Getting out of the comfort zone and relocating to another country with a culture that is poles apart from one's own can be an exciting adventure. Expatriates will never run out of new foods to try, architectural and natural wonders to see, and a whole new culture to appreciate. But it can also be a daunting prospect especially for people who are relocating to another country for the first time.
A vast and cosmopolitan Asian metropolis like Bangkok is home to hundreds of thousands of expatriates from different continents. With a sizeable international community, it is only natural that the establishment of different international schools would only follow. But for an expatriate, looking for the best international school for one's child can be quite intimidating. For expatriate parents, evaluating the schools' curricula and facilities, and figuring out which international school that is perfect for a child’s intellectual and emotional capacity can be a frustrating task.
Expatriate parents who live or work in Bangkok's Sukhumvit district already have an advantage when it comes to finding the top international schools for their children compared to those who live in other major cities in Thailand. Listed below are some of the schools expats can consider if they are looking for the best international schools in the city's Sukhumvit district.
Bangkok Prep
Located right in the heart of Bangkok Sukhumvit district, Bangkok Prep International School is one of Thailand most renowned international schools. The school bases its programme of study on the National Curriculum for England, making it one of the most popular choices for British expatriate parents (as well as other nationalities) in Thailand. Bangkok Prep offers quality education for children as young as 3 years old and even into Year 13, as well as an outstanding Cambridge IGCSE programme designed for students who are in Year 10 and Year 11. The school prides itself on delivering outstanding education provided by highly trained and qualified teachers from all over the world. The institution is accredited by top international and local education accreditation agencies. Classes at Bangkok Prep are small, and students can enjoy the school facilities, which include an outdoor swimming pool, a large auditorium, and a modern library. Bangkok Prep expansive campus is located in Sukhumvit Soi 53 which offers expatriate parents and their children easy access from and to the Thong Lo BTS station.
Bangkok Patna
Bangkok Patana has been serving British expatriates and other nationalities for over sixty years. The school caters to students between the ages 2 and 18. Its programme of study is also modeled after the National Curriculum for England and boasts of a highly qualified and experienced international teaching staff. This renowned institution has a large sports hall at its main campus, plus swimming pools, sports fields, tennis courts, multi-purpose sports complex, and world-class arts centre. The Bangkok Patana School is tucked away at La Salle Road (Sukhumvit 105) and can be accessed via the Bearing BTS Station.
ELC City School
The ELC (Early Learning Centre) City School is the perfect choice for expatriate parents who have children aged between 3 and 11 years old. This international school is unique in its own way with its unconventional environment and teaching methods. The ELC City School boasts of a learning environment and teaching methods that stimulate the child's intellect, as well as encourage creativity and exploration. Nestled in the heart of the Sukhumvit district (Sukhumvit Road 49/4), the ELC City School is an oasis of learning in Bangkok's vast metropolis. It features a surprisingly unconventional environment with unique architectural and spacious greens dotted with shady trees. The ELC City School, however, only caters to children aged between 3 and 11, so expat parents need to have a contingency plan once their kids enter Year 7.
NIST International School
NIST International School is Thailand's first full not-for-profit International Baccalaureate school which serves children ages 3 to 19. The eminent institution has been accredited by prominent international education accreditation agencies. Founded in 1992, the school now boasts of more than 1,500 students of different nationalities receiving a world-class education. NIST International School offers a holistic approach to education with a rigorous programme of study and hundreds of extra-curricular active choices. It has a state-of-the-art wireless campus and boasts of classrooms equipped with the latest computers and audiovisual equipment. NIST International School is conveniently located a few blocks away from Sukhumvit Road, and accessible to Asok and Nana BTS Stations.
St. Andrews International School Bangkok
St. Andrews International School Bangkok is an eminent institution accredited by education accreditation bodies both in Thailand and abroad. Its study programme is patterned after the National Curriculum for England which allows students between the ages of 14 and 16 to prepare for IGCSE exams, as well as International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for students between the ages of 16 and 18. The St. Andrews International School Bangkok campus is spacious and features a world-class theatre, football pitch, science laboratories, and swimming pool. The institution's teaching staff is diverse, highly qualified, and experienced. Parents, however, should note that St. Andrews Primary School and High School Campuses are located in two different sites in the Sukhumvit district. The high school campus is easily accessible via the Bearing BTS Station, while the Primary School campus is located several blocks away from the station.