Schools

Choosing an international school in Pattaya

Pattaya and the towns around it have a number of international schools, most of them following British, American or IB programmes. Families moving to the area usually choose a school first and then a place to live near it.

Build a shortlist

The International Schools Database page for Pattaya lists the schools in and around the city with their curriculum and fee range. Start there, then narrow the list by the things that matter most to your family.

What to compare

• Curriculum. If you may move again, or return home, pick a curriculum that fits the next step.
• Location. Schools are spread along a long stretch of the coast and inland. A school 15 km away can mean a long drive at rush hour on Sukhumvit Road.
• Bus routes. Ask which areas the school bus covers and how early the first pick-up is.
• Fees. Ask for the full list of fees, not only tuition. Application fees, enrolment fees, deposits, buses and lunches can add up.
• The age range. Some schools stop at primary or middle school.

Visit during term

Visit on an ordinary school day if you can. Look at how classes are run, ask about teacher turnover and ask how the school supports children who are learning English or Thai.

Thai language and culture

International schools in Thailand usually teach some Thai language and culture, and the amount varies. Ask how much Thai your child would study.

Further afield

Some families compare schools in Pattaya with those in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand. See Bangkok or Pattaya? for what changes.