Top International Schools in Koh Samui for Expat Families (2026 Guide)

Koh Samui has a small but genuinely solid lineup of international schools in Koh Samui, and for expat families relocating to the island, picking one usually comes before picking a home. Unlike Bangkok or Phuket, Samui's schools sit close enough together that families can shortlist a curriculum first and a neighborhood second. This guide covers seven verified schools currently teaching on the island, their fees, curriculum, and the areas where expat families with school-age kids tend to buy or rent, so both decisions can be made together.

International Schools in Koh Samui: Fees at a Glance

Seven schools currently operate on the island, spread across the north coast, the east side near Chaweng, and the quieter south. Fees below are annual tuition only and exclude one-time admission or registration charges, which typically run from THB 10,000 to 75,000 depending on the school.

1. International School of Samui (ISS)

International School of Samui (ISS) has more than 250 students from over 35 countries, giving it one of the most international student bodies on the island. Its 2017 exam results showed 91% of IGCSE students graded A* to C, and the school is located near Bandon Hospital and the Big C shopping centre for family convenience.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: National Curriculum of England through IGCSE and A Level; accredited Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel centre
• Language of Instruction: English
• Native English Teachers: Yes 
• Additional Languages Offered: Thai, Mandarin, and Spanish are offered as subjects
• Extracurricular Activities: Available, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, a Marine Conservation Programme, and a school organic farm
• School Bus: Available, with door-to-door zone pricing charged per term
• Yearly Fees: THB 434,500 to 618,600, plus a one-time joining fee of THB 75,000
• Location: 141 21, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320

2. Panyadee, The British International School of Samui

Panyadee sits in Chaweng Noi, close to Chaweng Beach and Central Festival Samui. It runs a Cambridge International curriculum from Foundation to Year 13, combined with a STEM+ co-curricular programme covering robotics, coding, and design. Annual fees range from about THB 267,000 to 508,000 depending on year level, with a THB 50,000 admission fee. Families relocating mid-year should note that Panyadee, like most schools on the island, accepts applications year-round rather than only at the start of term.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: Cambridge International curriculum, Foundation to Year 13
• Language of Instruction: English
• Extracurricular Activities: STEM+ co-curricular programme (robotics, coding, design)
• Yearly Fees: THB 267,000–508,000, plus a THB 50,000 admission fee
• Location: 6, 5, Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320

3. Greenacre International School

Greenacre sits inland in Na Mueang, on the island's quieter south side near the Na Mueang waterfalls. It teaches the English National Curriculum through Key Stage 3, with a strong sustainability and outdoor-learning focus built into daily lessons. Annual tuition runs roughly THB 189,000 to 282,000, among the more affordable options on the island for families whose children are still at primary age. Bus pickup is available from Chaweng and surrounding areas, which matters given the campus's inland setting.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: English National Curriculum through Key Stage 3
• Language of Instruction: English
• Extracurricular Activities: Sustainability and outdoor-learning focus built into daily lessons
• School Bus: Available, with pickup from Chaweng and surrounding areas
• Yearly Fees: THB 189,000–282,000
• Location: 108, Na Mueang, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84140

4. Windfield International School (Koh Samui Campus)

Windfield is based in Lamai, on the southeast coast, and is one of the few schools in Thailand offering a genuine dual British (Cambridge) and French curriculum on one campus. It is AEFE-affiliated on the French side and Cambridge-certified on the British side. Annual tuition ranges from about THB 200,700 to 303,800 for the 2026/27 year, with a modest one-time enrollment fee. This makes Windfield a practical option for francophone families who want their children in an English-medium track without switching schools later.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: Dual British (Cambridge) and French track; AEFE-affiliated on the French side, Cambridge-certified on the British side
• Language of Instruction: English and French
• Additional Languages Offered: French (full dual-track, not an add-on subject)
• Yearly Fees: THB 200,700–303,800 (2026/27), plus a modest one-time enrollment fee
• Location: 67/7 Had Lamai Rd, Maret, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310

5. Lamai International School

Lamai International School is based in Maret, near Lamai on the island's south coast, and follows the Cambridge Curriculum from Foundation through Year 6. It is the most budget-friendly of the seven schools, with annual fees of roughly THB 135,000 to 180,000. Published figures vary somewhat between sources, so families should confirm the current fee schedule directly with the school before enrolling, particularly for older year groups where charges have been reported inconsistently across listings.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: Cambridge Curriculum, Foundation through Year 6
• Language of Instruction: English
• Yearly Fees: THB 135,000–180,000 (figures reported inconsistently across sources, confirm directly with the school)
• Location: 206 36, Tambon Maret, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84310

6. Oonrak Koh Samui Bilingual School

Oonrak sits on the north shore in Maenam, and is structured differently from the other schools on this list: it runs a genuinely bilingual programme, splitting the timetable between English-medium subjects and a Thai-medium half covering Thai language, science, and social studies. It blends Thai National, British, and Cambridge curricula and serves children from about age 2 to 12. Annual fees are the lowest on the island, at roughly THB 115,000 to 130,000, making it a common choice for families who want their children genuinely bilingual rather than purely English-medium.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: Bilingual programme blending Thai National, British, and Cambridge curricula
• Language of Instruction: English and Thai (split timetable)
• Additional Languages Offered: Thai as a full bilingual track, not a subject add-on
• Yearly Fees: THB 115,000–130,000
• Location: 57 Mae Nam Subdistrict, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330

7. IFDS, Ecole Francaise de Koh Samui

IFDS is a small, independent French school near the Bophut and Chaweng border, teaching the French national curriculum from preschool through terminale. Students sit official exams, including the Brevet and Baccalaureate, through the Lycee Francais de Bangkok, so the diploma carries full validity in France. Annual fees range from about THB 100,000 to 170,000, the lowest range on the island. It is a niche pick, best suited to francophone families who specifically want continuity with the French system rather than a British or bilingual track.

• Curriculum / Leaving Qualifications: French national curriculum, preschool through terminale; students sit the Brevet and Baccalauréat via Lycée Français de Bangkok
• Language of Instruction: French
• Yearly Fees: THB 100,000–170,000
• Location: 2 Chaweng, 7, Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320

Where Expat Families Buy Property Near International Schools in Koh Samui

School choice on Samui tends to shape the property search more directly than it would in a bigger city, simply because commute times matter on an island with one ring road. Families choosing ISS or Oonrak generally look at Bophut and Maenam, both on the quieter north coast with easy access to Fisherman's Village, the airport, and a growing supply of modern villas and townhouses. Families choosing Panyadee, Windfield, or Lamai International School tend to look toward Chaweng Noi and the Lamai and Maret area, which has a wider mix of condos, sea-view villas, and rental stock aimed at longer-term residents rather than short-stay tourists.

Nestopa's listings for villas for sale in Koh Samui cover the Chaweng Noi to Lamai stretch well, while condos for sale in Koh Samui are more concentrated around Bophut, Maenam, and Chaweng itself. Families who want to test a school and a neighborhood before committing to a purchase often start with properties for rent on the island for a full academic year, then decide whether to buy once the school routine is settled.

For a broader sense of where the value is right now, the best areas to buy property in Koh Samui breaks down pricing by neighborhood, and Koh Samui's 2026 property investment data adds supply context from Colliers Thailand for families weighing a purchase against renting through the school years.

Admissions, Mid-Year Enrollment, and Getting to the Island

Unlike large city schools that fill up terms in advance, Samui's international schools are used to families arriving mid-year. Most, including ISS, Panyadee, and Windfield, accept rolling admissions and will assess a child for placement at almost any point in the academic year rather than only in September. Waiting lists exist for popular year groups, particularly at ISS, so it is worth applying as soon as a move date is set rather than after arriving on the island.

Koh Samui has its own airport, served mainly by Bangkok Airways with direct flights from Bangkok and a handful of regional routes, plus seasonal connections on carriers such as Thai AirAsia and Scoot. Families who prefer the ferry route usually fly or drive to Surat Thani and cross by boat from Donsak pier, a journey of roughly 90 minutes to two hours depending on the service. Either way, families relocating from overseas should budget for higher relocation costs than a mainland city, a factor worth weighing alongside the cost of living in Koh Samui when comparing the island to Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai.

Choosing the Right School for Your Family

With only seven schools on the island, the decision usually comes down to curriculum fit and budget rather than a long shortlist. British curriculum families with a bigger budget and older children tend toward ISS or Panyadee, both of which run through to A Level or IGCSE with established exam records. Families prioritizing value and a primary-age child often start with Greenacre, Lamai International School, or Oonrak, all of which cap out at primary or lower secondary and cost a fraction of the island's top tier. Francophone families have two real options in Windfield and IFDS, both offering a path back into the French system if the family later returns to Europe, with Windfield adding an English-medium Cambridge track for households that want both languages covered under one roof.

Class sizes are worth asking about directly, since Samui's schools are small enough that a single new enrollment can shift the dynamic of a year group. It also pays to ask each school how it handles children joining partway through a term, since curriculum pacing can differ even between two schools that both claim to follow Cambridge standards.

On Nestopa, you can browse listings by area alongside these school locations to compare a five-minute commute in Bophut against a longer but often cheaper option further south near Lamai and Maret. Whichever school you choose, visiting the campus in person before enrolling is worth the flight, since class sizes, facilities, and community feel vary more between these seven schools than the fee tables suggest. A short-term rental near the shortlisted school for the first term is a common way island families de-risk the decision before signing a longer lease or making a purchase.