Last month in Shop WINDOW on Lifestyle we featured the first in our series about international schooling facilities on the island. This month we offer the second half of our survey. Parents with children of school age who are thinking of working or living here, can be re-assured that educational services are abundant in terms of both quantity and quality. The schools we have selected are fee-paying, and some have boarding facilities for those who may be resident off the island. Curricula are mainly buttressed by international accreditation, as well as being enriched by Phuket’s cultural inheritance. The schools offer a large selection of sporting and extracurricular facilities that take advantage of the world-famous climate and scenic attractions, which have been like a magnet to world travellers, for many years. Schools offer programmes in English, Thai and Mandarin; truly ‘international’ in every sense of the word.

HeadStart International School Phuket

HeadStart has been operating in Phuket since 2005 and has grown from a homespun educational programme into an international school. Even though we’ve grown exponentially, we haven’t lost our personal touch and original vision of a well-rounded education.

Ages of students accepted: From 18 months to 14 years

Curriculum and examination board details: Based on the British National Curriculum

English and/or Thai Programmes: Daily 30-minute Thai class for pre-school and reception classes. All year-one to Year Eight students have a compulsory one hour Thai class per day.

Chinese (Mandarin) classes two hours per week for reception through Year Eight.

Extra-Curricular Activities: ESL classes for students who need extra coaching as well as football, tennis, dancing and swimming, and summer and holiday camps.

Facilities:

• Nine, 48 square-metre classrooms, with 15 students per class
  
• Full facilities for pre-schoolers up to Year One
  
• Extensive libraries and science laboratories
  
• Junior size football pitch
  
• Extensive playground
  
• Go-kart and bicycle track
  
• 120 square metre gym
  
• Dance studio with mirrors and parquet floors
  

For more information:
Tel: +66 (0)76 612876
Email: info@headstartphuket.com
Website: www.headstartphuket.com

Rawai Progressive International School (RPIS)

Rawai Progressive International School is committed to its Montessori philosophy, which embraces self-directed and interactive learning, academic excellence and respect for, and appreciation of, the environment and all people and cultures.

Ages of student accepted: From 3 to 12 years old

Curriculum: Montessori education

English and/or Thai Programmes: International programme

Boarding or Day: Day school

Facilities:

• Prime location on the slopes above Rawai Beach
  
• Four large classrooms
  
• Full kindergarten facilities
  
• Playground
  
• Gymnasium
  

For more information:
Tel: +66 (0)76 289200, +66 (0)76 288281
Email: admin@montessori-thailand.com
Website: www.montessori-thailand.com

Quality Schools International – Phuket International School

QSI is a non-profit international school providing a high-quality education for children of businessmen, NGO’s, and to other expats who reside in Phuket. We have qualified, experienced and caring staff and native English-speaking teachers licensed in western countries and Thailand. QSI schools are accredited to the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (USA). The first school was founded in 1971. QSI in Phuket opened in 2000.

QSI uses a ‘mastery learning’ model of instruction, which is a focused and powerful way of organizing both curriculum (what is taught), and instruction (the way it’s taught). The effectiveness of this approach is validated by educational research.

Ages of student accepted: Nursery to Grade 12 (from 3 to 18 years old)
Curriculum: American curriculum

English and/or Thai Programmes: English language. Thai Language and culture for all children. No extra cost for ESL classes.

Extra-Curricular Activities: Varied sports and after school activities

Boarding or Day: Day school

Facilities:

• Nineteen classrooms
  
• Library Sports fields
  
• Cafeteria Computer lab
  

For more information:
Tel: +66 (0)76 354064 or +66(0)84 850 4631
Email: phuket@qsi.org
Website: www.qsi.org

Kajonkiet Suksa School provides for children from three to 12 years of age. It follows a typical Thai school curriculum taught in the Thai language, as well as a Thai curriculum taught in English, by a team of native English-speaking teachers. Within the English curriculum, the children are taught in English 80 per cent of the time. The school aims to develop basic English, computer skills and cultural awareness. Within the pastel-painted buildings, children also learn music, drama and Thai dance in after-school workshops, and regularly perform their own concerts and shows. Field excursions are also offered weekly, giving students hands-on learning experiences.