Mr. James Edward O'Malley, High School Principal MS in Educational Leadership, University of Central Florida BS in Physical Education, Florida State University
Greetings from the high school at Ruamrudee International School. This is my first year at RIS and in Thailand. This is my 21st year in education and all 21 years have been spent in international schools. I have worked at Florida Air Academy (now Florida Prep) in the United States, Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogota Colombia, The International Community School of Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. I am joined on campus with my wife Crissy who teaches 3rd grade, my son Tyler who is a sophomore, and Megan and Caleb who are 4th and 2nd graders in our elementary school.
There is an unparalleled sense of family here, and you can feel the instant you step on campus. If you ask any of the adults here what they love about RIS, they will inevitably identify our students. As the school year started, I can’t begin to tell you how many teachers expressed their excitement to return to school and see their students after the summer break. They are the heart and soul that drives our school. Combine our incredibly talented students with our impressive group of faculty and staff and it all adds up to an educational experience that is second to none.
As an educator, it is not very often that one has the opportunity to work in a school that has a super academically motivated group of students, students that are respectful and disciplined, a group of talented, competent, and creative educators, and a supportive, focused administration. Runrudee International school has all of that. Many educators can work their entire careers and not ever have each of those aspects under one roof. I am fortunate to be the principal here and couldn’t be more excited to work with the group that makes up the high school at RIS.
Go Phoenix!
Sara Ghorayeb, High School Assistant Principal MS in Educational Leadership, American College of Education MA in Multidisciplinary Studies, SUNY Buffalo University
Hi! I have been the High School Assistant Principal at RIS for the past six years. My husband, Said, is a member of our college counseling department. If you ask me what I love about RIS, the first thing that comes to mind is our hard-working, kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and caring students. I love living in Thailand, and my favorite place, without question, is Chiang Mai. I love spending time there shopping, eating, and just enjoying the great vibe of that area. My hobbies include experimenting with fermented foods, such as kefir, kombucha, and sourdough. One thing most people generally don’t know about me is that I completed my student teaching at Woodstock School in Landour, India—next to the town of Mussoorie in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Overview
In high school (HS), our academic program is dedicated to preparing students for success at the university level and beyond by fulfilling our mission to graduate “successful, balanced, and compassionate individuals.” Our teachers structure courses and lessons to make sure students are engaged and challenged and to help them become independent learners. Our four full-time high school counselors work closely with our students to educate and prepare them for admission to higher education facilities. Current students and RIS alumni have an impressive record of matriculating to the top colleges and universities around the world.
For many decades, RIS has offered both Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program. We are one of only a handful of schools in Southeast Asia to offer students both of these world-class programs. RIS students continue to achieve some of the best IB and AP results, not only in Thailand but far exceeding world averages. Our 1:1 laptop program and diverse learning platforms allow students to develop and hone the skills they need now and as they move toward the future, namely critical thinking, collaboration, Internet literacy, innovation, and technological fluency.
In combination with the high school’s focus on academics, RIS continues to emphasize character education and a commitment to global citizenship and responsibility. Beyond the classroom, the majority of our students choose to participate in competitive athletic programs, performing and visual arts, academic competitions in various subject areas, and diverse clubs, many of which focus on community service. Ultimately, the high school experience at RIS centers on developing the attributes and achievements that each student needs to meet his or her goals and aspirations.
Courses in grades 9–12 are modeled after an American curriculum, adapted and enriched to serve our international student population. This core college-preparatory curriculum allows students to identify and develop their individual interests throughout their high school years. We begin in grades 9 and 10 by building a strong foundation in the fundamental subjects: English, mathematics, science, and social studies, with additional courses providing balance and creating a diverse learning experience for each student. These include physical education, the arts, values, additional modern languages, and a range of enticing electives.
In grades 11 and 12, students continue to build their knowledge base by choosing from a broad selection of advanced courses—currently over 50 IB classes and 20 AP classes—as well as an array of general courses and electives.
All students in grades 8–11 are given a detailed Program of Studies to help make informed choices about their academic pathway and the courses they wish to take. Students are encouraged to share this information with their parents and to spend time consulting with teachers and counselors whenever possible about specific classes.
High school students begin most days with their homeroom teacher and classmates. This provides opportunities for participation and supported growth for all students, as well as ensures ongoing connections. Students then move on to their daily classes—five periods including an extended morning break—then a break for lunch before the final block of the day. RIS is excited to be integrating a flexible learning block in the high school schedule to give students a chance to get extra help from teachers, take on additional learning opportunities, meet with club or activity advisors, and complete other work with classmates and teachers. Many students remain on campus after classes end at 2:40 to participate in athletics, study at the library, or take part in other school activities.
To qualify for a diploma, students must earn a total of 36 credits (32 credits for the Class of 2019, 2020, 2021), complete their final year of high school at RIS, and fulfill the followingminimum requirements.
College Counseling
Each year, more than 200 colleges and universities from around the world visit our campus to recruit RIS students. College representatives recognize the individuality and academic excellence of our students and often provide wonderful feedback, such as “We love RIS students!” and “The RIS students we accept are hard-working, intelligent, and a pleasure to get to know.”
As students’ individual personalities, skills, and ambitions help set them apart from their peers and are central to their college applications, the counselors encourage each child to learn as much about himself or herself before researching colleges. We want our students to find the college that “fits best” and therefore the opportunity to reach their goals and potential. Students and families are encouraged to use all of the assets made available by their individual counselor and the resources of the counseling office in general.
Welcome to the RIS Counseling Office! Thank you for your interest in our incredible students. We use Counselor Community (formerly RepVisits) to schedule Rep appointments. If you would like to schedule a visit to our campus to meet our students and introduce them to your college/university, please visit the Counselor Community website.
Click here for further details about the best times to visit and where to find us on campus.
Summer School
Our high school offers a three-week summer program that gives RIS students opportunities to achieve the greatest academic success in their final years at RIS. Courses are offered across the HS curriculum. This allows students the luxury of selecting classes that best support their educational goals for the summer and the school year to come. Students may also choose a required elective course, such as PE or Values, during the summer to free up a credit hour during the upcoming school year for an even more rigorous class schedule.
Other courses are designed to further strengthen a student’s established skills and guide them to the next level of understanding. Likewise, specific courses have been chosen to further the enrichment and acceleration of their prior learning. Here is a list of the 2019 High School Summer School Courses. To register, click here.
