Ascot International School vs Raffles American School Bangkok
Ascot International School and Raffles American School Bangkok are both in Bangkok, about 11 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Ascot International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE and Montessori, and Raffles American School Bangkok also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and American. Published annual fees are THB 263,285 - 572,084 at Ascot International School and THB 198,000 - 297,000 at Raffles American School Bangkok, which puts Ascot International School roughly 69% higher. Ascot International School takes pupils from 1 to 17, and Raffles American School Bangkok from 2 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 500 and 600 pupils. Typical class sizes are 18 at Ascot International School and 16 at Raffles American School Bangkok.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
600
Typical class size
Typical class size
18
Typical class size
16
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1995
Opened
2017
Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
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Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Ascot International School is situated in the leafy Saphan Sung area of Bangkok, on Ramkhamhaeng 118 Alley.
The campus is accessible via major roads and is a short drive from Sukhumvit and Lat Phrao districts, offering a quieter, suburban setting with good transport links.
Location
Raffles American School Bangkok is located in Samut Prakan province, just east of central Bangkok along the Bang Na–Trat frontage road. The school is situated in a suburban area with residential communities and international businesses nearby. It's easily accessible by private car and sits close to major expressways, making school drop-off and pick-up manageable for commuting families. The surrounding area is quiet, with access to amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and international housing.
Stages
Stages
The school serves children aged 18 months to 18 years, with clearly defined stages: Early Years (18 mo–4 yrs), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13).
Stages
The school is organized into four main divisions: Early Childhood (Pre-K to Kindergarten), Elementary School (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). This structure provides a continuous educational pathway for children from age 2 up to 18.
School type
School type
Ascot is a co-educational day school.
School type
Raffles American School Bangkok is a co-educational school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school offers dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) support across all levels, including in-class inclusion and out-of-class extraction. It also provides tailored programs and adaptive technologies to support students with disabilities or specific learning differences.
Additional learning support
The school does not publicly list any specialized services or programs for students with Additional Learning Needs. There is no mention of specific facilities or trained staff for learning support on its website.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Ascot does not have formal affiliation with any specific country.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
Nursery–Reception sessions run from 08:00 to 14:30. Year 1–13 students attend from 07:40 to 15:00, with scheduled breaks and a lunch period mid-day.
School day structure
The website does not publish details on how the school day is structured.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Ascot’s website does not mention a dedicated school bus or coach service.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Initial Fees
* Application Fee: THB 4,000 (non-refundable) * Enrollment Fee: THB 100,000 per child or THB 180,000 per family (non-refundable) * General Deposit: * THB 5,000 (Pre-Nursery to Year 6) * THB 10,000 (Year 7 to Year 13) * Refundable upon withdrawal if no damage occurs.
Tuition Fees (Annual Total)
* Pre-Nursery: THB 263,285 * EY1: THB 319,138 * EY2–EY3: THB 369,724 * Year 1–2: THB 430,182 * Year 3–6: THB 488,158 * Year 7–9: THB 522,653 * Year 10–11: THB 553,545 * Year 12–13: THB 572,084
Tuition is payable in three terms. Examination fees for IGCSE (Year 11) and IBDP (Year 13) are invoiced separately.
Other Costs
* Meal Fees (Annual): * Pre-Nursery to EY3: THB 32,000 * Year 1–6: THB 35,000 * Year 7–13: THB 37,000
* Stationery & Resources (Annual): Varies by year, e.g., THB 2,000 for Early Years; THB 20,000 for Years 12–13
* Residential Trips: Required for Years 3–10; fees range from THB 11,000 to THB 25,000
* Fees are billed termly or annually. * A re-enrolment security fee of THB 50,000 per child is due mid-March and is credited against Term 1 fees. This becomes non-refundable if the child does not return.
Payment Methods
* Accepted at school: cash, cashier’s cheque, credit card (1.8% surcharge), or instalment plan. * Online and ATM banking: PromptPay and bank transfer options available * All bank charges must be paid by the parent. Confirmation of payment must be sent to the school.
Fee details
Application Fees The school’s website does not mention any application or registration fees. Families should confirm directly with the school whether such fees apply during the admissions process.
Tuition Fees (By Age Group)
* Nursery (2–3 years old): THB 198,000 per academic year * Kindergarten 1–2 (3–5 years old): THB 234,000 per academic year * Kindergarten 3 (5–6 years old): THB 255,000 per academic year * Grade 1–4 (6–10 years old): THB 279,000 per academic year * Grade 5–12 (10–18 years old): THB 297,000 per academic year
All amounts are listed as annual tuition.
Lunch Fees A separate lunch fee of THB 30,000 per academic year applies to all grade levels.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms The school’s website does not currently specify the billing frequency (term-based or annual), deadlines, or late payment penalties.
Payment Methods The school does not disclose payment method options (such as credit card, bank transfer, or online systems) in the fee schedule.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Ascot International School is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Early Years and Primary (Pre-Nursery to Year 6). In Secondary (Years 7–11), the school delivers a blend of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) (currently in candidacy) and the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Students in Years 10 and 11 sit for IGCSE exams. In Years 12 and 13, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Core subjects across the school include English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Languages, and Physical Education, with instruction in English. Additional support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided where needed.
Curriculum details
Here’s a clear and friendly overview of the curriculum offering at Raffles American School Bangkok, based strictly on information from the school’s official materials:
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Curriculum Overview
Raffles follows a U.S.-based American curriculum aligned with Common Core standards in English and Math, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Science, and AERO for Social Studies. In Early Childhood through Elementary, learning is experiential, covering literacy (using frameworks like the 6+1 Trait Writing and Daily 5), numeracy, science, arts, physical education, music, and world languages. In Middle School, students rotate between specialist teachers in subject areas including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, performing and visual arts, PE, health, and technology. High School (Grades 9–12) culminates in the award of a U.S. High School Diploma, with students from Grade 10 onward selecting from a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Starting in the upcoming academic year, the IB Diploma Programme (DP) will be introduced for Grades 11 and 12, while Grade 10 students may sample AP Psychology. The school embeds General Learning Outcomes—such as communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills—at every level.
1. Book an Open House or school tour. Attending sessions - such as the one held 31 January 2025 - lets you walk the campus, meet teachers, and see the environment firsthand.
2. Submit an application. Once you've visited, complete the online form, attach required documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport) and pay the non-refundable THB 4,000 application fee.
3. Attend assessments and interviews. Pre-Nursery–Year 2 applicants have a parent interview and informal assessment; Years 3–6 take English and Maths tests plus an interview; Years 7–13 complete assessments and meet with the Head of Secondary.
4. Receive results and offer. Within 3–5 working days, the Admissions Team informs you of your outcome and issues an Offer of Place, including a fee invoice.
5. Confirm your child’s place. To secure enrolment, pay the enrolment fee by the deadline and complete tuition payment. At this stage, uniforms and resources can also be purchased.
Admissions
1. Initial Visit & Inquiry Begin by visiting the school or contacting the Admissions Office. You can arrange to meet the Head of School or Director in person—or connect online via email, phone, or the Line app if visiting isn’t possible. An open-door policy is offered for visits by appointment.
2. Submit Application Materials Complete and submit the Application Form, Admission Requirement Checklist, Authorization to Release School Records form, and Informed Consent from the previous school. Include two passport-sized photos, a copy of the student’s passport or Thai ID, up to three years of academic records (translated into English if needed), standardized test results or evaluations, and a confidential recommendation from the current school. These can be submitted online or via mail, email, or in person.
3. Evaluation & Interview Once your application is complete, the school typically processes it within five working days. Then, the student will undergo evaluation, screening, and an interview designed to assess English and math proficiency. Pre‑K and Kindergarten applicants have a parent interview and child engagement activity. Interviews can be held in person or via Skype; if remote applicants can't participate, offers may be conditional on in‑person evaluation later.
4. Application Outcome If accepted, the school will send a formal Offer of Admission by email, followed by a tuition invoice and a welcome letter from the Head of School outlining next steps.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school offers academic scholarships for entry into Years 4, 5, 10, and Year 12 (IB Diploma Programme) for the 2025–2026 academic year. Applicants must submit a THB 1,000 registration fee and sit an examination in late March. Results are communicated shortly afterward. The scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and are limited to those year groups.
Scholarships
The school’s official website does not mention any scholarships or financial aid programs.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Ascot operates an open-entry policy and does not maintain a formal waitlist. Admission is offered to families whose children’s needs can be met by the school’s programmes and resources.
Waitlist
When an applicant meets the admissions requirements but the requested grade level or program is already full, that applicant is placed in a wait pool.
