Meritton British International School vs Varee Chiangmai International School
Meritton British International School and Varee Chiangmai International School are both in Chiang Mai, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Meritton British International School also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and EYFS. Published annual fees are THB 212,000 - 360,000 at Meritton British International School and THB 244,000 - 524,000 at Varee Chiangmai International School, which puts Varee Chiangmai International School roughly 34% higher. Meritton British International School takes pupils from 2 to 16, and Varee Chiangmai International School from 2 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 300 and 300 pupils. Typical class sizes are 21 at Meritton British International School and 20 at Varee Chiangmai International School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
300
Typical class size
Typical class size
21
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2018
Opened
2010
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Meritton British International School is situated at 168 Moo.7, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand, a leafy green area just outside Chiang Mai’s old city. It lies within a residential neighbourhood near major local roads.
Location
The school is situated at 59 Moo 6, Mahidol Road, Nong Hoi, Mueang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand. It lies within easy reach of shopping centres, hospitals, supermarkets, and bus and train stations.
Stages
Stages
The school serves Early Years (Pre‑Nursery to Reception, ages 2–5), Primary (Years 1–6, ages 5–11) and Secondary (Years 7–11, ages 11–16).
Stages
VCIS serves children aged 2 to 18, from Pre‑Nursery up through Year 13.
School type
School type
Meritton is a co‑educational day school. There are no boarding facilities offered.
School type
The school is fully co‑educational and currently operates as a day school. No boarding facilities are provided.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school has a designated SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and offers shadow teachers and additional EAL support where needed, with costs based on actual need.
Additional learning support
Varee Chiangmai International School provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language Programme.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no direct affiliation to any country’s government.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any specific country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Meritton has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no affiliation with any religion.
School day structure
School day structure
The typical daily schedule is not published online.
School day structure
Early Year and Primary School classes run from 8.00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Secondary School is from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. After-school activities for children in Primary run from 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM. For Secondary, after-school activities run from 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not currently publish details about a school bus or transport service.
Bus service details
The website does not mention any school bus or transport service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
One-Time Payment Application and placement test: THB 3,000 (non-refundable)
New student enrolment fees: First child: THB 60,000 Second child: THB 45,000 Third child onward: Enrolment fee waived
Additional Learning Support (only if needed) English Additional Language (EAL): THB 70,000 per year
Other Costs After-school activities and uniforms are billed at actual cost.
Payment Methods Payment options include bank transfer.
Payment Terms Fees are invoiced per term and must be settled prior to the start of each term. The school reserves the right to amend fees without prior notice. Deposits are refundable upon return of materials and clearance of dues.
Fee details
Application and Placement Fee: THB 6,000 (one-time, non-refundable)
Enrollment Fee (non-refundable): New student: THB 80,000 2nd and subsequent child: THB 60,000 Entry at A Level: THB 40,000
Sibling Discounts 5% for the second child 10% for third and additional children
Other Required Fees English Support (IEP/EAP): THB 30,000 per semester Lunch (Early Years to Key Stage 2): THB 9,000 per semester PTA Fee: THB 750 per family per year DoE Registration (if applicable): THB 2,000
Payment Options Cash, Visa/MasterCard, and Bank Transfer.
Refund Policy New students: 75% refund if withdrawn within 7 business days after semester start.
Current students: Full refund if withdrawal notice is given 15 days before the semester start.
No refunds for mid-semester withdrawals.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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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
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Meritton British International School follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in Pre-Nursery through Reception, focusing on play-based and thematic learning. From Year 1 to Year 6, students follow the Cambridge Primary Curriculum, which covers English, Maths, Science, PE, and ICT. In Years 7 to 9, the curriculum continues with the Cambridge Lower Secondary programme. Students in Years 10 and 11 work towards the Cambridge IGCSE qualifications, typically taking six subjects across both core and elective areas. Thai language is taught across all levels, and Mandarin is offered to older students.
Curriculum details
Varee Chiangmai International School follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to Year 13. In the Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Reception), the curriculum is based on the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with a focus on language, numeracy, and learning through play in English and Thai contexts. The Primary phase (Years 1–6) continues with subjects such as English, maths, science, humanities, computing, arts, Thai language, and physical education. In Secondary (Years 7–9), students prepare for Cambridge Checkpoint exams in English, mathematics, and science, alongside subjects including geography, history, ICT, and the arts. For Years 10–11, the school offers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum with a combination of core and elective subjects. In Years 12–13, students choose three A-Level subjects and continue with non-exam subjects such as Thai language, PE, and university preparation activities.
1. School Visit (Optional but recommended) Families are encouraged to visit (virtually or in person) to see the campus and meet the admissions team.
2. Submit Application & Documents Complete the application form and submit copies of the student’s two most recent school reports (if applicable), birth certificate/passport, photo, and vaccination record.
3. Placement Test & Parent Meeting Students take assessments in English and Mathematics. For younger children (Pre-Nursery–Year 1), readiness is assessed socially and emotionally. There’s also a meeting to discuss school values and expectations. A placement test fee of THB 1,000 is payable on the day.
4. Assessment Feedback & Offer Letter The principal reviews results and makes a final decision. Parents receive an Offer of Place within 3 working days via email.
5. Complete Enrollment If accepted, parents submit required documents, sign enrollment forms, and pay the enrolment fee and any deposit. An invoice is issued with due date.
6. Orientation & Start Families receive an orientation pack, supply list, school calendar, and start date details.
Admissions
Initial interview Parents and students meet with the English Language Specialist. Students entering Key Stage 2 (Year 3) or higher complete assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science as appropriate for their level.
Complete application form & pay fee If successful in the interview, submit the application form and pay the non-refundable 6,000 THB application and placement test fee.
Placement Test Tests are scheduled at the beginning or end of the day. Younger students (Early Years, Years 1–2) join classroom activities for assessment.
Acceptance Decision The Principal recommends, and the Director makes the final admission decision.
Enrollment Following acceptance, complete enrollment forms, pay the enrollment fee and tuition (due one week before term start), and receive a copy of the Parent Handbook.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Meritton runs an International School Scholarship Programme, aimed at secondary students (Year 7 and above).
Scholarships available include 30% or 50% tuition discounts, with the possibility of a full (100%) scholarship awarded to outstanding candidates.
Candidates are invited to take assessments (English, Maths, Science), give a presentation, and attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
Waitlist
VCIS operates a rolling admissions policy. If space is available and assessment criteria are met, children may join at any time during the year. However, entry into Year 9, Year 10, and Year 12 is restricted to the beginning of the school year.
