Edition: Academic year 2021/2022 Created and designed by: Chiang Mai Family Guide Background image credit to: Background vector created by starline - www.freepik.com First published: 20 April, 2021 Date of last edit: 5 June, 2021 Disclosure: With the help of numerous schools in Chiang Mai, we have tried to compile the most accurate information for you. The majority of information in this guide has been confirmed, however it is best to reconfirm with each school are you considering. This guide does not include every single private or bilingual school in Chiang Mai. It only includes the established schools and those that are well-known to the community. Contents A message from Chiang Mai Family Guide ......................... page 1 How to choose a school for your child(ren) ........................ page 3 Types of schools in Chiang Mai ................................................ page 5 Academic school calendars ...................................................... page 14 Types of curriculum .................................................................... page 15 International school accreditations explained ............... page 35 Questions to ask when choosing a school ........................ page 42 International schools in Chiang Mai .................................... page 44 Thai private and bilingual schools in Chiang Mai .......... page 52 Private schools in Chiang Mai ................................................ page 58 Thank you for downloading Chiang Mai Family Guide's Guide to Schools in Chiang Mai! We've worked hard to create this guide where information about schools in Chiang Mai is all in one place, in an easy to download pdf. Please be sure to tell all schools you end up considering that you heard about them from Chiang Mai Family Guide! 1 Chiang Mai Family Guide is the best website in Chiang Mai to find activities to do with family! Explore our site https://chiangmaifamilyguide.com to learn about day trips, playgrounds, kid friendly restaurants and so much more :) Join our Facebook group Follow our Facebook page For all the latest information, events, and more! 2 How to choose a school for your child This is obviously, one of the most difficult and precious decisions a parent can make. There are many socio-economic and cultural factors that affect this decision, even more so in a potentially foreign country. What makes this even more challenging, are the libel laws in Thailand. These laws make it nearly impossible to get answers to the age old question, ‘What is the best school in Chiang Mai?’ People are legally not allowed to be publicly honest about it (unless you are saying positive things!) What you will end up with are generic responses about all of the schools. Hence, this guide is here to give you a more detailed picture of what education is like here in Thailand and in Chiang Mai. 3 This school guide will provide you with information about: The different types of schools The different types of curriculum offered What the different types of school accreditations are (and why they matter) Where schools are located in Chiang Mai (because location matters, a lot!) What questions should you ask when you are considering a school in Chiang Mai So let’s get going! 4 What are the different types of schools in Chiang Mai? Government Thai Schools Thai Private and Bilingual Schools 5 Private Schools International Schools 6 Government Thai Schools Thai government schools provide free education for Thai citizens making it possible for any child holding a Thai national ID card to attain entry. Education is provided free of charge, yet other factors such as uniform and food are typically extra. The government schools in Thailand follow the Thai academic school calendar. There are 23 holidays in addition to a 2-3 mid- term break in October and a two week break over Christmas and New Year. Education at Thai government schools is typically rote learning through textbooks and written work and class sizes are usually large, over 30 students. Some schools will even have an English class, although it is typically only once a week. Students are expected to wear a uniform, and boys are expected to have short haircuts and girls to have their hair done daily. To attend a Thai university, Thai’s must graduate from a Thai government school, a Thai Private School or another institution that teaches the Thai curriculum. 7 Thai Private Schools (Bilingual or Trilingual Schools) Thai private schools are a step up from Thai government schools in terms of facilities and access to English courses, yet there are many similarities. The private schools follow the Thai academic school calendar. School attendees will also be granted 23 holidays in addition to a 2-3 mid-term break in October. Students are also expected to wear a uniform, and boys are expected to have short haircuts and girls to have their hair done daily. Thai private schools must also follow the Thai curriculum and may in addition offer bilingual or even trilingual programs. Most will offer an English Program (EP) or an International English Program (IEP). The IEP is not to be confused with international school education as it is not the same and is not recognized as so. All true international schools are accredited by the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and at least one international educational body. Bilingual programs offer learning; half in English and half in Thai. Sometimes students will learn the same subject twice, such as Mathematics, in both languages. 8 Trilingual programs are quite new but the concept is the same with a third of the day divided up into each language. EP’s offer the majority of lessons taught in English with extra Thai language lessons throughout the week. IEP’s are more intensive in their English focus and are likely to have qualified teachers teaching the English courses. Choosing a Thai private school means making the decision to send your child to an international school once they reach Mattayom 1 or to keep them in Thai school. To remain in a Thai private school means that your child will attend a Thai university, while moving to an accredited international school means you intend to send your child overseas for university or college. Thai private schools are not free, yet are far more affordable than accredited international schools. Be mindful that class sizes can be very large even in a bilingual or EP setting and it’s best to enquire about this with the schools you are interested in. All nationalities can attend Thai private schools. 9 Private Schools Private schools differ from Thai private schools in that they are usually offering a daycare, preschool or kindergarten level of education. Some schools offer an alternative education course. Most of these institutions offer play-based learning environments. These private schools typically try to follow the Thai academic calendar of two terms, May to October, November to March, although some schools and especially daycares, will vary. Students who attend private schools are not always required to wear a uniform. Tuition is not free but differs in that the schools are more flexible. Some accept daily payment, weekly, monthly or per term. One advantage to private schools is that class sizes are smaller than the other schools and usually the facilities are really good. All nationalities can attend private schools. 10 International Schools For many families, international schools are the most sought after form of education in Chiang Mai. Any nationality is welcome to attend an international school which market themselves on having the best facilities and education. International schools also hire qualified teachers, typically from abroad, who are experienced. All international schools in Thailand must be accredited by the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and at least one international educational body. International schools in Thailand follow the international school academic calendar. There are 13 holidays during the academic year in addition to a one week mid-term break in October and a 2-3 week break over Christmas and New Year. British schools take another mid-term break in February for one week and all schools will take a 1-2 week break over Songkran festivities in April. Education at international schools varies according to mission, vision, and curriculum taught. Please see the section on curriculum types and accreditations below. 11 Class sizes are usually no more than 25 students in a class and at most international schools in Chiang Mai, students are expected to wear a uniform. All nationalities can attend international schools. One thing to keep in mind is that if your child holds a Thai national ID card, attending an international school for the entire duration of their educational journey affects their ability to attend university within Thailand. Usually by Grade 5 or 6 (Year 4 or 5) a decision to change to a Thai private school may be made to ensure entrance to a Thai university later down the road. Typically families move from international education settings to improve Thai language abilities to prepare for Thai entrance examinations. 12 13 What are the academic school calendars? The Thai academic school year consists of 2 terms, the first from early May until late September or early October, and the second from mid to late October until the beginning of March, with a summer break during March and April. The international academic school year in Thailand runs from early to mid August until early to mid June. Most schools operate on a 3-4 term school year with summer from mid June to early August. It is best to confirm school calendars with each school as holidays vary. 14 Which types of curriculums are available? Chiang Mai is the education hub of the north with various curriculums offered: American British Chinese German Thai or Bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) Montesorri Play-based Learning IPC 15 How to choose the right curriculum Not only is choosing the right school an important decision, so is choosing the best curriculum.