Singapore International School - Chiangmai vs Varee Chiangmai International School

	S Singapore International School - Chiangmai Chiang Mai, Thailand	V Varee Chiangmai International School Chiang Mai, Thailand
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year THB 324,300 - 564,300	Fees / year THB 244,000 - 524,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Singapore Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 280	Pupils 300
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2017	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	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 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).	Stages VCIS serves children aged 2 to 18, from Pre‑Nursery up through Year 13.
School type	School type SISB Chiang Mai is a 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 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.	Additional learning support Varee Chiangmai International School provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language Programme.
Country affiliation	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.	Country affiliation The school is not affiliated with any specific country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school has no affiliation with any religion.
School day structure	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).	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 The Chiang Mai campus does not clearly state the availability of a school bus service.	Bus service details The website does not mention any school bus or transport service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	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 —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	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 —	Governance and ownership The founder and director is Ajarn Varee Patravanich.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	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 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.	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) There is no publicly available information on the SISB Chiangmai site regarding support for Special Educational Needs on their website.	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 SISB Chiangmai does not mention any dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming on its official website.	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 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.	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 The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child protection policies on its official website.	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 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.	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 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.	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 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.	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 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.	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 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.	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 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.	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 Chiang Mai campus offers Nursery to Sixth Form (2-18 years old).	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 The school provides activities and programmes that include drama and art as part of the curriculum and general development.	Arts & creative —
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.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Well-rounded development includes activities such as taekwondo and hip-hop dancing; experiential learning through local and international trips.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service The school participates in programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The principal is Daniel Maxwell; the school emphasises personalised guidance and leadership development.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus is described as eco-friendly with modern facilities designed to support students' growth and well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	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.	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 —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.	Awards The school does not have publicly available information on their awards.
Accreditations	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.	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 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.	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 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.	Scholarships The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
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.	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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