Moving to Chiang Mai

[Bung]

Seriously considering getting out of the small village here in Phetchabun and moving.

Mainly for my 8 y/o to get better schooling and activities, options aren't that great here so the main thing is to find the best school. Where do TD's parents in CM send their kids?

I can think of a hundred reasons to do it and not many to stay where I am but want to suss it out as best I can by asking stuff here.

I would also need to rent a 2 bed house near enough to whatever school he ends up in, doesn't need to be that close to town. Will possibly buy later. I heard the agencies are a rip off (suprise suprise) so hope to find something through TD.

TIA

[Begbie]

What kind of school ? International, thai private ?

[AntRobertson]

Where do TD's parents in CM send their kids?

Haven't yet crossed that bridge myself, my boys are just starting at one of the International pre-schools next month, but there's plenty of options.

In terms of International IB or whatever it is schools the name you'll likely hear the most is Prem Tinsulanonda School. It's certainly the most expensive (very!), obviously that doesn't make it the best but most seem to think it's pretty good. Personally I have my doubts.

I would also need to rent a 2 bed house near enough to whatever school he ends up in, doesn't need to be that close to town. Will possibly buy later. I heard the agencies are a rip off (suprise suprise) so hope to find something through TD.

There are a couple of good agencies out there but really what with the market the way it is you don't really need them. Best thing to do is suss the area you like and might want to live in, spend the weekend driving around the moo-baan's etc - you'll find plenty of homes for sale and/or rent.

If you need any specific pointers let me know, only too happy to help if I can.

[Bung]

Cheers!

With the schools I've been scouring the net and still getting the info I need. There is a lot of debate as to what is the best. What are the fees like in the international schools? Maybe I would get him into a good Thai school and go international for high school. I'm not that well off.

[AntRobertson]

Prem starts at 250,000 for K1, up to 500,000 for Grades 9 - 12 and both of which exclude some wanky 'foundation fee' one-time payable of about 140,000 (all of which, with twins, I'm multiplying x2 )

Again that is the most expensive, figure on less but around same ballpark for the other International Schools

[Bung]

Yeah, that is going to get expensive over the years and doing it x 2? Poor bugger.

What are the other options other than international schools?

[Davis Knowlton]

What about Montessori? I know that many (25?) years ago, my friend in CM sent his kids there and was very pleased with it. And, it is MUCH cheaper than the International School. My twins go to Montessori here in the Philippines, and I am generally happy with it other than the religious crap. Just a thought - after so long, it may not even exist in CM any more, or may no longer be any good. Might be worth a look, though. Good luck.

[AntRobertson]

Yeah, that is going to get expensive over the years and doing it x 2? Poor bugger.

Tell me about it. Just taken a 140k hit to register them in this bloody pre-school... Pre-school for fecks sake!

I'm not as well versed on the Thai schools though sorry - that being said I do know there are a couple of better-than-average to good ones around. Prince Royal is one with a good rep, and there's one other that actually came up in conversation the other day that is apparently very good (trying - and failing - to remember the name right now).

And fees would be a fraction of those for Prem, I know that much

[Bung]

Reading some stuff on Varee, no shortage of opinions when it comes to kids education here. At least I can afford that place!

Taking admissions exams on the 14th November for the 2010 year so that would work well for me to come up that way and have a look. I guess most schools would be doing this, I go back to work on the 25th Nov.

[AntRobertson]

^Varee? I think that's the one I was referring to actually.

[Bung]

Yeah, reading a lot about it, good and bad, but I think it is generally good and 40k a term is ok for me. There is a big debate thread on it on TV. They do full English, half and half and Thai.

[DrAndy]

I am not really sure it is worth spending so much on kids education for the international schools, esp for the young kids

education and the will to learn starts at home, that is the biggest factor for any kid

[AntRobertson]

I am not really sure it is worth spending so much on kids education for the international schools, esp for the young kids

I'd have to agree with that.

Actually we were considering sending our boys to pre-school at Prem until one of the members of staff there (who for obvious reasons shall remain nameless) made very much that same observation.

[DrAndy]

I am not really sure it is worth spending so much on kids education for the international schools, esp for the young kids

I'd have to agree with that.

Actually we were considering sending our boys to pre-school at Prem until one of the members of staff there (who for obvious reasons shall remain nameless) made very much that same observation.

but you have already said you were spending a fortune, although not at Prem

Just taken a 140k hit to register them in this bloody pre-school...

[Bung]

I think at 40 odd thousand a term at Varee is pretty reasonable for what they give. the consensus seems to be the kids that do the English stream end up pretty well spoken and most say their kids are happy to go so they're happy. I would be just happy not having to pick him up from school looking like he has heat stroke (has the Farang sweat genes) and not have to mix with kids who only have to get through school to become rice farmers.

Still looking but we will head up there in time for him to take the admissions test at varee on the 14th, and meanwhile keep researching. Can look for a place to rent at the same time as mentioned, just drive around the moobans.

At least he can get well and truly settled and can look at our options when it becomes time for high school when it does become very important where he goes.

[AntRobertson]

I am not really sure it is worth spending so much on kids education for the international schools, esp for the young kids

I'd have to agree with that.

Actually we were considering sending our boys to pre-school at Prem until one of the members of staff there (who for obvious reasons shall remain nameless) made very much that same observation.

but you have already said you were spending a fortune, although not at Prem

Just taken a 140k hit to register them in this bloody pre-school...

Well it's all relative innit, and Prem's much more expensive than that. Where we are sending them is a dedicated pre-school (or Kindergarten as we'd call it back home), not an International school per se.

[mobs00]

I know of few people who send their kids to NIS.

Nakornpayap International School

[Bung]

This school thing is a bit like the more you find out the more questions you have

Varee seems to be the most talked about, though will still wade through as much info as possible and the boy would still need to pass the admissions tests required as well as there being an opening as the class sizes are limited.

[Bung]

Application & Admission Testing 2,000 Baht
*Registration Fee-Early Learners, Pre School & Kindergarten 10,000 Baht
Registration Fee - Grade 1 to Grade 12 60,000 Baht
For families with 3+ children a Family Registration is available 120,000 Baht
Book Deposit - refundable 10,000 Baht
Damage Deposit - refundable 20,000 Baht
TUITION FEES
PER SEMESTER
PER YEAR
Early Childhood Center-Early Learners, Pre School & Kindergarten
55,000 Baht
110,000 Baht
Grades 1 - 6 (inclusive of ELS support)
80,000 Baht
160,000 Baht
Grades 7 - 12 (inclusive of EAP support)
93,000 Baht
186,000 Baht
ELS - English language support for Grades 1 - 6
No charge
No charge
EAP - English for Academic Purposes for High School
No charge
No charge
Extra Costs
The school provides buffet lunch, student accident insurance and oral health checks
At no charge
Uniform
PE Shirt 250 Baht Shorts 200 Baht
Transportation Fee - door to door service
2,000 -3,000 Baht per Month
PAC - Parent Advisory Council
200 Baht per year per family
Re-enrolment Fee - within 12 months
No Charge
Re-enrolment Fee - after 12 months
10,000 Baht
Registration Fee for less than 12 month enrollment
20,000 Baht
Please note: NIS reserves the right to change this fee structure. The Registration Fee, Deposits and Tuition Fees must be paid prior to the student attending school. Failure to pay school fees will result in the student's exclusion from the school. We apologize but we cannot provide breakdowns on the inclusive payments e.g. lunch, insurance & English Support.



Fees for Nakorn Payap +250k per year for primary schooler.

[Begbie]

The registration, damage and book fees are a one off.

[Bung]

Correct. I need to have the coffee kick in before attempting any mathematical equations....

[AntRobertson]

This school thing is a bit like the more you find out the more questions you have

I know what you mean. Also, ask six different people and you'll likely get six different answers and opinions.

On the plus side you could always change schools after a term/semester/year if it's not working out. Whatever school you select initially it's not likely to be so bad as to completely stuff your son academically.

[DrAndy]

This school thing is a bit like the more you find out the more questions you have

it is called education, Bung

[Begbie]

International or Thai kind of depends on where you think you're child will be in about 15 years. If you see them as a thai living and working in thailand, then I wouldn't bother with the interntional school, they'll get a better and much cheaper grounding at a top thai school.

[Bung]

Points taken. I think we will go up and try the admissions test at Varee see if he can get in for next year then look for a place to rent. Their test dates suit my work schedule. If he fails we will look at other options, I've got no idea how hard it is to do. We can always change if it doesn't work out.

The other thing is that we can move anywhere in Thailand really but surely there is no better schools outside of Bangkok than CM? Plus all the other things you can do in your free time, we like to head off into the bush and sight see etc. Bangkok would be like a slow death for me.