Schools In Khon Kaen

[mrtoad]

My daughter who is currentlŷ in P2 is going to move to Khon Kaen at the end of the school year, as I am no longer working near Bangkok and it seems a bit pointless for her and the GF to be in BKk on their own. She has been attending a school with an Intensive English Programme in Bangkok, and I really want to find a good school for her to move to. So, hopefully some people may have some recommendations, Bi Lingual, IEP etc that they have had from their experiences, not just from a google search.

Thanks

[mrtoad]

Anybody?

[diggledunc]

I was in KK a few months ago and went to a school in the centre which was church run. Sorry I can't remember the name of it. They had a team of farang teachers and had a good reputation for English and I think had IEP, I am sure it did. It was south of Srichan Road on Klangmuang Road or one of those which run parallel but north of the lake. There can't be many church run schools so if you look in that area you should find it. I know some of the farang teachers have been there a few years and they think that creates a better school climate as they have seen the kids grow up and also the kids know them well. Might just be a good starting point. The farang teachers seemed very approachable.

[Neeranam]

There is one called mataneedol.

http://www.mataneedol.com/

[Filadog]

I have some experience with Khon Kaen schools and have found Patanadek to be best for my son who is now in P1. Used Mataneedol first, then went one year to KKVS (closest thing to an International school we have here-over rated and way over priced) and finally settled on Patanadek. Most of the English teachers are from the states (saw one Brit) and seem overall very good (actual teachers). My son has two English teachers, both from the states and quite professional. I am very pleased with them. Every year, the children from this school test highest on the entrance exam going into secondary school at Khon Kaen Wittaya. Patanadek is only a primary school. KK University has an EP program under the name KK Sahtit Suhksasa. I have been told the child must test-in for entrance (or pay 300,000 THB one-time gratuity). I have encountered older Thai children that speak reasonable English who attend there. The school Diggledunc spoke of is the Catholic school, Maha Thai, but I do not recommend it as I have some friends who were not satisfied with their children's progress there (test scores went down after one year there). Hope this helps.......

[Neeranam]

I have some experience with Khon Kaen schools and have found Patanadek to be best for my son who is now in P1. Used Mataneedol first, then went one year to KKVS (closest thing to an International school we have here-over rated and way over priced) and finally settled on Patanadek. Most of the English teachers are from the states (saw one Brit) and seem overall very good (actual teachers). My son has two English teachers, both from the states and quite professional. I am very pleased with them. Every year, the children from this school test highest on the entrance exam going into secondary school at Khon Kaen Wittaya. Patanadek is only a primary school. KK University has an EP program under the name KK Sahtit Suhksasa. I have been told the child must test-in for entrance (or pay 300,000 THB one-time gratuity). I have encountered older Thai children that speak reasonable English who attend there. The school Diggledunc spoke of is the Catholic school, Maha Thai, but I do not recommend it as I have some friends who were not satisfied with their children's progress there (test scores went down after one year there). Hope this helps.......

I agree with you about KKVS, well over-rated.

If speaking English is the most important thing then Pattanadek is the best but if your kids speak English at home, why the need and extra cost?

I have seen very able graduates of Mahathai, some look kreung, some not who have gone on to study at Chula/ABAC and MAs abroad.

However, at Mahathai, there are over 50 kids in some of the classes these days - it all, sadly, about money.

If your son is P2, I'd say save your money for a few years when he enters Matayom and get a decent school then.

[mrtoad]

Thanks for the comments, as I work in an area where there are no decent schools, my daughter has been going to school in Bangkok. We are very happy with the school, as it has a good program, and the English program is also good - there is also very little turnover in staff. However, it seems pointless to stay in Bangkok, when the rest of the family are in KK, and I think it would be better for her there at this point.

I really am not worried about school fees, it's about getting the best school available in that area. Pattanadek looks like the best option at this stage given the comments. As for Matayom, we will likely send her to The UK, for her secondary education.