Compare International Schools in Koh samui, Thailand

Oonrak Koh Samui School is located in the Maenam area on the north side of Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province. The neighbourhood is known for its quiet residential setting and proximity to beaches, while still being accessible by main island roads. The school’s location makes it convenient for families living across central and northern Koh Samui.

The school offers education from Pre-Kindergarten (around age 3) through to Primary Year 6 (age 12). The structure is divided into Daycare/Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten 1–3, and Primary 1–6.

It is a co-educational day school that welcomes both boys and girls. Boarding facilities are not available.

The school provides optional English Support (ESL) and Thai Support (TSL) lessons for students who need additional language help. These lessons are charged at an extra fee of THB 10,000 per subject per semester, based on teacher assessment.

The school does not have a direct affiliation with any country.

The school does not have any religious affiliation.

The school reception is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on weekends until 3:00 PM. Exact class start and end times, as well as break schedules, are not publicly detailed.

A limited school bus service is available for families. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and routes may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met. In such cases, fees are refunded in full.

Oonrak Koh Samui School offers a bilingual programme that combines the Thai National Curriculum, the British Curriculum, and elements of the Cambridge Primary Curriculum. In Daycare and Pre-Kindergarten, children learn through play and discovery, with activities delivered in both Thai and English. In Kindergarten (1–3), learning is evenly divided between English and Thai, covering early literacy, numeracy, and practical subjects. In Primary (1–6), English is the medium for subjects such as English language, mathematics, science, physical education, and swimming, while Thai is used for Thai language, mathematics, science, computing, art, social studies, and citizenship. Additional weekly classes include art, computing, Chinese (Mandarin), Thai dance, Scouts, and swimming. This blended curriculum ensures that students develop strong academic foundations while gaining competence in both English and Thai.

The school includes a dedicated meditation room within its facilities, providing students with a quiet space for reflection and calm. Extracurricular activities such as arts, crafts, sports, swimming, and martial arts are also offered, which encourage teamwork, cooperation, and confidence. These activities are part of the broader programme to support children’s personal and social development. The school does not publicly outline any structured SEL curriculum or specific staff roles dedicated to SEL.

The school does not publicly disclose information about dedicated SEN provision. The only additional support explicitly mentioned is extra English (ESL) and Thai (TSL) language lessons, offered at an additional cost. Oonrak Koh Samui School is not described as a specialist SEN institution, and no further details on specific learning needs or support staff are available.

The school provides English Support (ESL) lessons at THB 10,000 per semester for students who require extra help with English. Similarly, Thai Support (TSL) is available at the same cost for students needing additional Thai language assistance. Placement in, and withdrawal from, these programmes is determined by the head teacher and school director. Beyond these provisions, the school does not publicly detail further EAL initiatives or specialist staff.

A meditation room is part of the school campus, offering a space intended for relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Students also benefit from a variety of extracurricular activities, such as sports and creative clubs, which contribute to a positive school environment. No specific mental health or counselling programmes are publicly disclosed on the website.

The school requires all students to be covered by its compulsory accident insurance, which provides medical and financial protection during school activities and trips. Deposits such as the security deposit also serve as a means to reinforce responsibility and protect against misconduct or damage. However, the school does not publicly disclose a formal safeguarding or child protection policy, nor does it detail procedures related to staff training or reporting.

1. This first step allows families to introduce themselves, ask initial questions, and receive basic information about the bilingual programme.

2. Families are encouraged to book a school tour to see the facilities and meet staff. For parents who cannot visit in person, a Skype appointment can be arranged. During this stage, further details about the curriculum, fees, and expectations are shared.

3. Parents complete the Bilingual Application Form and submit all required supporting documents. This ensures that the school has the necessary information to process the application.

4. The school arranges entrance assessments where required. These tests are used to determine the year placement and ensure that students can access the curriculum. Parents are informed of the results as soon as possible.

5. Once a child has been accepted, the school issues invoices for the admission fee and relevant deposits. Payment of these fees confirms the offer of a place.

6. After fees are settled, parents may purchase school uniforms and textbooks from the reception. At this point, the student’s place is fully secured and enrolment is complete.

The school does not publicly disclose any scholarships on its website.

The school operates a waiting list system. If a year group is full, children without a reservation deposit will be placed on the waiting list. When space becomes available, families are contacted in the order they appear on the waiting list. Without a reservation deposit, placement cannot be guaranteed.

The school is on Koh Samui’s northeast coast, tucked between Chaweng and Bophut, alongside the main ring road and adjacent to Bandon Hospital and the Big C shopping centre. The island is accessible via domestic and international flights, with regular ferry services and road links to other parts of Thailand.

ISS is divided into stages: Early Years (ages 3–4), Primary School (Reception–Year 6; ages 4–11), Senior School (Years 7–11; ages 11–16), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13; ages 16–18), each following age-aligned curriculum progressions.

ISS is co‑educational and does not offer boarding facilities.

ISS provides tiered learning support. This includes Wave 2 (group or in-class support) and Wave 3 (one-on-one individual programmes) for students with additional needs. For complex needs, an assessment and external professional input may be required. They also offer EAL (English as an Additional Language) support across stages.

There is no formal national affiliation.

The school is secular and has no religious affiliation.

Early Years: 8:30 AM to 2:50 PM
Primary School: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Senior School: 8:20 AM to 3:00 PM

After‐school activities run from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

ISS offers a door-to-door bus service divided into three zones based on distance from the school.

Uniform is mandatory. Boys wear a blue ISS shirt with grey shorts; girls wear a blue ISS blouse with a grey skirt (or shorts). Shoes must be black with no logos; PE kit is a white ISS shirt with blue/black shorts; hats are encouraged outdoors; hair colouring is discouraged, with coloured sprays allowed only on special occasions.

The school was founded in 2007 by Jeremy and Victoria Lees. In 2022 they handed over day-to-day running and Executive Leadership to Stephen Andrews, who sits on the Executive Board of the school.

ISS follows the British National Curriculum and is licensed as both a Cambridge International Examinations Centre and a Pearson Edexcel Examinations Centre. In Primary (Reception–Year 6), students follow the Cambridge Primary programme, adjusted for its multicultural student body. In Senior School (Years 7–11), pupils study for the Cambridge IGCSE qualifications, choosing from 22 subject options. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students progress to Cambridge A Levels, selecting from 20 subject choices. Additionally, ISS offers Future Skills courses—such as Public Speaking, Entrepreneurship, and Critical Thinking—alongside core academic subjects.

ISS integrates SEL into its Early Years and PSHE curriculum. Reception classes follow Personal, Social & Emotional Development goals, such as self-regulation, managing feelings, and building relationships, following the EYFS framework. In later years (Year 5 and Year 10), PSHE units focus on mental health awareness: recognising emotions, understanding triggers, seeking help, and building resilience.

ISS offers structured learning support through a Response-to-Intervention model. Wave 2 support includes group or in-class teaching adjustments, while Wave 3 provides one-on-one programmes for more complex needs, developed collaboratively with a SENCO, specialist teachers, and external professionals. This is not a specialist SEN institution, but rather a mainstream school that accommodates diverse needs.

ISS provides a dedicated EAL programme for students whose first language is not English. Support includes pull-out language classes, in-class assistance, immersion strategies, use of online resources, assessments, cultural integration activities, and regular communication with parents.

The school addresses mental wellbeing directly within its PSHE curriculum. In Year 5 and Year 6, students learn about the importance of sleep, physical activity, hobbies, social connections, and lifestyle habits in supporting mental health. In Year 10, students explore emotional triggers, resilience-building techniques, and how to spot signs of stress or distress. No separate counselling services or dedicated wellbeing staff are mentioned publicly.

ISS has a clear safeguarding framework, and every staff member receives annual training in child protection, not just teachers. The school employs a Designated Safeguarding Lead and two deputies, whose contact details are displayed around campus. Staff involved in hiring follow Safer Recruitment practices, including identity, qualification, background, and police checks. A formal child protection policy outlines reporting procedures and expected conduct to prioritise student safety.

1. Enquiry and School Visit
Begin by contacting the admissions team to arrange a campus tour or a virtual meeting via Google Meet at your convenience.

2. Meeting with Head of School
Where possible, a meeting (in person or online) is arranged with the Head of School. This offers a chance to discuss your child’s specific needs and the school’s expectations.

3. Admissions Testing (Years 3–11)
Applicants joining Years 3 through 11 must complete two online assessments: the NGRT (English) and the CAT (Cognitive Ability Test). These can be taken either at home or on-site.

4. Documentation & Payment
Upon acceptance, parents submit required documents—including application and medical forms, previous school reports, passports (for child and parents), birth certificate, and photos—and pay the joining fee, security deposit, and first term’s tuition to confirm enrollment.

5. Visa Support (if applicable)
ISS provides full support for visa issuance. Each student may receive an ED-Visa, and one parent may obtain a Non‑O guardian visa. The school keeps families informed of any updates.

The ISS website does not provide any information about scholarship programmes—whether need-based, merit-based, or otherwise.

The International School of Samui operates a waitlist system through the use of a Reservation Fee. Parents may choose to pay this fee to secure a higher position on the class waiting list. If the school is unable to offer a place within eight weeks of the child’s expected enrolment date, the Reservation Fee is refundable.

Greenacre International School is nestled in the calm Na Mueang area on southern Koh Samui, Thailand, surrounded by coconut hills and close to the Na Mueang waterfalls. The campus is away from crowded tourist centers but reachable via main island roads, with bus pickup services from Chaweng and other nearby zones.

The school provides education beginning with the Early Years Foundation Stage at age 3 and continues through four further Key Stages, supporting students up to around age 15 or 16.

Greenacre is a co‑educational day school.

Students who are English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners are supported through intervention classes that focus on spoken and daily-use English, helping build vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills.

The school follows the English National Curriculum and functions as a Pearson Edexcel Approved Examinations Centre, reflecting a strong link to British educational standards.

Greenacre International School is secular and does not align with any religious organization.

The school day at Greenacre International School begins with a flag ceremony at 8:40 am, followed by lessons starting shortly afterwards. Students have a morning break from 10:30–10:45 and a lunch break from 12:00–12:45 in Primary or 12:15–1:00 in Secondary. Afternoon lessons continue until 3:00 pm, with clubs running from 3:00–3:45 on most days before students go home

The school runs minibus transport covering several island zones, including Lamai, Nathon, Chaweng, and Maenam, offering convenient daily commuting options for families.

The school shop sells the full school uniform. Uniforms are lightweight cotton shirts with a green gingham-check pattern and a charcoal grey skirt or shorts. Sportswear uses breathable micro fabrics. Main uniform sets cost 700–850 Baht; sportswear sets cost 400–450 Baht.

A daily lunch is offered at 50 Baht per child per day. There is a large dining hall adjacent to the main site with an attached kitchen for meals and snacks. Primary and secondary students are served in two sittings; early years eat within the nursery building. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily. Packed lunches are allowed.

Founders are Dara Nagle, Lindsey Archbold and Viroj Junthong.

Greenacre delivers the National Curriculum of England from Early Years (age 3) through to about age 16, structured across four Key Stages. The EYFS stage focuses on play-based learning in seven core areas, including literacy, numeracy, and expressive arts. In Primary, students engage with a range of subjects, English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art & Design, Computing, PE, and Swimming—taught by class teachers and specialists. Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) uses the Edexcel programme across roughly ten academic subjects. As an officially certified Pearson Edexcel Examinations Centre, Greenacre equips students in upper secondary with support toward the IGCSE examinations.

Greenacre promotes resilience and a sense of responsibility through restorative practices that encourage respect, accountability, and empathy among students. The school also integrates gratitude and kindness into its daily experience, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and personal value in each child. While these are core components of the school’s ethos, there is no mention of a specific, structured SEL curriculum or dedicated staff roles for SEL coordination.

The school states it is inclusive, welcoming students from a range of backgrounds and abilities. However, it does not publicly detail any specific provisions for Special Educational Needs, nor does it specify the types of SEN support available or whether it employs specialist staff.

Greenacre offers intervention classes for students who speak English as an additional language. In these sessions, teachers focus on practical, everyday English skills—particularly speaking, listening, and vocabulary—to support EAL students' inclusion and engagement.

The school uses wellbeing practices aimed at developing kindness, self-worth, and compassion among students—elements that can contribute to emotional wellbeing. However, there are no specific programs, staff roles, or formal mental health initiatives explicitly described in their published materials.

Greenacre maintains a Restorative Practice Policy, which is part of its framework of school policies regularly reviewed to reflect good international practice. Beyond this, the school does not publicly share detailed information about safeguarding procedures, such as child protection protocols or designated safeguarding personnel.

1. Book a visit
During the visit, staff explain the admissions procedure, required documents, payments due (including refund and notice requirements), and next steps. If English is not your child’s first language, they will meet the EAL specialist as part of this visit.

2. Prepare and submit documents
Submit the Greenacre Application Form, recent school reports, and your child’s birth certificate/Thai ID. Provide two passport photos, passport copies for parents and the child. These documents allow the school to verify eligibility and plan any needed support.

3. Offer, acceptance, and payments
Acceptance must be completed before the first day. Paying the school fees and the non-refundable registration fee for each student constitutes formal acceptance of a place.

The school does not publicly disclose any information about operating a waitlist or pool system.

PBISS is situated in Chaweng Noi, on the northeastern coast of Koh Samui, close to Bo Phut in Surat Thani province. The campus benefits from being accessible via local roads, and traffic—particularly during school drop‑off and pick‑up—can be congested at peak times, so planning travel accordingly is advised.

The school serves students from early years through pre‑university levels, structured as:
Foundation Stage (Nursery–FS2)
Primary School (Years 1–6)
Secondary School and Sixth Form (Years 7–13)

This structure allows progression from early childhood learning through Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level studies

PBISS is a co‑educational day school.

The school does not reference a formal Special Educational Needs (SEN) programme, but offers English Language Support (ELS) for students identified as needing extra help with English.

While PBISS follows the Cambridge (British) curriculum, there is no formal affiliation with any specific country’s education authority beyond this curricular framework.

PBISS is secular and has no religious affiliation.

Foundation Stage (Nursery–FS2): Students arrive by 8:30 for flag ceremony; classes end at 15:00; supervised in the playroom until 16:00 if not collected.

Years 1–6: Arrival before 8:30 for flag ceremony; lessons begin at 9:00 and end at 15:00; supervised in playground until 16:00.

Years 7–11: Same start time; lessons finish at around 16:00; students wait in the secondary canteen area for collection.

Years 12–13: Timetables are flexible, so finishing times vary depending on subjects and schedule.

PBISS offers a school bus service for Primary and Secondary students. Availability is limited, operating on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

PBISS bases its curriculum on Cambridge International Standards, tailored with a STEM+ integration across all levels to support learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics alongside core disciplines. In the Primary School (ages 5–11), the Cambridge x STEM+ curriculum develops skills in English, Mathematics, Science, and beyond with specific learning objectives for each year. In the final four years, the Secondary stages, students follow Cambridge IGCSE and International A‑Level courses. Throughout all stages, lessons include core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and humanities alongside creative subjects like music, design, art, and drama. This structure offers a coherent progression from early years through to pre-university qualifications, grounded in Cambridge frameworks and enriched by hands-on STEM components.

PBISS emphasises respect, kindness, and positive interaction as part of its behaviour and wellbeing framework. Students are encouraged to report bullying, and teachers can assign individualised learning programmes or set daily/weekly goals to support positive behaviours. Support structures include advisory processes where staff communicate concerns to parents in writing and monitor improvements.

PBISS is not a specialist SEN institution, and no detailed provision for specific SEN conditions is publicly disclosed.

PBISS offers a mandatory English Language Support (ELS) programme for students identified during admission or internal assessments as needing additional help. This programme has three levels, with fees ranging from THB 10,000 to 35,000 per term depending on the student’s proficiency and needs. Students placed in ELS must attend alongside their regular curriculum.

PBISS offers a mental health support structure, overseen by the school counselor, Sofia Asengmaba. Teachers refer students, the counselor creates a tailored support plan, and if additional assistance is needed, referrals are made to local mental health professionals or social services.

PBISS maintains a formal Child Protection Policy, including designated Child Protection Coordinators for different school levels (EYFS, Primary, Secondary), plus deputies and a Child Protection Officer (the Headmaster), supported by a school counsellor and administrative team. The policy outlines preventative strategies, procedures for handling concerns, an annual review schedule, and a child-friendly summary for pupils. Additionally, the Visitors and Volunteers Policy ensures that all non-staff individuals are vetted, sign-in/out, supervised, and vetted via induction and background checks to enhance child safety.

1. Submit Application & Documents
Parents begin by submitting an online application via the Apply Now page, along with required documents like birth certificate, previous school reports, and identification.

2. Assessment & Offers
While the site does not detail formal testing, the Admissions Procedure Policy implies that, once all documentation and fees are received, the school proceeds with enrollment and issues an offer for confirmed placement.

3. Confirm Placement & Pay Fees
To secure the place, parents must make the required payments (application, admissions fee, and security deposit) and formally accept the offer as guided through the application process.

4. Enrollment Finalised
Upon completion of the above, the student’s enrollment is finalised, and a start date is confirmed by the school.

PBISS offers scholarships to current students who demonstrate outstanding records, including academic performance and other achievements. Details on the application process, eligibility criteria, or the scope of scholarships are not publicly disclosed on the website.

The school does not publicly disclose any waitlist or pool system for admissions. There is no information available on the website indicating that PBISS operates such a system.