Class sizes will generally be no more than the following:

·  Kindergarten & 1: 16 students per classroom

·  Grades 2-3: 18 students per classroom

·  Grades 4-5: 20 students per classroom

· Grades 6: 24 students per classroom

·  Grade 7-12: 24 students per classroom

1.Developmental Readiness Scale (KRA)

The KRA is used for all students applying for Kindergarten at Grace International School (GIS).  The KRA is used to help understand if a student is ready for the school setting at GIS.   It evaluates 8 different areas:
Visual Motor:   How the eyes and hands work together
Numbers:  Counting and using numbers with objects
Concepts:   Knowledge of facts and how things relate
Body Image:  Awareness of oneself and positions in space
Language:  Understanding and using words
Personal:  Ability to think and act independently
Fine Motor:   How the muscles in the hands and fingers work together
Gross Motor:   How the large muscles in the body work together

2.English Proficiency Tests

Grace International School uses a variety of tests for students who speak English as an additional language and are applying for Kindergarten – Grade 12.

Students applying for Kindergarten will be required to take both the English Proficiency Tests and portions of the KRA assessment to determine their language ability.

Grace International School assesses English language proficiency in these four categories: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Each of these four tests incorporate age-appropriate social and instructional language, the language of language arts, the language of mathematics, the language of science, and the language of social studies.

At Grace International School, we only have English language development support and not an intensive ESL Program. This is available for a limited number of students. Standard students are not eligible for language development support.

The Admissions Supervisor, George Thomas, can answer most of your questions about the application process. If she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she can find out who does!

The Principals welcome you to stop in. It is always nice to “put a name with a face.” The elementary school principal is Carole Steedman and secondary school principal is Anne Spohnhauer. They stay busy, but if you make an appointment, they’ll be available to meet you and your child/children.

The Guidance Counselor can help secondary students sign up for classes and receive a student schedule. Students are required to have transcripts or report cards from previous years’ courses on file at GIS in order to assure proper placement and to receive credits toward graduation.

In order to register for courses next year, go to Course Requests . There you will find information regarding courses offered, prerequisites for courses, graduation requirements, and more to assist you in requesting courses. If you have any questions please email to counselor@gisthailand.org.

Students interested in AP (Advanced Placement) courses must meet requirements set by GIS and follow the application process. AP course requirements can be found on the website. Selecting an AP course in the registration process does not guarantee admittance into the class. For more information contact the Academic Counselor at counselor@gisthailand.org.

All students must indicate the graduation plan which they intend to follow for graduation. Graduation options and requirements are available on the Graduation Requirements page. In the course registration process, parents will need to indicate which option they are choosing.

There are 6 periods per day. School starts at 8: 15 a.m. and goes through 3:15 p.m. GIS is organized by the credit system in high school whereby high school students earn a certain number of credits for each course. Graduation is based on students earning at least 24 credits during their high school career. No credits are assigned for middle school courses, except Algebra 1 if taken in eighth grade. See the PSMO Handbook (link?) for credit requirements.

Arranging transportation to and from school is the responsibility of the parent. Many families contract with song-taew and tuk-tuk drivers to provide transportation. Students transported by these means are expected to comply with any rules the drivers establish. Students may not stand on the step/tailgate of a moving vehicle under any circumstances.

GIS provides transportation to and from field trips and athletic events for the participants. Volunteer drivers must hold a current, valid Thai driver’s license, have lived in Thailand for at least six months, and be at least 25 years of age.

Each secondary student is assigned a locker. Students are responsible for the locker key and the general care and cleanliness of their lockers.

To obtain a locker:

Come to see your homeroom teacher on the first day of school or ask in the main office if you come later than the first day of school.

• You will be assigned a locker and given a key. The locker number matches the number on the key.
• The key is to be returned at the end of the year or upon withdrawal from the school. If keys are not returned at the end of the year or on the withdrawal date, student will be fined 500 baht.
• If a student loses a key during the school year and needs a replacement the cost is 500 baht.
• If a student forgets their key, they may “borrow” (have the locker opened for them) at a cost of 10 baht per time.

GIS is happy to offer a quality hot lunch program. A variety of Thai and western-style foods are offered, as well as a daily salad bar.

The school lunch plan can be purchased by the semester but not by the day. Students miss several meals per semester due to school sponsored trips, sending organization activities, medical needs, or other valid reasons and this has been factored into the price. If a child misses more than 25 school days of the semester, the finance office may be able to discount the price.

Menus for each quarter and additional information can be found under Lunch Services. New students are invited to try the lunch program the first week without obligation. If the students would like to sign up, parents are responsible for bringing payment to the finance office.

Parents may join their children for lunch by notifying the office two (2) days in advance and pay an adult guest fee.

All students enrolled at GIS are able to check out books from the library. No card is needed for check out. Elementary students visit the library once a week as a class and may also come in during 1st and 3rd recess with a pass. Secondary students may visit the library throughout the day with a paper pass or a library pass.

Hours

Student Hours

Tuesday & Friday: 7:55 AM – 3:30 PM

Wednesday: 9:35 AM – 3:30 PM

Monday & Thursday: 7:55 AM – 4:00 PM

Secondary Lunch: 12:00 – 12:20

Parent Hours

Morning:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:55 – 8:15 AM

Afternoon:

Monday: 3:15 – 4:00 PM

Thursday: 1:30 – 4:00 PM

Loan Periods & Limits

Accessing the Library Catalog and other Resources from Home

Click HERE to access the GIS Library catalog. You may search the catalog, check availability status, place books on hold, and access magazines and research tools. We also have Tumblebook Library, GALE Magazine Database, and World Book Online available. Please email library staff at library@gisthailand.org for usernames and passwords.

Kindergarten Half-day program

Hours: 8:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Wednesdays start time 9:45 – pickup time 3:15 p.m.)

Kindergarten Full day program – Grade 6

Hours: 8:25 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (Wednesdays start time 9:45)

Grade 7 – 12

Hours: 8:10 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (Wednesdays start time 9:40 a.m)