About Us

Mission:
DIS develops students who will impact the world with
Intelligence, Integrity, and Love.

Daniel International School began from the efforts of a couple from Hong Kong - professional educators who came to serve in Thailand as Chinese teachers in local schools. The idea was birthed in them to establish a quality school in Surat Thani meeting international standards, and rooted in Christian values.

DIS provides a holistic internationally based curriculum, striving to combine best research and practices from around the world, and employing school leaders with a wealth of knowledge and experience with international schools.
The school curriculum addresses not only academic content and skills standards, but concept-based learning, learning for understanding (creative and critical thinking), and students’ ability to transfer knowledge to real life application.
In addition to core subjects, DIS offers Arts, Physical & Health Education, Mandarin Chinese, Thai Language & Culture,
and Spiritual/Character education, developing students who are confident, culturally aware
communicators and creative problem solvers, ready to lead and serve their communities.

D DISCERNMENT

At DIS, learning extensive knowledge, developing higher-order thinking skills,
and being able to transfer knowledge to new situations are only the beginning. Discernment goes deeper than knowledge, as it is part of a process of personal transformation that develops wisdom and connects our minds to our hearts.
We value this growth and development of the whole person.

I INTEGRITY

DIS values the highest ethical standards as an organization and supports our students to internalize these standards within their own lives. Integrity is about consistency of who we are in our inner being with what we do and how we do it, whether seen or unseen
by others. We see this alignment of values
as part of our students' personal transformation.

S SERVICE WITH LOVE

At DIS, we care not only for our own interests but for the interests of others. Paradoxically, we believe that people experience the deepest joy and meaning when their lives are lived for a purpose bigger than and outside of themselves.
We truly find our lives when we give our lives away. Discovering this is part of the process and result of personal transformation.

ABOUT OUR FOUNDERS

Our founders, Stone and Yuk Lee, are two highly passionate and successful Hong Kong educators, who have been serving in the education field since the 90's of the last century. They graduated in Chinese Language and Literature from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and are authors of two books. In their 30’s they attained their master degree in Columbia International University in the USA.

Their career path while in Hong Kong ranged from teaching in secondary schools to being language support officers in the Education Department developing and implementing Education Reform in various schools.

They had a vision to come to Surat Thani and serve for twelve years teaching Mandarin in various schools. Stone taught Chinese language most of the time as a teacher in universities and other schools, while Yuk worked as a full-time secondary school Chinese teacher in Suratpitttaya secondary school.

Here in Surat Thani, they began to develop a vision and become aware of the need for a quality international school, leading towards how God put a soft voice in their hearts, "You can start a better school."

So they asked God to help them open a school for Surat Thani to provide quality education for the youth and future of Thailand. It is their vision and passion to develop the students holistically in every way through the education they receive at the school.

head of school

FOUNDING HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Thomas J. Penland

Doctor in Education
International Educator in Malaysia for 10 years.
Principal of two public high schools in the US for 7 years.
Founder of two international schools in South Korea for 25 years.
Successfully led two international schools, (TCIS & GSIS), to become the first and second three-program IB schools in Korea.
Successfully attained WASC accreditation at GSIS in one year.
Strong in teacher recruitment and retention.
WASC Visiting Committee chairperson over the past 25 years in international schools in East Asia.

FUTURE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Brian Van Tassel

Working experience in International Christian School of Hong Kong for more than 24 years.

Math Teacher
Academic Dean
High School Principal
Co-Curricular Education & Pastoral Care
Interim Head of School

Need-Based Scholarship Program Year 2024/2025 Intake

(for Local Thai Applicants to
Attend DIS)

The School Scholarship Program, administered and funded by Daniel International School (DIS), aims to offer financial assistance for students with limited
financial means. Scholarships are available to students entering Grade 5 - Grade 8 in the 2024/2025
academic year, who exhibit a commitment to Academic Excellence, leadership, social responsibility, or other commendable attributes.

The amount of assistance provided to the selected students is determined based on financial need. The DIS Scholarship Program can cover up to 100% of the school fees including Entrance Fee, Tuition Fee, Lunch Fee and other fees if needed.

Eligibility and requirements:

Native Thai Nationality
Has attended a local Thai school for a minimum of two years prior to the application and the last two years must have an average grade of 3.0 GPA
Demonstrates an outstanding academic and conduct record.

*After acceptance, the student has to keep one’s yearly GPA above 2.5/4

Application Period :
September - December 2024

For more details and how to apply:
https://forms.gle/eKKbuvnpJP565sAB6