SBS International School Chiangmai vs Varee Chiangmai International School

	S SBS International School Chiangmai Chiang Mai, Thailand	V Varee Chiangmai International School Chiang Mai, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 217,500 - 362,600	Fees / year THB 244,000 - 524,000
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 British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 500	Pupils 300
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2014	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
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 situated at 59 Moo 6, Mahidol Road, Nong Hoi, Mueang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand. It lies within easy reach of shopping centres, hospitals, supermarkets, and bus and train stations.
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 VCIS serves children aged 2 to 18, from Pre‑Nursery up through Year 13.
School type	School type SBS is an English‑medium, co‑educational day school.	School type The school is fully co‑educational and currently operates as a day school. No boarding facilities are provided.
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 Varee Chiangmai International School provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language Programme.
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 not affiliated with any specific country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school has no religious affiliations.	Religious affiliation The school has no affiliation with any religion.
School day structure	School day structure The website does not provide explicit daily start and end times or break/lunch details.	School day structure Early Year and Primary School classes run from 8.00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Secondary School is from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. After-school activities for children in Primary run from 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM. For Secondary, after-school activities run from 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM.
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 website does not mention any school bus or transport 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 Application and Placement Fee: THB 6,000 (one-time, non-refundable) Enrollment Fee (non-refundable): New student: THB 80,000 2nd and subsequent child: THB 60,000 Entry at A Level: THB 40,000 Annual Tuition Fees Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Reception): THB 244,000 Key Stage 1 (Year 1–2): THB 304,000 Key Stage 2 (Year 3–6): THB 328,000 Key Stage 3 (Year 7–9): THB 360,000 Key Stage 4 IGCSE (Year 10–11): THB 444,000 Key Stage 5 A-Level (Year 12–13): THB 524,000 Note: Late Payment Penalties THB 1,000 per week. Sibling Discounts 5% for the second child 10% for third and additional children Other Required Fees English Support (IEP/EAP): THB 30,000 per semester Lunch (Early Years to Key Stage 2): THB 9,000 per semester PTA Fee: THB 750 per family per year DoE Registration (if applicable): THB 2,000 Payment Options Cash, Visa/MasterCard, and Bank Transfer. Refund Policy New students: 75% refund if withdrawn within 7 business days after semester start. Current students: Full refund if withdrawal notice is given 15 days before the semester start. No refunds for mid-semester withdrawals.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school does not offer boarding facilities.
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 The canteen offers a range of snacks and various foods. The lunch includes Western, Thai and vegetarian dishes, as well as Asian noodle soup, salad and fresh fruits. The cafeteria serves Asian and Western dishes. Children may also bring their own food from home.
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 The founder and director is Ajarn Varee Patravanich.
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 Varee Chiangmai International School follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to Year 13. In the Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Reception), the curriculum is based on the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with a focus on language, numeracy, and learning through play in English and Thai contexts. The Primary phase (Years 1–6) continues with subjects such as English, maths, science, humanities, computing, arts, Thai language, and physical education. In Secondary (Years 7–9), students prepare for Cambridge Checkpoint exams in English, mathematics, and science, alongside subjects including geography, history, ICT, and the arts. For Years 10–11, the school offers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum with a combination of core and elective subjects. In Years 12–13, students choose three A-Level subjects and continue with non-exam subjects such as Thai language, PE, and university preparation activities.
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 VCIS embeds Social and Emotional Learning through its regular PSHEE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) lessons, offered from Early Years through secondary levels. In Secondary, there is an explicit focus on encouraging tolerance, social skills, and peer support during Key Stage 3 through group work and collaborative activities. The school also provides opportunities for student voice through its Student Council, representing Years 7–13, where students can raise concerns and contribute to school life.
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) The school provides Learning Support for students with identified needs, though it is not described as a specialist SEN institution. Support is offered based on the availability of resources and depends on individual student needs, as assessed during admissions and placement processes. The school does not publicly specify which categories of SEN it can support beyond indicating a Learning Support programme.
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 VCIS offers an English as an Additional Language programme as part of placements for non‑native English speakers, dependent on resource availability. Students are assessed on English ability during the placement test and interview with an English Language Specialist, and additional ESL support may be offered if required to access mainstream classes.
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 VCIS provides in‑house counselling through a professionally staffed counsellor who is available throughout the school day, with an open‑door policy for students requiring support. Pastoral care is emphasised as a high priority, including round‑the‑clock security, first‑aid rooms, codes of conduct, and a zero‑tolerance bullying policy to maintain student wellbeing.
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’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is publicly listed in its website navigation, indicating formal safeguarding measures are in place. VCIS enforces a zero‑tolerance policy on bullying along with well‑defined behavioural codes of conduct and secure campus access controls. The presence of professionally staffed first‑aid rooms also supports student safety daily.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy View document
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 Varee Chiangmai International has a modern campus in Chiang Mai. Classrooms are spacious and networked with computers, with Activ-boards for interactive multimedia learning. Specialist facilities include science labs, computer labs, art studios, drama and music studios, and a well‑resourced library, plus a 25‑meter swimming pool, auditorium, indoor gymnasium and multiple play areas. The cafeteria serves Asian and Western dishes and there is a mini‑mart on site. The campus is conveniently located near Chiang Mai's airport and central amenities, and the school is accredited by the Education Development Trust and Cambridge International Examinations.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Sports facilities include futsal courts, a football pitch, basketball facilities and multi‑purpose sports fields. A 25‑meter swimming pool is on site and there is an indoor gymnasium. The campus provides a broad, well‑equipped sports program to support student participation across age groups.
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 Cambridge curriculum is offered, including IGCSE and AS/A Levels. The language of instruction is English and the school serves students aged 2 to 18. Classrooms are equipped with networked computers and Activ‑boards to support learning. Specialist facilities include science labs, computer labs, art, music and drama studios, and a well‑resourced library.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The school provides a comprehensive extra‑curricular programme for primary and secondary, with activities ranging from ESL and ICT to sports such as basketball, football, rugby and swimming, and arts including music, choir, hip hop and dance, Chinese and Thai. Activities change each semester and are often run by teaching staff. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is offered and VCIS is an International Award Centre.
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 Varee Chiangmai International School traces its origins to the Varee Kindergarten founded in 1978 by Mrs Varee Patravanich. In response to parental demand for primary and secondary international-style education, the international school expanded and officially opened in Chiang Mai in 2003 under her leadership. The school remains privately owned and continues under the leadership vision of its founder and director, integrating a UK-aligned curriculum with Thai cultural values.
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 hosts a culturally diverse student body and community, with events reflecting Thai, Asian, and international traditions. Through its “Our Community” section, the school promotes opportunities for students to engage across cultures and values, though specific community events or festivals are not itemized in detail on the public website.
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 Varee Chiangmai International School has an active Parent Teacher Association whose mission is to foster partnerships between families, teachers, and the school. The PTA aims to advocate for student wellbeing, support school activities across cultures, and serve as a channel for parental concerns. While the PTA’s purpose and vision are clearly defined, the website does not specify particular PTA events, regular meetings, or groups involved in organising community activities.
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 school serves students aged 2 to 18 (Pre-Nursery to Year 13) and offers a UK-aligned international curriculum with IGCSE for Years 10–11 and AS-level/A-level for Years 12–13. The language of instruction is English. The school is fully accredited by the Education Development Trust (EDT) and is a Cambridge International Examinations centre.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
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 —
Community & service	Community & service The school runs community service programs and volunteering opportunities as part of its co-curricular offerings.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Leadership and professional development opportunities include the Duke of Edinburgh programme, Model United Nations, and internship programmes.	Leadership & professional —
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 —
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 English is the language of instruction. Thai Language, Culture, and History (TLCH) is offered for Thai and international students. For international students, Thai language learning begins in Year 3 and continues to Year 11, twice weekly, at two levels: A1 (Beginner) and A2 (Intermediate). Students study Thai Language for Communication and Thai Culture and History as part of TLCH.
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 Fully accredited by Education Development Trust (EDT) A UK-based accreditation agency assessing every aspect of school operations from facilities and hygiene to teaching standards. Accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) For delivering IGCSE and A‑Level programmes to international standards.
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 Initial interview Parents and students meet with the English Language Specialist. Students entering Key Stage 2 (Year 3) or higher complete assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science as appropriate for their level. Complete application form & pay fee If successful in the interview, submit the application form and pay the non-refundable 6,000 THB application and placement test fee. Placement Test Tests are scheduled at the beginning or end of the day. Younger students (Early Years, Years 1–2) join classroom activities for assessment. Acceptance Decision The Principal recommends, and the Director makes the final admission decision. Enrollment Following acceptance, complete enrollment forms, pay the enrollment fee and tuition (due one week before term start), and receive a copy of the Parent Handbook.
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 The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not have a waitlist.	Waitlist VCIS operates a rolling admissions policy. If space is available and assessment criteria are met, children may join at any time during the year. However, entry into Year 9, Year 10, and Year 12 is restricted to the beginning of the school year.
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