International School Bangkok (ISB) vs NIST International School
International School Bangkok (ISB) and NIST International School are both in Bangkok, about 18 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and International School Bangkok (ISB) also offers Advanced Placement (AP) and American. Published annual fees are close, at THB 640,000 - 1,162,000 for International School Bangkok (ISB) and THB 628,200 - 1,094,500 for NIST International School. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,800 and 1,800 pupils. Both keep typical class sizes around 20.
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,800
Pupils
1,800
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1951
Opened
1992
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
International School Bangkok is located in the Nichada Thani estate in Nonthaburi, a suburb to the northwest of central Bangkok. The area is a gated residential community popular with expatriate families. ISB is approximately a 30–45 minute drive from downtown Bangkok, depending on traffic.
Location
NIST International School is located on Sukhumvit Soi 15 in central Bangkok, within walking distance of the Asok BTS (Skytrain) and Sukhumvit MRT (subway) stations.
The area is part of the Wattana district, a residential and commercial zone popular with expatriate families. The school is easily accessible by public transportation or private vehicle.
Stages
Stages
ISB is divided into three main divisions: Elementary School (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6 to 8), and High School (Grades 9 to 12).
Stages
NIST offers three main school divisions aligned with the International Baccalaureate: the Primary Years Programme (ages 3–11), Middle Years Programme (ages 11–16), and Diploma Programme (ages 16–18). The school enrolls students from early childhood through to the end of secondary school.
School type
School type
ISB is a private, co-educational day school serving international students from Pre-K through Grade 12.
School type
NIST is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ISB provides a range of support services for students with additional learning needs through its Learning Support and Intensive Needs programs. These include individualized support plans, small group or one-on-one instruction, and collaboration with classroom teachers. The school also offers access to counselors, English as an Additional Language (EAL) specialists, and educational psychologists where appropriate.
Additional learning support
NIST provides inclusive learning support services for students with additional learning needs. The school offers support from trained specialists and personalized learning strategies, based on individual assessments and IB-aligned practices. Services are tailored in partnership with families and teachers.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a formal affiliation with any single country, though it primarily follows a U.S.-based curriculum and serves an international student population.
Country affiliation
NIST does not have an affiliation with any specific country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
ISB is a non-sectarian school with no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any religion and is a secular institution.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:35 am to 1:10 pm for Pre-K. Elementary students attend from 7:35 am to 2:25 pm (1:50 pm on Wednesdays), Middle School from 7:40 am to 2:45 pm (2:00 pm on Wednesdays), and High School from 7:45 am to 2:50 pm (2:00 pm on Wednesdays).
School day structure
The school day typically starts around 7:30–8:00 a.m. and ends between 2:30–3:00 p.m., depending on the year level. Lunch and break times are scheduled by division and age group. Extracurricular activities may take place after regular hours.
Bus service details
Bus service details
ISB provides a door-to-door school bus service within the Nichada Thani estate and surrounding areas. The service is operated in partnership with Montri Transport, a company experienced in school transportation. Buses are air-conditioned, supervised by bus monitors, and follow strict safety protocols. After-school activity buses are also available for students participating in extracurricular programs.
Bus service details
NIST offers a private bus service through an external provider for students living across Bangkok. Routes and pickup locations are coordinated with families upon enrollment. The service is optional and incurs an additional cost.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees:
* Application Processing Fee: THB 4,700 (non-refundable, payable upon application). * Registration Fee: THB 260,000 (one-time, non-refundable unless withdrawal occurs within the first 20 days of enrollment).
Annual and Membership Fees:
* Annual Fee: THB 22,000 per year or THB 11,000 per semester (non-refundable; applicable to Kindergarten through Grade 12). * International School Association (ISA) Membership Fee: THB 10 per year.
Tuition Fees for 2025/26:
* Pre-Kindergarten : THB 640,000 per year * Elementary : THB 985,000 per year * Middle : THB 1,104,000 per year * High : THB 1,162,000 per year * Life Centered Education (Additional to tuition fees) : THB 980,000 per year
Payment Methods:
* Payments can be made via cash, check, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), or wire transfer. * All payments must be in Thai Baht, net of any bank charges. * A late payment fee of 0.75% per month applies to overdue payments.
Refund Policy:
* The registration fee is refundable only if a new student withdraws within the first 20 days of enrollment. * Tuition and transportation fees are prorated if a student withdraws before completing 50 days of a semester.
Fee details
Application and One‑Time Fees (first year only):
* Application Fee: THB 6,000 * Assessment Fee: THB 2,500 (non‑refundable) * Registration Fee: THB 265,000 * Campus Development Fee: THB 575,000 (refundable upon graduation if all school property is returned and notice given)
Annual Tuition Fees (excluding one‑time fees) (based on age/grade)
* Early Years 1-2: THB 628,200 * Year 1 : THB 796,700 * Grades 1–6 : THB 842,800 * Grades 7–9 : THB 923,700 * Grades 10–11 : THB 1,003,800 * Grades 12–13 : THB 1,094,500 Tuition is typically billed annually, with families often paying per term per school policy.
Billing & Payment Terms
* Payment schedule follows fixed term dates; if due dates fall on weekends or holidays, payments are due the next business day. * Overdue payments incur a monthly surcharge of 1.25%, and transcripts or other documents may be withheld until fees are cleared.
Other Costs
* Uniforms and school supplies must be purchased via the on-site NIST Shop; options include new or second‑hand items. * Meal plans for Early Years through Grade 2 cost approx. THB 25,000 per year. Secondary students purchase food à la carte (approximately THB 130–150 per day).
Refund Policy
* Tuition is not refunded if a student leaves mid‑semester. * Refunds on campus fee deposit are available only if all conditions are met.
Payment Options
* Tuition and fees can be paid via bank transfer or credit card (credit card payments include a 1.5% surcharge at the school shop).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
International School Bangkok (ISB) offers a U.S.-based curriculum enriched with international standards, providing a cohesive educational experience from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. In the early years and elementary levels, the focus is on inquiry-based learning across core subjects, arts, physical education, and world languages. Middle School (Grades 6–8) continues this approach, integrating interdisciplinary studies and social-emotional learning. High School students can pursue the ISB High School Diploma, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or a hybrid pathway combining IB and AP courses. The curriculum is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is designed to be transferable for globally mobile families.
Curriculum details
NIST International School offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across all age groups. Students in Early Years through Grade 5 follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning across core subjects. Grades 6 to 10 follow the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which includes interdisciplinary projects and subject study in areas such as mathematics, sciences, language acquisition, and the arts. In Grades 11 and 12, students complete the IB Diploma Programme (DP), choosing from six subject groups and completing core components including Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). All programmes are taught in English, with additional language learning and specialist classes in visual arts, performing arts, and physical education. The curriculum is structured to meet IB standards while also incorporating service learning and opportunities for real-world application.
1. Book a campus visit or virtual tour. Families are encouraged to schedule a visit to explore the campus and meet the admissions team. This can be arranged through ISB’s admissions portal.
2. Complete the online application. Submit the application via ISB’s OpenApply platform. Required documents include academic records, birth certificate or passport, immunization records, and teacher recommendations. A non-refundable application fee of ฿4,700 is payable at this stage.
3. Assessment and interview. Depending on the grade level, students may be required to undergo assessments or interviews to determine appropriate placement. The admissions team will provide details after reviewing the application.
4. Receive admission decision. The admissions committee reviews applications holistically. Decisions are communicated via email, and successful applicants will receive an offer letter outlining the next steps.
5. Confirm enrollment. To secure a place, families must pay a non-refundable registration fee of ฿260,000 within the specified timeframe. Additional enrollment documents may be required at this stage.
Admissions
1. Schedule a visit or virtual tour. If possible, families are encouraged to tour the campus or attend an online session to view facilities and discuss learning programmes. 2. Submit application documents. You'll provide reports, recommendation forms, medical records, passport scans, and any relevant educational assessments or IEPs. 3. Complete admission assessment. Applicants sit for age-appropriate assessments on campus—or, for remote students, at their current school or online. Assessment results help determine placement and additional support needs. 4. Receive decision and complete enrolment. If admitted, the school issues an Acceptance Letter with instructions on confirming your place, paying deposit fees, and enrolling online via Veracross. Meal plans, schedules, and extracurricular sign-ups follow.
Scholarships
Scholarships
ISB does not publicly advertise scholarship programs.
Scholarships
As of publicly available information, NIST does not offer formal scholarships for academic or need-based support.
Waitlist
Waitlist
ISB operates a waitlist system when grade levels reach capacity. Applicants are placed on the waitlist based on the date of application completion and other criteria. The admissions team contacts families as spaces become available.
Waitlist
NIST does operate a wait pool for year levels that reach capacity. If no immediate space is available, your child may be placed in this pool and contacted if a spot becomes available. This provides flexibility for families applying mid-year or when popular year levels are full.
