids and with additional language assistance for international students, no student is left behind in the conquest for knowledge.
The fee structure of these schools depends on the grade or level they enroll for. While most of the fees mentioned below are for 2 – 4-year-old children, the cost per year for tuition increases gradually every year. There is an additional one-time fee that can range from 100,000 to 300,000 THB per school. The admission form fee is usually capped at 2,000 THB with an additional entrance test fee for some schools only.
Which Curriculum Does The British Columbia International School Bangkok Follow?
The British Columbia International School Bangkok is one of the few schools in Thailand that follows a Canadian curriculum. The ratio of Thai students versus international students in this school is a 70-30% ratio. The teachers include native English speakers, there is language support for non-native English-speaking students and Thai is an additional language that students can choose to opt-in for.
The British Columbia International School Bangkok offers volleyball, football, volleyball, hockey, swimming, badminton, and track with field coaching. The school is also a member of the CISSA organization (Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action) for sports and offers competitive training when students compete with other schools in Asia.
The yearly fees range from 365,000 to 490,000 THB with an additional admission form fee as well as one-time admission fees. You can get more information on the official British Columbia International School Website.
The American School of Bangkok Represent 40+ Nationalities
The American School of Bangkok follows an American curriculum, represents 43 nationalities, and yes, it is the most preferred school for foreign students from Japan. The ratio of local students to international students is an alarming 1:4 ratio.
Fully certified native English-speaking teachers impart knowledge to all the students. Additionally, ELL classes are offered for non-native English-speaking students. The school also offers a wide range of additional languages such as Thai, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese.
The average number of students in the class is between 15 – 20, depending on the grade. Extra-curricular activities include sports, arts, performing arts, music, and academics. The school trains in competitive sports at the BISAC or TISAC level. The yearly fees are on average 388,000THB with an additional admission form and one-time admission fees. The American School of Bangkok has 2 campuses, the first in Green Valley and the second at Sukhumvit. You can get more information on the official American School of Bangkok website.
The Australian International Bangkok School offers more than 1 Curriculum
The Australian International Bangkok School offers both British and Australian curriculums. The language used to impart knowledge is English and the school has native-English-speaking teachers on their payroll. Many teachers employed here are from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Non-native English-speaking students are offered English as an additional language. Students can choose to opt in for additional languages such as Thai, French, Japanese, German, and Mandarin.
The average number of students per class is 15 however, in some cases, the number can reach a maximum of 18 students per class. Extra-curricular activities include but are not limited to Guitar, Violin, Piano, Ukulele, Singing, Ballet, Robotics, Swimming, and Soccer. The average annual fees are 295,000 THB with an additional admission form and a one-time fee. You can get more information on the official Australian International Bangkok School website.
What Was The First School in Thailand and Which Is The Oldest International School in Thailand?
Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in Thailand and was first founded in the year 1882. A fun fact about this school is that it was founded by King Chulalongkorn as a peer school to teach topics of great value back then, such as the royal household and nobility among other topics.
The International School Bangkok most popularly termed ISB, the oldest International Thai school was founded in 1951. ISB prides itself on being a school that centers its principles around family values and they show this by including the entire family in all school events whenever possible.
Where Are The Best International Schools Such as NIST International School in Thailand Located?
This list is not exhaustive; however, you can find the locations of the top international schools. Some of these top international schools are in the heart of Bangkok, and a close commute from your Bangkok condo. Others are in more open and green places where they are built on lush and expansive grounds.
- International School Bangkok – Nonthaburi Province, Thailand
- The American School of Bangkok – Sukhumvit Bangkok and the Green Valley, Samut Prakan, Thailand.
- NIST International School – Watthana District, Bangkok
- KIS International School – Huai Khwang, Bangkok
- RC International School – Watthana, Bangkok
- Bromsgrove International School – Min Buri, Bangkok
- British International School (Boarding School) – Bangkok Patana School – Phuket
- Ivy Bound International School – Watthana, Bangkok
- British Columbia International School – Phasi Charoen, Bangkok
- Trinity International School – Khlong Toei, Bangkok
- Australian International Bangkok School – Watthana, Bangkok
Finding the Best International Schools in Bangkok
There are many options to choose from when you are selecting the best international school for children between the ages of 4 to 11 years old. Checking reviews and testimonials online is definitely one of the best methods to narrow down the list of selected schools. Many of the reviews are from the international community and those reviews are definitely worth watching.
Visiting the campus and speaking to the teachers is another effective selection method. Finally finding a school that is close to your Bangkok condo or Phuket eco pool villa, is a good idea especially if you do not want to choose the boarding options that the school provides for your child. That being said, studying in Thailand is safe and can be a holistic and wholesome experience for children from different countries.
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