Australian International School Laos vs Panyathip British International School
Australian International School Laos and Panyathip British International School are both in Vientiane, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Australian International School Laos also offers Australian, and Panyathip British International School also offers EYFS, IEYC, British, IPC and BTEC Qualification. Published annual fees are close, at LAK 7,200 - 7,440 for Australian International School Laos and LAK 4,900 - 9,600 for Panyathip British International School. Australian International School Laos takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Panyathip British International School from 1 to 18.
Australian Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2011
Opened
2001
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Ban Nondouang Tai, Sikkhotabong District, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Laos. The school is in the Vientiane region of Laos.
Location
PBIS is located in Vientiane, Lao PDR. It operates across three campuses in the city: Early Years Campus, Primary Campus and Secondary Campus. The main address is Saphanthong Neua Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane.
Stages
Stages
Preschool program (ages 2 to 7); Primary program (ages 3 to 11); Secondary program (ages 12 to 18).
Stages
Early Years; Primary; Secondary
School type
School type
International, with boarding facilities.
School type
British international school in Laos offering an international programme based on the Cambridge Curriculum; Cambridge Checkpoint (Years 7–9) and IGCSE; Cambridge Examination Centre; IPC implemented.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
EAL (English as an Additional Language) pullout intervention to boost English language skills; in Secondary, EAL is provided in-class or as separate EAL classes; uses Education Perfect.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
British orientation; Cambridge Curriculum; COBIS and FOBISIA membership.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
International Programme day begins at 08:30 and ends at 15:30; Lao curriculum hours may extend beyond.
Tuition fees (annual and payment-plan details by year group)
- Nursery – K3: - Single annual payment (Plan A): USD 3,800. - Two-installment plan (Plan B): USD 1,945 per installment. - Three-installment plan (Plan C): USD 1,460 per installment. - Monthly plan (Plan D): USD 600 per month.
- Year 1 – Year 6 (including Primary Preparation Program): - Single annual payment (Plan A): USD 3,800. - Two-installment plan (Plan B): USD 2,110 per installment. - Three-installment plan (Plan C): USD 1,585 per installment. - Monthly plan (Plan D): USD 600 per month.
- Year 7 – Year 12 (including Secondary Preparation Program): - Single annual payment (Plan A): USD 3,900. - Two-installment plan (Plan B): USD 2,165 per installment. - Three-installment plan (Plan C): USD 1,625 per installment. - Monthly plan (Plan D): USD 620 per month.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The published schedule sets specific due dates for the different payment plans: single-payment and installment due dates are listed in the published fee schedule, and monthly-plan payments are due on the 1st of each month. A late payment charge of USD 100 is applied for late payments. - Discounts applicable to tuition (tuition only): - 10% discount for full payment made by the specified cut-off date. - Sibling discounts when tuition is paid in full: 2nd sibling 15%; 3rd–5th siblings 20%. - Government employee discount: 30% (when payment is made in full).
Boarding fees
- School dormitory (boarding): USD 400 per month.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- International examination fees: - NAPLAN (Years 3, 5, 7): USD 50. - IGCSE (Year 10): USD 110 per subject. - AS / A Levels (Years 11–12): USD 120 per subject. - Cambridge English: USD 80. - Textbooks / learning resources: - Nursery–K3: USD 350. - Year 1–6: USD 550. - Year 7–12: USD 550. - Canteen (annual amount listed): USD 500. - Transportation (annual): USD 800. - Insurance: 120,000 LAK per person (listed). - School uniform: USD 30. - P.E. uniform: USD 20. - Evening IELTS preparation (optional activity): USD 800 per year.
Refund information
- Registration and reservation fees as published are non‑refundable. All paid fees are stated as non‑refundable and non‑transferable. A late payment fee of USD 100 applies for late payments.
Fee payment options
- The published fee schedule lists payment plans (single payment, two installments, three installments, monthly) and due dates, and it specifies late payment charges and discounts for full payment. The schedule does not specify the accepted payment instruments (for example, credit card, bank transfer, or online payment methods) within the published fee details. Confirm the available payment instruments and any bank/payment details with the school's finance office.
Notes on the published schedule
- The published fee schedule provides the annual tuition amounts and the corresponding installment amounts and other standard charges (examination, textbooks, uniforms, canteen, transport, boarding, insurance). Some line items are shown as monthly, annual or per‑subject amounts as indicated above.
Fee details
Application / Registration fees - Registration fee (new enrolment): USD 1,000. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The registration fee is discounted by 50% for students who previously withdrew and re-apply within two (2) years of original enrolment. - Deposit: USD 600 required to secure a seat (deadline stated in the schedule). The deposit is deducted from the total school fees payable; full payment deadlines are specified in the school calendar.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term) - Early Years — Toddler / Foundation: Tuition USD 4,900 per year. Total school fees shown for this band: USD 4,900 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): USD 2,450 per term. Meal fee: not charged separately for this band as shown. - Early Years — Nursery / Reception: Tuition USD 6,000 per year. Total school fees shown for this band: USD 6,000 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): USD 3,000 per term. Meal fee: not charged separately for this band as shown. - Primary (Year 1 to Year 6): Tuition USD 8,100 per year; Meal fee USD 620 per year; Total school fees USD 8,720 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): Tuition USD 4,050 per term; Meal fee USD 310 per term; Total per term USD 4,360. - Secondary Year 7 to Year 9: Tuition USD 8,600 per year; Meal fee USD 760 per year; Total school fees USD 9,360 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): Tuition USD 4,300 per term; Meal fee USD 380 per term; Total per term USD 4,680. - Secondary Year 10 to Year 11: Tuition USD 9,300 per year; Meal fee USD 760 per year; Total school fees USD 10,060 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): Tuition USD 4,650 per term; Meal fee USD 380 per term; Total per term USD 5,030. - Secondary Year 12 to Year 13: Tuition USD 9,600 per year; Meal fee USD 760 per year; Total school fees USD 10,360 per year. Per term (2 terms per year): Tuition USD 4,800 per term; Meal fee USD 380 per term; Total per term USD 5,180.
Other mandatory and optional fees - Meal fees: Primary USD 620 per year; Secondary USD 760 per year. All students are required to have school lunches on campus daily; allowances for specific dietary requirements are by written request and school approval. - Bus service (optional): USD 900 per year for one-way; USD 1,800 per year for two-way (charged per year; subject to route/seat availability). - Lao Studies (Secondary optional/additional): USD 360 per year for Secondary students (charged per year upon registration). - IEP (Intensive English Program) support fee (where required): USD 1,400 per term (two terms per year: August–December and January–June) — applies to Secondary students who require IEP as determined by Academic Leadership. - Supplementary fees (charged as applicable): elective or discretionary activities, school events, field trips, sports trips, extracurricular activities, additional transcript requests, late drop-off and pick-up fees, VISA fees, examination-related fees beyond those included in tuition where applicable. Uniforms and school books are not included in the school fees and are charged separately. - Sibling discounts: eldest child charged at full tuition rate; second child receives 5% discount on tuition; third and subsequent children receive 10% discount. Sibling discounts are not cumulative with other discount schemes.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are invoiced in full for the year. Standard payment deadline shown: fees must be paid by 30 July (deadline date given in the published schedule). A specified deposit deadline and a full-payment confirmation date are applied for new enrolments (deposit due by the stated date; full payment due by the stated confirmation date). - The registration fee (USD 1,000) must be paid in advance at submission of application documents. The deposit (USD 600) is credited against the total school fees once paid.
Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees or boarding arrangements are listed in the school fee schedule. The published fee schedule covers day-school items (tuition, meals, bus, supplementary activities).
Refund information - Registration fee (USD 1,000) is explicitly non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit (USD 600) is shown as a deduction from the total school fees payable; the schedule does not list the registration fee as refundable. Other refund or withdrawal rules are not itemised in the fee schedule document.
Fee payment options and bank details - Bank transfer details for payment are published in the fee schedule (local bank accounts in LAK and USD across named banks). Payments by bank transfer to the school's listed accounts are the payment mechanism documented in the schedule. Specific acceptance of credit-card payments or other electronic payment channels is not itemised in the published 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
Preschool program; Primary program uses Australian Curriculum for Year 1 to Year 7; Secondary program uses Cambridge Curriculum for Year 8 to Year 12.
Curriculum details
The school was the first international school in Laos to be Cambridge Curriculum accredited. It is a Cambridge Examination Centre, offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. It was the first school in Laos to implement the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). For Lao students, the Lao national curriculum and examinations are provided to meet the needs of the diverse international and Lao community. IEYC and IPC programs are implemented as part of the curriculum.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 20; student to teacher ratio is 6:1.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
IGCSE results show a 95% total pass rate, 20% A*-A grades, and 85% of students achieving grades A*-C.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
A Level academic pathway and a BTEC vocational pathway are available.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
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Admissions
1. Registration. The process begins with registration. Applications are accepted year-round to welcome students from Early Years through Secondary. The application form and required documents are submitted to the admissions office for the appropriate division. The pre-admission form is used to register interest and a campus tour can be arranged.
2. Review Process. Applicants undergo both a written and oral assessment. Applications typically take one week or less to process. The process includes an initial assessment followed by an 8-week trial period to determine fit with the school. Final acceptance is offered to applicants who meet the criteria.
3. Enrolment. Once an offer of admission is made, registration and school fees should be paid within one month. Parents sign the contract agreement regarding school fees as part of enrolment. An admission checklist is provided to guide the final steps.