What Do You Need to Transfer Schools?

Many people find themselves relocating themselves and their families to Bangkok for work, study, or to otherwise advance their careers. This entails the issue of taking your children out of their old school and moving them to a new school in Bangkok, and they need to know how to transfer schools seamlessly. This is not the problem that some people think it is, as the international schools in Bangkok and other areas in Thailand are very quick and efficient at transferring new students. We'll explore the steps to take to transfer your children to a new school once you have relocated to Bangkok.

The International School Bangkok (ISB) is a premier school that has been educating the children of Bangkok’s expat community since 1951. Our tutorial will be based on the ISB application process. 

Choose an International School

The first thing to know is that most international students are ineligible for Thai public schools, as these schools are taught solely in the Thai language. However, the alternative is a wide variety of high-quality international schools teaching an American or British curriculum in the English language.

Choose a Curriculum

Many parents choose international schools based on the curriculum they provide. The British and American curricula differ slightly in the subjects taught, the structure of the education, their teaching styles, and the content of their classes. Parents may feel that their child will be more at home and have fewer disruptions being taught the same curriculum they were learning at home before being transferred.

Differences Between American and British Educations

The American education system uses the SAT suite of scholastic assessments and advanced placements (AP) courses as the foundation for educational assessment. The British education system uses the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-level qualifications as the foundation for educational assessment.

However, international schools are adept at the school transfer process. They can accurately assess your child’s academic progress and place them in the appropriate class if the transfer is from one education system to another.

Application

Once you’ve decided on a school, the first step is to submit an application. Many international schools use the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited admission process that standardizes admission and ensures a variety of learner profiles are admitted. The application will contain a checklist of the documents you'll need to provide. These may include:

• Student profile documents and school reports
• Standardized assessment results for grades 3-12 (if available)
• Teacher recommendation forms
• Any learning support documents
• Copies of the student’s passport
• Assessments (on-site or online assessment are provided by the new school. An admissions officer will help schedule your child’s assessments.)  
• Interviews (parents complete the online interviews for pre-K to grade 5 students. Grade 6 through 12 complete their own online interviews.) 
• Application Fee 

How Long Does it Take to Transfer Schools?

ISB has different application requirements for Thai and expat students. For students holding a Thai passport, the application is open on September 15, and the deadline is January 15, with the completed applications due February 1. Acceptance letters are sent during the month of April, with the confirmation of acceptance being due 7 days after the offer.

Students with at least one parent holding a non-Thai passport may be considered a dual national or an expat. The student also must hold a non-Thai passport. These students may be admitted throughout the year, provided they meet academic requirements and there is space available. The applications open on September 15, and the confirmation of acceptance is due 7 days after the offer.

Students who require an ED visa should follow the fixed admission timeline: Application opens September 15, with an application deadline of February 1. Completed applications are due March 1 with acceptance letters sent during April and confirmation of acceptance and fees due 14 days after the offer is made. ISB visa documents are issued May 1, with the proof of visa due by July 31.

Admission Requirements

At most international schools, every student must hold a Thai passport or have a valid visa. Classes at International schools are taught in English, and students must be proficient in the English language to succeed in their school education.

Tuition and Fees

The cost of attending international schools in Thailand varies depending on the school. The tuition and fees typically include an application processing fee, a registration fee and an annual fee. As an example, the fees for Elementary, middle and high school at ISB are as follows:

• Elementary school – THB 985,000 per year
• Middle school – THB 1,104,000 per year
• High school – THB 1,162,000 per year

Enjoy a Quality Education for Your Children

ISB provides a high-quality education for your child that may well be superior to their education in their previous country. With a straightforward and easily understood school transfer process, transferring your child to a new school may turn out to be the simplest part of relocating to Thailand. Call to arrange a tour of our kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school for international students in Bangkok.