How many secondary schools in Bangkok
The Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment lists roughly 120 international schools running a full secondary phase in Bangkok, defined as Year 7 to Year 13 in the British system or grades 6 to 12 in the American system. Around 80 of those carry their cohorts through to a sixth form or high school stage that reaches age 18. The rest stop at IGCSE or grade 10, which means families need to plan a transfer for the final two years.
The sixth form picture in Bangkok is more varied than in the Gulf cities. About 28 schools run A Level, 16 deliver the IB Diploma, 24 offer the American high school diploma with AP options, three carry the Australian HSC, and four campuses run dual A Level and IB. Vocational BTEC tracks exist at a small number of schools, often paired with A Level, but they are not the default route they have become in UK state sixth forms.
Outcomes data is more comparable at secondary level because qualifications are externally examined. Selective Bangkok schools regularly report IGCSE 7 and above grade rates between 68 and 84 percent. A Level A and A star rates at NIST, Patana, Shrewsbury and Harrow Bangkok sit between 55 and 72 percent. The May 2025 IB Diploma cohort across Bangkok averaged 34.1 points, well above the global average of 30.3. For a curriculum-by-curriculum view see our IB hub, British curriculum hub and American hub.
Fees and the sixth form uplift
Bangkok secondary fees stretch over a much wider range than the Gulf or Singapore. The value tier, $5,200 to $9,800, includes schools such as Wells International, Ekamai International and the more affordable bilingual secondaries. The mid tier, $10,000 to $20,000, captures established names like KIS International, St Andrews Sukhumvit 107, Garden International and Concordian. The premium tier, $20,000 to $34,800, is NIST, Bangkok Patana, ISB Nichada, Shrewsbury Riverside, Shrewsbury City, Harrow Bangkok and Brighton College Bangkok.
Sixth form tuition typically carries a 6 to 14 percent uplift over Year 11, and exam fees at IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma sit between $1,200 and $2,400 a year. Bus transport, lunch and capital levies add another 18 to 25 percent. The Bangkok fees guide walks through the loading mathematics and includes a worked example for each tier. The cross-city fees tool shows how Bangkok secondary tuition compares to Singapore, Hong Kong and the Gulf.
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Illustrative example schools
The five secondaries below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has a long track record, strong sixth form results and a clear identity.
NIST International School on Sukhumvit Soi 15 is Bangkok's flagship IB World School, running the full PYP, MYP and Diploma continuum. May 2025 IB Diploma cohorts averaged above 36 points. Highly competitive sixth form entry.
Bangkok Patana School in Bangna is the largest British international school in Thailand, with a Year 7 to Year 13 enrolment of over 1,800. A Level and IB Diploma run side by side at sixth form, with strong destinations across the Russell Group and US Ivy League.
International School Bangkok in Nichada Thani is the senior American school in the city, offering AP, the American high school diploma and the IB Diploma in parallel. The campus sits in a self-contained expat compound north of central Bangkok.
Shrewsbury International School Riverside on the Chao Phraya is the city-centre British heavyweight, with A Level results among the strongest in Southeast Asia. Sister campus at City Campus serves Year 1 to Year 8 only.
KIS International School in Ratchadaphisek is a smaller IB World School with a strong reputation for personalised academic support and one of the highest average IB scores in the city.
Where secondary families live
Secondary families in Bangkok accept longer school runs than primary families in exchange for selective sixth form access. Sukhumvit from Asoke through Ekkamai for proximity to NIST and KIS via the MRT. Bangna for Patana, Concordian and St Andrews 107. Nichada Thani for ISB compound families. Sathorn for Shrewsbury Riverside via the river and BTS. Pradipat in the north for Harrow Bangkok. Sixth formers at most schools travel independently using BTS, MRT and motorbike taxis, which loosens the commute calculation. For neighbourhood context see our best schools guide and the moving to Bangkok with kids piece.
Admissions and transfer windows
Bangkok schools operate two calendars. British and IB schools run August to June; ISB and a few others follow August to early June. For an August 2026 start, applications opened between September and December 2025. Tier 1 selective schools closed Year 7 lists between January and March, with offers in March and April. Sixth form applications run on a separate calendar, with deadlines between November and February of Year 11. NIST, Patana, Shrewsbury and Harrow run formal sixth form entrance tests with written work and interviews.
Mid-year transfers are accepted on a rolling basis, with the most movement at the end of Term 1 and Term 2. Year 12 transfers after October are rare and usually involve restarting the qualification. Use the compare tool to put secondaries side by side, and the cost calculator for the full Bangkok package.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Bangkok?
Bangkok has roughly 120 international schools running a full secondary phase to at least Year 11 or grade 10, as listed by ONESQA and the International Schools Association of Thailand for the 2025 to 2026 year. Around 80 of those continue to a full sixth form or high school stage.
What sixth form options are available in Bangkok?
Bangkok sixth forms split across A Level at roughly 28 schools, IB Diploma at 16, American high school diploma with AP at 24 schools, the Australian HSC at three schools, and the IGCSE plus A Level pathway combined with vocational tracks at a handful of schools. Dual A Level and IB is offered at four campuses.
How much do Bangkok secondary schools cost?
Year 11 tuition ranges from about $5,200 at value-tier providers to $34,800 at the most premium selective schools. The Bangkok median sits near $18,500 in 2026. Sixth form fees typically carry a 6 to 14 percent uplift over Year 11, plus exam fees of $1,200 to $2,400.
How do Bangkok IGCSE and A Level results compare to the UK?
Selective Bangkok schools post IGCSE 7 and above grade rates between 68 and 84 percent, ahead of UK national averages. A Level A and A star rates at the most academically focused providers sit between 55 and 72 percent. The 2025 IB Diploma cohort across Bangkok averaged 34.1 points.
Can a student transfer into a Bangkok secondary mid-year?
Years 7 to 9 transfers are usually possible where places exist. Year 10 and 11 mid-year transfers during IGCSE are difficult because coursework and subject choices are underway. Sixth form transfers after October of Year 12 are rare and often require restarting the qualification.
