Cities / Chiang Mai / Nakornpayap International School
Nakornpayap International School
The oldest secular international school in Chiang Mai. WASC accredited American curriculum, founded 1993, with a steady reputation among long term expat families.
In brief
The oldest secular international school in Chiang Mai. WASC-accredited American curriculum, founded 1993, with a steady reputation among long-term expat families.
Around 300 students, Early Years through Grade 12, on a campus in San Phi Sua, Mueang. Non-denominational, which sets it apart from Grace and CDSC. Small enough that teacher-to-student ratios are favourable, with families noting individual attention as a real strength.
Early Childhood parents are particularly positive: children attached to teachers, engaged days. Secondary level feedback is more mixed. Parent concerns have surfaced over a recent high school renovation, fee changes, and board decisions, with at least some families moving on for those reasons. The academic offer is solid for families looking for an American pathway in a smaller, less corporate setting than the larger Bangkok schools.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1-3 | 3 | THB 290,000 |
| Grades 1-3 | 6 | THB 385,000 |
| Grades 4-5 | 9 | THB 402,500 |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | THB 435,600 |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | THB 496,800 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | THB 5,000 | |
| Book Deposit (refundable) | THB 10,000 | |
| Damage Deposit (refundable) | THB 20,000 | |
| Registration Fee (one-time) | THB 66,000 |
Reviews
Chiang Mai's oldest secular international school, established 1993, on a green campus in San Phi Sua with an American college-prep programme and a long AP list. The last admissions cycle has been bumpy. A 2025/26 fee jump averaging around 20 percent, after families had been told to expect under 5, triggered visible pushback and a stream of departures toward CMIS. Senior teacher exits and questions about pay relative to other Chiang Mai schools are part of the same conversation. Younger-year families still describe a warm, attentive atmosphere, but the upper school is where most of the friction sits.
Positives
- Established Chiang Mai option. Oldest secular international school in the city, K to 12, American curriculum with a deep AP catalogue covering sciences, maths, English, economics, psychology and studio art.
- Campus and facilities. Well-equipped site with an early childhood centre, science and IT labs, auditorium, indoor gym, dance studio, half-Olympic pool and full sports fields. Younger-year families single out the early childhood programme.
Considerations
- Fee increase for 2025/26. Families were initially told annual fees would rise by under 5 percent, then received grade-by-grade letters averaging closer to 20. The gap between what admissions communicated and what landed has driven a chunk of the recent dissatisfaction.
- Teacher turnover at senior level. Parents flag senior teacher departures and question whether replacements match the subject they're teaching. Pay scales are reported to sit below other Chiang Mai international schools, which feeds the retention concern.
- Upper-school building and facilities concerns. The new high school building, opened after a short renovation window, has drawn complaints about indoor air quality. Separate concerns surface about drinking-water filtration and food safety standards on campus.
- Administration responsiveness. Parents describe the administration as slow to engage with complaints and resistant when families pushed back on the fee letter. The reputation in town is mid-tier rather than premium.
Leadership
Ms. Narvinder Ahuja
As Director of NIS, I am proud to lead a school that has been at the forefront of international education in Northern Thailand for over three decades. Our commitment to educational excellence is reflected in our WASC accreditation and our comprehensive American curriculum that prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. At NIS, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. We foster a collaborative partnership between educators, students, and families to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Our holistic approach emphasizes not only academic achievement but also character development, cultural awareness, and the cultivation of leadership skills that will serve our students throughout their lives.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01
- TH_ONESQA 02
Academic results
- AP pass rate 86.36%