![](https://doctor-property.co.th/wp-content/themes/drproperty/assets/images/icon-currency-conversion-2-white.svg" "Switch currency"){kind=icon}
For families considering moving to Koh Samui, education is often one of the first practical questions to address. While the island is best known internationally for its beaches and tropical lifestyle, Koh Samui also has a growing selection of international and bilingual schools serving both expatriate and Thai families.
The choice of international schools in Koh Samui is naturally smaller than in Bangkok, Phuket or other major population centres, but families can choose between British, Cambridge, French and other international education options covering different age groups.
School location can also have a major influence on where a family decides to live. Koh Samui is not a large island, but daily journeys can vary considerably depending on traffic, road conditions and whether a home is located on the coast or further into the hills.
For families researching schools in Koh Samui alongside areas to live, this guide provides an introduction to some of the island’s main international education options.
International School of Samui (ISS)
International School of Samui is one of the island’s established international schools and is located in the Bophut area of north-east Koh Samui.
The school provides education from the early years through secondary education and follows a British-style curriculum with Cambridge programmes. Its student population includes children from numerous nationalities, reflecting Koh Samui’s increasingly international resident community.
The school’s location makes it particularly convenient for families living in Bophut, Bangrak, Chaweng, Plai Laem and Choeng Mon.
These areas also contain some of the island’s largest selections of residential property, making the north-east particularly popular with families looking for villas for sale in Koh Samui within reasonable travelling distance of schools, shops and other everyday amenities.
PBISS – The British International School of Samui
PBISS – The British International School of Samui is another option for families seeking an English-language international education on the island.
The school follows a British educational approach and serves a range of age groups. Families considering PBISS should contact the school directly for current information concerning available year groups, curriculum, admissions requirements and fees.
For parents choosing between Koh Samui international schools, it is worth arranging a school visit rather than making a decision based solely on websites or recommendations. Class sizes, teaching style, facilities and the general atmosphere of a school can be just as important as the curriculum itself.
Windfield International School
Windfield International School is located in the Lamai area and provides an interesting alternative for families who would prefer to live on the east or south-east side of Koh Samui.
The school offers international education pathways including British/Cambridge and French education options.
The availability of a French programme makes Windfield particularly noteworthy for French-speaking families considering living in Koh Samui with children.
Its Lamai location also means families do not necessarily need to base themselves in the heavily developed north-east of the island.
Lamai property includes private pool villas, family homes and hillside properties, while the area itself provides supermarkets, restaurants, markets, healthcare and numerous everyday services.
Greenacre International School
Greenacre International School provides another international education option on Koh Samui.
The school follows the English National Curriculum while adapting its approach to an international and multilingual student population. Environmental awareness and learning connected with nature also form an important part of the school’s educational philosophy.
Greenacre may therefore appeal particularly to parents looking for a smaller international-school environment and an educational approach connected with Koh Samui’s natural surroundings.
Lamai International School
Families considering the Lamai area can also investigate Lamai International School.
As with the other schools on the island, parents should contact the school directly to confirm its current curriculum, available year groups, admissions procedures and tuition fees.
Having multiple education options around Lamai has helped make the wider area increasingly practical for international families who prefer the south-east of the island to Bophut, Chaweng or the north-east.
Choosing an International School in Koh Samui
There is no single best international school in Koh Samui for every child. The right choice will depend on the child’s age, previous education, language requirements and the family’s longer-term plans.
Parents should consider several factors before making a decision:
- Curriculum and examination system
- Age groups and year levels available
- Class sizes
- Teaching languages
- School facilities
- Extracurricular activities
- Learning support
- School transport
- Tuition and additional fees
- Distance from home
For families who expect to return to Europe or move to another country later, curriculum continuity may be particularly important. A child who is already studying within the British, Cambridge or French education system may benefit from remaining within a compatible programme.
How Much Do International Schools in Koh Samui Cost?
International school fees in Koh Samui vary considerably depending on the school and the child’s age.
In addition to annual or term tuition fees, parents should check for registration charges, deposits, uniforms, meals, transport, examinations, extracurricular activities and other costs.
School fees and admissions policies can change, so families should obtain the latest fee schedule directly from each school rather than relying on older information found online.
Availability can also be important. Families planning an international move should ideally contact schools before committing to a property, particularly when places are required for several children or specific year groups.
Where Should Families Live in Koh Samui?
Choosing where to live in Koh Samui with children often becomes easier once the children’s school has been selected.
Families using schools around Bophut and the north-east may find Bophut, Bangrak, Plai Laem, Choeng Mon and Chaweng particularly convenient.
Bophut is especially popular with international families because it combines residential neighbourhoods with supermarkets, restaurants, Fisherman’s Village and relatively easy access to much of north-east Samui.
Plai Laem and Choeng Mon provide quieter residential environments while remaining close to Bophut, Chaweng and the airport. Both areas also contain a substantial selection of family villas and pool villas in Koh Samui.
Families choosing a school around Lamai may instead prefer Lamai, Chaweng Noi or surrounding south-east Koh Samui. Lamai has developed into a substantial community in its own right, meaning families can access most everyday services without regularly travelling to Bophut or Chaweng.
Maenam can also be worth considering for families wanting a quieter north-coast environment, particularly when the chosen school remains within a manageable daily journey.
Think About the School Run Before Choosing a Property
A common mistake when moving to Koh Samui with a family is judging distances entirely from a map.
Ten kilometres on Koh Samui does not always represent the same journey time. Traffic around busy areas, school opening and closing times, road construction and the location of a villa in the hills can all affect the daily commute.
A spectacular sea-view villa may require driving several kilometres down a steep hillside before even reaching the main road.
For a holiday home this may be relatively unimportant. When making the journey to school twice every weekday, it becomes considerably more relevant.
Families looking at Koh Samui property for sale should therefore test the actual journey between a prospective home and school rather than relying solely on the distance shown online.
Is Koh Samui Suitable for Families With Children?
Koh Samui has developed far beyond being simply a holiday destination.
The island now supports a substantial permanent international community alongside its Thai population. International schools, private hospitals, supermarkets, sports facilities, children’s activities and an increasing range of services have made family life in Koh Samui considerably more practical.
There are nevertheless differences compared with living in a major city. The selection of schools and specialist educational services is smaller, and families with older children should consider future secondary education and university plans well in advance.
For many families, however, the trade-off is the opportunity for children to grow up in an international community with beaches, outdoor activities and nature forming part of everyday life.
Moving to Koh Samui With a Family
For parents planning a move to the island, it usually makes sense to investigate education before beginning a serious property search.
Shortlist the appropriate Koh Samui international schools, arrange visits, understand the admissions process and then consider which residential areas provide a practical daily journey.
Once the school location is established, choosing between Bophut, Plai Laem, Choeng Mon, Chaweng, Maenam, Lamai and other parts of Koh Samui becomes considerably easier.
At Doctor Property, we work with buyers and families looking for property for sale in Koh Samui across the island. Understanding where a family needs to be for schools, work and everyday life helps narrow the property search to locations that are genuinely practical rather than simply attractive on a map.
