Kodaikanal International School Over 100 years in global education KIS… a global educational experience Kodaikanal International School (KIS) combines an ambitious, challenging academic program and a rich range of extracurricular activities within a Christian values framework that draws on a variety of cultures and prepares students for global citizenship. In keeping with KIS philosophy of caring, guided holistic self- development, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and independent decisions. Self-expression and creative thinking is valued. KIS encourages spiritual growth - regardless of what one’s faith background might be - through an inter-disciplinary, values-based education. KIS is a school with a ‘holistic’ philosophy of education evident in its curriculum, with emphasis on awareness or extension / enrichment programs. The importance of educating the whole person is an integral part of all KIS programs and our students achieve in a wide variety of arenas from academic to music, art to cultural, social service and environmental commitment Milestones 1901 - Established as an American boarding school for the children of missionaries in India. 1968 - Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools (Philadelphia). 1976 - The first school in India to adopt the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 1981 - KIS High School Diploma recognised by the Association of Indian Universities. 1994 - First school in India to own an outdoor campus for camping and environmental education. 2001 - KIS celebrated 100 years of service in international education. 2006 - Authorised by the IBO to offer Middle Years Program. 2012 - Authorised by the IBO to offer Primary Years Program. Unity in Diversity The student and staff community consists of about 500 students and 300 academic and non-academic staff from over 30 countries. Understanding different cultures thus becomes an intrinsic part of the global education KIS offers. KIS draws on the richness of all its constituent cultures and has been educating global citizens for over 100 years. The overall student to teacher ratio is approximately 8 to 1. Music Music has been a unique feature of KIS academic life for over 100 years. This is evident amongst KIS alumni in the number of distinguished composers, professional musicians, as well as those with a lifelong appreciation of music. KIS presents instrumental students for Royal Schools of Music (RSM, London) examinations in Music, Practical and Theory. Lessons are also offered in traditional Indian instruments: veena, tabla, Carnatic vocal and Indian dance. Visual Arts Performing Arts (VAPA) Drama, film, fine arts, and photography are all powerful communication mediums as well as art forms. The VAPA department seeks to meld the Arts programs into an arcing and comprehensive curriculum which looks at the arts in historic, cultural and social light. The various Arts subjects provide students with a forum to study the various artistic lenses through which knowledge, skills and attitudes from different cultural traditions are developed, assimilated and transmitted. Outdoors program Hiking The best of Kodaikanal, the views, waterfalls, wildlife and jungles are all beyond the confines of the school campus and town. Students are encouraged to sign up for hikes to get a taste of the vistas and countryside and experience the wilderness environment of the Palani Hills region of South India. Camping KIS has a 92 acre wilderness campus at a rural location called Poondi. Poondi is a well-established outdoor and camping program. The camp site is surrounded by national reserve forest and remains in pristine environmental condition. Sports Physical Education Curriculum at KIS provides a program of instruction for the development of the whole individual through physical activities. This is done by emphasizing the relationship between the physical, intellectual and emotional well-being of the students. Health & Fitness The Lochend Fitness Centre is outfitted with a fine commercial quality multi-station gym, treadmills, elliptical, upright bikes and rowing machines. The fitness centre has an open area surrounded by mirrors and a bar to accommodate dance and aerobics classes. Our commitment to service Medical Care KIS Dispensary provides 24-hour health care 7 days a week to all members of the KIS community. KIS has a full-time doctor and registered nurses on staff that is available to patients at all times. Food Services KIS Food Services department is led by highly experienced catering professionals; preparing all meals in a well equipped kitchen. The dining hall caters to students, staff and families. The menu is planned to maintain variety and norms of nutritional value on a 15-day cycle. The menu includes multi-cuisine dishes; a mixture of Indian, Continental, Oriental and a unique KIS style. Travel KIS Travel Office coordinates all student, staff and community travel. The Travel office is responsible for arranging all student and staff travel. Four times a year over 500 students and family members are transported from over 30 countries to and from KIS. Airport, railway and bus station transfers are available to students and their families on request. Student Residences KIS has comfortable student residences and their names reflect the rich history of Kodaikanal and KIS century old mission foundation - Bartlett (East & West), Boyer (lower & upper) Bruton, Central House, Claverack, East House, Edmonstone, Kennedy, Lochend, Penryn, Phelps, Sherwood, Solvik, Swedish House (lower & upper), Westover, Wissy Students have unique opportunities to belong to a community of young people where ideas, cultures and faiths from all over the world meet. Life on the campus Career Counselling KIS graduates continue their education in colleges and universities around the world. KIS provides a comprehensive careers & college placement service to all students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Students are encouraged to consider a wide range of courses, colleges / universities and countries around the world. Mentorship Program Under the auspices of the KIS Alumni Office and the Careers and Guidance Office, the KIS Mentorship Program assists senior and junior students. The Mentorship Program forms a liaison between the KIS alumni community and seniors to help students with their transition into college. Personal Counselling A Student Counsellor is available full time to assist students adjust to the academic, emotional and social demands of KIS. Learning Resources The Learning Resource Department is dedicated to enhance the quality of education for individuals with learning difficulty by providing appropriate strategies to make them independent learners. Support is also provided to help students with organization, time management and the development of appropriate study skills. English as a Second Language (ESL) The ESL program works with students who has studied in a language other than English, before joining KIS. At times, there are students who have studied in English but continue to need the extra help and support. National Honor Society (NHS) KIS has a long standing membership with this prestigious American organization which chooses those students in High school classes who have excelled in each of four areas; Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character. PEER Encouragers KIS Peer Encouragers encourage a supportive environment by providing a network of students willing to reach out in friendship to individuals and groups of our diverse student body. KIS Exchange Program The KIS Exchange program facilitates cross cultural learning experiences. The program consciously encourages students to develop academically, socially and spiritually. Through this program, KIS gives students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture for up to one semester – studying, living and learning in a new and different environment from what they have experienced before. KIS participates in exchange programs in 4 countries; Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Developing leaders for the future Accredited in 1960 by the Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges, Philadelphia, KIS High School was the first international and first IB school in India with IBO approval of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12 in 1974. KIS prepares students for admission to colleges and universities throughout the world through two academically challenging programs: KIS Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. KIS Diploma is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, Philadelphia and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, as equivalent to the Indian “+2” secondary certification. Requirements for receiving the KIS Diploma are defined in terms of credits, which apply to subjects in grades 9 to 12. All graduating year 12 students receive the KIS Diploma. KIS also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program for grades 11 and 12. As the first school in India and the second in Asia to offer the IB Diploma, KIS now has an outstanding 30+ year track record of world ranking academic results. Primary Years Program The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. Middle Years Program The International