History of Nakornpayap International School

Nakornpayap International School (NIS) was founded in 1993. A group of investors identified a need for a comprehensive, secular international school using a United States curriculum altered for the cultural and language needs of students at all grade levels within South East Asia.

At the time the one existing international school in Chiang Mai did not offer instruction beyond Grade 10. The original planners approached Ms. Aurawan Chaisorn to become an investor in the project.

At the time, she was interested in the project due to her desire to make sure that her nephew, whom she was raising, would receive an education that she felt confident with.

By the opening of the school, Ms. Aurawan was the sole investor and founder of the school.

The school originally opened at 164 Chiang Klan Road in September of 1993 with ten teachers and 36 students.

The first commencement ceremony occurred two years later in June 1995, with a graduating class of six students.

In December 1995 the school moved to the former Angate Sports Club near the Payap University Mae Khao campus.

The 1996/97 academic year was eventful in that NIS had its Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Candidacy Status visit, as well as the school receiving full licensure by the Thai Ministry of Education.

Full accreditation from WASC was received at the end of the 2000/01 academic year, making NIS the second school in northern Thailand to be accredited and the first in northern Thailand to be accredited from Preschool through Grade 12.

In December 2001, Piti Yimprasert, Ph.D., the parent of one of the students attending the school, purchased NIS.

The school officially came under new ownership on May 1, 2002. At that time Krishya Yimprasert, M.Sc. became the Managing Director of the school.

The new ownership immediately started to make major improvements in the school. Construction was started on a purpose built school facility and the school was completely re-resourced with up to date textbooks and computer equipment.

On March 3, 2003, as soon as the classrooms were ready for occupation, the school moved from its Angate location to its current location at San Phi Sua.

All construction of the current facilities was completed during the spring semester of the 2003/04 academic year. Currently, NIS has graduates who are pursuing or have pursued higher education in over 14 countries around the world.

Other students have started their own businesses or gone into family businesses. A fair number have remained in communication with the school and their old teachers over the years.

While the observable history of NIS has been a positive one, it is the intangible history that is most important. It is the memories, friendships and relationships that started in the NIS community and have survived even after leaving the school itself.

Nakornpayap International School, 240 Moo 6, San Phi Sua, Muang, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand.
T: 053 110 680
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