Serious ambition requires serious education.

BISA provides an international academic pathway intentionally designed around the life of a student-athlete. The programme combines rigorous international standards with the flexibility, advising and support required by students managing training, tournaments, travel and recovery.

The academic programme does not work around sport. It works with the realities of the student-athlete journey.

The curriculum and the diploma.

An American curriculum for Grades 6 to 12, built on the Emilio Sánchez American Schools curriculum, proven with student-athletes and sending its graduates to US colleges for years, adapted for Asia with the knowledge and experience of the local team.

It leads to a High School Diploma requiring at least 24 credits, awarded to students who complete BISA's approved graduation requirements, with Thai language, culture and history requirements included. Built on recognised standards: AERO, Common Core-aligned, NGSS, ACTFL, ISTE, CASEL.

The school licence is under review by the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC), and academic programmes are subject to final regulatory approval. After licensing, BISA will pursue accreditation with the Middle States Association (MSA) and WASC.

Credits and NCAA alignment.

Subject	Type	Credits
English	Core	4
Mathematics	Core	4
Natural and physical science	Core	4
Social science	Core	4
World language	Potential core	2
Thai studies, fine arts, capstone	Non-core	2
Tennis or golf pathway	Non-core	4

Six credits a year in Grades 9 to 12, the same for every pathway.

The NCAA does not accredit schools; eligibility is determined by the NCAA Eligibility Center. BISA offers guidance, not a guarantee.

Flexible does not mean easier.

We measure understanding and completion, not hours sitting in a chair. Small cohorts: teachers, coaches and counsellors know every student by name and meet weekly on each student's workload. The timetable moves around training and competition; coaching sits inside school hours. Tournament travel comes with academic continuity so players never fall behind while competing.

What learning at BISA develops.

01
Academic mastery
02
Critical thinking
03
Communication
04
Innovation and AI literacy
05
Independent learning
06
Global and future readiness

Middle school and high school.

01
Grades 6 to 8
Foundations, routines, executive function, nutrition, sports psychology and leadership introduced through the life-skills electives.
02
Grades 9 to 12
The credit programme, NCAA-aligned courses, portfolio building and university advising from Grade 9.

University preparation.

US college planning starts in Grade 6, not Grade 11: GPA structure, NCAA core courses, portfolio building, university advising. For most student-athletes the strongest bridge is US college sport on an academic or athletic scholarship; the programme also prepares students for global universities and careers.

Academic leadership.

Sudarat T. Attanawin
School Director Designate · Founding Education AdvisorInternational education leader with 40 years of experience in school establishment, academic leadership, accreditation and authorisation.
Portrait to come
Michael L. Smith
Academic Partner · Superintendent, Emilio Sánchez American SchoolsBrings the ES academic model and its US-college track record to BISA.