Greenacre International School vs PBISS International School

	G Greenacre International School Koh Samui, Thailand	P PBISS International School Koh Samui, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 189,000 - 282,000	Fees / year THB 244,030 - 449,230
Age range	Age range 3 - 16 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 418	Pupils 500
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2017	Opened 2005
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Greenacre International School is nestled in the calm Na Mueang area on southern Koh Samui, Thailand, surrounded by coconut hills and close to the Na Mueang waterfalls. The campus is away from crowded tourist centers but reachable via main island roads, with bus pickup services from Chaweng and other nearby zones.	Location PBISS is situated in Chaweng Noi, on the northeastern coast of Koh Samui, close to Bo Phut in Surat Thani province. The campus benefits from being accessible via local roads, and traffic—particularly during school drop‑off and pick‑up—can be congested at peak times, so planning travel accordingly is advised.
Stages	Stages The school provides education beginning with the Early Years Foundation Stage at age 3 and continues through four further Key Stages, supporting students up to around age 15 or 16.	Stages The school serves students from early years through pre‑university levels, structured as: Foundation Stage (Nursery–FS2) Primary School (Years 1–6) Secondary School and Sixth Form (Years 7–13) This structure allows progression from early childhood learning through Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level studies
School type	School type Greenacre is a co‑educational day school.	School type PBISS is a co‑educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Students who are English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners are supported through intervention classes that focus on spoken and daily-use English, helping build vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills.	Additional learning support The school does not reference a formal Special Educational Needs (SEN) programme, but offers English Language Support (ELS) for students identified as needing extra help with English.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the English National Curriculum and functions as a Pearson Edexcel Approved Examinations Centre, reflecting a strong link to British educational standards.	Country affiliation While PBISS follows the Cambridge (British) curriculum, there is no formal affiliation with any specific country’s education authority beyond this curricular framework.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Greenacre International School is secular and does not align with any religious organization.	Religious affiliation PBISS is secular and has no religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school day at Greenacre International School begins with a flag ceremony at 8:40 am, followed by lessons starting shortly afterwards. Students have a morning break from 10:30–10:45 and a lunch break from 12:00–12:45 in Primary or 12:15–1:00 in Secondary. Afternoon lessons continue until 3:00 pm, with clubs running from 3:00–3:45 on most days before students go home	School day structure Foundation Stage (Nursery–FS2): Students arrive by 8:30 for flag ceremony; classes end at 15:00; supervised in the playroom until 16:00 if not collected. Years 1–6: Arrival before 8:30 for flag ceremony; lessons begin at 9:00 and end at 15:00; supervised in playground until 16:00. Years 7–11: Same start time; lessons finish at around 16:00; students wait in the secondary canteen area for collection. Years 12–13: Timetables are flexible, so finishing times vary depending on subjects and schedule.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school runs minibus transport covering several island zones, including Lamai, Nathon, Chaweng, and Maenam, offering convenient daily commuting options for families.	Bus service details PBISS offers a school bus service for Primary and Secondary students. Availability is limited, operating on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration Fee: THB 15,000 (one-time, non-refundable) Annual Tuition Fees FS1 & FS2 (Kindergarten): THB 189,000 per year Year 1 & Year 2: THB 210,000 Year 3 & Year 4: THB 222,000 Year 5 & Year 6: THB 225,000 Year 7–Year 9: THB 261,000 per year Year 10: THB 282,000 per year Billing Schedule & Payment Terms Tuition can be paid in three termly instalments or as a single annual payment with a 5% discount. Sibling Discount 5% discount for a second child. 10% discount for a third or subsequent child, applied to the youngest child. Additional Costs (not included in tuition) Uniforms, meals, transport services, extracurricular activities (ECAs), English as an Additional Language (EAL) lessons, and IGCSE books for Years 10–11. Payment Options Payments are accepted via bank transfer. All transfer fees must be covered by the payer.	Fee details Application Fee Pre-Nursery to FS2: No fee Years 1–2: THB 1,000 Years 3–6: THB 1,500 Years 7–13: THB 2,000 This fee is non-refundable and covers assessments, interviews, and processing. Admissions Fee (One-time, non-refundable) Pre-Nursery to FS2: No fee Years 1–3: THB 42,500 Years 4–8: THB 47,500 Years 9–13: THB 55,000 Refundable Security Deposit: THB 30,000 per student Refundable upon withdrawal with one full term’s written notice, provided there are no outstanding fees. Annual Tuition Fees Pre-Nursery/Nursery: THB 244,030 FS1–FS2: THB 248,470 Years 1–2: THB 269,710 Years 3–6: THB 300,190 Years 7–8: THB 349,000 Years 9–11: THB 391,340 Years 12–13: THB 449,230 Note: Tuition includes school books (except Years 9–13), some school trips, lunch and snacks, learning resources, and accident coverage on campus (up to THB 30,000 per incident). English Language Support (ELS) For students requiring additional English support: Level 1: THB 10,000 per term Level 2: THB 20,000 per term Level 3: THB 35,000 per term Additional Costs School uniform (purchased at the school office) Primary Extra-Curricular Activities (paid separately) School bus service (limited places; fees vary by route) Discounts Sibling discount: 10% off second child, 20% off third and beyond (applies to mid-term enrollments) Annual prepayment discount: 5% off tuition when all three terms are paid in advance Refund Policy Tuition fees are generally non-refundable except under specific conditions.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school shop sells the full school uniform. Uniforms are lightweight cotton shirts with a green gingham-check pattern and a charcoal grey skirt or shorts. Sportswear uses breathable micro fabrics. Main uniform sets cost 700–850 Baht; sportswear sets cost 400–450 Baht.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options A daily lunch is offered at 50 Baht per child per day. There is a large dining hall adjacent to the main site with an attached kitchen for meals and snacks. Primary and secondary students are served in two sittings; early years eat within the nursery building. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily. Packed lunches are allowed.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Founders are Dara Nagle, Lindsey Archbold and Viroj Junthong.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Greenacre delivers the National Curriculum of England from Early Years (age 3) through to about age 16, structured across four Key Stages. The EYFS stage focuses on play-based learning in seven core areas, including literacy, numeracy, and expressive arts. In Primary, students engage with a range of subjects, English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art & Design, Computing, PE, and Swimming—taught by class teachers and specialists. Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) uses the Edexcel programme across roughly ten academic subjects. As an officially certified Pearson Edexcel Examinations Centre, Greenacre equips students in upper secondary with support toward the IGCSE examinations.	Curriculum details PBISS bases its curriculum on Cambridge International Standards, tailored with a STEM+ integration across all levels to support learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics alongside core disciplines. In the Primary School (ages 5–11), the Cambridge x STEM+ curriculum develops skills in English, Mathematics, Science, and beyond with specific learning objectives for each year. In the final four years, the Secondary stages, students follow Cambridge IGCSE and International A‑Level courses. Throughout all stages, lessons include core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and humanities alongside creative subjects like music, design, art, and drama. This structure offers a coherent progression from early years through to pre-university qualifications, grounded in Cambridge frameworks and enriched by hands-on STEM components.
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 Greenacre promotes resilience and a sense of responsibility through restorative practices that encourage respect, accountability, and empathy among students. The school also integrates gratitude and kindness into its daily experience, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and personal value in each child. While these are core components of the school’s ethos, there is no mention of a specific, structured SEL curriculum or dedicated staff roles for SEL coordination.	Social & emotional learning PBISS emphasises respect, kindness, and positive interaction as part of its behaviour and wellbeing framework. Students are encouraged to report bullying, and teachers can assign individualised learning programmes or set daily/weekly goals to support positive behaviours. Support structures include advisory processes where staff communicate concerns to parents in writing and monitor improvements.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school states it is inclusive, welcoming students from a range of backgrounds and abilities. However, it does not publicly detail any specific provisions for Special Educational Needs, nor does it specify the types of SEN support available or whether it employs specialist staff.	Special educational needs (SEN) PBISS is not a specialist SEN institution, and no detailed provision for specific SEN conditions is publicly disclosed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Greenacre offers intervention classes for students who speak English as an additional language. In these sessions, teachers focus on practical, everyday English skills—particularly speaking, listening, and vocabulary—to support EAL students' inclusion and engagement.	English as an additional language PBISS offers a mandatory English Language Support (ELS) programme for students identified during admission or internal assessments as needing additional help. This programme has three levels, with fees ranging from THB 10,000 to 35,000 per term depending on the student’s proficiency and needs. Students placed in ELS must attend alongside their regular curriculum.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school uses wellbeing practices aimed at developing kindness, self-worth, and compassion among students—elements that can contribute to emotional wellbeing. However, there are no specific programs, staff roles, or formal mental health initiatives explicitly described in their published materials.	Mental wellbeing PBISS offers a mental health support structure, overseen by the school counselor, Sofia Asengmaba. Teachers refer students, the counselor creates a tailored support plan, and if additional assistance is needed, referrals are made to local mental health professionals or social services.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Greenacre maintains a Restorative Practice Policy, which is part of its framework of school policies regularly reviewed to reflect good international practice. Beyond this, the school does not publicly share detailed information about safeguarding procedures, such as child protection protocols or designated safeguarding personnel.	Safeguarding PBISS maintains a formal Child Protection Policy, including designated Child Protection Coordinators for different school levels (EYFS, Primary, Secondary), plus deputies and a Child Protection Officer (the Headmaster), supported by a school counsellor and administrative team. The policy outlines preventative strategies, procedures for handling concerns, an annual review schedule, and a child-friendly summary for pupils. Additionally, the Visitors and Volunteers Policy ensures that all non-staff individuals are vetted, sign-in/out, supervised, and vetted via induction and background checks to enhance child safety.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Greenacre International School sits on a 7.5-rai natural campus in the south of Koh Samui. Outdoor classrooms and lush gardens support learning and environmental awareness. The school is organized into five main areas: the administration building, Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Sports facilities. There is an island-wide bus service for transport. Greenacre is the only international school on the southern tip of Koh Samui.	Facilities overview The school operates on Koh Samui with a campus designed for Early Years through secondary education. It emphasizes a STEM+ approach integrated into Cambridge International learning. The campus includes spaces dedicated to hands-on projects and innovations, supporting inquiry-based learning across age groups.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The campus includes a 25-metre competition-sized swimming pool with an exceptional swim coach. There are dedicated sports facilities as part of the campus. The swimming pool is a key athletics feature. The school building amenities include spaces used for physical education and swimming.	Sports facilities The school provides facilities and programs to support physical education and team sports as part of the curriculum and school life.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school lists a library, a Computer (ICT) room, a science lab, and a swimming pool among its facilities. The Cambridge International Curriculum is offered, with the Cambridge Pathway spanning Early Years to IGCSE. Environmental education is integrated through the Environmentality program. The curriculum aims to develop knowledge across subjects and foster international-mindedness.	Academic facilities The school uses Cambridge International standards with a curriculum spanning early years to upper secondary, including IGCSE and A-Level pathways. The campus includes dedicated science, technology, engineering, and math facilities to support STEM+ learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Greenacre offers the Duke of Edinburgh's Award as an after-school club for students in Key Stage 3 and 4 (Years 7 to 11). After-school clubs and activities are available each term. The Duke of Edinburgh programme includes physical activity, skill development, community service, and expeditions. Participating students gain an internationally recognized qualification and personal growth through service and challenge. The school emphasizes experiential learning and outdoor experiences as part of its after-school offerings.	Extra curricular facilities A range of extra-curricular activities is available, including clubs and projects that complement the Cambridge curriculum and STEM+ focus.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Greenacre International School was founded by Dara Nagle, Lindsey Archbold, and Viroj Junthong after the closure of a nearby school created a gap in Koh Samui’s education provision. The campus is described as a 7.5-rai natural site in the south of Koh Samui. The school's facilities are organised into five areas: administration, Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and sports facilities.	History PBISS was established in 2005 to meet the educational needs of the Samui community, blending internationally accredited British curriculum with a “Thai Heart” ethos. The school was founded to serve families on Koh Samui and has grown to include students from numerous nationalities. Ownership details and changes over time are not publicly specified on the website.
Community	Community The school highlights engagement with the local Thai community and an emphasis on respect for Thai values and culture on its Community page. Throughout the year, students take part in field trips, themed days, music and drama productions, community projects, fundraising events, house challenges, and sporting competitions. These activities are designed to celebrate students’ personal progress and strengthen ties between school and family.	Community PBISS brings its community together through a range of school-wide events. The annual STEM Expo allows students to showcase projects such as robotics, 3D printing, and design work to parents and peers. Seasonal celebrations like Christmas performances and Halloween activities are also part of the calendar, creating opportunities for families and staff to gather. In addition, the school hosts cultural and community-focused events, highlighted in its news updates and photo galleries, which reflect both local traditions and international school life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school’s public website does not publish details of a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), such as committee structure, meeting schedules, or named parent groups. While the school states it works with parents and carers as part of its values, no formal PTA information, calendar, or governance descriptions are provided online.	Parent teacher association The school does not publicly mention a formal Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), including any specific groups, committees, or PTA-led events. There is no reference to parent councils or organized parent-led initiatives on the website.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Cambridge International Curriculum is used at Greenacre International School, and the school is a Cambridge Approved Examinations Centre. The Cambridge Pathway runs from Early Years (age 3) through IGCSE (age 16) and is divided into four key stages. The curriculum blends the rigour of Cambridge with elements of the UK Curriculum to develop creativity, critical thinking, and international mindedness, preparing students to thrive in an international context.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art, Design and Technology are taught in the Primary curriculum. Music and drama productions are part of school life. A range of extra-curricular activities is offered each term, including field trips, themed days, music and drama productions, community projects, fundraising events, house challenges and sporting competitions.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school strongly supports the values, traditions and culture of Thailand. The Cambridge Pathway is delivered within the Cambridge International framework and aligns with the English Curriculum, following the Cambridge Pathway from Early Years through to IGCSE. Thai is offered as a first language in Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11). The Environmental Curriculum emphasises environmental education as part of the school's approach.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies After-school clubs are offered, including activities such as mixed martial arts and chess. Clubs change regularly from term to term based on student interest. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is available as an after-school program for students in Key Stage 3 and 4, encouraging leadership and service.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service The school runs community projects and fundraising events as part of co-curricular life. Environmental education is delivered through the Environmental Curriculum, aiming to develop caring attitudes and action. The Duke of Edinburgh Award includes service as part of its programme.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Duke of Edinburgh Award develops leadership, teamwork and resilience in students in Key Stage 3 and 4. Participation provides an internationally recognised qualification and fosters perseverance, compassion and a sense of purpose. The programme includes regular after-school sessions and school trips to prepare students for the expedition element.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school emphasizes wellbeing and resilience, using restorative practices and promoting gratitude and kindness. Wellbeing supports both students and staff, fostering belonging and personal growth. A weekly wellbeing session after school on Fridays offers staff meditation opportunities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. The Cambridge International Curriculum is used, and the school is a Cambridge Approved Examinations Centre, serving multi-lingual students. The Cambridge Pathway runs from Early Years to IGCSE, blending Cambridge rigour with elements of the UK Curriculum.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school’s website does not list any school-level awards over the last five years.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Pearson Edexcel Approved Examinations Centre (since Nov 2020) Authorises the school to deliver and invigilate Pearson Edexcel qualifications (e.g., IGCSE), confirming compliance with Pearson’s centre standards.	Accreditations Cambridge Accreditation PBISS is accredited by Cambridge International, authorising it to deliver the Cambridge curriculum and examinations. Cambridge International Official Test Centre (TH189) The school is designated as an official Cambridge exam centre, allowing students to sit for assessments on-site. WASC Accreditation PBISS also holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which ensures compliance with recognised standards for international schools.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Book a visit During the visit, staff explain the admissions procedure, required documents, payments due (including refund and notice requirements), and next steps. If English is not your child’s first language, they will meet the EAL specialist as part of this visit. 2. Prepare and submit documents Submit the Greenacre Application Form, recent school reports, and your child’s birth certificate/Thai ID. Provide two passport photos, passport copies for parents and the child. These documents allow the school to verify eligibility and plan any needed support. 3. Offer, acceptance, and payments Acceptance must be completed before the first day. Paying the school fees and the non-refundable registration fee for each student constitutes formal acceptance of a place.	Admissions 1. Submit Application & Documents Parents begin by submitting an online application via the Apply Now page, along with required documents like birth certificate, previous school reports, and identification. 2. Assessment & Offers While the site does not detail formal testing, the Admissions Procedure Policy implies that, once all documentation and fees are received, the school proceeds with enrollment and issues an offer for confirmed placement. 3. Confirm Placement & Pay Fees To secure the place, parents must make the required payments (application, admissions fee, and security deposit) and formally accept the offer as guided through the application process. 4. Enrollment Finalised Upon completion of the above, the student’s enrollment is finalised, and a start date is confirmed by the school.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships PBISS offers scholarships to current students who demonstrate outstanding records, including academic performance and other achievements. Details on the application process, eligibility criteria, or the scope of scholarships are not publicly disclosed on the website.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not publicly disclose any information about operating a waitlist or pool system.	Waitlist The school does not publicly disclose any waitlist or pool system for admissions. There is no information available on the website indicating that PBISS operates such a system.
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