1) The country must provide a good quality of life for our family, 2) the school must provide a great program for our children, and 3) the school must also provide great professional opportunities for Crissy and me. We feel like we hit the jackpot with RIS. I had the opportunity to visit the campus this spring and got a tremendous vibe from the RIS community. I’m really looking forward to being part of all that RIS offers.
Our family enjoys exploring the great outdoors, traveling, and experiencing different cultures. We haven’t lived in Asia before and look forward to having the opportunity to travel in this part of the world. We’re especially eager to experience the beauty and culture of Thailand, having heard only great things about this country. We feel very fortunate to be landing in Bangkok.
I’m a sports enthusiast, and some may even call me a “sports junkie.” A fun fact about me is that I have coached or directed two Olympic medalists, two NBA basketball players (including an NBA champion), a major league baseball home-run champion, two players who won 3 NCAA basketball championships, multiple MLB draft picks and players, and more than 20 NCAA Division 1 basketball players.
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.
HS Profile 2017–2018
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 following minimum requirements.
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.
Click here to view our current counseling HS Profile.
