ASB SUKHUMVIT CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION

Perspective of the additional new classroom building
at the ASB Sukhumvit Campus –
which will be fully funtional by January 2007

The American School of Bangkok is no ordinary international school, though it makes no pretension as to what it may become. From its most humble beginning as the very first international kindergarten (then known as Didyasarin International School) of Thailand, it had sought to instill excellence and values in its children. In the first, formative years as an international kindergarten, parents began to notice that their children of 4-6 years old could read the English-language newspapers correctly and understood what they read. Moreover they could perform on stage, and spoke English with a native tongue. They were also much disciplined in their character. They were taught to think first before they wanted to remember.

Those were years of hard works, but they also created wonders for us at the school. The parents and the children were the inspirations. The school was opened with only 90 students, with one building on a very small area of land, and a limited staff. But it did attract attention as well as imagination from far and wide for the potentials it could become. The then Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Bhichai Rattakul, presided over the opening ceremony, while His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch (then Deputy Supreme Patriarch) performed the religious blessings. Since then the school has grown by the leaps and bounds.
Great strides have been made over the years, both in the educational and creative arts areas. Soon the school found itself in need of expansion. It could no longer be just an international kindergarten. Decisions were made at the request of parents to accommodate their children at an elementary and middle school at the Sukhumvit campus, and a full-fledged Pre Kindergarten - Grade 12 classes at the Bangna campus.

The elementary and middle school was opened in Sukhumvit in 1995. This time it was His Excellency Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai who presided over the opening ceremony. He was gracious in saying that "the opening of this international school is a most auspicious event. It signifies that the school has come of age, and it signifies that Thailand can now compete successfully on the international level insofar as international education is concerned."

Renamed as The American School of Bangkok in 2000, the institution is marked by experiential years of excellence. ASB is fully accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Ministry of Education. The school is also a leading and active member of the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).

The continuous quest and responsibility of the school has been to equip all students with the competencies, knowledge, and orientations that enable them to lead successful lives as a result of their schooling and experiences in an international environment. ASB is constantly forming working partnerships with educators to prepare today's students to adapt to new circumstances and technology throughout their lives. Our academic program allows children to think and create, and to become the innovators of tomorrow. The school incorporates a special model of instruction, which is a focused and powerful way of organizing both curriculum (what is taught) and instruction (the way it is taught). Our educational program is based upon the student's mastery of specific units or expectations. These units are defined in all subject areas, and at all instructional and developmental (age) levels. Clearly defined learning outcomes, learning materials, instruction, and student evaluation are aligned.

It is a strong belief of ASB that all students can learn. The school emphasizes not only on the academic success of the child, but the development of whole personality. Our institution focuses on the development of exceptional qualities as these: trustworthiness, a sense of responsibility, kindness and politeness, concern for others, group interaction, and independent endeavor.

A totally new era in development is now about to unfold. With wholehearted determination, dedication, enthusiasm, and an on going commitment for excellence, The American School of Bangkok is pleased to announce that the expansion of the ASB Sukhumvit Campus High School program (Grade 9-12) starts August 2003 with the completion of the full high school by August 2006. This is a historical and prestigious event for all of the family members of the ASB community. With this expansion, the school hopes to build the bases of a stronger community, in which the youth graduating from our high school will be playing a leading role in all aspects of our community.

It's been a long and arduous journey for ASB, but our ongoing commitment will always be towards meeting the needs of students and preparing them to be successful and responsible citizens of the world tomorrow.
The school expresses heartfelt thanks to the administration, faculty, parents, and staff for the enthusiasm and contribution towards the endeavor, and for all the efforts in helping to make this institution a better and a highly qualified place. Thank you for sustaining high educational standards, achievement in sporting and cultural pursuits and service to the ASB community, and most of all, for taking up this challenge with us. For this, we can take pride and step into the future with confidence and optimism!