Astra Academy International School vs Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School
Astra Academy International School and Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School are both in Bangkok, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School also offers BTEC Qualification, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels and EYFS. Published annual fees are THB 486,000 - 519,000 at Astra Academy International School and THB 295,000 - 821,100 at Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School, which puts Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School roughly 11% higher. Astra Academy International School takes pupils from 5 to 18, and Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School from 2 to 18. Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School is the larger school, with around 1,600 pupils to Astra Academy International School's 130. Typical class sizes are 20 at Astra Academy International School and 22 at Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
130
Pupils
1,600
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2021
Opened
2003
Bus service
Bus service
—
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Astra Academy International School is located at 154 Ekkamai 14 Alley, in the Khlong Tan Nuea area of the Watthana District in Bangkok. The school is in a residential part of the Ekkamai neighborhood, which is connected to Sukhumvit Road. It is accessible by local roads and public transportation, including the nearby Ekkamai BTS station. The area includes housing, small businesses, and local amenities, making it practical for families living in central Bangkok.
Location
Bangkok Prep is situated in a central, well-connected area of Bangkok, close to major transport routes and residential neighbourhoods. The school benefits from convenient access to public transport, making it practical for families living in different parts of the city. Its urban setting allows students to engage with Bangkok’s wider cultural and community opportunities.
Stages
Stages
Astra provides education for Primary and Secondary school levels.
Stages
The school is structured into Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Students begin from Pre-Nursery and progress through to Year 13, following a continuous British curriculum framework.
School type
School type
The school is a co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.
School type
Bangkok Prep is a co-educational day school serving students aged 3–18. It does not offer boarding, with all pupils attending on a day-school basis.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school does not have publicly available information on their Additional Learning Support.
Additional learning support
The school provides Learning Support to students who require additional academic assistance. Support is determined through assessment during the admissions process and may include tailored interventions or withdrawal sessions. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is also available for students who need it.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Country affiliation
Bangkok Prep follows the English National Curriculum and operates as a British international school, though it is independently managed and not formally affiliated with the UK government.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation and serves students from all cultural backgrounds.
Religious affiliation
The school is non-religious and does not follow or promote any particular faith tradition.
School day structure
School day structure
The school does not have their day structure publicly available.
School day structure
The school operates on a weekday schedule with different start and finish times by section. Early Years and Primary students finish earlier in the afternoon, while Secondary and Sixth Form students have a slightly longer day. Scheduled breaks and lunch periods are built into the timetable for all age groups.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not have publicly available information on their bus service.
Bus service details
Bangkok Prep provides a door-to-door bus service for students, coordinated by an external transport partner. Additionally, a free shuttle service connects the school to nearby public transport during peak times. Families can choose the most suitable travel option based on location and schedule preferences.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Tuition Fees (per year) Year 1 to Year 4: 486,000 THB Year 5 to Year 6: 510,000 THB Year 7 to Year 11: 519,000 THB
Additional Fees Application Fee: 3,500 THB (non-refundable; includes assessment)
Dining Programme (per year) Year 1 to Year 6: 32,100 THB Year 7 to Year 11: 33,900 THB (Includes morning snack and lunch; vegetarian and allergy-conscious options available.)
Other Fees Additional costs may apply for Intensive Language Programmes, English as an Additional Language (EAL), after-school enrichment classes, examination fees, and school trips.
The school does not have their refund policy and payment methods publicly available.
Fee details
Application Fees
A one-time Assessment Fee of THB 5,000 and a Placement Fee of THB 30,000 are required at application. Upon acceptance, a Registration Fee of THB 120,000–160,000 (depending on year level) and a Security Deposit of THB 60,000 are payable to secure the place. The Security Deposit is refundable upon withdrawal with at least 45 days’ written notice, provided all school accounts are cleared. All other application-related fees are non-refundable.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) British Curriculum Stream Pre-Nursery: THB 575,930 Nursery (Full Day): THB 609,000 Reception: THB 682,500 Year 1 – Year 2: THB 703,500 Year 3 – Year 4: THB 719,250 Year 5 – Year 6: THB 756,000 Year 7 – Year 9: THB 808,500 Year 10 – Year 11 (IGCSE): THB 821,100 Year 12 – Year 13 (Sixth Form): THB 714,000
Fees are billed twice per academic year (August–December and January–June). Tuition includes lunch (except in Sixth Form), World Languages, field trips, BISA/TISAC sports fixtures, and the school yearbook.
Additional Fees English as an Additional Language (EAL): THB 50,000 – 100,000 per period (based on level of support) Learning Support (LS): THB 35,000 – 80,000 per period (depending on tier) Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs): THB 250 administration fee per activity block Uniforms: Purchased from the school shop External Examinations (IGCSE, AS & A Levels): Billed separately Student Accident Insurance: Included in tuition fees
Transportation Fees A door-to-door bus service is available at an additional cost, with rates based on distance. A free shuttle service also operates to and from nearby public transport during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Sibling Discount A 5 % tuition discount is applied for the second and subsequent children, applicable to the younger siblings only.
Boarding Fees Bangkok Prep is a day school and does not offer boarding facilities.
Refund Policy The Security Deposit is refundable upon written notice of withdrawal given at least 45 days in advance, provided all obligations and accounts have been settled. Other fees, including the Assessment, Placement, and Registration fees, are non-refundable.
Payment Options Tuition and fees can be paid by bank transfer, cheque, bill payment, mobile/internet banking, or credit card (Thai-issued cards; instalment options available). Cash payments are accepted up to THB 50,000. A 2 % prepayment discount is offered for early settlement of Period 2 fees. Late payments incur a 1.25 % monthly surcharge on outstanding balances.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Astra Academy delivers the UK National Curriculum from Year 1 through Year 13. In the primary years, students experience broad learning across literacy, numeracy, science, and creative subjects. The approach is inquiry-driven, with a focus on helping students understand how to think critically and communicate clearly. In secondary school, students follow Key Stage 3 in Years 7 to 9, then prepare for Cambridge IGCSEs in Years 10 and 11. In Years 12 and 13, students work toward Cambridge A-Level qualifications. The school uses a structured progression model that builds academic depth and skill development across each stage, preparing students for university-level expectations.
Curriculum details
Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) follows the National Curriculum for England from Early Years through Sixth Form. In Early Years, children learn through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on play-based and experiential learning. The Primary School (Years 1–6) builds on the English curriculum, developing core skills in literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts. In Secondary School (Years 7–9), students follow the Key Stage 3 curriculum before progressing to the Cambridge IGCSE programme in Years 10–11. The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers a choice between A Levels and BTEC vocational qualifications, providing both academic and applied learning pathways. Thai language is compulsory for Thai nationals, and World Languages are available for other students, with EAL support for those who need additional English assistance.
School Tour (Optional) Schedule a school tour either in-person or virtually with the admissions team.
Online Application Apply through the OpenApply portal:
Fill out the application form Upload two years of school reports/transcripts Submit required ID and documents Pay the application fee
Admissions Review The admissions team evaluates your application and may contact you for further discussions or clarification.
Interview or Assessment (if needed) Depending on grade level, an interview or academic screening might be arranged.
Acceptance & Enrollment Upon acceptance:
You’ll receive a formal offer Complete enrollment forms Pay the necessary fees to secure the spot
Admissions
1. Enquiry Families begin by completing the Online Enquiry Form available on the school website. Once submitted, the Admissions Office contacts the family to discuss the child’s needs, preferred entry date, and available year group places. The team also provides details on school tours and the next steps in the process.
2. Visit and Tour Parents are invited to take a guided campus tour, either in person or virtually, to view learning spaces and facilities. During the visit, the Admissions team explains the curriculum, co-curricular opportunities, and support services offered. Overseas applicants can schedule a virtual meeting if travel is not possible.
3. Application Submission Families complete the Application Form and submit it with supporting documents, such as passport copies, birth certificate, recent school reports, and any learning support information if applicable. An Assessment Fee is required at this stage to process the application.
4. Assessment and Interview The school conducts age-appropriate assessments for all applicants. Early Years students participate in observation-based sessions, while applicants for Year 3 and above take written or online assessments. Secondary applicants may also complete a CAT4 cognitive test and an interview with senior staff. Assessments typically last between 30 minutes and three hours, depending on the year level.
5. Offer and Acceptance Successful applicants receive an official Offer Letter within approximately one to two weeks after assessment. The offer outlines the Placement, Registration, and Security Deposit fees that must be paid to secure the place. Parents confirm acceptance by paying the required fees within the specified timeframe, after which the child’s start date is confirmed.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Scholarships
Bangkok Prep offers a range of scholarships for secondary students, particularly in the Sixth Form (Years 12–13). These scholarships are available in four categories: Academic Excellence, Performing Arts, Sport, and Visual Arts. They are open to both internal and external applicants and are awarded based on a combination of portfolio review, interview, and assessment in the relevant field. Scholarship recipients are expected to uphold strong academic performance and positive conduct throughout their studies. Full details, including eligibility criteria, application timelines, and requirements, are published annually on the school’s official website.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
Waitlist
Bangkok Prep does not operate a formal waitlist or pool system. When a year group reaches capacity, applicants are informed and may be offered a place on a holding list for future openings. The Admissions team contacts families directly if a vacancy arises. Placement decisions are made based on assessment results, school reports, and the availability of space in the relevant year group.
