Bhutan’s First International School Opens in Thimphu

EtonHouse Bhutan International School has opened in Thimphu with nine students, with plans to expand enrolment, secondary classes and campus facilities in phases.

EtonHouse Bhutan International School, described as Bhutan’s first international school, formally opened in Thimphu on 31st August 2026 with its first cohort of nine students.

The school currently offers classes from Kindergarten to Year Six and plans to expand enrolment gradually as its campus and academic programmes develop. It is expected to eventually serve students from Kindergarten through Year 12.

Seven teachers, including three expatriates and four Bhutanese, welcomed the school’s first group of students.

Enrolment to expand in phases

The school will continue accepting students at preschool and primary levels, covering children from age three to 11.

Its first secondary students are expected to join in January 2027, beginning with Year Seven.

“We’ll continue to take admissions for primary and preschool. That means from age three up to age 11, but we do have a special group of students joining us in January 2027. They will enter the first year of secondary. We call them our Year Seven students,” said Michael Leahy, EtonHouse Bhutan International School’s Founding Principal.

“In August 2027, we will also take our first student learners for our upper primary or upper secondary grades of years eight and nine and possibly year 10.”

Further expansion is planned from August 2027, when the school expects to admit students into Years Eight and Nine, with Year 10 also under consideration.

Fees linked to selected services

According to the information provided by the school, fees will depend partly on the services selected by parents. Current services include transportation and food.

The school is also offering a concessional rate for Bhutanese students.

Keeping international education within Bhutan

The school management says the establishment of an international school in Bhutan could give families access to internationally benchmarked education without having to send their children overseas.

Michael Leahy said, “International education can provide a benchmark for other schools within the country to learn from. It provides an opportunity for parents and children who might otherwise have gone overseas for education to have that international standard education within Bhutan itself.”

The school was established through a partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan and EtonHouse International Education Group.

According to EtonHouse, the school aims to combine international education approaches with Bhutanese culture, values and the principles of Gross National Happiness.

Campus development continues

Development of the campus is also being carried out in phases.

The first phase involves renovating existing structures, with work expected to be completed by September. A second phase will include the development of a dedicated playground and other facilities.

Plans for the campus include a Research and Innovation Centre combining library, STEAM and ICT facilities, as well as dedicated laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

The school also plans cultural learning spaces for Bhutanese History and Dzongkha, a multipurpose sports hall, a performing arts space and Reggio-inspired ateliers designed for creative and exploratory learning.

The campus design combines elements of traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship with contemporary educational spaces.

Leadership behind the school

EtonHouse Bhutan International School is being led by a team with experience across education, organisational development and international school management.

Among the key figures behind the school is Evelyn Tay, Chief Executive Officer and Director of EtonHouse Bhutan International School. She also serves as CEO, Singapore and Group Chief Human Resources Officer at EtonHouse International Education Group.

Tay has played a central role in developing the Bhutan school from its early planning stages to its opening. Her work has focused on building a school that combines international education standards with Bhutanese culture, values and a strong local identity.

She brings experience in both accounting and human resources, alongside her leadership role within EtonHouse’s wider international network.

Part of a wider international network

EtonHouse International Education Group has operated for more than 30 years and says its network now includes 100 campuses across eight countries.

Its education model places an emphasis on inquiry-led and multilingual learning. In Bhutan, the school says students will have opportunities to learn English, Dzongkha and Mandarin.

The opening marks the beginning of a phased expansion for the school, with enrolment, academic levels and campus facilities expected to grow over the coming years.