International School Bangkok, almost always called ISB, holds a unique place in the city as the first international school to open in Thailand, founded in 1951 on the grounds of the United States embassy to serve the diplomatic community. It now runs an American curriculum from pre kindergarten to grade twelve from a large campus in Nichada Thani, and it anchors the premium end of the market mapped on our Bangkok city hub. Its scale, history and depth of programme make it one of the city's defining schools.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
ISB runs a North American curriculum grounded in inquiry and student agency from the early years upward. In high school students build a personalised pathway from Advanced Placement courses, the IB Diploma Programme and the school's own ISB Diploma, often blending elements of each rather than committing to a single track. This flexibility is the school's academic signature and a large part of why it suits American, Korean, Japanese and internationally mobile families who value choice at the diploma stage.
The school was the first in Thailand to be authorised for the IB Diploma, back in 1984, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the body that underpins American style schools worldwide. For families weighing the American route against the British and IB systems on university recognition and breadth, our IB curriculum guide sets out how the Diploma compares with AP and A Levels.
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International School Bangkok fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Pre-Kindergarten | THB 640,000 |
| Elementary | THB 985,000 |
| Middle School | THB 1,104,000 |
| High School | THB 1,162,000 |
Source: International School Bangkok (isb.ac.th). Annual tuition. Plus one-time registration and an annual fee. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
ISB sits in the premium band on our Bangkok international school fees guide, among the highest priced schools in the city, which reflects its history, the scale of the Nichada Thani campus and the breadth of its programme. Fees rise with each grade and are set out as an annual schedule, so any single figure should be treated as indicative and confirmed with admissions.
Budget for the standard Bangkok components alongside tuition: a one off registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, a capital or development levy that funds facilities, and optional extras such as the school bus, meals and trips. The fee calculator helps turn the headline tuition into a realistic annual total once those line items are added, which matters at the premium end where the extras are themselves significant.
Admissions
The academic year begins in August, so the main application cycle runs through the preceding autumn and winter for entry the following August. Several grades carry waiting lists, particularly in the lower school, so registering interest early matters more here than at smaller schools. Assessment is age appropriate and typically draws on previous school reports, with English and subject readiness checks for older entrants.
Mid year places open when diplomatic and corporate families rotate out, which is common at ISB given its diplomatic roots. The practical first steps are to register interest, share recent reports and arrange a campus tour, especially for high school entry where the AP, IB and ISB Diploma choices shape the timetable.
Location and who goes there
ISB occupies a large campus inside Nichada Thani, a purpose built residential community in Pak Kret, north of central Bangkok. The defining feature is that many families live within Nichada Thani itself and walk or cycle to school, an unusual arrangement in a city otherwise shaped by long commutes, and the reason the compound is so closely associated with the school.
The community is strongly diplomatic and corporate, with large Korean, Japanese and American contingents among more than sixty nationalities. Families who prioritise the short school run and the safety of a gated community tend to settle in or near Nichada Thani, while others commute in from the northern suburbs. For how this northern cluster compares with central Sukhumvit and eastern Bang Na, see the Bangkok city hub.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are International School Bangkok fees?
International School Bangkok sits in the premium band on our Bangkok fees guide, among the highest priced schools in the city given its size, campus and history. Confirm current rates with admissions and budget for a registration fee, a deposit, a capital levy and optional bus and lunch costs alongside tuition.
What curriculum does International School Bangkok follow?
ISB follows an American curriculum from pre kindergarten to grade twelve, with Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma Programme available in high school, plus the school's own ISB Diploma, so students can pursue AP, IB or hybrid pathways.
Is International School Bangkok accredited?
ISB is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and was the first school in Thailand to be authorised for the IB Diploma Programme in 1984. It is registered with the Thai Ministry of Education.
When do International School Bangkok applications open?
The academic year starts in August, so most families apply through the preceding autumn and winter. Several grades carry waiting lists, so early registration is advised, with assessment age appropriate and drawing on previous reports and English readiness.
Where is International School Bangkok located?
ISB is in Nichada Thani, a purpose built residential community in Pak Kret north of central Bangkok, where many families live within walking distance of the campus.
