BASIS International School Bangkok, in Thailand, is broadly based on the American education system but has been enhanced to develop the unique approach that is now the world-acclaimed BASIS Curriculum. BASIS has made several enhancements that deliver a superior liberal arts and sciences education to students around the world, including our very own students in Bangkok. We embrace the diversity of our student body and instill a deep love of Thai language, customs and traditions in our students that adds a unique aspect to their interactions with future University cohorts.

If your child has been educated in Thai public schools or is used to the British education system, BASIS offers a new and proven type of education. The curriculum at BASIS is divided into four levels:

  • Early Learning Program
  • Primary School
  • Middle School
  • High School

BASIS has developed a unique and accelerated liberal arts and sciences education that is benchmarked against the finest schools in the world and based on an enhanced version of the US education system. We instill a joyful learning culture in our classes, encouraging students’ hard work and exploring their intellectual pursuits.

BASIS is forward-thinking yet traditional in our approach to education. We concentrate on what is proven to work in preparing students to meet future challenges to the best of their abilities.

Early Learning Program

The Early Learning Program, also known as Preschool or Kindergarten, is for students approximately aged 2-6. It channels a child’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder to instill a lifelong love of learning. At BASIS International School Bangkok, our Early Learning Program focuses on a child’s personal development within our Discovery Blocks of Learning curriculum. The curriculum includes the following courses:

  • Expressive Arts: Art, music and drama
  • Thai Language and Culture
  • English Language and Literacy
  • Math Discovery
  • Movement and Physical Education
  • STEM Discovery
  • World Discovery
  • Social and emotional development and self-care skills

The school days are divided into no more than thirty-minute learning blocks, which allow students to develop social, vocabulary and listening skills, explore math concepts, try their hand at problem-solving, express themselves through art, and develop their motor skills.

The program introduces students to the concept of learning in a classroom environment and ensures they thoroughly enjoy the experience.

By the end of our Early Learning Program, BASIS students are already able to perform math assignments at the Grade 1 level and read and write at the beginning of the Grade 1 level. They are comfortable and confident in their abilities and ready to experience the next step in their education: the Primary School Program.

Primary School Education

Primary school-age children being taught in school.

The Primary School Program is divided into grades 1 through 5 and includes students approximately aged 6 through 11 years.

Our Primary Program offers an unmatched learning experience for students as they begin to fully embrace a variety of subjects and their interconnectivity. The Primary Program is uniquely characterized by the emphasis on connections between subjects as well as the teaching partnership present in Grades 1– 5.

Courses in these grades help students develop important skills and content knowledge, as well as organization and time-management as they become more independent learners. Teachers work together to highlight connections across subjects such as math and science, and literacy and social studies. This interconnectivity and broad subject matter help prepare students to understand the concepts that they have to master during their Middle School years.

Students in grades 1-4 are co-taught by a Learning Expert Teacher (LET) who stays with them throughout the day, paired with Subject Expert Teachers (SETs). This co-teaching method allows students to explore each subject more thoroughly and gain a broader understanding of the total curriculum. It is also a key element in helping BASIS students successfully accomplish a curriculum that is more advanced than many other programs.

By grade 5, students have learned to navigate the campus and their classes without the LET. An Academic Coach supports students at this grade level and performs many of the functions of the LET. However, by the end of the year, students are expected to be more autonomous as they prepare to enter Middle School.

Middle School Education

Middle school students having a discussion with the teacher.

Middle school consists of grades 6 to 8, with students approximately aged 11 to 13.

The program begins to challenge the students and further broaden their academic exposure while going deeper into content knowledge. An essential component of the BASIS Curriculum in these grade levels is that the sciences are split into individual subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, each taught by their respective Subject Expert Teachers. Math continues to accelerate as students progress through Algebra 2 & Geometry, which are typically taught at the high school level in the United States. Students will also gain knowledge in English, World History, and Thai Language and Culture, preparing them for their respective coursework in high school.

The core subjects, including Thai, culminate with the Comprehensive Examinations. These exams are administered throughout the BASIS Curriculum Schools network to help ensure the consistency of content delivery and that our students are performing at the highest academic levels. These high-stakes examinations also help to prepare them for the rigorous high school program and Advanced Placement (AP) Courses.

In addition to the deep content knowledge, students work together as teams and engage in project work throughout the year. These projects include lab work in each of the sciences, history projects, literary projects, presentations, and more. Students’ skills in scholarship and critical thinking, as well as their self-confidence and interpersonal relationships, are strengthened throughout these years.

Beyond these core subjects, students also have an opportunity to select from a variety of electives, including Rock Band, Intro to Computer Science, Studio Art, Physical Education, and many more.

High School Program

The BASIS High School age program is for students ages 14 to 18. It’s divided into grades 9-12. If a student is planning to enter a university or college, they will typically take their college entrance SAT exams during grade 11.

The High School age program prepares students to excel in University and to be leaders in their community. Students are well prepared for the advanced coursework and will begin grade 9 with at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course, but in some cases, up to three. Students will need to take a minimum of four Advanced Placement courses in core subjects to graduate; however, most of our students take many more than this because they are well-prepared and have a genuine interest in the subject matter.

The academic rigor also extends into the High School elective courses. Students can select from a variety of subjects, including the Arts, Humanities, Sports, and more, many of which are developed to suit students’ interests. Elective course offerings are added regularly, so it’s best to check with the school for more details about current courses.

By the end of Grade 11, students may have completed the majority of their requirements to graduate. This enables our students to take post-AP coursework in a variety of unique Capstone courses that give students an opportunity to explore their interests at a college level. They will also participate in College Counseling class and may elect to complete Senior Projects as a conclusion to their high school research studies.

Gold Standard of Education 

BASIS is generally recognized as the gold standard of primary and secondary education in the US. Our advanced curriculum prepares students to excel in today’s world with content knowledge, self-advocacy, and critical thinking skills that provide students with an extra edge.

Our passionate and skilled teachers make thoughtful use of technology to optimize the educational experience we provide. By integrating technology with our lessons and schoolwork, we enable students to utilize a wider variety of tools and resources to find the most logical and correct answer to a problem.

Advanced Placement®(AP) Program

When you enroll your child in BASIS International School Bangkok, you’re providing a pathway to achievement and excellence. We offer Advanced Placement® (AP) courses and exams, which can be objective measures of our students’ abilities that allow them to bypass and gain credit for introductory university courses.

Visit BASIS International School Bangkok

Give your child a world-class education from Nursery age to High School at a leading American international school in Bangkok, Thailand. Contact BASIS International School Bangkok to arrange a school tour.