American Pacific International School - Main Campus vs Prem International School
American Pacific International School - Main Campus and Prem International School are both in Chiang Mai, about 21 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Prem International School also offers IBCP and Reggio Emilia. Published annual fees are THB 315,000 - 499,800 at American Pacific International School - Main Campus and THB 399,000 - 780,000 at Prem International School, which puts Prem International School roughly 45% higher. American Pacific International School - Main Campus takes pupils from 11 to 18, and Prem International School from 3 to 19. The two are similar in size, at around 400 and 500 pupils. Typical class sizes are 20 at American Pacific International School - Main Campus and 25 at Prem International School.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), Reggio Emilia Approach
Pupils
Pupils
400
Pupils
500
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1997
Opened
2001
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The APIS Main Campus is located at 158/1 Moo 3, Hangdong–Samoeng Road, Banpong, Hangdong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand. It sits approximately 25 km southwest of Chiang Mai city centre, in a rural, mountainous area. The campus is reachable by car and school transport, and is within a reasonable distance of Chiang Mai International Airport for boarding families. The surrounding area includes farms, resorts, and quiet residential communities.
Location
Prem International School is located in Mae Rim, about 25 km north of Chiang Mai, Thailand, on a spacious 100-acre campus nestled in a rural setting. The campus is accessible by car and bus and provides a tranquil, nature-filled environment with forests, ponds, and meadows that serve as part of the educational experience.
Stages
Stages
The Main Campus offers education from Grade 5 through Grade 12. The structure includes Middle School (Grades 7–10) and High School (Grades 11–12), with Grade 5 and 6 transitioning students into the IB curriculum and boarding environment. Students follow IB programmes with U.S. curriculum integration at each level.
Stages
The school serves students aged 3 to 19, covering Early Years (EY1–3), Primary (Grades 1–5), Middle Years (Grades 6–10), and Senior School programs, including the IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes in Grades 11–12.
School type
School type
APIS is a co-educational school offering both day and boarding options. Boarding is available from Grade 5 onwards, with weekly and full boarding arrangements and separate facilities for boys and girls.
School type
Prem is a co-educational international school offering both day and boarding options. Boarding is available for Grades 3–12, with full (7-day) and weekly (5-day) arrangements in modern dormitories, apartments, and short-stay residences.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school offers English Language Learning (ELL) support for students in Grades 5–12 whose native language is not English. Placement is based on classroom performance and assessments, and fees apply. Additional academic support and referrals are coordinated by a learning specialist, but there is no formal SEN department.
Additional learning support
Students in Grades 3–8 who require extra English support attend the Intensive English Programme (IEP), which focuses on building language skills in literacy, math, science, and humanities, alongside creative and outdoor learning activities.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
APIS does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.
Country affiliation
Prem has no affiliation with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
APIS does not have a religious affiliation and operates as a secular, international school.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
While specific daily schedules are not published, the school follows a typical IB day schedule with lessons in the morning and afternoon separated by breaks and a lunch period. Boarding students follow a separate supervised daily routine.
School day structure
Specific start/end times or break schedules aren’t listed publicly on the school's website.
Bus service details
Bus service details
APIS provides a coach service for day and boarding students. Seats must be requested after acceptance and are subject to route availability.
Bus service details
A school transport service is available for day students, with fees ranging from THB 16,125–19,500 per term based on home-to-school distance.
Boarding Fees Weekly Board: THB 267,800–305,500/year depending on grade Full Board: THB 337,800–375,500/year depending on grade Laundry: THB 13,500/year (G7–G12) Note: students in Grades 7–12 may use laundry machines for free but must supply their own detergent.
Other Annual Fees Chromebook Fee (Grades 5–6): THB 30,000
Classroom Without Walls (CWW): THB 20,000–40,000 depending on grade
Payment Methods Accepted via cash, bank draft, or transfer to Siam Commercial Bank
Refund Policy No refunds for fees if a student attends any part of a semester. Refunds (excluding application/entrance/deposit) only if written notice is given 30 days before the semester begins. Partial refunds are considered for documented medical withdrawals on a case-by-case basis. Overdue payments incur a 1.5% per month surcharge.
Late payment penalty: 1.25% monthly; records may be withheld after 30+ days
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
The Main Campus operates a residential program with a Residential Director who oversees boarding life.
Boarding arrangements
Boarding at Prem offers flexible options: Full Boarding (a 7‑day on‑campus experience with a weekend program), Weekly Boarding, and Flexi Boarding. The boarding community is supported by 24/7 security from a dedicated team of thirteen guards and on‑site medical care with resident nurses. On‑site boarding clinics and an on‑campus ambulance provide medical support, and dedicated boarding clusters plus the Prem Boarding Lounge foster a home‑like community.
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
Lunch is provided; a Main Campus lunch menu is published (Food Menu).
Food options
The Prem Canteen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to boarding students, and lunch and snacks to day students. The menu features organic produce with Western, Thai/Asian, and Vegetarian sections; breakfast includes an Egg Station and diverse options; weekly menus are published.
House system
House system
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House system
The Prem House System has Fire, Earth, Water, and Air houses. It promotes community, competition, and leadership through events such as Premathlon, Sports Days, House Arts Challenge, and Prem's Got Talent, with student leaders playing key roles in the system.
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The Main Campus is governed by the School Leadership Team, which includes a License Holder and a Head of School.
Governance and ownership
Prem International School was established in 2001 as part of the Traidhos Three-Generation Community for Learning, founded by Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul (Mom‑Tri) and named after General Prem Tinsulanonda. The school remains part of the Traidhos community.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
American Pacific International School (APIS) offers a combination of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes and an American-style curriculum. Students in Grades 5 and 6 begin the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), laying the foundation for inquiry-driven learning and conceptual development. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is introduced in Grade 7 through Grade 10, which emphasises interdisciplinary learning and inquiry. In Grades 11 and 12, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with additional access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses for those choosing to follow a U.S. high school diploma pathway. The school integrates Common Core State Standards from the United States, particularly in English and Mathematics. Instruction is in English, and students also study additional languages such as Thai, Chinese, or Japanese.
Curriculum details
Prem International School follows the full IB continuum from Early Years to Grade 12. The Early Years programme (ages 3–5) is play-based and influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, with a strong emphasis on outdoor and experiential learning. Grades 1–5 follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), focusing on transdisciplinary inquiry and foundational literacy and numeracy. Grades 6–10 follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which includes interdisciplinary learning, service, and personal projects. In Grades 11–12, students can choose between the IB Diploma Programme (DP), the IB Career-related Programme (CP), or individual IB courses combined with a Prem High School Diploma. The Intensive English Programme (IEP) supports Grades 3–8 students developing academic English, alongside core subjects and creative learning.
The Main Campus provides structured SEL support via its counseling and advisory programmes. Counselors deliver individual and group sessions and collaborate with teachers and parents to build tailored support plans that develop students’ emotional and social skills alongside academic growth. Advisory lessons engage MYP students in team-building and career‑related decision-making exercises.
Social & emotional learning
Prem delivers a weekly pastoral curriculum called Connections, spanning Grades 6–12, covering social, emotional, health, and economic topics. These sessions are facilitated by school counsellors, homeroom teachers, and external experts. They are designed to build awareness, emotional skills, and personal growth beyond academics.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
Information on SEN support in the Main Campus is the same as at the Primary Campus. Learning Support is offered through individualized learning profiles and tailored strategies by a Learning Support Specialist, in collaboration with counselors, teachers, and families. APIS does not specify categories of SEN supported and is not a specialist SEN institution.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN provisions on their website.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
EAL support is consistent across both campuses. The Main Campus maintains a comprehensive ELL programme spanning MYP and DP levels. Specialist ELL teachers provide English Language Acquisition instruction, collaborate with subject teachers for curriculum access, and manage placement into English Language B or Literature based on WIDA testing and performance. An English Academy immersion programme is offered for students requiring intensive support before mainstream enrollment.
English as an additional language
Prem operates an Intensive English Programme (IEP) for students aged 8–14 (Grades 3–8), designed to strengthen English language skills prior to entry into mainstream IB classes. The programme emphasises literacy development integrated within Science, Mathematics, and Humanities subjects.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
The mental wellbeing provision at the Main Campus mirrors the broader school model: counselors offer individual and group sessions and work through the advisory programme. They coordinate with teachers and families to craft student support plans addressing emotional, social, academic, and life-planning needs across divisions.
Mental wellbeing
Counsellors at Prem offer dedicated support services to the entire school community, including boarding students, with access beyond regular school hours. This ensures that help is available whenever needed. The school also provides on-campus medical care via nurses and a medical centre that operates 24/7.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at the Main Campus is aligned with wider school policy: all staff and applicants must provide detailed employment histories and police/background checks. Counselors conduct classroom lessons on child safeguarding, and responsibilities are shared across leadership, teaching, counseling, and support staff, though no full policy document is posted online.
Safeguarding
While details of a child protection policy are not explicitly available, the school emphasises 24/7 security, controlled access, and trained staff overseeing boarding and campus safety. On‑campus clinics and trained security personnel help maintain a secure environment for all students.
American Pacific International School Main Campus is located at 158/1 Moo 3 Hangdong-Samoeng Road, Banpong, Hangdong, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand. It operates as an IB Continuum School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The Main Campus runs a Residential Program. Learning services include a Library, Counseling, English Language Learning, and Learning Support.
Facilities overview
The campus spans 100 acres and is set in a natural environment with forests, ponds and meadows. It includes outdoor learning spaces such as a Three-Generation Farm and a Forest School to support sustainability and experiential learning. The Prem Arts Centre hosts Visual Arts Studios, Design Studios and the Artist Residency Thailand Programme. The campus provides a Library and Learning Resource Centre, wellness spaces, an auditorium and amphitheater, plus on-site dining and market facilities. Boarding options and modern residential clusters support day and boarding students.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Sports and athletic activities are part of student life at the Main Campus. The Athletics & Activities program provides opportunities for physical education and group participation. The program supports teamwork and personal development through sports and other active activities. It contributes to the balance between academics and well-being.
Sports facilities
Prem International School offers a range of sports facilities on its campus, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, football fields, a gymnasium, a dance studio, outdoor court spaces, and a junior school PE area. These facilities support both everyday PE classes and competitive sports programs. The campus also hosts specialized sports academies for golf and tennis to develop athletic performance. The facilities are complemented by a broad calendar of athletic events and activities.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
American Pacific International School Main Campus is an IB Continuum school offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The campus provides Library facilities for research and reading. Student Services include Counseling, English Language Learning, and Learning Support. The IB framework informs the academic program and supports a structured curriculum.
Academic facilities
The campus houses a Library and Learning Resource Centre to support research and study. The Prem Arts Centre includes Visual Arts Studios and Design Studios, plus the Artist Residency Thailand Programme. Outdoor learning spaces such as the Three-Generation Farm and Forest School supplement academic learning through hands-on experiences. The campus environment supports inquiry-led learning through integrated spaces that complement the IB framework.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
APIS Main Campus offers Athletics & Activities as part of student life. The program includes opportunities for sports and organized activities beyond the classroom. It supports student engagement and community building through extracurricular projects. The program complements academic study and fosters personal development.
Extra curricular facilities
There are over 100 co-curricular activities and sports offered at Prem. The Prem Arts Centre provides expressive arts experiences through Visual Arts Studios and Design Studios, and the Artist Residency Thailand Programme. On-campus academies include the Prem Golf Academy, Prem Tennis Academy, and Prem Music Academy. Additional opportunities include the Three-Generation Cooking School and other nature and wellness programs that enrich student life.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
American Pacific International School was founded by Kritsanant Palarit in August 1997, with the Main Campus initially serving grades 7–10. From its origins as Chiang Mai’s first internationally accredited boarding school, it expanded to offer the International Baccalaureate continuum across all levels. In 2000, the school opened a Kindergarten campus in central Chiang Mai, which grew into a purpose-built Primary Campus in 2014 serving pre‑nursery through grade 6.
History
Prem International School was established in 2001 as part of the Traidhos Three-Generation Community for Learning, founded by Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul and named in honour of General Prem Tinsulanonda. From its inception, the school offered IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP), and was the first in Southeast Asia to offer the IB Career-related Programme (CP).
Community
Community
APIS hosts a diverse international community of over 20 nationalities across two campuses, where cultural diversity is celebrated through community life and service projects. Events, though not detailed on the public site, are implied through newsletters and campus-wide activities featuring local Thai traditions and international celebrations
Community
Prem fosters a close-knit international community through vibrant school-wide events and shared outdoor learning projects. Events such as Sports Day, Premathlon, Community Learning Week, and Winter Wonderland bring together students, families, staff, and local partners in collaborative learning and celebration. Cultural celebrations include Mother Tongue Day, Loy Krathong, Halloween, Valentine’s and Lunar New Year events, reflecting the school’s diversity and global connections.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
APIS does not explicitly mention a “PTA,” but it operates a formal Parent Support Group (PSG) open to all parents and adult family members from both campuses. The PSG holds monthly meetings and mobilizes parent volunteers to support community events, aid new families, contribute to parent education, and help coordinate school-wide initiatives. It also offers leadership opportunities for families to participate in enhancing student and school support.
Parent teacher association
Prem’s Parent, School & Community (PSC) group, the school’s equivalent of a PTA, hosts a variety of gatherings and support activities. They hold a monthly “Meet Up” on the first Tuesday of each month, where current topics and feedback are addressed in an informal setting with administrators, faculty, and students. PSC members include Grade Ambassadors and Cultural Ambassadors, who represent grade levels and cultural groups and help new families integrate into the school community. PSC runs themed workshops, hosts stalls at events, and organizes activities like sports‑related fundraisers and celebration stalls during Premathlon, Winter Wonderland, and Harvest festivals.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
The school offers over 100 co-curricular activities and sports. The campus includes outdoor, hands-on learning spaces such as a forest school and a 100-acre farm (Three-Generation Farm) to connect classroom learning with real-world contexts. Exploria provides activities across sports, arts, science clubs, and leadership, including service projects such as Model United Nations. Prem also offers all four IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and an Intensive English Programme.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
The Prem Arts Centre houses Visual Arts Studios, Design Studios and the Artist Residency Thailand Programme. The Prem Music Academy offers instruction in instruments, vocal training, and music theory. Exploria includes annual music and drama productions, the Prem Symphonic Band, the Prem Jazz Ensemble, a rock band, drumming circle, and Creative Ukuleles.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
Seven home languages are offered within the curriculum, and 40 nationalities are represented in the school community. Model United Nations (MUN) and related intercultural initiatives are part of Exploria's service offerings. The IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and an Intensive English Programme support intercultural understanding.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
Nature trails and walking paths are available on the campus, alongside a Community Market Area. Exploria after-school activities run daily after school and at lunchtime, with sign-ups managed via Engage. The Prem House System provides annual events such as Premathlon, Sports Days, House Arts Challenge, and Prem's Got Talent.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
Exploria's service opportunities include Model United Nations, Advocates for Global Welfare, Kozé Local Café, Precious Plastics, Student Council, Threads of Change and other projects. Three-Generation Farm and Traidhos Farm engage students in sustainable farming and community activities, with farm produce used in the canteen and sold at the Community Market. Forest School activities foster environmental stewardship and outdoor learning.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
The Prem House System fosters leadership, with student leaders playing vital roles across house activities. Exploria includes leadership training and service projects such as MUN and Student Council, enabling students to develop leadership and civic responsibility.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, football fields, a gym, a dance studio, outdoor court space, and Junior School PE. The Prem Panthers Athletics program fields 32 teams across three sports seasons and competes in CMAC and MRISA. Golf, Tennis, Music and Swimming Academies provide year-round coaching within the Exploria programme. Forest School weekly visits (Early Years through Grade 1) support outdoor learning and wellbeing, complemented by multiple wellness spaces on campus.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
7 home languages offered within the school curriculum. Intensive English Programme (IEP) strengthens Grades 3-10 students' English, preparing them for mainstream classes.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Awards
There are no awards mentioned on the school's website.
Accreditations
Accreditations
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), ensuring quality comparable with US international educational systems.
Offers the IB Continuum: PYP (candidate), MYP, and fully authorised IB Diploma Programme.
Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education.
Accreditations
* International Baccalaureate (IB): Authorises the school to offer the IB programmes, which are internationally recognised for their academic rigour and global focus.
* Council of International Schools (CIS): Indicates the school meets globally benchmarked standards in governance, learning, and student well-being.
* New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): Confirms the school meets US-based educational quality and continuous improvement standards.
* ONESQA (Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment – Thailand): Thailand’s national body for quality assurance in education, ensuring compliance with the country's academic standards.
* Eco-Schools (WWF Green Flag): Recognises the school’s commitment to sustainability and environmental action through the international Eco-Schools programme.
* The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Licensed Organisation: Means the school is licensed to offer this global youth development programme focused on personal growth and outdoor learning.
* Artist Residency Thailand (Prem): A school-hosted arts programme that invites professional artists to work with students on campus, enhancing creative education.
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit a completed application form along with prior school records and documentation.
2. Attend interview and placement testing APIS schedules assessments and/or screening based on the applicant’s age and academic history.
3. Application review After all documentation and testing, the school reviews the file. Decisions may be accepted, deferred, or waitlisted. Parents are notified by email or letter.
4. Receive acceptance and contract If admitted, students receive an offer letter and school contract to sign and return.
5. Finalize enrollment Once signed documents are returned, families receive an invoice and secure the place upon payment.
Admissions
1. Book a campus tour or open house (optional but encouraged). Once your match is received, the Admissions team may offer to schedule a visit to the campus. You can tour the learning spaces, ask questions in person, and get a feel for the school day—either in-person or virtually.
2. Submit the online application and required documents. You'll need to complete the Online Application Form and upload relevant documents such as school transcripts and reports. A one-time, non-refundable application fee must also be paid at this stage to proceed.
3. Participate in an interview and academic assessment. Once the application is complete, the school will schedule an interview for both the parent(s) and the student. The student will also complete academic assessments, which may include a tailored English language evaluation to ensure the right level of support from the beginning.
4. Receive the admissions decision. After interviews and assessments are completed, the school typically communicates a decision within 3–5 business days. The offer may be conditional based on year group or required support services.
5. Confirm your place and pay the required fees. If a place is offered, you’ll need to accept it and make the payments listed in your invoice by the specified deadline.
6. Receive visa support (if applicable). Once initial fees are received, the school will issue any required documents to support a student visa application (if needed). The admissions team will guide families through this step and help with preparations for starting at Prem.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Scholarships
General Guidelines * Scholarships are open to new and returning students. * Applications must be submitted by April 15 each year. * Award results are announced by April 30. * All applicants must first complete the general school admissions process. * A separate scholarship application, including supporting documentation, is required.
Academic Scholarship Awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, consistent effort, and a record of engagement in school life and service.
Athletic Scholarship Given to students with notable accomplishments and commitment in competitive sports. Applicants are expected to be active contributors to the school’s sports teams.
Creative Arts Scholarship Designed for students with significant talent in music, visual arts, performing arts, or digital media. A portfolio or audition may be required depending on the discipline.
International Diversity Scholarship Supports students from diverse national backgrounds who show academic strength and leadership. Intended to encourage broad representation across the school’s community.
IBCP Sustainability Scholarship Available to students entering the IB Career-Related Programme with a focus on Business and Sustainability. Applicants must submit a digital portfolio and show interest in global sustainability issues.
Prem Ambassadors Award (For existing students only) Offered to students already enrolled in Grades 8–11 with at least one year at Prem. Awardees are expected to represent the school at events and maintain strong academic and extracurricular involvement. The award is valid for one academic year and must be reapplied for annually.
Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
There is no mention of a waitlist on the school's website.