| 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, is a private, coeducational Christian school founded by members of the Church of Christ in Thailand.
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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.
Dara employs over 30 native speakers for its foreign language program (called NP), teaching English and Chinese. Countries represented include:
Native Speaker Program website: www.dara.ac.th/np
196 Kaewnawarat Rd, T. Watget, A. Muang, Chiangmai 50000
Address (Thai language): 196 ถ.แก้วนวรัฐ ต.วัดเกต อ.เมือง จ.เชียงใหม่. 50000