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Buds International School Phuket

Thailand, Phuket

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees THB 159,000 - 18,900
Ages 1 - 12 years
Pupil numbers 200
Type Co-educational
Opened 1990
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Italian, Mandarin, Thai
Typical class size 14
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Buds International School Phuket is a bilingual nursery, kindergarten, and primary school for children aged 1 to 12, based in Chalong, Phuket. It follows the California Common Core Standards in English and incorporates additional Thai and Mandarin (with optional Italian) language classes. Class sizes are capped at 14–18 students, maintaining a staff-to-student ratio of approximately 3:1. The school emphasises core subjects, group social learning, project-based work, and daily specialist lessons, including Thai, swimming (from age 3), and computer skills.

4/6 Moo 2, Soi Palai 2, Chaofa East Road, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand.

The Essentials

Buds International School Phuket has 200 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.

Location
Buds International School Phuket is located at 4/6 Soi Palai 2, Chaofa East Road in Chalong, about 1.2 km north of Chalong Circle, on the main road toward Phuket Town. The campus sits in a quiet, residential area just past the Chalong police station and Wine Connection restaurant, with easy access by car from Rawai, Kata, Karon, Patong, and Nai Harn.

Stages
Buds International School Phuket is structured into three clear levels: Nursery (ages 1–3), Kindergarten (ages 3–6), and Primary School (Grades 1–6, ages 6–12). This setup supports a smooth academic progression from early years through elementary education.

Type
Buds International School Phuket is a co‑educational day school that welcomes both Thai and international students.

Country affiliation
Buds International School Phuket is officially licensed and regulated by the Thailand Ministry of Education and the Provincial Educational Office, making it a recognized institution by Thai government authorities.

Religious affiliation
Buds International School Phuket is not affiliated with any religion and welcomes families from all backgrounds,

School day structure
Buds International School Phuket is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. From 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., students can attend additional English and Thai lessons, followed by optional after‑school care until 5:00 p.m.

Bus service
Buds International School Phuket provides a door-to-door bus service in Phuket using new school buses fitted with Western-style safety seats. Routes cover key areas including Chalong, Rawai, Sai Yuan, Kathu, Kata, Karon, Patong, and Nai Harn. The service is supervised by staff to ensure student safety and convenience.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Students are expected to wear school uniforms; uniforms can be purchased in the office.

Food Options
Breakfast and lunch are provided for full-time kindergarten/nursery; meals are included with enrollment and with a yearly maintenance fee that covers breakfast and lunch. A lunch menu is published by the school.

Governance and Ownership
The school is run by a Holland-American and Thai management team; it is licensed by Phuket province and by the Thai government (Thai Ministry of Education).
Fees

Annual tuition at Buds International School Phuket ranges from THB 159,000 to THB 18,900 for 2026/27.

Application and One-Time Fees


* Application Fee: THB 10,000 (covers registration, assessment, one uniform, and a drinking tumbler)
* Enrollment Fee: THB 40,000 for new Primary students (includes books, computer use, school supplies, breakfast, and lunch)
* Enrollment Fee (Nursery and Kindergarten): THB 20,000

Annual Tuition Fees


* Nursery 1 (ages 1–2): THB 169,000
* Nursery 2 to Kindergarten 3 (ages 2–6): THB 159,000
* Primary Grade 1: THB 159,000
* Primary Grades 2–6: THB 189,000

Other Costs


* Annual Maintenance Fee: THB 10,000 (covers art supplies, writing materials, meals for existing students)
* After-school Programme (3–4 p.m.): THB 2,500/month or THB 7,500/term
* Swimming Lessons: THB 1,500/month or THB 5,000/term
* School Bus Service: THB 2,500–5,000/month (based on route)
* Uniforms: Sold on-site (included in the enrollment fee for new students)

Payment Terms and Methods


* Tuition and additional fees are billed annually but may be paid under various plans.
* A late fee of THB 200/day applies up to 7 days past the due date.
* Enrollment is cancelled if payment is not settled after 7 days.
* Sibling discount: 10% for second child, 15% for third child.
* A 10% discount is available for four-month prepayments.
* Full-year payment discounts available on request.

* Payment Methods:
* Bank transfer (Bangkok Bank or Siam Commercial Bank)
* PayPal (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)

Refund Policy


* All fees are non-refundable.
* The security deposit becomes refundable upon withdrawal, provided all accounts are settled.
Academics

Buds International School Phuket teaches American Curriculum for students aged 1 to 12.

Curriculum
Buds International School Phuket follows a single curriculum pathway from Nursery through Grade 6: the American Curriculum, based on the California Common Core Standards.

The Early Years programme (Nursery to Kindergarten) uses a play-based and theme-driven approach. Children engage in structured weekly themes alongside outdoor play, early literacy, numeracy, and group routines designed to support social development.

In the Primary School, students study core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, in line with U.S. benchmarks. These are complemented by specialist lessons in Art, Music, Physical Education, Geography, History, and Computer Studies.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school does not publicly disclose specific programs or staff dedicated to social and emotional learning (SEL).

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Buds does not present itself as a specialist school for SEN and provides no detail on formal support structures, trained SEN staff, or types of learning differences supported.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not offer any specific program branded as EAL.

Mental Wellbeing
No specific mental health support programs, counselors, initiatives, or staff positions are referenced on the official site.

Safeguarding
There is no publicly available information about the child protection policy.
Parent Experience

History
Buds International School Phuket began in the early 1990s, founded by a Thai educator to help give her own children a strong start. In 2004 the founder relocated to the UK and sold the school. It is now managed by a Thai–Holland–American leadership team that updated the curriculum and built a new school building designed for nursery through primary education.

Community
The school community includes both Thai and international families, drawn by the school’s bilingual roots and English-focused curriculum for babies aged 12 months to 12 years. Daily group activities—like circle time, playground games, and seasonal events—reinforce social bonds in a diverse environment.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
While Buds does not appear to have a formal PTA, it schedules three parent–teacher meetings per year to discuss student progress and school developments. Parents are also welcome to support seasonal events, class celebrations, and supervised field trips.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus includes a Playground, a Library and Computer Room, and a Dining Room. Nursery facilities are available, and a School Buses service operates for student transport. Off-campus facilities include Tennis Courts and a Swimming Pool, and there is a Football Field on site with Parking. Multiple on-site buildings house classrooms and related facilities.

Sports Facilities
The school has a Football Field for outdoor sports. Off-campus Tennis Courts are available for student use. There is a Swimming Pool off-campus for swimming activities. These spaces support a structured physical education program.

Academic Facilities
The Library and Computer Room support study and digital learning. Multiple on-site buildings host classrooms and learning spaces. The education program is English-focused and uses the American Common Core curriculum. MAP Growth program monitors academic progress.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities are part of Buds International School Phuket's program. In Kindergarten, sport includes swimming twice a week with professional teachers for a small extra fee, and twice weekly tennis lessons for children at least 5 years old. Swimming classes for children aged three years and older run Wednesday through Friday at a local public swimming pool. Weekend programs include a Football Club for ages 6-15. The weekend program also lists academic enrichment (Math and English) and Music sessions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
Dance class is offered as an extracurricular activity. Arts and crafts are taught as part of the core curriculum, supporting creativity in learning.

Cultural & Language
Chinese class and Thai class are offered for language learning. The school provides an English-focused education and uses the Common Core Curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
Little Chefs' Club is offered as an extracurricular activity. Dance class is also available as an arts-related hobby.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Swimming is offered as an after‑school activity. A trained nurse is on duty. Transportation by Western-safety-seat buses is available, and aftercare runs until 5 pm. Class sizes are small, with about 12 children per class and a 3:1 student-to-staff ratio.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction. Thai language is taught as part of the curriculum. Buds is a bilingual school in Phuket, with English and Thai used to support language development. The school has native English-speaking teachers and Thai staff fluent in English to support students' language learning.

Bilingual Teaching
Buds International School Phuket is bilingual, with English as the main language of instruction and Thai language taught as part of the curriculum. Thai teachers speak English, and classrooms include native English-speaking teachers and Thai teaching assistants. The school communicates with children in English whenever possible.
Reputation

Accreditations
Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education: Authorised to operate as a private international school in Thailand, ensuring compliance with national educational regulations for nursery, kindergarten, and primary levels.

Registered with the Phuket Provincial Education Office: Recognised as a certified educational institution in the province, subject to oversight by the local authority.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Schedule a campus visit or tour. Parents are encouraged to visit the school to understand the environment and facilities. During the tour, you can discuss the school’s play-based and internationally informed approach to learning, as well as meet staff members.

2. Submit the application form and required documentation. Once you’ve confirmed interest, you’ll be asked to complete the official application form. For Primary applicants, required documents include your child’s academic records, birth certificate, and relevant medical or learning history.

3. Complete the assessment process. For students applying to Year 3 and above, a placement test is conducted to determine readiness and academic fit. The fee for the test is THB 2,000 and it is scheduled directly with the school. Students from Year 1 and up may also be invited to an interview with the Head of Primary.

4. Receive confirmation of placement and class allocation. Following the interview or assessment, families receive feedback from the school. Students are placed in the appropriate year group based on age and ability. If a student qualifies to enter a level above their age group, it is discussed with the Head of School.

5. Review fees and finalize enrollment. Parents will be guided through the annual fee structure, assessment charges, and billing arrangements. Once you confirm acceptance, you’ll receive start date and orientation information, along with practical details such as uniforms and transportation options.

Waitlist
Buds International School Phuket does not publicly state that it operates a formal waitlist or pool system.
School Events
The school has not added events
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