Frequently Asked Questions What is the IB program?  Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programs of international education: the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years When was Concordian International School Program (MYP) and the IB Diploma Program (IBDP). established? There are more than 681,000 IB students at 2,512 Concordian International School was established in August schools in 132 countries. 2001. The school was originally located at the sports complex of Thana City. In 2007, the school moved to a new,  The IB curriculum framework incorporates best teaching modern purpose-built campus at Bangna KM7 covering a practices from many different countries rather than the total land area of 20 rai (approx. 8 hectares). exported national system of any one. Students benefit from a continuum of high-quality education that encourages international-mindedness and a positive From which organizations does Concordian attitude to learning. receive its accreditation? Concordian is fully authorized by the International  The three IB programs help develop the intellectual, Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and accredited by the personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), work in a rapidly globalizing world. All IB students learn Council of International Schools (CIS), and the Thai Ministry a second language and the skills to live and work with of Education. others internationally—essential for life in the 21st century. Students are encouraged to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, What is the enrolment? and to learn how to learn. Community service is central There are currently 600 students from Nursery to Grade 12. to the IB mission. Enrolment will be capped at about 800 students.  The IB Diploma is a rigorous college-preparatory program recognized and welcomed by the world's What are the class sizes and how many teachers leading universities. IB students routinely gain admission to some of the best known universities. Most are there in each class? of these institutions have established recognition  Nursery: Max. 16 students (1 homeroom teacher, policies for the IB diploma. For more information about 1 teacher assistant & 1 maid). There are 2 classes. IB, visit www.ib.org.  Kindergarten 1 - 3: Max. 18 students (1 homeroom teacher and 1 teacher assistant). There are 3 classes per grade level. How is IB offered at Concordian?  Grade 1: Max. 20 students (1 homeroom teacher and The IB program at Concordian is implemented in three 1 teacher assistant). There are 3 classes. stages tailored to meet the changing needs of students as  Grade 2 - 5: Max. 22 students (1 homeroom teacher they mature: and 1 teacher assistant). There are 2 classes per  The Primary Years Program (PYP) : Nursery to grade level. Grade 5 : The Primary Years Program for students  Grade 6-12: Max. 24 students (1 homeroom teacher). aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole There are 2 classes per grade level. child in the classroom and in the world outside.  The Middle Years Program (MYP) : Grades 6 to Grade 10 : The Middle Years Program for students What is the student nationality profile? aged 11 to 16 provides a framework of academic About 80% of students are Thai, other nationalities are challenge and life skills, achieved through embracing American, Australian, Canadian, Chinese, Dutch, French, and transcending traditional school subjects. Israeli, Japanese, Korean, and Malaysian.  The Diploma Program (DP) : Grade 11 to Grade 12 : The Diploma Program for students aged 16 to 19 is a demanding two-year curriculum leading to final Where do the majority of CIS teachers come from? examinations and a qualification that is welcomed by Concordian teachers come primarily from the US, Canada, leading universities around the world. the UK, China, Taiwan and Thailand. Over half of our teachers hold advanced degrees and many have prior IB teaching experience. Several are IB examiners. Teachers’ How compatible is Concordian’s IB curriculum qualifications are published on the school website. with other national systems of education e.g.

American, British, or Thai? Because the IB program is truly international, students What is the school curriculum? generally do not experience difficulty transitioning from Concordian offers the full range of International another system of education to Concordian International Baccalaureate (IB) programs as well as English-Mandarin School (and vice versa). However it is advantageous to be Language Immersion in the Primary Years (Nursery to proficient in English or Mandarin Chinese in addition to the Grade 4). mother tongue.

How is Language Immersion offered at charge. Other activities are taught by outsourced instructors Concordian? and are paid activities.  In the Primary Years Program (PYP) from Nursery up to Grade 4, students are immersed in three languages – English, Chinese and Thai. Highly What kinds of facilities are provided at CIS? qualified teachers who are native speakers deliver a Concordian's purpose-built campus features a host of seamless program divided approximately into 40% excellent facilities. The library is comfortable and welcoming English, 40% Chinese and 20% Thai. with personal computers for students and teachers. There is  From Grade 5 to 12, instruction is inquiry-based a large multi-purpose sports field, two swimming pools, following the Middle Years Program (MYP) and tennis courts, a rubberized indoor gymnasium, and several Diploma programs with English as the primary age-appropriate playgrounds. There are arts and multimedia language of instruction. Chinese and Thai are offered rooms, a ballet studio, a mini-theater, spacious as individual subjects. Our secondary program Amphitheater, state-of-the-art computer labs, coffee shop, resembles that of any world class international school. and air-conditioned cafeteria.

Are students accepted at Concordian if they have What is the academic year structure? never learned Chinese before? An academic year at CIS is composed of 2 semesters. Students with no previous background in Chinese may enter There are 2 quarters per semester. Parents receive 2 at any grade level. progress reports and 2 report cards each year.

Does Concordian provide support services e.g. What is the tuition fee payment policy? English as a Second Language (ESL) and Chinese Tuition fee payment is made 2 times a year in May and as a Second Language (CSL)? December.

Both ESL and CSL are offered to students who require additional support in language development. The purpose of CSL and ESL support services is to enable children to What is the admissions process? achieve success in the context of their own classrooms, and After submitting an application complete with supporting with the content of their academic programs. documents, students applying for a place in Nursery – Kindergarten 3 will be interviewed with their family by the school director. From Grade 1 onwards, students are How are ESL and CSL taught and are there required to sit for placement tests in English and Math, and also in Chinese for those students who have studied additional fees? Chinese previously. ESL and CSL are taught as both push-in and pull-out programs. For push-in, a specialist goes into the classroom to help students during Language Arts class. For pull-out, students are taken out of Language Arts class for one-on- When is the admissions period? one or small group instruction in the target language. Applications are accepted throughout the year, although it is not always immediately possible to guarantee a seat. Applicants are advised to apply early in the year for entry How can parents support their children if Chinese the following August to start the academic year. is not spoken at home? Parents can give tremendous support by keeping in touch with teachers, checking the homework diary and encouraging children to read in Chinese everyday. Our Chinese teachers can communicate with parents in English even if they don’t know any Chinese. Our school library is abundantly equipped with resources such as books, audio CDs and DVDs for parents to borrow to promote their children’s language development at home.

How is Thai taught? Thai language is taught everyday from Kindergarten 1 to Grade 5, and every other day in other grades.

Does Concordian provide after school activities? A wide range of after school activities are offered to children from Kindergarten 2, such as swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, piano, violin, ballet, jazz dance, comic drawing, cooking, kung fu, chess, choir, drama, etc. Some activities are sponsored or coached by our teachers such as swimming, basketball, and choir and are provided free of