Aster International School Bangkok vs Garden International School Bangkok

	A Aster International School Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand	G Garden International School Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 247,731 - 509,356	Fees / year THB 47,500 - 257,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 500	Pupils 390
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2022	Opened 1999
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Aster International School is situated in the Chong Nonsi area, on Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road in central Bangkok. The campus is housed in purpose-built modern facilities close to local amenities and accessible via main city roads.	Location Located in Sathorn, central Bangkok, the school sits in a leafy enclave close to Lumpini and Chong Nonsi BTS stations. This central area offers easy access to major roads and public transport, and is nestled among embassy and residential precincts, with dining and parks nearby.
Stages	Stages The school caters to students from Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary & Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary leading to IGCSEs, A-Levels, or a high school diploma.	Stages The school is structured into Early Years (ages 2–5), Primary (Years 1–6), Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), Upper Secondary/IGCSE (Years 10–11) and Sixth Form/A‑Levels (Years 12–13). Each stage prepares students progressively for the next, following UK-adapted curricula.
School type	School type Aster is a co-educational day school with no boarding facilities.	School type Garden International School is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Students receive tailored support plans based on assessments, ensuring that learners with diverse needs can fully participate in classroom activities.	Additional learning support Support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is provided through in-class assistance, differentiated lessons, teaching assistants, and personalized learner passports with regular reviews.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is not affiliated with any country.	Country affiliation The school does not have any formal affiliation to Thailand or another country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Aster is not affiliated with any religion. The school welcomes students from diverse faiths and backgrounds.	Religious affiliation The school is secular and has no religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school does not have publicly available information on their day structure.	School day structure Early Years (Ages 2–5) The school day starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:10 PM, with an option to stay until 3:00 PM for extracurricular activities. There are morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch is served around midday. Primary (Years 1–6) The school day begins at 7:30 AM and finishes between 2:45 PM and 3:00 PM, depending on the year group. Students have a morning break and a lunch break. Optional ECAs run after school. Secondary (Years 7–11) Lessons start at 8:00 AM and the day ends around 3:00 PM. There is a morning break and a lunch break. Additional activities and revision sessions may take place after school. Sixth Form (Years 12–13) The day begins at 8:00 AM and generally ends by 3:00 PM. Students follow a flexible timetable and have breaks between lessons, including a lunch break. Independent study periods are built into the schedule.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school does not offer a bus service.	Bus service details Garden offers a termly bus service across four routes covering Sathorn, Silom, Thonglor/Sukhumvit and Bangrak. Costs depend on the route and can be paid per term.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Enrollment Fee This is a one-time fee. Pre-Nursery to Reception: 65,000 THB Year 1 to Year 13: 125,000 THB Refundable Deposit A one-time refundable deposit of 65,000 THB is required for students from Pre-Nursery to Year 13. Terms and conditions apply. General Fee Charged per term (three terms per year), this fee is 23,153 THB. It covers lunch, snacks, drinks, insurance, learning resources, books, day trips, and in-school guest programs. Tuition Fee Charged per term, with three terms in an academic year. Pre-Nursery: 82,577 THB Nursery to Reception: 110,360 THB Year 1 to Year 2: 126,567 THB Year 3 to Year 4: 129,268 THB Year 5 to Year 6: 133,127 THB Year 7 to Year 9: 146,633 THB Year 10: 163,997 THB Year 11 (payable for two terms): 245,995 THB Year 12: 169,785 THB Year 13 (payable for two terms): 254,678 THB EAL (English as an Additional Language) If required, EAL support is charged at 25,000 THB per term. Refund Policy The refundable deposit is only returned under specific conditions: The student must have been enrolled for at least one full term. The school must receive a 60-day notice of withdrawal. The student graduates from Aster at the end of Year 13. If these conditions are not met, the deposit is not refunded Payment Methods Bank Transfer Cash Cheque Credit Card	Fee details Application Fee: THB 5,000 (non‑refundable) Enrolment Fee (one-time, non-refundable): Foundation Stage: THB 60,000 Primary & Secondary: THB 120,000 Tuition Fees (per term) Pre-Nursery (half-day): THB 47,500 Pre-Nursery (full-day): THB 86,700 Nursery: THB 108,300 Reception: THB 131,800 Years 1–6 (Primary): THB 143,700 Years 7–9 (Lower Secondary): THB 167,500 Year 10 (IGCSE): THB 168,500 Year 11 (IGCSE, 2 terms): THB 252,300 total Years 12–13 (A‑Level, 2 terms): THB 257,000 total School Bus Fees (per term) Route A (South Sathorn–Suan Plu): THB 13,800 Route B (Yannawa–Nirathiwas Rd): THB 19,100 Route C (Bangrak–Silom): THB 23,400 Route D (Sukhumvit–Thonglor): THB 33,000 Other Fees Refundable Deposit (Pre‑Nursery to Year 13): THB 40,000 Visa Document Fee: THB 15,000 French First Language (native students, per term): THB 8,250 English as an Additional Language (EAL): Starting from THB 5,925 per term Note: Outside exam fees, extracurricular activities, uniforms and SEN therapies are billed separately or directly to providers Billing & Payment Terms* Fees are invoiced each term and can be paid via bank transfer or credit card. Full-term fees apply if enrolment begins within two weeks of term start; otherwise, daily rates apply. The school reserves the right to adjust fees for new and existing students.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. A Uniform Shop provides the standard uniform and PE kit for Foundation through A-Levels. The uniform includes a shirt, skirt or shorts, PE kit, jumper, hat, tie, and a house shirt for House events.
Food options	Food options The school provides snack and lunch; meals are nutritious and a balanced diet with local and international dishes. Halal, vegetarian, and allergy accommodations are available. Meals are served in a spacious, air-conditioned canteen.	Food options The canteen serves Thai, Western and vegetarian options. Meals are freshly prepared on site with local produce, and the canteen can cater for most dietary requirements and allergies.
House system	House system —	House system Garden International has a House System with four houses: Gecko, Eagle, Cobra and Tiger. Pupils and staff are allocated to a House for the duration of their time at school. The system includes House events, two Captains per House, and a points-based reward structure with termly rewards and a year-end party.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is accredited by ONESQA and affiliated with ISAT, GBAC, FOBISIA, and Cambridge International Examinations to offer IGCSEs and A Levels. It is accredited by the Education Development Trust and holds the International School Quality Mark.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Aster International School offers a British-style curriculum with an emphasis on real-world learning and student engagement. The early years program is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and focuses on communication, personal development, and basic skills through play. In primary and lower secondary, Aster blends the English National Curriculum with project-based learning. Students explore core subjects like English, math, and science through interdisciplinary projects that also incorporate art, languages, and physical education. Specialist subjects include Mandarin, French, and Thai, with lessons adapted to student needs. In the upper secondary years, students prepare for IGCSEs and A-Level examinations while also having the option to complete a high school diploma. Instruction becomes more focused on subject specialization, and students are encouraged to develop academic responsibility. Outside the classroom, Aster supports learning through enrichment clubs, sports, language classes, and Thai cultural activities.	Curriculum details Garden International School Bangkok follows a British-based curriculum tailored for an international student body. In the Early Years (ages 2–5), children follow the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Primary students (Years 1–6) study a broad version of the English National Curriculum, including core subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Computing, PE, Music, and Languages. In Secondary (Years 7–9), subject-specialist teaching continues across a wide range of academic and creative subjects. Students in Years 10–11 follow the Cambridge IGCSE programme and sit formal exams at the end of Year 11. Sixth Form students (Years 12–13) pursue Cambridge A Levels, typically selecting 3–4 subjects alongside optional leadership, service, and university preparation programmes.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Aster approaches SEL through project‑based and experiential learning, enabling students to work in teams, present ideas, and solve real-world challenges. This method naturally builds emotional awareness, empathy, and collaboration.	Social & emotional learning The school emphasizes social and emotional development through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and ‘experience days’ that nurture resilience, reflection and self-awareness. Students take part in vertical group activities, student leadership roles, including Student Council and House Captains and school-wide ‘special days’ that support social cohesion. Qualified pastoral staff, including a counsellor, support this SEL framework.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Aster does not have a dedicated SEN programme.	Special educational needs (SEN) Garden operates inclusive support under the UK’s SEND Code of Practice, assisting students across four main need categories: social–emotional and mental health, communication and interaction, sensory or physical, and cognition and learning. SEN support includes learner passports, an assess–plan–do–review cycle, in-class teaching assistant help, specialist referrals (e.g. to speech or occupational therapists), and support from an Inclusion team and counsellor. It is not a specialist SEN school, but a mainstream one offering tailored provisions
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does offer EAL.	English as an additional language The school supports EAL learners via Quality First Teaching combined with specialist input, using a WIDA-based approach to assess and support language acquisition from Foundation through Year 13. Inclusive strategies include translanguaging, maintaining home language, and targeted interventions for students below WIDA proficiency level 2 or 3.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school does not have publicly available information on their mental wellbeing support.	Mental wellbeing A dedicated school counsellor works closely with the Inclusion department to support students, especially in social–emotional and mental health areas. The school’s staff includes qualified pastoral care professionals who monitor students and coordinate wellbeing support . Counselling forms part of the broader learner support framework, adapting to individual needs via learner passports.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Aster International School’s safeguarding policy ensures that every child is protected and supported within a safe environment. The policy is based on Thai law and international child rights agreements. A designated committee oversees all safeguarding matters, and all staff are required to report concerns using official forms. Staff must follow clear rules for professional conduct, communication, and student interactions to prevent risks and maintain student safety. The policy outlines how to respond to student disclosures with care, and emphasizes confidentiality during investigations. All school staff undergo background checks and child protection screenings during hiring. The policy also defines types of abuse and helps staff recognize warning signs. Clear procedures are in place to ensure concerns are reported, investigated, and handled appropriately.	Safeguarding Details on safeguarding and child protection policies are not publicly disclosed on the school’s website.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy View document	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is housed in purpose-built, modern facilities in the center of Bangkok. The campus includes large modern classrooms, a Sixth-Form Suite, a Technology Lab, an auditorium, sports and swimming spaces, an indoor play zone, a library, and outdoor gardens and playground. The learning environment provides space, light and resources to grow emotionally, socially and academically. The facilities are designed to support a British-style international education and enable project-based learning across the curriculum.	Facilities overview Garden International School Bangkok sits on a quiet, green campus in Sathorn with a distinct First School and Upper School. The First School features a large garden, shaded play spaces, climbing frames, and a swimming pool, plus an outdoor classroom with water play, mud kitchen, growing and sensory garden, cycling and scooting, as well as role-play and mark-making areas. Children eat in the cafeteria supervised by teachers and assistants. The Upper School houses Primary and Secondary buildings with outdoor areas for PE and sports on the Basketball Court and quiet reflection spaces in the Eco-Garden. Primary classrooms are interconnected and filled with natural light, with specialist spaces for Primary Music, Computing and Thai; the Secondary building includes science labs, an art studio and a design workshop, and a fully stocked library.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Sports and swimming spaces are on the campus, supporting physical education and school sport activities. The campus also includes an indoor play zone for younger learners.	Sports facilities All students have Physical Education and Swimming as part of the formal curriculum. The pool is located on the First School campus and there is a Basketball Court for PE and other sports. Garden participates in competitive leagues GBAC (Greater Bangkok Athletics Conference) and FOBISIA.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Foundation uses the British EYFS curriculum for Foundation Stage. Primary and Lower Secondary follow an enhanced English National Curriculum delivered through Project Based Learning, with specialist lessons in Music, PE, Languages (Chinese/French), and Enhanced Thai. Upper Secondary continues an enhanced English National Curriculum, with IGCSEs and A-Levels, and an option to follow a High School Diploma pathway. The school is accredited to offer Cambridge IGCSEs and A Levels.	Academic facilities Primary classrooms are interconnected to encourage collaboration and are filled with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Learning support spaces, as well as specialist rooms for Primary Music, Computing and Thai, enable enhanced provision. The Secondary building is equipped with science labs, an art studio and a design workshop, with a fully stocked library. The First School includes a swimming pool and outdoor classroom spaces for water play, mud kitchen, growing and sensory garden, cycling and scooting.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities All students can join the after-school ECA programme, which is optional but encouraged. ECAs change termly and include Sports, Music, Art, Yoga, Robotics, Well-being, and Languages.	Extra curricular facilities The ECAs programme offers more than 50 activities across Sports and Fitness, The Arts, Creative Crafts, Science and Technology, Literacy and Fun and Games. Examples include Football, Tennis, Netball, Badminton, Table Tennis and Muay Thai; School Drama Production, Drama skills, Art Space, Embroidery, Photography, Rock Band, Choir, Debating, Book Club and Chess. Other activities include RoboTech, AI and Coding, Doodle Club, LEGO, Outdoor skills, Parkour, Yoga, Jazz Dance, Pilates, Golf and Cooking.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Aster International School began operations in August 2022. It was founded by Dr. Parita Suephan, an educator with experience in international school development and a doctoral degree in Comparative and International Education from Columbia University. The school was created to serve families looking for a smaller international school setting with a focus on academic structure and cultural diversity. Although relatively new, Aster has enrolled students from a range of national backgrounds and has steadily expanded its programs and facilities.	History Founded in 1999, Garden International School Bangkok is privately owned by MBF Taylors Ltd Education Group, which also operates campuses in Malaysia and Rayong, Thailand. Its Sathorn campus was established before the current high‑rises, making it one of the earliest international schools in that neighbourhood.
Community	Community Aster is a welcoming school with students from over 37 different countries, and about half of them are from outside Thailand. The school focuses on building a strong sense of community through hands-on learning, language classes in Thai, Chinese, and French, and activities led by students. These include things like storytelling with classmates, helping others, and learning how to work together and understand different cultures.	Community The school hosts cultural celebrations, such as Songkran and Loy Krathong, as part of its academic calendar, alongside international student leadership events and house competitions. The Garden Community Group (GCG) brings together over 40 nationalities of families for social gatherings, welcome events, and shared activities.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school does not have a Parent Teacher Association.	Parent teacher association The Garden Community Group (GCG) comprises parents and teachers collaborating on school developments and event planning. It organizes a variety of social events, including welcome receptions for new families and seasonal celebrations. Regular meetings invite parent feedback and updates on school life. The group supports broader school initiatives, such as cultural festivals and charity activities, and encourages parent involvement.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Foundation Stage uses a play-based curriculum based on the British EYFS. Primary and Lower Secondary follow an enhanced English National Curriculum delivered through Project Based Learning that connects across disciplines and real-world questions. Specialist lessons include Music, PE, Languages (Chinese and French), and Enhanced Thai. Upper Secondary continues with an enhanced English National Curriculum, with options to study IGCSEs and A Levels or a High School Diploma pathway.	Academic & intellectual The school offers an after-school extracurricular activities (ECA) programme for Nursery to Sixth Form. The range covers Sports and Fitness, The Arts, Creative Crafts, Science and Technology, Literacy, and Fun and Games. Examples include Football, 3D Modelling, RoboTech, AI and Coding, Debating, and School Magazine. The programme runs after school from 3:00pm to 3:45pm and changes term to term; some activities are free while others require payment; sign-ups are via the Parent Portal.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative All students have access to after-school ECAs. ECAs rotate termly and include sports, music, art, yoga, robotics, wellbeing, and languages. ECAs cover ages 2 to 18.	Arts & creative The Arts are a core part of the ECA with involvement in drama, music, and visual arts. Activities include School Drama Production, Drama skills, Choir, Rock Band, Photography, Bollywood Dance, Jazz Dance, Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Art Space. These activities supplement the curriculum with performance opportunities and exhibitions. Sign-ups are via the Parent Portal; some Arts activities may incur additional fees.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language pathways are offered in Chinese and French, with an Enhanced Thai program for Thai nationals. Primary and Lower Secondary follow an enhanced English National Curriculum. The school provides a British-style international education.	Cultural & language International Week highlights global learning and cultural exchange. Thai festival celebrations Loy Krathong and Songkran are observed. Modern Foreign Languages (French or Mandarin) are taught in Primary as part of the curriculum, reflecting language exposure across the school. The school is a FOBISIA member, connecting with an international network.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies ECAs are offered to students across the full age range and include sports, music, art, yoga, robotics, wellbeing, and languages.	Social & hobbies The ECA programme offers a broad selection of social and hobby clubs after school. Examples include Trivia Club, Chess, Book Club, Storytelling, LEGO, Puzzles, Photography, Cooking, and Games and Movement; there are also dance and music options as part of the Arts ECAs. The programme runs from 3:00pm to 3:45pm and sign-ups are via the Parent Portal; some activities may require payment.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The Garden Community Group (GCG) organizes social events and links between parents, teachers, and students. The school is a member of FOBISIA, connecting its community with a broader international network. The alumni network is active and engaged with current students. The school participates in service activities such as the Mercy Center Shoebox Appeal.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The school provides university counselling to guide subject choices and university and career plans. An Academic Advisor supports students with internship placements and university applications. Cambridge International Examinations accredits the school to offer IGCSEs and A Levels.	Leadership & professional Garden operates a House System with four Houses: Gecko, Eagle, Cobra and Tiger. Each House elects two Captains, one Primary and one Secondary. The House Event Calendar features competitions such as table tennis, trivia, and entrepreneurial tournaments that foster leadership, teamwork and creativity. The House System is inclusive and brings students of different year groups together.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus includes large modern classrooms, a Sixth-Form Suite, Technology Lab, Auditorium, sports and swimming spaces, an indoor play zone, a library, and outdoor gardens and playgrounds. Wellbeing is a core focus supported by WISDOM values. ECAs include wellbeing activities, and safeguarding protocols prioritize student welfare.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sport plays a fundamental role in the Garden approach; all students have Physical Education and Swimming as part of the formal curriculum. The ECA offers a wide range of sport and fitness clubs, with over 50 activities overall and high participation rates. Outdoor spaces and wellness-focused facilities include PE spaces and an Eco-Garden for outdoor activities and mindful moments.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school offers specialist language instruction in Chinese and French, and an enhanced Thai programme for Thai nationals. These languages are taught as part of the curriculum, with language pathways in Chinese and French and an enhanced Thai program. The school serves students from ages 2 to 18, providing language provision across Foundation to Upper Secondary.	Language provision The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales across EYFS, Primary and Secondary. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support uses the WIDA framework and follows a school-wide approach to help multilingual learners access the curriculum. The school offers a French First Language Programme for native French speakers (Years 1–9) with 100% French-speaking classes, following the French Ministry of Education curriculum; it covers reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, conjugation, culture, history and literature, with weekly dictations, dedicated year-group classes, and access to French magazines and extracurricular activities. Secondary students are prepared for the Brevet, and communications with French-speaking families are conducted in French.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Accredited by ONESQA (Thailand’s Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment). Member of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT). A member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA). Also affiliated with the Greater Bangkok Athletics Conference (GBAC) for sports events. Holds authorization from Cambridge International Examinations to deliver IGCSEs and A‑Levels. A candidate school for accreditation through the Education Development Trust’s International School Quality Mark (ISQM).	Accreditations Cambridge Assessment International Education The school is accredited as a Cambridge International School, which allows it to offer and assess Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level qualifications. Education Development Trust (EDT) Accreditation by this UK-based body confirms the school meets international standards for effective teaching, learning, and school leadership. ISQM (International Schools Quality Mark) – Silver Accreditation This award reflects the school’s performance against international benchmarks for school operations, curriculum delivery, and student support. Oxford AQA Examination Centre Authorised to administer Oxford International AQA Examinations, particularly for GCSE and A Level qualifications. ISAT (International Schools Association of Thailand) Membership in this national body connects the school with a network of recognised international schools in Thailand. FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) As a member, the school participates in inter-school events and maintains curriculum alignment with other British international schools across Asia.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Book a Tour & Informal Introduction Families are invited for a school tour to explore the campus, meet staff, and understand the British-style enhanced curriculum and school values. 2. Submit Application & Documents Download and complete the application form, then submit it along with required documents, such as: Child’s passport or birth certificate Parent(s)’ passport or Thai ID Immunization record Recent transcripts (if applicable) 3. Selection Process Applications are reviewed, and qualifying candidates may be invited to participate in an entrance exam and/or interview. 4. Notification & Offer Families receive admissions decisions shortly after selection. Offers are made for available seats. 5. Enrollment & Fee Payment Upon acceptance, families must confirm enrollment by paying requested fees and completing registration protocols.	Admissions Attend a Campus Tour (optional) Prospective families can book a tour to view the facilities and observe classes. Submit Application & Documents Following the tour or enquiry, you'll complete the online application, pay the application fee, and supply required paperwork (e.g., transcripts, ID, visa documents). Assessments and Interviews Younger applicants may take a basic readiness check, whereas Year 7+ students sit entrance exams and attend an interview or school visit. Admissions contacts support preparation. Offer and Enrolment Successful applicants receive an offer, after which they pay the one-time enrolment fee and sign the contract. The school then issues documents for visa and placement.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.	Scholarships Garden International School Bangkok does not publicly disclose any scholarships or bursaries on its website.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school’s official site does not detail any waitlist or placement pool.
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