With the exception of a small number of international schools which exist to provide education almost exclusively for the nationals of a particular country, the majority of international schools in Thailand have a multi-national intake and offer an education broadly following either the British or American system, the language of instruction being English.

The American Education System

      At the national level the US Department of Education enforces federal mandates and provides funding, thus greatly affecting students’ access to quality educational services. The department also conducts extensive research into best practices and disseminates research-based innovations to state and local schools throughout the USA.

The British Education System

     International schools following the British system often use the English National Curriculum as a basis for their educational programmes. These are sometimes modified to reflect independent (i.e. Private) school traditions.

International Baccalaureate Programmes

     The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) offers three coordinated programmes of study for children 3-19 years of age. All three programmes have a similar pedagogical base and are learning centered and inquiry based, with the aim of developing well-rounded, reflective, and compassionate young adults.

Special Support and other Educational Systems and Programmes

     Some schools follow the national curriculum of countries other than the UK or USA. A national curriculum can offer the advantage of following a system close to, or the same as, the curriculum found in a home country, often making easier a return to the home country school system. These schools are also likely to include a higher proportion of families and native speaking teachers from a specific country, thereby providing an extended community away from home.