SBS International School Chiangmai vs Singapore International School - Chiangmai

	S SBS International School Chiangmai Chiang Mai, Thailand	S Singapore International School - Chiangmai Chiang Mai, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 217,500 - 362,600	Fees / year THB 324,300 - 564,300
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Singapore Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 500	Pupils 280
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2014	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location SBS International School Chiangmai is located at 225/900 Moo 11, Tambon Banwaen, Amphur Hangdong, Chiang Mai 50230. It is situated in Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai, with road access and regular transport connections to the city centre.	Location The school is located in Si Phum, the historic central district of Chiang Mai, roughly 400 m west of the Chang Phuak city gate, near Wat Lok Molee and Wat Pa Phrao Nai. It lies within walking distance of city-centre amenities and is accessible by local roads from the Old City.
Stages	Stages The school serves children aged 1 to 18, starting from Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 2‑5), proceeding through Cambridge Primary (ages 5‑11), Lower Secondary (ages 11‑14) and Upper Secondary including IGCSE and AS/A‑Levels (ages 14‑18).	Stages The school serves children aged 2 to 18 years, structured into Nursery–Kindergarten (2 – 6 years), Primary School (6 – 12 years), Secondary School (12 – 16 years), and Sixth Form (16 – 18 years).
School type	School type SBS is an English‑medium, co‑educational day school.	School type SISB Chiang Mai is a co‑educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support There is a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) programme offering support for students with mild to moderate ADHD, ASD, dyslexia and similar learning needs. Support is provided via individual or small‑group sessions, guided by Individual Education Plans (IEPs).	Additional learning support Singapore International School Chiangmai offers structured support for students requiring additional help in language acquisition. The school provides Chinese Learning Support (CLS) and two levels of English Learning Support (ELS1 and ELS2). These services are designed to assist students who may need extra guidance to meet the school’s trilingual curriculum expectations in English, Chinese, and Thai.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school operates independently in Thailand. Although it is part of the Arthit Ourairat Institution, it does not state affiliation with another country.	Country affiliation The school is part of the Singapore International School (SISB) group, following the Singapore and UK curricula, but operates independently in Thailand. There is no formal affiliation with the Singapore government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliations.	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The website does not provide explicit daily start and end times or break/lunch details.	School day structure At SISB Chiangmai, the school day runs from 8:00 am, with end times varying by level: 2:30 pm for Nursery to Kindergarten, 3:30 pm for Primary (P1–P6), and 4:00 pm for Secondary and Sixth Form (G7–G12).
Bus service details	Bus service details No information on a school bus service or provider is mentioned on the school website.	Bus service details The Chiang Mai campus does not clearly state the availability of a school bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Admission Interview/Test Fee: THB 3,000 (non-refundable) Admission Fee: THB 80,000 (one-time, non-refundable) Student Deposit: THB 50,000 (refundable with advance withdrawal notice) Security Deposit: THB 5,000 (refundable for material return and final billing) Annual Tuition Fees Tiger Cubs (1–2 yrs): THB 226,400 Toddler to Reception (2–5 yrs): THB 217,500 Year 1 (5–6 yrs): THB 238,000 Year 2–3: THB 268,900 Year 4: THB 278,900 Year 5–6: THB 304,500 Year 7: THB 314,100 Year 8–9: THB 333,000 Year 10: THB 337,000 Year 11–13: THB 362,600 English Support Fees Primary (Year 1–6): ELS: THB 15,000/term IELS: THB 25,000/term Secondary (Year 7–13): ELS only: THB 20,000/term Individual SEN Support 1:1 in-class support: THB 285,000/year Other Costs Campus Development Fee: THB 10,000/year (non-refundable) Refund Policy Student deposit is only refundable if the school is notified one term in advance or upon Year 13 graduation, along with an exit interview. Payment Options Bank Transfer, Credit Card, WeChat/Alipay, and Cash.	Fee details One-time Payment Application Fee: THB 5,000 (non-refundable) Assessment Fee: THB 5,000 (non-refundable) Enrolment Fee: THB 150,000 (non-refundable) Refundable Deposit: THB 30,000 Annual Tuition Fees Child-Centred Curriculum (Nursery–Kindergarten) Nursery 1 & Nursery 2: THB 324,300 Kindergarten 1 & Kindergarten 2: THB 348,300 Singapore Curriculum (Primary) Primary 1–2: THB 379,500 Primary 3–4: THB 419,100 Primary 5–6: THB 466,800 UK Curriculum (Secondary) Grade 7–8: THB 502,800 Grade 9: THB 537,300 Grade 10: THB 537,300 Grade 11 & Grade 12: THB 564,300 Language Support (if required) Chinese Learning Support (CLS): THB 20,000 per term English Learning Support (ELS1 or ELS2): THB 20,000 per term Educational Resources Fee (Annual) Nursery–KG2: THB 28,500 Primary 1–6: THB 31,000 Grade 7–8: THB 40,000 Grade 9 & 11: THB 60,000 Grade 10 & 12: THB 80,000 (new students) Snack & Lunch Fee (per year) Nursery: THB 25,500 Kindergarten: THB 27,000 Primary: THB 31,200 Grade 7–9: THB 36,600 Grade 10–12: THB 36,600 Sibling Discount 5% for the second child 10% for third child onward Refund Policy A deposit refund requires 1 1-term written notice. Credited within 1 month after departure, subject to clearance of accounts. Tuition & Enrolment Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment Methods Cash, Credit Card, Alipay/WeChat, and Bank Transfer.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required and must be purchased from the School Shop before the child's first day.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch and a daily snack are provided as part of tuition.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Governors. The Chairman is Prof. Emeritus Dr. Pornchai Matangkasombut. The Board includes a Headmaster (Lee Philips) and multiple members, including a Parent Representative (Ms. Jeerawan Nigrotha) and a Teacher Representative (Mr. Francois de Kock), with the Board Secretary (Ms. Kanyanat Pureerod) also serving on the board. The branding indicates an association with Arthit Ourairat Institution.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details SBS International School Chiangmai follows the English National Curriculum across all levels. In Early Years (ages 1–5), children follow the EYFS framework with a focus on play-based learning and early development. Primary students (Years 1–6) study core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside Computing, Art, Music, PE, and Thai language and culture. Secondary students (Years 7–9) follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, and in Years 10–11, they work toward Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. Students in Years 12–13 follow the Cambridge AS and A-Level programme. Thai language instruction is included at all levels, in line with national requirements.	Curriculum details Singapore International School Chiangmai offers a trilingual curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction, and additional instruction in Chinese and Thai. In Early Years (Nursery to Kindergarten), students follow the UK’s EYFS framework. From Primary School, the Singapore Curriculum is used, emphasising core subjects including English, Mathematics, and Science. In Secondary School, students prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. In Years 11–12 (Sixth Form), students undertake Cambridge International AS and A Level courses. Across all stages, the curriculum is designed to build bilingual and bicultural competencies alongside academic progression.
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 The school integrates social and emotional development through its Early Years programme, which emphasizes Personal, Social & Emotional Development as one of seven key learning areas, encouraging children to recognise feelings, respect others, and develop resilience and independence. In Primary and Secondary, pastoral care is described as an “exceptional pastoral care” element of the educational experience, supporting student wellbeing alongside learning and celebrating success. The school also provides a confidential “Worry Box” for students to submit concerns electronically to support staff, with urgent cases referred immediately to the Secondary Principal.	Social & emotional learning The school does not publicly disclose detailed information about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) on its website. However, it does state that Pastoral Care and Career Guidance is part of the timetable for secondary students, aimed at building life skills and personal growth. Homeroom teachers support this by mentoring students individually.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The Student Support Services include a SEN programme for students with mild to moderate ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia. Support is delivered via Individual Education Plans (IEPs) through one‑to‑one, small group or whole‑class settings, led by a multi‑disciplinary team. This is not a specialist SEN institution, but it does offer structured support for these identified needs.	Special educational needs (SEN) There is no publicly available information on the SISB Chiangmai site regarding support for Special Educational Needs on their website.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme to support learners who need additional support in English or Thai (Thai as an Additional Language, TAL). Students are assessed and grouped by skill level, and small‑group support focuses on listening, reading, writing, and speaking to help them integrate into mainstream classes as quickly as possible.	English as an additional language SISB Chiangmai does not mention any dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming on its official website.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing support is facilitated through the “Worry Box” system, where students may submit concerns confidentially and receive follow‑up support from counsellors or the school leadership, especially in urgent cases referred to the Secondary Principal. Staff including school counsellors, psychologists, and nurses are available to support students who need emotional or psychological assistance, particularly in cases of alleged abuse or neglect.	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose structured mental wellbeing programmes. It refers to pastoral care provided by homeroom teachers as part of student support in secondary and Sixth Form years.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding SBS Chiangmai follows Thai Ministry of Education regulations and the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003), implementing Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) procedures. The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Siwalin Tansuwanwong, assisted by deputies in Early Years and Secondary, and a child protection governor oversees compliance. All staff are trained in recognising and reporting abuse or neglect, and there is a formal Abuse and Neglect Policy outlining types of abuse, mandated reporting duties, and support for victims.	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child protection policies on its official website.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school has state-of-the-art science laboratories, art studios, and technology integration to support learning across the Cambridge curriculum. It serves students aged 2 to 18 in an English-medium, co-educational environment. The campus is located in Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Facilities support the Early Years Foundation Stage and Cambridge pathway across primary, secondary, and IGCSE programs. The school emphasizes holistic development with a focus on social and emotional growth, as well as academic achievement.	Facilities overview The Chiang Mai campus is modern and well equipped with the latest educational resources. It features an eco-friendly campus designed to support personalised learning and progress. The environment supports well-rounded development, experiential learning, and student guidance. It offers activities that extend learning beyond the classroom, including taekwondo and hip-hop dancing. The school provides the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award as part of its programme offerings.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is offered for ages 2 to 5. Cambridge International Curriculum is used for primary and secondary education. IGCSE qualifications are offered for Years 10 and 11. Cambridge AS and A Levels are offered for Years 12 and 13. The medium of instruction is English, with a mix of local and international staff.	Academic facilities The campus is modern and equipped with contemporary resources to support learning across the curriculum. The school delivers the Singapore curriculum with a foundation in English, Chinese, and Thai languages. The Primary programme covers core subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Chinese, with ICT, Drama, Art, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The Secondary programme combines Singapore and Cambridge approaches, preparing students for Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and Cambridge International AS and A Levels in the Sixth Form. Pastoral Care and Career Guidance are included as part of student support.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Well-rounded development activities include taekwondo and hip-hop dancing, open to learners from international kindergarten. Experiential learning is promoted through local and international trips. Students can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award as part of the school programmes.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History SBS International School Chiangmai was established in 2014 and is part of the Arthit Ourairat Institution network, founded by Dr. Arthit Ourairat. The school remains privately owned under this institution and maintains that identity in its governance structure. That is the extent of publicly‑available historical detail on its founding and ownership.	History SISB Chiangmai opened in 2017 as the first Singapore International School in Northern Thailand and is operated by SISB Public Company Limited, which founded its first campus (Ekkamai, Bangkok) in 2001 and now manages several branches across Thailand. The Chiang Mai campus was purpose‑built and completed in late 2016, with operations beginning the following year as part of SISB’s strategic expansion beyond Bangkok.
Community	Community The school hosts a range of community and cultural events such as the Annual International Potluck, SBS Songkran Festival, Graduation Ceremonies, World Scholars Cup, open days, and interschool art competitions. These events involve students, families, and staff and reflect the school’s multicultural student body.	Community The school community participates in events such as International Day, Chinese New Year, Songkran Festival, and Sports Day, which involve students, staff, and families in cultural celebration and school life. Community engagement also spans service-oriented activities like K1 students donating to local charities as part of Global Citizenship learning.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school website does not mention a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or any specific events, groups, or activities run under that name. If a PTA exists, it is not publicly detailed online.	Parent teacher association While the school describes strong parent‑school partnerships, the structure and specific functioning of a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) are not detailed on the site. Parents are actively involved in organizing events such as Sports Day, Christmas festivities, and International Week through volunteer support teams or similar collaborative roles. There is mention of regular parent‑teacher meetings, though formal PTA governance, elected groups, or scheduled activities are not documented publicly.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers a Cambridge Pathway from Early Years through Secondary. The Cambridge Examinations offered are IGCSE and AS/A Level. The May–June 2025 Cambridge Examinations results show Chandler, Gemmy, and Agnes achieving high marks. The New Era of Education emphasises future-ready skills.	Academic & intellectual The Chiang Mai campus offers Nursery to Sixth Form (2-18 years old).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school provides activities and programmes that include drama and art as part of the curriculum and general development.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language In Nursery-Kindergarten (2-6 years), English, Chinese, and Thai are developed; Primary (6-12 years) includes English, Chinese, and other subjects; Secondary (12-16 years) and Sixth Form (16-18 years) follow a Singapore-Cambridge curriculum with multilingual aspects.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school provides a range of co-curricular activities including sports, the Duke of Edinburgh programme, Model United Nations, internship programmes, and wellness initiatives.	Social & hobbies Well-rounded development includes activities such as taekwondo and hip-hop dancing; experiential learning through local and international trips.
Community & service	Community & service The school runs community service programs and volunteering opportunities as part of its co-curricular offerings.	Community & service The school participates in programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Leadership and professional development opportunities include the Duke of Edinburgh programme, Model United Nations, and internship programmes.	Leadership & professional The principal is Daniel Maxwell; the school emphasises personalised guidance and leadership development.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports life is active at SBS Chiangmai. Wellness initiatives are part of the program. Duke of Edinburgh and internship programmes support wellbeing and leadership development.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus is described as eco-friendly with modern facilities designed to support students' growth and well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Thai and Mandarin are taught as First Language options; Mandarin is offered as an Additional Language from Year 1; Thai Language and Culture is provided for all students; Thai as an Additional Language is available for non-native speakers. Language Support Programmes (EAL and TAL) provide additional English and Thai language support with IELS/ELS teachers to help students access the curriculum.	Language provision Languages taught include English, Chinese, and Thai. In Nursery-Kindergarten, students develop a strong foundation in English, Chinese, and Thai. In Primary, English and Chinese are core subjects within the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Thai or Mandarin are offered as First Language classes, with Thai Language and Culture taught to all students and Mandarin as an Additional Language from Year 1. Thai as an Additional Language is available for non-native speakers. Core subjects (including English) follow the Cambridge International Primary framework.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Prestigious international youth awards programme promoting personal growth, leadership, and service.	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations	Accreditations ONESQA – Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (Thailand). Cambridge Assessment International Education – Accredited as a: Cambridge International School Cambridge Professional Development Centre The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – UK-based curriculum standards for early childhood education.	Accreditations Council of International Schools (CIS) SISB is fully accredited by CIS, validating its global academic standards and quality assurance processes. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Accredited by NEASC, a U.S.-based agency that certifies the educational quality of international schools. Cambridge International School Authorised to offer Cambridge IGCSE, AS, and A Levels. Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) SISB is an official iPSLE exam centre authorised by SEAB since 2016. Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) Recognised as a certified test centre for Mandarin proficiency assessments.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Submit required documents For non-Thai students, these typically include: Copy of student’s passport Copy of parent’s passport Grade report (transcripts) Birth certificate Family registration list Parent’s work permit and tax documents These are required before scheduling further steps. Admission test and interview Once documents are received, the school arranges: 1. An interview with the Principal (or designated staff). 2. Placement testing or an observation day (often a full morning) assessing academic level and language proficiency. Placement offer / acceptance If successful, parents receive a formal offer letter and confirmation slip to indicate acceptance. Official registration Upon acceptance, an information pack is provided to parents, with registration form specifying assigned teacher and student ID, plus orientation and next steps.	Admissions 1. Get in Touch Contact the school by phone or submit an online inquiry to discuss your child’s educational needs. You can also book a school tour to visit the campus and speak with the admissions team in person. 2. Submit Application Form Complete the SISB application form and submit all required documents as advised by the Admissions Office. These typically include identification, past school reports, and health records. 3. Take an Assessment After the application is reviewed, SISB will schedule an assessment and an interview for your child. The format may vary depending on the year level, with younger students often assessed through observation. 4. Admission Decision Families will be informed of the admissions outcome by phone or email. If a place is offered, you will receive a formal letter of acceptance. 6. Payment of School Fees Pay the applicable tuition and enrolment fees according to the instructions provided by the Admissions Office. 7. Enrollment Once fees are settled and documents are complete, your child is officially enrolled.
Scholarships	Scholarships Internal IGCSE Recognition Awards: *Orange Riband: Awarded to top-performing IGCSE student (8 A grades) Benefit: Full tuition for one year or 50% for two years of A-Level programme Blue Riband: For next two top performers (6+ A* or A grades) Benefit: 50% tuition reduction for one year Presented formally with plaque; recognised in tertiary applications Dr. Arthit World Academic Scholarships:** Open to candidates entering A-Level Selection based on academic background, leadership, community involvement, extracurricular record Application involves letter, experience summary, community/research involvement, interview and benchmark testing Award value varies between 20% to 75% of tuition fees Does not include travel, exam fees, uniform, or laptop costs	Scholarships SISB does not currently promote any active scholarship programs; however, SISB Chiang Mai has previously conducted secondary scholarship examinations offering up to 100% tuition scholarships for successful applicants in Grades 7–9 (Lower Secondary / IGCSE levels). These scholarship opportunities were campus-specific and not part of a regular annual program. They were typically promoted through open house events or regional education fairs, allowing selected students to receive partial or full tuition waivers based on academic performance and assessment outcomes.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist The school does not officially publish a waitlist policy, but admissions are clearly noted to be “subject to availability”, indicating that places may not always be open.
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