Cities / Bangkok / KPIS International School Bangkok (KPIS)
KPIS International School Bangkok (KPIS)
KPIS International School is a family-run tier 3 school established in 2005, offering American curriculum from preschool through secondary levels with affordable fees around $3,000 USD annually. While teacher discussions describe it as suitable for gaining experience in Bangkok, concerns…
In brief
Founded in 2005, KPIS operates as a smaller international school following American Core Standards curriculum from pre-kindergarten through secondary levels. The school positions itself as providing affordable international education with fees significantly below Bangkok's premium institutions, making it accessible to local Thai families and expatriate families seeking budget-friendly options. Recent teacher recruitment discussions indicate salaries around $3,000 USD monthly, with housing costs approximately $500, leaving teachers with reasonable disposable income for Bangkok living.
Teacher perspectives consistently characterize KPIS as a family-run operation suitable for early-career educators seeking Bangkok experience rather than a long-term professional destination. Concerns have emerged about contractual practices, with reports of attempts to withhold final salary payments unless teachers resign their contracts, describing this as a 'bonus' rather than earned wages. The school's tier 3 status reflects its position below Bangkok's established international institutions like NIST, ISB, or Bangkok Patana, serving primarily as a stepping stone for teachers planning to move to more prestigious schools after gaining experience.
Strengths
- Affordable fees compared to Bangkok's premium international schools
- Suitable entry point for new teachers to gain Bangkok experience
- Reasonable salary-to-living cost ratio with housing around $500 monthly
- American curriculum pathway from early years through secondary
- Family-run atmosphere with smaller school community
Considerations
- Characterized as tier 3 school below Bangkok's established institutions
- Reports of questionable contractual practices regarding final salary payments
- Limited long-term career prospects for teaching professionals
- Primarily serves as stepping stone rather than destination school
- Very limited public information about academic outcomes or university placements
Academics
As of 2026, KPIS International School Bangkok offers the Advanced Placement (AP) program, including the AP Capstone Diploma (AP Seminar and AP Research). In 2024, the school was reported to have the fifth-highest rate of AP tests taken per 1,000 students among similar schools. For the Class of 2025, graduates received acceptances into programs for Medicine & Dentistry, Engineering & Technology (including Chemical Engineering), and various other disciplines.
School life
Activities include a variety of clubs such as Creative Club, F1 in Schools, Seafood Masterchef, Chess Club, and Drawing and Painting. The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department offers programs in drama, music (including the KPIS International Symphonic Band), and media design. Competitive achievements include students winning silver medals in international piano competitions (e.
The campus includes the KPIS Experience Center (KX), specialized science laboratories (biology, physics, chemistry), computer labs (supporting robotics and game design), art studios, and music rooms. Sports facilities feature a full-sized indoor gymnasium and an elevated outdoor field with a grandstand. The school also has a full-scale auditorium for performances and dedicated libraries for both elementary and secondary levels.
Student body
Total enrollment is approximately 500-530 students. The student body is co-educational and serves grades from Nursery (age 3) through Grade 12 (age 18). While over 50 nationalities have been represented historically, the most common nationality is Thai.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery - Kindergarten | 3 | Annual | THB 348,000 |
| Grade 1-5 | 6 | Annual | THB 414,000 |
| Grade 6-8 | 11 | Annual | THB 482,000 |
| Grade 9-12 | 14 | Annual | THB 544,000 |
| Placement Test Fee | One-time | THB 2,000 | |
| Application and Processing Fee | One-time | THB 5,000 | |
| eBook and Printed Book Security Deposit | One-time | THB 30,000 | |
| Enrollment Fee | One-time | THB 100,000 | |
| Booking Deposit (non-refundable, deducted from tuition) | One-time | THB 100,000 |
Reviews
- An American-curriculum school in Bang Khen, about 20km from central Bangkok, founded 2005 by a Thai family.
- Reviewers consistently single out friendly staff and approachable teachers; one ex-student said teachers "were like friends" and praised the music and theatre facilities.
- Mid-tier in Bangkok's international market; one teacher post on the Internationalteachers subreddit asked openly because "all I've found is from years ago", flagging that signal stays thin and management/work-culture queries recur.
- Older reviews (2017) flagged "unprofessional management" and weak parent communication; newer commentary is quieter but does not actively dispute it.
- Strong investment in extracurricular kit (3D printers, F1 simulators, recording space) reported by an alumnus.
Head of school
Dew Intakanok
Dew Intakanok is the Head of School at KPIS International School Bangkok, a position she has held since August 2016, following her prior role as Academic Director at the same school since 2004.
Accreditations
- WASC full accreditation since 2009 01
Academic results
- AP classes average score (2020-2023) 74% of students scoring 3 or higher