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The history of QSI School Phuket (QSIP) is not a recent development. Established in 1990, the Phuket International School, the first international school on the island, was founded by a collective of expatriate parents. Their aim was to offer their children an educational alternative to the existing Thai school system.

Several years later, the school came under the aegis of Quality School International, an American non-profit organization that oversees 38 educational institutions across 31 countries. Under this new governance, the school continued to develop steadily, maintaining its founding philosophy: to enable children to showcase their best selves.

The parental advisory board remains an integral part of its governance, ensuring the school’s commitment to stay a close-knit community where every student can be known and recognized.

Unlike other institutions that require a significant contribution in addition to tuition fees at the time of admission, QSIP has implemented a more affordable annual fee, applicable only in the final four years of secondary education (ages 14 and up), in addition to regular tuition.

Though it boasts a limited array of high-quality sports facilities, QSIP utilizes its resources to provide an almost individualized approach for its students. In smaller class settings, each instructor can focus on their students, catering to their specific needs effectively. Echoing its motto ‘Success for all,’ QSIP is dedicated to ensuring every student achieves their potential, aligned with their future academic and other aspirations. Welcoming children from the age of two, QSIP provides an educational journey through to their graduation. Its inaugural graduate set off into the world in 2004.

To maintain a human dimension, QSIP accommodates around a hundred children ranging in age from two to eighteen years old. Interaction thus exists between all age groups: everyone knows each other, and it is not unusual to see upper-level students helping or advising primary-level children with their studies. On a voluntary basis, some final-year students serve as assistants to primary teachers during extracurricular sessions.

Beyond academic teaching, QSIP is committed to instilling and nurturing seven qualities in its students that are considered essential: Reliability, Responsibility, Teamwork, Initiative, Kindness and Politeness, Interaction, and Respect for the Environment. The assessment of these qualities continues throughout the course of their studies.

Not all new students at QSIP have English as their native language. To facilitate their course comprehension and streamline their integration, QSIP provides complimentary English language support classes. These intensive sessions are held in lieu of the standard English lessons attended by students who have already achieved proficiency.

The final period of the afternoon, from 2:30 PM to 3:20 PM, is allocated for students to engage in homework and pose questions to their teacher for further clarification on any specific aspect of the curriculum.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the last period is dedicated to extracurricular activities, with a program that rotates every three months. Offerings include music, Zumba or yoga, board games, gardening, arts, sports, and languages such as Chinese, French, and Russian. Some activities are complimentary, while others require a fee.

The school has established a community assistance program that includes beach clean-up sessions, visits to orphanages, internships with organizations aiding distressed animals (such as the Soi Dog Foundation, Gibbon Rehabilitation Center, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary), and support for underprivileged children (Asia Center Foundation).

Twice a year, senior students embark on a three-day educational trip to a nearby island. The agenda includes camping, studying local fauna and flora, and engaging in water sports. These excursions are mandatory and fully integrated into the school curriculum.

In collaboration with a local diving school, QSIP also offers older students (starting from age 12) the opportunity to earn PADI diving certifications at a reduced cost.

Activities such as the community assistance program, school trips, and diving courses offer students the chance to earn additional credits.

“Children must have time to play.” This is one of the core beliefs of Jim Gilson, the co-founder of QSI. Consequently, the workload and the amount of homework assigned are kept to a minimum during the early years, with the school maintaining that children learn all that is necessary during class hours. Naturally, the volume of homework gradually increases as students progress towards higher education. However, for a secondary student who works consistently, the time allocated to homework does not exceed an average of two to three hours per day. The evaluation of students is ongoing, eschewing annual or semester-end examinations for weekly tests and quizzes.

These regular assessments ensure that students have comprehended the current chapter before moving on to the next. If necessary, teachers may allow a student who has not performed well to review and restudy the content and retake the test to achieve a better grade. In addition to these assessments, each student participates in the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test conducted in the fall and spring. This evaluation measures a student’s skills in oral English, written English, and mathematics. A student’s results are then compared with those of other students taking the MAP test within the school, regionally, and globally. This comparison identifies areas where the student may need to exert additional effort to meet the required standards. Importantly, the MAP test serves as an indicator, and its scores do not impact the student’s official academic records.

QSIP is accredited and certified by the Thai Ministry of Education, the National Association of Private Schools of Thailand (ONESQA), the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA/CESS), and the College Board.

Moreover, each student participates in the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing conducted biannually, during autumn and spring. This assessment gauges a student’s proficiency in oral and written English, as well as mathematics. Following the test, a student’s performance is benchmarked against the outcomes of other students at the school, regional, and international levels. This comparison assists in identifying specific areas where a student may need to apply additional efforts to achieve the required educational standards. It is important to note that the MAP test acts as an informative tool, with its scores not affecting the student’s official academic records.

 

The educational pathways available at QSIP culminate in one of three distinct high school diplomas, each suited to different post-secondary ambitions:

1. The General High School Diploma, which is sufficient for entry into technical schools and some universities.
2. The Academic High School Diploma includes the standard curriculum as well as the SAT examinations required by many higher education institutions.
3. The Academic High School Diploma with Honors, which extends beyond the official curriculum to include two Advanced Placement (AP) courses required by top-tier universities.

During the final two years at QSIP, students decide which type of diploma they need to pursue their higher education goals. A counselor and the school director are available weekly to assist students in selecting the pathway that best aligns with their aspirations.

Many universities and higher education institutions around the world have welcomed graduates from QSI. Here is a non-exhaustive list:

For more information on QSIP (in English), click here.

Quality School International Phuket (QSIP)
81/4 Moo. 1 Chalermphrakiat Ror. 9 Road Kathu Chang Wat Phuket 83120

Director : M. Rob Peters

+66 (0)76 304 301
www.qsi.org/phuket
qsi.phuket
qsiphuket