Cities / Chiang Mai / Chiang Mai International School
Chiang Mai International School
Chiang Mai's oldest international school, opened in 1954 by missionaries linked to the Church of Christ in Thailand and now an American curriculum K 12 with a strong AP programme and WASC accreditation since 1987.
In brief
Chiang Mai's oldest international school, opened in 1954 by missionaries linked to the Church of Christ in Thailand and now an American-curriculum K-12 with a strong AP programme and WASC accreditation since 1987.
Located in the heart of the city on Chetupon Road, which makes it one of the few international options that does not require a long Hang Dong commute. Around 500 students. The Christian heritage is part of the identity and chapel time is part of the week, but the school welcomes families of all faiths and the academic spine is the standards-based US programme leading to AP courses and the US high school diploma.
Long-running families value the rigour, the central location and the AP track for US university applications. The sharper criticism that has surfaced under more recent administration is that the climate has tightened, some long-tenured teachers have left, and the fee level has moved up faster than the family experience has improved. Worth comparing directly to APIS and Prem if IB is the priority, since CMIS is firmly American rather than IB.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool 3 & 4 | 3 | THB 325,400 |
| Kindergarten - Grade 5 | 5 | THB 406,500 |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | THB 441,300 |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | THB 552,600 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni Association Fee (one-time) | THB 2,000 | |
| Continuing Enrollment Deposit | THB 5,000 | |
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | THB 5,000 | |
| Capital Improvement Fee (annual) | THB 10,000 | |
| New Student Enrollment Fee (one-time) | THB 100,000 |
Reviews
Long the default American-curriculum option in Chiang Mai, CMIS still draws the strongest academic-reputation talk among the city's international schools, and alumni and current families describe a friendly, small-school feel that has held up across decades. The picture from the past year is more split. Fees have climbed enough that even sympathetic voices call the school expensive for what it is, and there is recurring talk of a tighter, more pressured high school under the current administration, with some long-serving teachers said to have moved on as the curriculum has been pulled into line. Grades 1 to 12 currently sit at capacity with a wait pool, which says something about demand and something about how easy it is to get in.
Positives
- Academic reputation. Consistently named alongside Prem, Panyaden and SISB when Chiang Mai parents list the schools they take seriously on academics. AP track in high school is the headline, and graduates land at recognisable universities.
- Alumni and family experience. Former students describe their years at CMIS in warm terms and current families they know speak well of the school. The elementary side in particular comes up as friendly, with experienced teachers who stay.
- Community draw. Families have moved over from other Chiang Mai schools, including a visible wave from NIS after NIS pushed through a large fee jump. CMIS being full to a wait pool reflects that pull.
- Mixed international intake. Genuinely mixed roll: Thai and East Asian families dominate, as they do across Chiang Mai, with a steady minority of Western families. No single nationality runs the school.
Considerations
- Fees. Tuition has crept up to the point where people who liked the school still call it overpriced. Annual fees run roughly THB 313,000 to 531,000 before extras.
- Tone under current leadership. Recurring talk that the school has become more stressful and more tightly managed than it used to be, with some popular teachers said to have left as curriculum has been standardised. High school is described as less warm than elementary.
- Christian identity. Founded by and still run on Christian, missionary lines, with discounted tuition for missionary families. Non-Christian families are welcomed and well represented, but the faith framing is part of the school, not branding.
- Capacity. Grades 1 to 12 are full; new applicants go onto a wait pool. Useful as a demand signal, less useful if you need a place this year.
Leadership
Dr. Cherie Kinnersley
Dr. Cherie Kinnersley serves as the Head of School at Chiang Mai International School. She holds a Doctor of Education in Administrative Leadership from Concordia University, a Master of Science in Science Education from Florida International University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oregon State University. Prior to her appointment as Head of School, she served as the Superintendent at CMIS. She works alongside the School Director and Manager to oversee the school's day-to-day activities and strategic direction, maintaining its commitment to educational excellence in a Christian community.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01
Academic results
- AP exams 2020 86% achieved a score of 3 or higher