Pbiss International School

Dual International Accreditation

Few schools in Southern Thailand hold both Cambridge International certification and WASC accreditation simultaneously. For families considering university pathways in the UK, Commonwealth countries, and the United States, this dual credential provides significant assurance that PBISS-issued qualifications will be recognised universally.

STEM Innovation Infrastructure

The school has invested significantly in STEM-specific infrastructure. The STEM Innovation Centre houses 3D printers, electronics workbenches, and project fabrication tools. The Engineer Corner provides a dedicated space for structural and mechanical design projects. The Green Screen Room enables students to produce professional-quality multimedia content — a facility more commonly found in media schools than general international schools. Together, these spaces embody the STEM+ philosophy in physical form.

Thai Cultural Immersion — Compulsory for All

In a region where international schools often operate as cultural bubbles, PBISS stands apart by making Thai language and culture compulsory for every student, regardless of nationality. This commitment goes beyond tokenism: it reflects a school that genuinely sees itself as part of the Koh Samui community, not merely operating within it.

Island Setting as Educational Asset

Koh Samui's natural environment — tropical forests, coastline, and biodiversity — provides a backdrop that few schools anywhere can match. While not explicitly framed as an outdoor education school, the island setting naturally informs environmental awareness and a certain groundedness in the student community.

Comprehensive ECA Programme

The extracurricular programme spans a uniquely diverse range: from robotics and product design to Thai banana-leaf folding and international scouting. This breadth reflects genuine commitment to the ''+'' in STEM+, ensuring students develop creative, cultural, and leadership skills alongside technical competencies.

University Outcomes

Graduates have been accepted by institutions including King's College London, UCL, Bocconi University (Italy), University of Bath, and University of Melbourne, demonstrating that the Cambridge A-Level pathway at PBISS opens doors to leading universities across multiple continents.

A Unique Fusion Curriculum

At the heart of PBISS's identity is its Cambridge × STEM+ curriculum — a deliberate fusion of the rigorous Cambridge International framework with a forward-looking STEM-plus philosophy. Since 2009, the school has been Cambridge-certified, ensuring students follow internationally recognised pathways through Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level programmes. However, what distinguishes PBISS from a standard Cambridge school is the addition of STEM+ as a core pedagogical driver, not merely an enrichment subject.

What is STEM+?

STEM+ at PBISS extends beyond traditional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The '+' encompasses creativity, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. Specialist facilities including the STEM Innovation Centre, Engineer Corner, and Green Screen Room allow students to prototype, build, and create from an early age. Robotics and Coding clubs bring these skills to life after school, while Product Design extends into hands-on project learning at secondary level.

Whole-Child Development

PBISS publicly emphasises that academic achievement and personal growth are equally weighted. The school's Mission Statement speaks to developing 'respectful global citizens' who 'think critically, act compassionately, innovate, and thrive globally.' This is not mere marketing language: Thai culture and language are compulsory for all students regardless of nationality, embedding local identity into an international student body drawn from approximately 40 countries.

2021 Curriculum Refresh

In 2021, new school leadership revitalised the curriculum, formally naming and articulating the Cambridge×STEM+ model and bringing in diverse international teaching methodologies. This refresh signalled the school's ambition to differentiate itself among international schools in Southeast Asia, moving beyond a purely examination-led approach toward one that also cultivates innovation habits in learners.

Mentoring and Career Guidance

The school's pastoral and academic mentoring structure includes dedicated career advisors who work with students on university applications and long-term planning. Graduates have received offers from universities including King's College London, UCL, Bocconi, the University of Bath, and the University of Melbourne, reflecting the breadth of the Cambridge A-Level pathway.

In summary, PBISS's philosophy is one of principled internationalism: globally rigorous, locally grounded, and future-focused through STEM+.

Founding Vision

PBISS was established to address a clear gap: Koh Samui, one of Thailand's most internationally connected islands, lacked a high-quality international school serving both the expatriate community and local Thai families. From the outset, the founders aimed to create an institution that was internationally rigorous yet rooted in Thai culture — a balance rarely achieved by international schools elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Cambridge Certification (2009)

Just a few years after opening, PBISS achieved Cambridge International accreditation in 2009, a milestone that unlocked access to the globally recognised IGCSE and A-Level examination pathways. This certification gave both expatriate families and local families confidence that qualifications earned at PBISS would be accepted by universities worldwide.

WASC Accreditation (2019)

A decade later, PBISS achieved WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation in 2019. WASC is particularly significant for families from the United States and those targeting US universities, and is also seen as a mark of overall institutional quality. This accreditation, combined with Cambridge certification, made PBISS one of the most credentialed international schools in Southern Thailand.

New Leadership and Curriculum Innovation (2021)

In 2021, the school welcomed a new leadership team that undertook a comprehensive curriculum review, resulting in the formalisation of the Cambridge × STEM+ model. This was not merely a rebranding exercise; it involved integrating new specialist facilities, recruiting additional STEM-specialist teachers, and rethinking how skills like design, coding, and entrepreneurship are embedded across all year groups.

20th Anniversary Milestone (2025–2026)

Approaching its 20th anniversary, PBISS launched a commemorative scholarship programme for the 2026/27 academic year — a merit-based partial scholarship open to external students entering Year 9 and above. This initiative reflects the school's growing confidence in its academic reputation and its desire to attract high-achieving students from across Thailand and beyond.

Today

With over 500 students from approximately 40 nationalities, PBISS has grown from a small community school into the island's most prominent international institution. Its dual accreditation, distinctive curriculum, and warm community culture continue to attract both long-term expatriate families and local Thai families seeking an English-medium, globally recognised education.

A Truly International Mix

With over 500 students from approximately 40 nationalities, PBISS represents one of the most internationally diverse school communities in Southern Thailand. Approximately half of the student body is Thai, while the other half comes from expatriate families working in Koh Samui's tourism, hospitality, and business sectors, as well as from families who have specifically relocated for the school.

Thai Culture as a Common Thread

Rather than treating Thai culture as a peripheral subject, PBISS makes it compulsory for all students. This means that a British child who arrives at age six will graduate having learned the Thai language, studied Thai history and social studies, and participated in Thai cultural activities alongside their Thai classmates. This integration is genuinely unusual among international schools, which often create parallel tracks for local and international students.

Home Away from Home

The school explicitly promotes itself as providing a 'home away from home' environment — a phrase that resonates strongly with expatriate families who may have moved countries multiple times. The school's boarding provision, pastoral mentoring system, and dedicated career advisors all contribute to an environment where students feel supported beyond the classroom. The relatively contained setting of Koh Samui — an island community — also fosters a tight-knit school culture where teachers and parents interact regularly.

Inclusive Education

PBISS's inclusive culture extends to students with additional learning needs. The school offers tailored individual support in consultation with the Head of School for applicants with special educational requirements. English Language Support (ELS) classes at three proficiency levels ensure that non-native English speakers can access the full Cambridge curriculum, with fees structured to reflect the level of support required.

Extracurricular Life

Beyond academics, the ECA (Extracurricular Activity) programme spans robotics, coding, product design, Mandarin, Thai traditional arts, scouts, journalism, board games, cooking, and more. This breadth reflects the school's commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who pursue interests beyond examinations. Many activities carry a cross-cultural dimension — for instance, the Thai banana-leaf folding craft club sits alongside the robotics club in the same extracurricular schedule.

Non-Selective Policy

PBISS explicitly describes itself as a non-selective school, meaning there is no competitive entrance examination designed to exclude applicants. This is a deliberate philosophical choice aligned with the school's inclusive culture. For families relocating to Koh Samui — often at short notice due to work assignments — this policy removes a significant barrier to entry.

What the Process Involves

While non-selective, the admissions process is not without structure. Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed application form
• A copy of the student's passport or national ID
• Previous school records and academic transcripts
• A birth certificate
• Immunisation records

For younger applicants entering the Foundation Stage, a school readiness assessment is conducted to ensure the child can benefit from the structured learning environment. This is an evaluation tool, not a rejection mechanism.

English Language Assessment

For students whose first language is not English, an English proficiency assessment is administered at the time of application. Students who require additional support are placed in the school's ELS (English Language Support) programme, which operates at three levels. This transparent system means that even students with limited English can enrol, with a clear pathway toward full curriculum access.

Special Educational Needs

Students with identified or suspected special educational needs are assessed individually in consultation with the Head of School. This case-by-case approach reflects the school's commitment to inclusivity while acknowledging that specialist resources have limits.

20th Anniversary Scholarship (2026/27)

For high-achieving external students entering Year 9 or above, PBISS offers a merit-based partial scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year, with an application deadline of 15 May 2026. Selection criteria include academic performance, extracurricular achievement, and leadership potential. Current PBISS students who meet internal academic benchmarks are automatically considered for merit recognition without a separate application.

Practical Considerations

With Thai Baht tuition fees ranging from approximately ฿255,500 (Pre-Nursery) to ฿470,340 (Years 12–13) per year, plus one-time enrollment fees for older year groups and a refundable deposit, PBISS is positioned at a mid-to-upper price point among international schools in Southern Thailand. The inclusion of daily lunch in the tuition fee is a notable practical benefit for families.