Chiang Mai is the second biggest city in Thailand after the country’s capital, Bangkok. The city is home to 1.5 million people where approximately 20,000 of them are expatriates.
Chiang Mai enjoys a tropical climate year-round with instances of cool weather from November to February. Education in Thailand is becoming extremely popular with expatriates. This can be seen from the growing number of international schools in the country.
Here is a list of international schools in Chiang Mai:
1. Chiang Mai International School
Established in 1954, Chiang Mai International School aimed at providing an American sourced-education with an international perspective. The school offers Kindergarten up to High School levels to almost 500 students. High School students also have the chance to sit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses to prepare them for college or university. In addition, Thai language and culture classes are integrated into the curriculum.
2. Chiang Mai Montessori International School
The school’s curriculum is based on the Montessori method and caters to students aged three to 12 years old. It is a small school with an estimated enrolment of 100 students. There are three classrooms which are Toddler Community, Children’s House and Elementary. Additional English language support is available to students. Furthermore, the school offers Chinese as a Second Language as an option.
3. Christian German School Chiangmai
Christian German School Chiangmai is a foreign school offering the German curriculum. The school covers nursery, kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and pre-university levels. Students can sit for the German university entrance qualification, the German International Abitur (DIAP), at the school.
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 levels are accepted at Grace International School. The school opened in 1999 and now has more than 600 students. Grace International School offers the American Curriculum and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Lanna International School offers the British Curriculum from Early Years up to pre-university level. Students in secondary school sit for the IGCSE examinations and have the opportunity to move on to A Levels at pre-university level. In addition, the school offers preparation for the SATs and IELTS. The school also integrates personal, social and health education (PSHE) throughout the curriculum via workshops and assemblies for a more enriched learning experience.
6. Nakornpayap International School
Nakornpayap International School offers the American Curriculum to students in Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School and High School levels. Established in 1993, the school also offers the Advanced Placement (AP) programme to High School students. The school encourages all students to take part in their dynamic arts programme which consists of music and visual arts. Although classes are taught in English, students also learn about the Thai language and culture.
7. Panyaden International School
Panyaden International School currently offers preschool, primary school and secondary school levels. Students are taught the Thai language from preschool to primary school levels and are expected to be fluent in both Thai and English by the end of Year 6. Panyaden International School offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) and the International Baccalaureate Curriculum.
8. Prem Tinsulanonda International School
The school was established in 2001 and is the first school in Southeast Asia that is authorised to provide all four International Baccalaureate programmes to its students.
Students aged three to 19 are taught the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme leading to the Diploma Programme and Career-related programme. The school provides the Intensive English Programme (IEP) which aims to help students improve their English language skills for International Baccalaureate programmes. Boarding facilities are also available.
9. Singapore International School Chiang Mai
SISB Chiangmai is the first Singapore International School in Northern Thailand, offering the renowned Singapore education curriculum in Chiangmai. Located in the city centre, the school delivers a custom-built Nursery and Kindergarten curriculum that is child-centred and that blends the best of the Singapore and UK curriculums in English, Chinese and Thai languages.
10. Unity Concord International School
Established in 2017, Unity Concord International School offers the American Curriculum. The school opened to Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 students and had an estimated enrolement 150 students. Unity Concord International School opened its new campus in the 2018-2019 school year and now caters to students up to Grade 12.
11. Varee Chiangmai International School
Varee Chiangmai International School offers Kindergarten, primary school and secondary school levels. The school’s curriculum is a unique combination of international teaching methods paired with the quality of the Thai education system. Science, Mathematics and English are emphasised and students are assessed based on the Common European Framework.
Useful information for expats:
- Chiang Mai Expats Facebook Group
- Chiang Mai Expat Community
- A guide to expat living in Chiang Mai
- Ask an Expat: Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you are looking for an international school in Chiang Mai or other parts of Thailand, make sure to use the powerful School Finder on www.EducationDestinationAsia.com.
