Kodaikanal International School

Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is located in Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills, State of Tamil Nadu, India. KIS was founded July 1, 1901 in what was the Highclerc Hotel. It is now an international school, offering tuition from pre-school through Grade 12.

KIS was founded to educate the children of Christian Missionaries to South India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). In 1972, under the leadership of Principal Frank Jayasinghe, KIS became a truly international school, which recognized its Christian background but was open to students and staff of all faiths and cultures. KIS is a co-educational, multicultural boarding school (residential school) for students aged 4-19.

In 1975, it became the first school in India to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It also awards the KIS Diploma to all graduates, is accredited by the [http://www.middlestates.org Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges] , USA and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities. Additionally, KIS offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

The current principal is Geoffrey Fisher.

tudents

As of July 2008, KIS has almost 580 students, approximately half being foreign nationals. KIS is a diverse multicultural community with teaching staff and students, representing over 30 countries worldwide. Students include children of expatriates working in India. Boarders are accommodated in 15 dormitories, both on and off campus. KIS music students are selected annually by audition to participate in The Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) International Honor Choir and Band Festival and Honor Strings Festival. KIS requires its students to participate in Social Experience programs, which deliver health care, education and community development projects to local villages. All KIS Middle and High School students participate annually in a one-week field trip, which enables them to travel and gain first-hand experience of life in other south Indian communities and Territories.

Campus

KIS has one of the most beautiful campuses in India, overlooking a large man-made lake, with three campuses: Highclerc for its High and Middle Schools, Ganga for its Elementary School, and a Wilderness Camp, located two hours away near the village of Poondi, which offers outdoor education programs for students. This campus will provide a one-term residential, intensive environmental learning experience for all 9th graders beginning in 2010. In addition, several compounds near the main campus house dormitories and staff accommodation. Currently, there are 15 student dormitories, situated on the school campuses and hills surrounding Kodaikanal. See the [http://www.kis.in/publications/information-newsletters/KIS%20Visitors%20Brochure.pdf Main Campus Map] .

election

To gain admittance, students sit an assessment exam. Based upon the results, students are appropriately placed, according to their needs. The language of tuition is English, however ESL support is provided. Occasionally, students are taught some courses in their mother-tongue.

Due to its high standards and challenging curriculum, entrance to KIS is sought by many highly qualified international students. Almost 100% of KIS graduates proceed to University-level studies at Indian as well as internationally-recognized Colleges and Universities worldwide.

Famous Alumni

* Kai Bird, 1969
* Firdous Bamji, 1983
* Stephen R. Donaldson, 1964
* Chris Granner, 1975
* Zayed Khan, 1997
* Arjun Rampal, 1990
* Christopher Sinclair, 1968
* Romulus Whitaker, 1960
* Chris Van Hollen, 1977
* Robert F. Goheen

External links

* [http://www.kis.in/ Kodaikanal International School]

References

* [http://www.isbi.com/istd-viewschool/4356-Kodaikanal_International_School.html School Data]