D-PREP International School

Experiential Learning Philosophy

D-PREP International School was built on a foundational belief that children learn best through doing. The school's educational philosophy, articulated by founder Ms. Patcharalak Didyasarin Tavedikul, centers on a holistic, balanced approach that treats every student as a capable, self-directed learner.

Core Pedagogical Approach

The school's Experiential Learning (EL) approach is not merely a teaching method but a comprehensive framework that permeates every grade level from Nursery through Grade 12. Rather than passive reception of information, students engage with real-world problems, collaborative projects, and hands-on investigations that build both academic competence and essential life skills.

This approach is structured differently across grade levels:

• Primary (IB PYP): The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme provides an inquiry-based framework that encourages curiosity and conceptual understanding
• Middle School: Expeditionary learning deepens the experiential model with project-based units that connect academic content to authentic contexts
• High School: AP Capstone challenges students to conduct independent research and present findings, preparing them for university-level academic work

Mission and Values

D-PREP's mission explicitly commits to fostering students who are resilient, creative problem-solvers with essential life skills, empathetic and responsible global citizens who can adapt to change and contribute positively to a sustainable world. The school's four core values — Resilience, Creativity, Empathy, and Responsibility — are woven into daily school life rather than treated as abstract ideals.

Vision for Student Development

The school's vision goes beyond academic achievement to encompass the whole person. D-PREP aims to help students courageously pursue their dreams, develop deep self-understanding, and unlock their limitless potential. This vision reflects the founder's belief that education should prepare young people not just for university entrance but for meaningful, fulfilling lives.

XCL Education Partnership

In 2022, D-PREP joined the XCL Education Group, a network of forward-thinking schools. This partnership has enabled the school to access additional resources, share best practices, and continue innovating its educational model while maintaining its distinctive experiential learning identity.

The Founding of D-PREP International School

D-PREP International School carries a rich educational heritage that predates its 2018 founding. The school was established by Ms. Patcharalak Didyasarin Tavedikul, a fourth-generation member of the Didyasarin family — one of Thailand's most respected educational dynasties.

Family Educational Legacy

The Didyasarin family's contribution to Thai education spans more than 40 years. The family previously founded the American School Bangkok (ASB), operating two campuses (Sukhumvit and Green Valley) that have produced generations of successful graduates who have gone on to attend top universities worldwide. This deep institutional knowledge and commitment to educational excellence formed the foundation upon which D-PREP was built.

Establishment in 2018

When Ms. Didyasarin Tavedikul founded D-PREP in 2018, she brought this family legacy together with a fresh vision for 21st-century education. Located in the Bangna area of Samut Prakan, the school was designed from the ground up to offer a different kind of international education — one that prioritizes experiential learning, character development, and preparation for a rapidly changing world.

The school opened with a K-12 structure, serving students from Nursery through Grade 12 across two campuses: a primary campus and a secondary campus, both in the Bangna corridor.

Growth and Development

From its founding, D-PREP grew steadily, with enrollment expanding from approximately 259 students to around 300 students representing 30 nationalities. The school attracted both local Thai families (approximately 80% of enrollment) and international expatriate families (approximately 20%).

Joining XCL Education Group (2022)

A significant milestone came in 2022 when D-PREP officially joined the XCL Education Group, an international network of innovative schools. This partnership provided D-PREP with access to a broader community of educators, enhanced resources, and opportunities for continued curriculum innovation, while allowing the school to maintain its distinctive identity and educational philosophy.

Campus Life at D-PREP International School

D-PREP International School operates across two dedicated campuses in the Bangna area of Samut Prakan, each designed to support the school's experiential learning philosophy through thoughtfully planned spaces.

Primary Campus

The primary campus, located at 38/38/1-3/39 Moo 6, Bangna-Trad Road, Bang Kaeo, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, serves students from Nursery through Grade 5 (approximately ages 2-11). The campus features age-appropriate classrooms, a library, and outdoor play areas designed to encourage exploration and discovery in young learners.

Secondary Campus

The secondary campus at 97/9 Moo 1, Bang Phli Yai, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, serves Grades 6-12 (approximately ages 12-18). This campus is particularly well-equipped with modern facilities that reflect the school's commitment to active, multi-modal learning:

Sports Facilities:

• A modern indoor gymnasium supporting basketball, volleyball, badminton, and other sports
• A full-size outdoor swimming pool
• An outdoor football field
• A running track and athletics area

Creative and Academic Spaces:

• A well-resourced library with leveled readers and diverse learning materials
• A Life Skills Lab dedicated to personality development and practical, experiential learning
• A Sky Garden — a rooftop outdoor space designed to stimulate creative thinking
• A Yoga/Aerial Fitness Studio for physical wellness and mindfulness

Community Spaces:

• A Dean & Deluca café for parents, providing a welcoming community gathering space with quality coffee and bakery items

School Community

With approximately 300 students from 30 nationalities, D-PREP maintains relatively small class sizes — averaging 16 in Nursery, 18 in Kindergarten, and 22 in Primary through Secondary — enabling personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school is a member of the Asia International Schools Athletic Association (AISAA), giving students opportunities to compete in sports across the region.

Academic Culture and Curriculum at D-PREP

D-PREP International School offers a distinctive academic program that draws from multiple internationally recognized frameworks, unified by the school's commitment to experiential, inquiry-based learning.

Curriculum Structure

The school follows a US-based curriculum as its primary framework, but enriches this with internationally recognized programs at each level:

Primary School (Nursery – Grade 5): The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) provides the curricular framework for younger students. The PYP's transdisciplinary approach aligns naturally with D-PREP's experiential learning philosophy, encouraging students to make connections across subjects and to the real world. D-PREP received IB World School authorization for the Diploma Programme on 6 July 2021.

Middle School (Grades 6-8): The middle school program incorporates expeditionary learning principles, where students engage in extended, project-based units that connect academic content to authentic real-world contexts. This approach develops both academic skills and the collaborative, problem-solving competencies that D-PREP considers essential for 21st-century success.

High School (Grades 9-12): High school students have access to AP (Advanced Placement) courses and the AP Capstone program, which develops students' abilities to conduct independent research, collaborate with peers, and communicate findings effectively — skills directly valued by universities worldwide.

Language of Instruction

English is the primary language of instruction across all grade levels, with Thai taught as the host-country language. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available up to middle school for students who need additional language assistance.

Class Sizes and Teacher Support

D-PREP maintains small class sizes to support individualized learning: approximately 16 students in Nursery, 18 in Kindergarten, and 22 in Primary through Secondary. With approximately 40 teachers serving around 300 students, the school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7.5:1.

Assessment Philosophy

Consistent with its experiential learning approach, D-PREP's assessment practices emphasize authentic demonstration of learning through projects, presentations, and portfolios alongside more traditional assessments, preparing students for the diverse evaluation methods they will encounter at university.

Admissions at D-PREP International School

D-PREP International School welcomes families from both the local Thai community and the international expatriate community, with approximately 80% Thai and 20% international students currently enrolled.

Fee Structure (2025-2026)

D-PREP publishes a transparent annual tuition fee schedule:

Additional Fees:

• Enrollment Fee: 150,000 THB (one-time, non-refundable) — paid upon acceptance
• Security Deposit: 50,000 THB (refundable upon student's exit from the school)
• Lunch & Utilities: 45,000 THB per year (included in total cost calculations)

Estimated Total Annual Day Cost:

• Nursery: ~485,660 THB
• Kindergarten: ~564,780 THB
• Primary: ~651,660 THB
• Middle School: ~702,130 THB
• High School: ~722,950 THB

Admissions Process

While D-PREP does not publish detailed admissions requirements on its official website, the school accepts students from Nursery through Grade 12. Given the school's mixed student body of local and international families, the admissions process is likely accessible to families with varying levels of English proficiency, with EAL support available for students who need it.

Contact for Admissions

Families interested in applying can contact the school directly:

• Email: [email protected]
• School Office: +66-2-105-1757
• Admissions Hotline: +66-95-879-4944

The school is located in the Bangna area, accessible from central Bangkok via the BTS Skytrain (Bang Na station on the Green Line) with approximately 10-15 minutes by car.