Choosing the right school for your children is a crucial decision, especially for digital nomads and expatriate families residing in Chiang Mai.
Table of Contents
Our article is a curated guide to help you navigate through the myriad of options available in this vibrant city.
It covers the top 10 international schools, providing detailed insights into their curricula, facilities, extracurricular activities, and overall environment.
Our guide will help you and your nomad family make the best-informed decision, considering your priorities: academic quality, cultural diversity, or a holistic approach to education.
Key Highlights
- The best international schools in Chiang Mai serve the educational needs of digital nomads and expat families with various curricula, including American, British, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
- Many of these educational institutions offer a distinctive fusion of rigorous academic requirements with recreational and cultural activities, fostering a well-rounded education that encompasses language learning and cultural events.
- These digital nomad-friendly schools give students a unique chance to interact with a worldwide community, fostering global citizenship through a diverse student body and an international faculty.
- Standout institutions include Lanna International School, which offers a British curriculum and extensive extracurricular facilities. Chiang Mai International School is known for its Advanced Placement courses. Nakornpayap International School emphasizes cultural identity through Thai Language & Cultural programs. Panyaden International School combines modern education with environmental mindfulness and Buddhist principles. At the same time, Prem Tinsulanonda International School offers all four IB programs on a 100-acre campus.
- For students with special needs, these institutions frequently offer individualized lesson plans and resources, guaranteeing an inclusive learning environment. Modern amenities, such as art studios and sports complexes, are also included, augmenting the educational experience.
- The international schools in Chiang Mai stand out for their ability to combine high academic standards with cultural and extracurricular richness, making them ideal for expatriate families seeking quality education in a global context.
Best International School in Chiang Mai
Join us as we focus on identifying and evaluating the best international schools in Chiang Mai.
By exploring each school’s unique offerings, from educational philosophies to campus facilities, we aim to highlight the institutions that stand out in providing exceptional education and fostering global citizenship.
Our comprehensive overview will help you find the ideal school that aligns with your digital nomad family’s educational values, lifestyle, and, of course, your child’s individual needs.
1. Lanna International School
The Lanna International School is conveniently located in Hang Dong, Chiang Mai. The school provides education from Early Years to Primary and Secondary levels.
The school follows the British Curriculum and has infrastructure for extracurricular activities. It features an art studio, a swimming pool, a dance studio, a music room, and a football field.
Aside from that, it has a vast library and cafeteria where students can spend their free time.
Upon visiting the school grounds, I found they were spacious, clean, and well-maintained. However, the traffic can get heavy within the vicinity, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
Good thing they have tight security, so students are kept safe inside while waiting for their service.
166 Ban Waen, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
+66 52 000 838
2. Chiang Mai International School
Chiang Mai International School is one of the oldest schools in Chiang Mai, established in 1954. It has children from over 30 countries. The school has an ideal social and cultural environment for the development of children as per international schooling standards.
The school offers Advanced Placement courses in high school to help the children prepare for admission to outstanding colleges and universities around the world.
The school was founded as part of the Church of Christ in Thailand. Therefore, all its primary operations are based on Christian principles.
While its core values are centered around Christianity, the school welcomes students of all faiths.
Chetuphon Soi 1, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
+66 52 135 072
3. Nakornpayap International School
Nakornpayap International School is especially popular among the families of Korean ex-pats living in Chiang Mai. Established in 1993, it offers an American curriculum. It is one of the two oldest non-denominational international schools in Chiang Mai.
At Nakornpayap International School, they not only adhere to international education standards but also strive to preserve our students’ cultural identity. Students are introduced to Thailand’s language and literature and celebrate the traditional Thai holidays with great fervor.
Its commitment is evident in its regular hosting of Thai Language & Cultural programs, which serve as a platform to promote Thai culture among its diverse student body.
The NIS’s facilities incorporate an Art Room, Computer Lab, Music Room, Science Labs, and outdoor play area. They also have an auditorium that provides a venue for creative and musical endeavors.
Furthermore, they also feature a sports facility that includes an indoor Gym, Fitness Room, Dance Studio, half Olympic-sized swimming pool, full-size football field, and basketball courts.
So, aside from academic excellence, I commend the school for providing plenty of co-curricular activities for its students. This encourages them to grow and learn in a more holistic approach.
4. Panyaden International School
The Panyaden International School was started in 2010. It is a bilingual school from pre-K through Year 13, where Thai and English are the main languages of instruction.
At Panyaden International School, education is not just about academics. We take a well-rounded approach, integrating a modern multilingual curriculum, environmental mindfulness, and Buddhist principles.
This unique blend nurtures your child’s physical, moral, emotional, and intellectual qualities, ensuring their comprehensive development.
Upon my visit, I noticed that their campus has an excellent quality air system. The school grounds are clean and well-maintained.
The security is also tight. No walk-ins are allowed, so if you are an outsider, you have to schedule an appointment to get in.
218, 218/1, Nam Phrae, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
+66 53 441 460
5. Prem Tinsulanonda International School
Prem Tinsulanonda International School is Southeast Asia’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) World School to offer all four IB programs.
The campus is situated on a beautiful 100-acre site in the foothills of northern Chiang Mai. It caters to classes from pre-kindergarten through high school and has its own Forest and Cookery School.
The campus features a gymnasium, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, table tennis, an exercise room, two short-game golf driving ranges, a football field, athletic fields, and a cricket oval.
The school also has a boarding program with approximately 150 boarders. I highly recommend this for digital nomad families whose children are far from home. The facility is secured, and the borders are well taken care of.
6. Grace International School
Grace International School is located in a suburban area southwest of Chiang Mai. Established in 1999, it is avowed to be a traditional Christian school.
The school’s primary objective is to provide quality education to the children of international workers located in Southeast Asia. At present, it has around 600 students from 30 different nations.
The classes here range from kindergarten to Grade 12 and follow an American-style, college-preparatory curriculum. Moreover, the school also caters to students with special needs and homeschooling families.
Therefore, it is an ideal choice for digital nomad families, offering a flexible and supportive educational environment for those visiting or residing in Chiang Mai.
88 Muu 3, Tambon Harn Kaew, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
+66 52 088 777
7. Singapore International School (SISB) Chiang Mai
Singapore International School is the first school in Northern Thailand to adopt the renowned Singapore education curriculum. It offers a blend of the U.K. and Singapore curricula in Thai, Chinese, and English.
Singapore’s education system is internationally recognized as rigorous, focusing on real-life critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For digital nomads, these are the skills you precisely what you want your children to grow into.
The school is conveniently located in the city center. It has a fully air-conditioned sports hall and a 20-meter swimming pool.
Other sports and extracurricular activities offered here are football, taekwondo, basketball, gardening, and arts and crafts. Moreover, it also has professional teachers for musical instruments such as piano, violin, and hip-hop dance.
10 Hussadhisawee Rd., Sripoom Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
+66 53 217 087
8. American Pacific International School
American Pacific International School is an IB Continuum School offering a student-centered learning experience that promotes self-motivation, critical thinking, and creativity.
The school represents 22 nationalities among students and staff, creating a rich multicultural environment.
APIS boasts a team of 64 qualified and certificated staff members dedicated to providing high-quality education. I appreciate the friendly and supportive environment, creating positive relationships with teachers and peers.
The school is deeply committed to community service, participating actively in 20 service projects. This instills a strong sense of social responsibility in our students.
If you wish keep your kid a busy bee, the school also provides engaging summer programs. This ensures continuous learning and development during the summer break.
158/1 Moo 3, Hang Dong Samoeng Road, Ban Pong, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
+66 94 631 8778
9. Ambassador Bilingual School (ABS)
Ambassador Bilingual School (ABS) offers a comprehensive bilingual curriculum in both Thai and English. It guarantees that students become proficient in both languages. This approach improves pupils’ cognitive flexibility and gets them ready for a globalized environment.
Upholding global educational norms, the school prepares its students for higher education opportunities both locally and abroad.
From scientific labs to sports complexes, ABS has the contemporary infrastructure to support a wide range of educational activities and guarantee that students have access to all the resources they need to learn.
ABS places a strong emphasis on both academic achievement and the overall, social, emotional, and physical development of its students. This is supported by the range of extracurricular activities the school provides.
This diversified and rich educational experience is made possible by the school’s highly qualified and experienced team of teachers from throughout the globe. Treating the pupils as though they were their own, they are kind, caring, and responsible.
Village No. 2, 222 Super Highway Rd. Chiang Mai-Lampang Nong Phueng, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai 50140, Thailand
+66 81 950 6659
10. Unity Concord International School (UCIS)
Unity Concord International School (UCIS) is one of the international schools in Chiang Mai that follows the American Common Core Standard. This standard ensures that students receive a rigorous and relevant education that prepares them for a university and beyond.
The school community includes students from 30 countries, promoting a multicultural and multilingual environment. This diversity enriches students’ learning experience and prepares them to become global leaders.
UCIS seeks to foster social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual growth driven by altruism. In its approach to teaching, the school places a strong emphasis on the value of leadership, service, and purpose.
The school has state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate various recreational and academic activities and give students the tools they need to succeed.
It encourages active student participation through initiatives like the Falcon Student Radio, which features student news videos and other creative projects.
They also encourage their students to engage in various sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and swimming.
272 Moo 2 Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway Nong Phueng, Amphur Sarapee Chiang Mai 50140, Thailand
+66 52 135 061
Final Thoughts: International Schools in Chiang Mai
We’ve finally come to the end of this article, but it’s probably just the start of a brighter future for your little digital nomads.
Our comprehensive overview of the top 10 international schools in Chiang Mai highlights each school’s unique offerings, from Lanna International School’s British curriculum and extensive extracurricular facilities to Panyaden International School’s integration of modern education with environmental mindfulness and Buddhist principles.
The diversity in educational approaches ensures that digital nomad families can find a school that aligns with their values and lifestyle while meeting their children’s academic and personal development needs.
The Best International Schools in Chiang Mai
These schools represent the best of what Chiang Mai offers in terms of international education.
From the long-established Chiang Mai International School with its advanced placement courses to Nakornpayap International School’s celebration of Thai culture, each institution provides a rich, multicultural environment that prepares students for global citizenship.
Whether you seek rigorous academics, a nurturing bilingual environment, or a holistic approach to education, the international schools in Chiang Mai cater to various educational demands and standards, ensuring every child can competitively thrive globally.
FAQ
Take into account the courses provided, the school’s accreditation, the size of the classes, the facilities, the extracurricular activities, the instruction language, and the general atmosphere and culture of the institution.
Yes, the majority of Chiang Mai’s foreign schools are accredited by several respected international bodies, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Assessment International Education.
Several foreign schools provide resources to ensure inclusive education, special education teachers, and tailored education plans for kids with special needs.
Several international schools offer support services for students with special needs, including individualized education plans, special education teachers, and resources to ensure inclusive education.
English is typically used as the main language of education. However, many schools also provide programs in additional languages, such as Thai, Chinese, or multilingual, to accommodate a varied student base.
