Magic Years International School

What Makes MYIS Distinctive

A Historic IB First in Thailand

In 2012 MYIS achieved a milestone: it became the first school in Thailand to receive IB PYP authorisation at the kindergarten level. This recognition placed the school at the vanguard of early childhood international education in Southeast Asia and reflected its long-standing commitment to structured inquiry-based learning even with the very youngest learners. Today the school is authorised for both PYP (ages 1–11) and MYP (Grades 6–10).

The Educational Farm

Perhaps the most visually striking and philosophically deliberate feature of the MYIS campus is its on-site working farm. Embedded within the grounds are areas where children care for goats, chickens and fish, tend vegetable gardens and observe seasonal cycles. Far from being a novelty, the farm is integrated into the IB Units of Inquiry: students explore concepts of living systems, sustainability, food production and responsible stewardship of the natural world through direct hands-on experience. This is exceptionally rare for a Bangkok urban school and speaks to the depth of MYIS's commitment to experiential, outdoor learning.

Intimate Scale in a Major City

In a city where international schools frequently enrol 1,000–3,000 students, MYIS's deliberate choice to remain small (~250 students) is itself a differentiator. The 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and average class size of 14 create a mentoring-style learning environment in which no student is anonymous. Teachers track individual progress closely, and the school's counselling and learning support team can respond quickly to any child who needs additional attention.

Expanding Toward the Diploma

Looking forward, MYIS has publicly signalled its ambition to extend its programme to Grade 12 by approximately 2028. When complete, this will allow the school to offer the full IB Diploma Programme (DP), transforming it from a PYP/MYP-only school into a full K–12 IB continuum institution—a significant step that will open university placement data and broaden its appeal to families seeking a complete international education journey in one campus.

Cultural Breadth in a Compact Community

With students from over 38 countries in a school of only ~250, MYIS has a nationality-to-student ratio that rivals much larger institutions. This creates a genuinely multicultural daily experience—not just a diversity statistic—where children encounter different languages, food traditions, festivals and worldviews as part of ordinary school life.

A Journey Spanning 35 Years

The Beginning (1990)

Magic Years International School traces its origins to February 1990, when Khanum Thampi—inspired by Reggio Emilia and play-based pedagogical philosophies—opened a small early childhood programme in her own Bangkok home with just four young children. The name "Magic Years" reflected her belief that the early years of childhood are a uniquely formative and precious time.

First Expansion (1994)

As word spread among Bangkok's international community about the school's nurturing, child-centred approach, demand grew rapidly. By 1994 a second campus had been established in Chang Wattana (Sara Weng Village), allowing the school to serve a wider catchment area and take on more families.

The Muang Thong Thani Campus (2006)

In 2006 the school took a significant step forward, relocating to a purpose-built campus in the Muang Thong Thani district. For the first time, MYIS had dedicated facilities including a swimming pool and gymnasium, giving students access to comprehensive physical education alongside their academic programme.

IB Authorisation and National Recognition (2012)

A landmark year came in 2012, when MYIS was authorised as an IB PYP World School—becoming the first IB PYP-authorised kindergarten in Thailand. The school also earned accreditation from ONESQA (Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment), Thailand's national quality assurance body, cementing its reputation within the Thai educational landscape.

The Current Campus (2017–Present)

In 2017 the school moved to its present location on Samakee Road in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi—a spacious campus of approximately 10 rai (1.5 acres) purpose-designed for the school's distinctive inquiry-based model. The campus houses a saltwater pool, gymnasium, STEM and design technology lab, visual arts studio, music and movement room, and an outdoor educational farm. Looking ahead, the school has announced plans to expand its programme all the way to Grade 12 by 2028, which will eventually allow MYIS to offer the IB Diploma Programme.

Educational Philosophy at MYIS

At the heart of Magic Years International School's educational model is a commitment to whole-child development. The school's stated goal is "to create a nurturing and challenging environment where children build trust and confidence in their abilities," recognising that cognitive, social, spiritual and physical growth are equally important and deeply intertwined.

Inquiry-Based and Play-Centred Learning

MYIS blends an American-style curriculum framework with the internationally recognised IB PYP and MYP programmes. Rather than rote instruction, learning is driven by children's own questions and curiosity. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students through hands-on explorations, project work and real-world problem-solving. The Reggio Emilia influence from the school's founding is still visible: the physical environment is designed as a "third teacher," with dedicated creative spaces, an on-site farm and open-ended materials throughout.

Family Partnership as a Core Value

One of MYIS's most distinctively articulated values is the role of families in education. The school views parents not merely as recipients of progress reports but as genuine partners in each child's journey. This manifests in open-door communication, regular parent workshops and an admissions process that begins with an informal conversation between the Head of School and the family rather than a competitive entrance examination.

Balanced Development: Body, Mind and Soul

The school's mission explicitly frames education as a balance of body, mind and soul—an unusual formulation that reflects founder Khanum Thampi's original vision. Physical education, swimming, martial arts, dance and outdoor farm activities are not supplementary; they are embedded as essential components of a rounded education. This philosophy explains the school's unusually extensive after-school club programme for a campus of only ~250 students.

International Understanding and Responsible Citizenship

With students from over 38 nationalities learning side by side, MYIS treats cultural diversity as a daily pedagogical resource. The IB learner profile—which emphasises attributes such as open-mindedness, caring and principled behaviour—aligns closely with the school's own vision of producing students who are "committed to excellence in their academic, social and spiritual development in order to contribute to the betterment of the world."

This philosophy produces graduates who are, above all, reflective, adaptable and globally minded—qualities that prepare them well for international secondary and tertiary education pathways.

Campus Life at MYIS

Size and Scale

With approximately 250 students spread across Nursery through Grade 10, MYIS operates at a scale that most international school parents describe as "village-like" or "family-sized." Average class sizes of around 14 students and a remarkable student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 5:1 mean that every child receives substantial individual attention. Teachers know students by name, by learning style and by family—an intimacy that is rare in Bangkok's competitive international school market.

The Campus Environment

The current Pak Kret campus sits on approximately 10 rai of land in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, adjacent to the International School Bangkok (ISB). The campus has been designed with the IB philosophy in mind: spaces are bright, open and deliberately arranged to invite exploration. Key facilities include:

• Saltwater Swimming Pool – used for regular PE lessons and after-school swimming clubs
• Gymnasium – a multi-sport indoor hall supporting PE, gymnastics and team sports
• STEM & Design Technology Lab – for maker projects, robotics and applied science
• Visual Arts Studio – dedicated space for painting, sculpture and craft
• Music & Movement Room – for instrumental music, dance and music theory
• Outdoor Educational Farm – the school's most distinctive feature: an on-site farm with goats, chickens and fish, integrated into the curriculum so that children experience ecology, responsibility and seasonal change firsthand

The Community Feel

The school serves both expatriate families (roughly one-third of enrolment) and local Thai families (roughly two-thirds), creating an organically multicultural environment. Students from over 38 countries bring their languages, traditions and perspectives into daily school life. Rather than a formal house system, MYIS maintains cohesion through a single-community ethos: whole-school assemblies, mixed-age projects and the shared outdoor farm where older students mentor younger ones.

After-School Life

MYIS runs an unusually extensive after-school club programme for its size—over 30 distinct activities spanning martial arts (Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), music (Orchestra, Music Theory, Musical Instruments), STEM (Robotics, STEM Lego, Creative Builders), performing arts (Ballet, Jazz Dance, Drama Club, Zumba) and academic enrichment (Model United Nations, EAL Club, Building Number Sense). This breadth reflects the school's conviction that education extends well beyond the classroom.

Admissions at MYIS

Open and Year-Round

Unlike many Bangkok international schools that operate fixed application windows and selective entrance processes, MYIS accepts applications throughout the year on a rolling basis. There is no published application deadline, no competitive entrance examination and no publicly maintained waitlist. This reflects the school's inclusive, family-centred ethos: the primary question asked of every prospective family is not "Is your child academically qualified?" but "Will this community be the right fit for your child?"

The Application Process

Families apply through the school's online OpenApply portal. The process unfolds in broadly four steps:

1. Online Application – completion of the school's application form with basic family and student information
2. Document Submission – recent school reports (last 1–2 years), health and immunisation records, and nationality-specific documents (Thai nationals: birth certificate, national ID; international students: passport, visa)
3. Introductory Meeting – every applicant family meets with the Head of School or their designee for an informal, conversational interview. This is explicitly described as a warm dialogue, not an assessment, giving both parties the opportunity to ask questions
4. Offer and Enrolment – successful applicants receive a formal offer by email; a non-refundable application fee of THB 10,000 confirms the application, and upon payment of the enrolment fee of THB 70,000, the place is secured

English Proficiency

All instruction at MYIS is delivered in English, but the school does not require applicants to pass an English language test prior to admission. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available from Nursery level onward, both as pull-out sessions and in-class support, meaning that students with limited English can join and develop their language skills within a supportive environment.

Fees at a Glance

Annual tuition ranges from THB 249,600 (Infant/Daycare) to THB 645,400 (Grades 1–10). Additional costs include a capital development levy of THB 20,000/year, lunch of approximately THB 9,380/year and an optional school bus service at approximately THB 27,200/year. A technology fee applies from Pre-K onward (THB 16,000/year for PYP; THB 20,000/year for MYP). No scholarships or financial aid are publicly offered.