FAQs
Admissions & Enrollment
Please be informed that Esara’s official policy is that students can only join on ‘New Term’ start dates. However, we have year round offerings for language classes and other learning activities through the Indigo Language Center and Esara Enrichment Programs available for all ages.
Esara International School accepts students from ages 1.5 (18 months) up to 16 years.
The Montessori curriculum and model for learning can be attractive for special needs families, but not always the best classroom environment. As such, we work with parents to see if the support Esara can provide is adequate. We review each prospective student’s abilities, special needs, and learning accommodation requests carefully, on a case-by-case basis. If Esara is able to provide the necessary support, we may accept the student. However, please note that Esara does not have special education classes, or, teacher aides in the classroom designated to monitor specific, special needs students. Our Lead and Assistant Teachers work to maintain the classroom as a whole, with unique student expectations for independent montessori learning. With that, parents and the Esara team may decide the school is not a good fit.
Esara’s kitchen team and staff can accommodate students with food allergies by preparing special meals for them. However, if the requirements are too complex for our kitchen to safely manage, we may not be able to provide these services.
Esara International School values diversity, community, and academic excellence as key principles to our success. Our admissions process is a reflection of this, as we conduct an interview and review the student’s reports and recommendation letters from their previous school.
We recommend planning or submitting applications at least six months in advance for the best preparation.
Daily Life
During smoke season in Chiang Mai, or, when inclement weather occurs, classrooms are shifted into recess areas, with free time where kids can still play together safely and grow. Lunch is served inside the classroom. Teachers and staff are present throughout the lunch/recess time with first aid supplies and training and close monitoring practices for the groups.
Esara provides lunch for all students, with buffet style service brought to each classroom, as well as a morning and afternoon staff. Typically, lunch consists of thai-style dishes (no/less spicy) with sides of vegetables, fruit, and other nutritious options. To assist children with their lunch, teachers and staff chaperone behavior and meal etiquette.
Students arrive between 8-9 am each day and are supervised in the classroom before starting the work cycle as a class at 9 am. Program offerings for before-school may include availability for tutoring with our Indigo Language Center team. However, most of our program offerings are for after school.
Esara offers after school ‘enrichment’ programs each school day, from 3:30 until 4:30 pm. Our team of teachers work to provide a wide variety of options for this, including unique art and outdoor classes, drama, cooking, muy thai, football, robotics, chess, child care for toddler students, and more. For more information about Enrichment Programs, visit our Extracurriculars page under the ‘Campus Life’ tab on our website.
Esara International School policies and procedures reflect best practices of safety, operations, and professionalism for all parties involved. For specific information about school policies, procedures, and codes of conduct, please reach out to our Admissions Team.
