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Nakornpayap International School

Thailand, Chiang Mai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees THB 290,000 - 496,800
Ages 3 - 19 years
Pupil numbers 619
Type Co-educational
Opened 1993
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Thai
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Nakornpayap International School (NIS) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was founded in 1993. The school follows a US‑based curriculum aligned with Common Core and Massachusetts standards, and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Grades 11–12. Set on a leafy 17‑acre campus in San Phisuea, just a few kilometres east of downtown Chiang Mai, it provides modern facilities including science labs, computer labs, art and music rooms, a gym, pool, and full‑size football field. NIS serves children aged 3 to 19 in small classes with around 619 students enrolled. Instruction is in English, with Thai language & culture, and options in Spanish, Japanese or Chinese as world languages. NIS is particularly known for its AP offerings, strong STEM programs, vibrant sports teams, and active participation in arts and service campaigns such as International Day and the UN‑aligned sustainability initiatives.

240 Moo 6 San Phi Sua Muang Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

The Essentials

Nakornpayap International School has 619 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Nakornpayap International School is located at 240 Moo 6, San Phi Sua on Chiang Mai’s Second Ring Road, in the north of the city. The campus is easily reached by road and set in a spacious, green area with modern academic buildings.

Stages
The school serves the Early Childhood Centre (ages 3–6), Elementary School (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).

Type
NIS is a co-educational, secular, international day school. Boarding is not offered.

Additional learning support
The school provides inclusive support through small class sizes, differentiated instruction, and flexible learning environments. In Middle School, students are grouped into different learning pathways in English and Mathematics depending on their skill level. Students needing support may be placed on a Self-Improvement Action Plan, especially if they are not meeting academic benchmarks. NIS also employs a full-time social and emotional counselor for short-term guidance, with referrals to external specialists when needed.

Country affiliation
NIS follows a U.S. curriculum and is accredited by WASC, but it is not affiliated with any particular country.

Religious affiliation
The school is non‑denominational and has no religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school day begins at 7:50 AM and ends at 2:50 PM.
ECC includes snack, lunch, nap time, and six learning periods.
Elementary students have eight learning periods per day with breaks.
Middle School follows a two-day A/B rotation with five 60-minute periods and lunch from 11:50 AM to 12:30 PM.
High School also follows the A/B schedule and includes an afternoon advisory session (2:35 PM – 2:50 PM)

Bus service
NIS works with a local school bus company (KJ Bus) to provide daily transportation for students.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school does not have a uniform; there is a dress code. Students may wear their own clothing according to the dress code; the dress code for Grade 5 and above is described in the parent-student handbook.

Food Options
The school canteen offers both Western and Thai food, cooked freshly on the premises by an experienced chef. Salad and fruits are available daily.

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately owned. Governance is provided by a seven-member School Governing Board. The Board Chairman is Dr. Pisarn Soydhurum; Paween Yimprasert is a Board member and School Licensee; Narvinder Ahuja is a Board member and School Director; Benjamin Devere White is a Board member and School Principal; Sakaewan Muangsaen is a Board member and School Manager; Mark Hefner is a Teacher Representative.
Fees

Annual tuition at Nakornpayap International School ranges from THB 290,000 to THB 496,800 for 2026/27.

One‑Time Enrollment Fees (New Students)
Application/Evaluation Fee: THB 5,000 (non‑refundable)
Registration Fee: THB 66,000 (non‑refundable)
Book Deposit: THB 10,000 (refundable)
Damage Deposit: 20,000 THB (refundable)

Annual Tuition Fees
ECC (K1–K3): THB 290,000
Lower Elementary (G1–G3): THB 385,000
Upper Elementary (G4–G5): THB 402,500
Middle School (G6–G8): THB 435,600
High School (G9–G12): THB 496,800

Sibling Discount
A THB 10,000 per semester discount applies for the second child onward, provided all siblings are enrolled at the same time.

Payment Methods
Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, WeChat Pay & AliPay.

Refund Policy
If a parent withdraws a child after the semester begins:
Days 1–10 of the semester: 50% refund
Days 11–20: 25% refund
After Day 21: No refund
Note: Tuition and deposits will only be refunded if withdrawal notification is submitted at least 7 working days before the semester starts. All materials (books, devices) must be returned to complete withdrawal
Academics

Nakornpayap International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 19.

Curriculum
Nakornpayap International School (NIS) offers a U.S.-based curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the AERO Framework (American Education Reaches Out). The Early Childhood Center (K1–K3) emphasizes holistic development across social, emotional, cognitive, and physical domains. Elementary students (Grades 1–5) follow a core curriculum that includes English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Thai Culture, supplemented by Art, Music, PE, and IT. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), students are placed in leveled groups for English and Math and study core subjects along with World Languages, Visual Arts, Music, and Drama. High School (Grades 9–12) students follow a credit-based system and must complete 24 credits to graduate, with required subjects including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, and Physical Education. Electives include Creative Writing, Robotics, Business, Psychology, Environmental Science, and more. NIS awards a U.S. High School Diploma and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
At NIS, social and emotional development is a key focus from Early Childhood through Elementary and beyond. The Early Childhood Center emphasizes building social, emotional, physical, and language confidence through inquiry‑based learning and special courses such as Art, Music, PE, Creative Movement, and Swimming. Across grade levels, the Elementary School curriculum explicitly states that SEL takes precedence in developing lifelong learning skills and engagement in physical activity. School‑wide, a counselling team provides academic, social‑emotional support and life‑skills classes, along with psycho‑educational information and referrals.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school website does not describe a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) programme or specialist services on its website.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provision on its website.

Mental Wellbeing
The school website does not detail any separate mental health workshops, mindfulness programmes, or partnerships with external therapists. NIS employs a guidance counselling team, including Ms Amy Pothong and Mr Tom Bell, who provide school‑wide academic, social, emotional, and mental health support, teach life‑skills and college‑preparation classes, and offer psycho‑educational referrals when needed. These services are confidential and available to students across all grade levels. Ms Pothong holds degrees in Psychology and Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, and Mr Bell in Psychology and Social Work from the University of Maryland.

Safeguarding
The school does not provide public details on safeguarding or child protection policies on its official website.
Parent Experience

History
Nakornpayap International School was founded in 1993 and is the oldest secular international school in Chiang Mai operating on a U.S.-style curriculum adapted for its diverse global student body. The school is privately owned and governed by a seven-member Governing Board, with an Administration Team responsible for daily operations and strategic implementation.

Community
The student body represents approximately 30 different nationalities, providing a multicultural environment that is central to the school’s identity. Community life is supported through events such as International Day, art shows, music performances, science fairs, and other collaborative school‑wide activities that engage students across grade levels.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school’s Parent‑Teacher‑Student Association (PTSA) facilitates a range of parent involvement activities. These include serving as room parents to support classroom communication, organizing class‑specific events such as themed parties, and coordinating parent‑teacher‑student meetings to support school life. The PTSA platform (via Google Sites) also offers parent resources like grade ambassadors, a parent marketplace, MAP testing information, and feedback surveys to strengthen community engagement.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus includes five purpose-built buildings on 40-rai of land, with open, well-lit classrooms across all divisions. The Early Childhood Center has large-scale classrooms, its own multipurpose room, and outdoor play areas. The Elementary School includes an Art Room, Computer Lab, Music Room, and a spacious outdoor play area. The Middle School and High School feature open-area classrooms, well-equipped Science Labs, a Music Room, an Art Room, and state-of-the-art Computer Labs. The campus also houses an auditorium and extensive sports facilities, including an indoor gym, a fitness room, a dance studio, a half-Olympic-sized swimming pool, a full-size football field, basketball courts, a central green courtyard, and tree-lined walkways.

Sports Facilities
Facilities include an indoor gym, a fitness room, and a dance studio. The half-Olympic-sized swimming pool, full-size football field, and basketball courts support a comprehensive athletics program. Outdoor spaces include a green central courtyard and tree-lined walkways that provide additional training and recreation areas. The facilities enable both team sports and individual athletic development.

Academic Facilities
All classes are taught in English. The Middle School and High School have open-area classrooms, well-equipped Science Labs, a Music Room, an Art Room, and state-of-the-art Computer Labs. The Early Childhood Center and Elementary School provide large classrooms, an Art Room, a Computer Lab, a Music Room, and outdoor learning spaces. The campus includes an auditorium for performances and presentations.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Learning Outside the Classroom includes field trips, after-school clubs, sports, and annual overnight retreats (Grades 1–8). Students participate in Student Council and school-wide events such as International Day and Winter Carnival. The school supports global awareness campaigns, including UN International Day of Peace, UN Sustainable Development Goals, #beboldforchange, International Women's Day, and Earth Day. The Fine Arts program offers music and visual arts, with AP Studio Art available at the high school level. Athletics are complemented by a range of team and individual sports.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses an inquiry-based, hands-on approach to learning. The school offers Advanced Placement courses across multiple subjects. A college counseling program supports students with guidance, university visits, and scholarship information. The school is an SAT testing center to facilitate college admissions testing.

Arts & Creative
The school offers an arts program that includes music and visual arts for all students from ECC to Grade 12. The music program includes singing, listening, composition, and performance. AP Studio Art is offered in the high school. The visual arts program emphasizes self-expression through painting, drawing, mural making, and sculpture.

Cultural & Language
The school offers Thai Language & Culture to introduce students to Thai language and literature and to celebrate Thai holidays. All classes are taught in English, and Thai Language & Culture is included as part of the program. In Elementary, Chinese Language is offered. In Middle School, French is offered.

Social & Hobbies
A variety of after-school clubs and sports activities are offered. Field trips and annual overnight retreats (Grades 1–8) are part of learning outside the classroom. The school includes a Student Council as part of outside classroom activities. School-wide events such as International Day and Winter Carnival are held.

Community & Service
School-wide campaigns aligned with global awareness campaigns such as the UN International Day of Peace, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, #beboldforchange, International Women's Day, and Earth Day are a part of student life. Students engage with world issues through these campaigns.

Leadership & Professional
The school offers Student Council for leadership development. Students participate in leadership activities through various clubs and school events.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The athletics program offers team and individual sports. Facilities include an indoor gym, a half Olympic-sized swimming pool, a full-size football field, and basketball courts. The program supports fitness, outdoor activities, and overall well-being through sports and physical education.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. Thai Language & Culture is offered, with Native-Thai students studying Thai language and culture and Non-Native students studying Thai as an Additional Language. Chinese Language is offered in Elementary. French is offered in Middle School.

Immersion Programs
The Academic Access Program (AAP) provides an immersive English environment for students with limited English abilities. It teaches English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, ICT, Art, and Physical Education in a strong ESL setting and is delivered by native English speakers. The program uses Common Core State Standards materials and prepares students to join the mainstream Elementary School program.
Reputation

Awards
Recognised locally for its “Education Through Diversity” model and strong faculty-led student development.

Accreditations
Fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), affirming compliance with US curriculum standards and global educational quality.

Member of International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit application and documents
Complete form and provide documents such as prior reports, birth certificate, passport, vaccination record, and photo ID.

2. Assessment test & interview
Applicants attend a scheduled assessment focusing on English (reading & writing) and mathematics, followed by an interview.

3. Admission decision
NIS evaluates academic records, behaviour, assessment, and attendance. Families are notified within 5–7 working days.

4. Offer and contract
Successful applicants receive a written offer and contract to sign.

5. Payment and enrolment
Upon acceptance, the finance office sends an invoice. Payment is due within seven working days to secure admission.

Scholarships
The school does not have publicly available information on their scholarships.

Waitlist
The school does not have a waitlist.
School Events
The school has not added events
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