Cities / Chiang Mai / Lanna International School
Lanna International School
One of Chiang Mai's longest running British schools and one of the most consistently liked by parents. A genuine community feel that families talk about more than the curriculum.
In brief
One of Chiang Mai's longest-running British schools and one of the most consistently liked by parents. A genuine community feel that families talk about more than the curriculum.
Founded in 1993, with a unified Hang Dong campus since 2023 after consolidating primary, early years, and secondary onto one site at Mae-hea. British curriculum from age two to eighteen, WASC accredited. Around 970 students, sizeable for Chiang Mai. The school passed its 30-year mark in 2023.
Parents describe teachers who learn a child's name and settle them in within weeks, an active PTO with regular coffee mornings and family events, and approachable leadership. The headline criticism, when it surfaces, has been around communication during the move and the build of the new site, and the practicalities of the location near the airport. The dominant signal across longer-term families is a school that is warm, academically solid, and easy to be part of.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years (ages 2-4) | 2 | THB 413,400 |
| Years 1-2 (ages 5-6) | 5 | THB 530,400 |
| Years 3-6 (ages 7-10) | 7 | THB 616,200 |
| Years 7-9 (ages 11-13) | 11 | THB 639,600 |
| Years 10-11 (ages 14-15) | 14 | THB 676,000 |
| Years 12-13 (ages 16+) | 16 | THB 803,400 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Fee | THB 6,000 | |
| Annual Capital Fee | THB 10,000 | |
| Equipment Deposit (refundable) | THB 13,000 | |
| Registration Fee (one-time) | THB 90,000 |
Reviews
- Sits at the top of the Chiang Mai international school stack in expat conversation. Expats and parents name it first, often paired with "highest cost."
- Sixteen reviews lean positive: small classes (six in Years 12 and 13 cited), strong academics, warm community.
- One parent complained about lack of transparency and communication from senior management, citing delays to a long-promised new campus and concerns that secondary remained at the existing site.
- Staff signal is mixed. One teacher reported being ghosted during recruitment by the principal; another said friends working there were happy.
- Fees described as lower than nearby IB and American-curriculum schools but still toward the top of Chiang Mai's market.
Positives
- Top of Chiang Mai stack. Repeatedly named first when expats ask about international schools in Chiang Mai.
- Academic standard. Parents cite strong English and maths outcomes, very small senior classes, qualified teachers.
- Community feel. Parents describe a warm, family-style atmosphere with active PTO.
Considerations
- Management transparency. One parent flagged delayed campus plans and patchy communication from leadership about secondary moving.
- Recruitment experience. One applicant described being ghosted by the principal during recruitment; current staff elsewhere said they were happy there.
Leadership
Neil Matthews
With over 30 years of experience in teaching and school leadership across the UK and internationally, Mr Neil brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community. Most recently, Mr Neil served as the Principal of a premium international academy in Abu Dhabi, where he successfully led a vibrant community of over 1,300 students. Under his leadership, the school earned prestigious accolades, including re-accreditation as an ‘Apple Distinguished School’ and an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in the UAE National Identity Evaluation in 2023.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01
Academic results
- Average IELTS score above global average of 5.5
- Graduates accepted to Top 100 Universities ~70%