About Us
WE ARE GRACE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
ABOUT GRACE
Grace International School (GIS) was founded in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to meet a critical need in the missions community. Faithful men and women serving all over Southeast Asia and beyond were faced with returning to their home countries because of inadequate educational options for their children. GIS moved quickly to address this issue. As we pass our 20th anniversary, we currently serve as one of the largest faith-based international schools in the world—with over 500 students yearly, whose families represent over 85 member organizations and serve in 40+ countries across the globe.
GIS uses the American curriculum while integrating biblical truths into the classroom to ensure a rigorous education as well as spiritual growth. Our staff have taken a leap of faith in raising their own support to teach here. They share both their knowledge and personal life journey with Christ to students. Alongside our full-time academic program, we also offer educational support in the form of adaptive instruction and access to long distance education. Our students also have opportunities to participate in clubs, compete in sports, and get involved in community outreach.
Our vision is to see every student being equipped with a Biblical worldview to impact the world for Christ
SUPERINTENDENT'S WELCOME
Hear from Superintendent Steve Anderson on the heart behind GIS and what makes the school a unique place to study at.
OUR MISSION
Ever since we opened our doors in 1999, GIS has existed to enable international Christian workers to remain abroad while knowing that the educational and spiritual needs of their children are being met.
We are committed to consistent Biblical Christianity, and these biblical values are at the center of our mission and vision. Read more about our mission, vision, and core values.
OUR HISTORY
Back in the the 1990s, Founder Gene Foltz and his wife Sherrie felt God calling them to start a school that would keep international Christian workers in the field long term without having to return to their home countries or sacrifice their children’s education.
Over two decades later, God has graciously grown that vision into what is now one of the largest Christian international schools in the world. Read on to learn more about how God has led Grace International School through a journey full of hurdles and grace to be where we are today.
2019
Looking Towards the Future
By God’s provision, GIS moved into its new campus just in time to start the 2019–2020 school year. We are continually dedicated to serving our ever-expanding community as we live out our original mission of equipping students to impact the world for Christ and supporting ministries in the region.
2016
The Need to Move
A court dispute over the property ownership threatened the continued use of the secondary site. After losing the lawsuit, GIS vacated its campus of 17 years to share a campus with another school as we finished building a new property further south.
2004
Time of Growth
God enabled the purchase of a former sports facility on nine acres of land. On Aug. 27, 2004, the new elementary building was dedicated. The school continued to grow over the years to teach more than 500 full-time students each year.
1999
Opening the Doors
A few years after Founder Gene Foltz met with a handful of partner organizations to formally start the process of establishing a school for international Christian workers, GIS finally opened its doors to 176 students.
GET TO KNOW OUR CAMPUS
Our campus is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand—home to over 5,000 missionaries and non-profit workers, serving in hundreds of various organizations. Chiang Mai is a strategic hub and launching point, with one-third of the world’s population living within a three-hour flight, and seventy-percent of unreached people dwelling in the surrounding 10 countries. It is our privilege to serve this growing community and its needs. On 37 acres, our campus is split between academics and our expanding athletics complex.
MEET OUR BOARD
The Grace International School Board of Trustees (BOT) is the governing board of GIS and is made up of representatives of GIS Owner Organizations. They work hard to ensure that the school is accomplishing its mission and vision. Get to know what they do to help GIS serve its community well.
