Dara Academy

Dara Academy
Location
Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Information
Type	Private school
Established	1878
Director	Mrs. Manoonvatana Sirisujin
Teaching staff	approx. 400
Grades	1-12
Number of students	approx. 7000
School Color(s)	Red and White
Website	http://www.dara.ac.th/

Dara Academy (Thai: โรงเรียนดาราวิทยาลัย), the most-enrolled school in Northern Thailand^{[citation needed]}, is a private, coeducational Christian school founded by members of the Church of Christ in Thailand.

Namesake

In 1888, the school was named "Phra Racha Chaya Girls' School" after Phra Racha Chaya (พระราชชายา) Chao Dara Rasmi (ดารารัศมี), a princess from the Thipjakrathiwong dynasty of Chiang Mai. Technically, she was a "commoner" from the point of view of the Chakri dynasty, and was thus initially appointed as a Chao Chom. She was later 'ennobled' and given this particular title, which, although higher in status than Chao Chom, was still the most junior among the royal wives of King Chulalongkorn who were born princesses. In 1923 the school was re-named "Dara Academy". "Dara" means "star" in Thai language.

Royal visits

• 1925 His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, Thai: พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) and Queen Ramphaiphanni
• 1949 Queen Ramphaiphanni (Somdej Phra Nangchao Ramphaiphanni Phra Boromarajininat - สมเด็จพระนางเจ้ารำไพพรรณี พระบรมราชินี)
• 1958 His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej

Native-speaker Program

Dara employs over 30 native speakers for its foreign language program (called NP), teaching English and Chinese. Countries represented include:

•  Australia
•  Canada
•  China
•  England
•  South Africa
•  United States
•  New Zealand
•  Ireland

Native Speaker Program website: www.dara.ac.th/np

Address

196 Kaewnawarat Rd, T. Watget, A. Muang, Chiangmai 50000

Address (Thai language): 196 ถ.แก้วนวรัฐ ต.วัดเกต อ.เมือง จ.เชียงใหม่. 50000

See also

• Montfort College, a neighboring school
• Prince Royal's College, brother school
• Education in Thailand

External links

• Dara Academy

Coordinates: 18°47′53″N 99°00′46″E / 18.7980118°N 99.0126944°E / 18.7980118; 99.0126944