RIS Ruamrudee International School proudly builds on its legacy of academic and personal development with new opportunities for students. In a recent feature for Hello! Education magazine, school administrators Dr. Jim O’Malley (Head of School), Ms. Madeleine Bystrom (Elementary School Principal), and Dr. Nathan Meisner (Secondary School Principal) share recent highlights and expand on how the school has progressed as it prepares to mark its 68th year in education.
Highlights from RIS Leaders
Dr. Jim O’Malley
Head of School
“In the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year, our boarding residence program at the main RIS Minburi campus will enable us to support 100 students. We’re excited to welcome more students from various backgrounds, supporting our mission of fostering global citizens and further enriching a diverse, inclusive community.
“We’re also enhancing special support programs, like English Language Development and Learning Support, to ensure every student reaches their fullest potential.”
Ms. Madeleine Bystrom
Elementary School Principal
“In response to parents’ requests, we successfully reintegrated Pre-K 2 into our Early Childhood program. Focusing on child-centered learning, we invested in advanced training for our Early Childhood teachers in the Reggio Emilia approach to foster education and strong relationships.
“We were also excited to launch our new indoor playground this year, which provides a safe, year-round space for children to thrive.”
Dr. Nathan Meisner
Secondary School Principal
“For students preparing for higher education, we offer the best support to help them choose a career path. This includes opportunities for students, parents, and advisors to share ideas, explore various fields, and build a solid academic foundation. Most importantly, we focus on instilling confidence in our students to make their own decisions.
“RIS helps high school students plan their studies, whether through the AP or IB Diploma—or a combination tailored to their interests and needs—so each student can create clear, individualized goals. RIS also prepares students with solid academics and fosters strong alumni relationships to create learning and networking opportunities in various career fields for current students.
In addition to RIS Ruamrudee International School‘s main campus in Minburi, Bangkok—also home to the affiliated German-speaking RIS Swiss Section—three other campuses continue the RIS legacy across Thailand. The RIS Early Years Campus on Phraya Suren Road focuses on early childhood education, while the RIS Ratchapruek Campus serves the Nonthaburi community. The newly opened RIS Phuket Campus, located by Chalong Bay, marks the first RIS campus outside Bangkok.
With a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and essential life skills, RIS Ruamrudee continues to nurture well-rounded, responsible global citizens ready to make a difference.
