Welcome to Kodaikanal International School, a unique school with an extraordinary history and tradition spanning well over a hundred years! Our keen focus on our students, commitment to quality and dedication to continuous improvement empowers our students to handle whatever life may throw at them. Our greatest strength lies in our commitment to community – the crafting together of a shared vision.From our establishment in 1901 as an American residential school for the children of missionaries in South India, our many milestones include a number of ‘firsts’ – from when we became the first IB school, first international school in India (and the third in Asia) by adopting the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in 1976 among only nine other schools worldwide; to when we became the first school in India to have its own separate campus for camping and outdoor activities in 1994.
The school was founded in the year 1901
It is located in Kodaikanal, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India.
The school follows the IB curriculum
Student life is enriched by a variety of extra-curricular activities &mdash: including intramural and inter-school sports competitions, hiking and camping, community service and numerous opportunities for creative expression through the drama and music program.
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International community living: The school's student community consists of over 450 children, representing around 25 countries. Our greatest strength lies in our learning as a community – living together in an assortment of cultures, distinct faiths and varied experiences spanning the globe.
As the first school in India and the second in Asia to offer the IB Diploma, KIS has an outstanding 40+ year track record of consistently scoring above the world average.
With a range of extensive student exchange programs with schools in France, Germany and Italy, the school provides the opportunity to be citizens of the world. The programs develop students academically and nurtures them into resilient and culturally competent personalities, enabling them to contribute positively in the communities they are established in. Critical thinking, ethical decision making and emotionally intelligent human beings are hallmarks of a KIS graduate.
Our unique location and the natural beauty of Kodaikanal, a hill station nestled in the Palani Hills at 7000 feet above sea level, provides our students with an unparalleled experience of the environment and extraordinary adventures with nature. Hiking and Camping has been a staple feature of the KIS education since 1991 and provides students the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Western Ghats. The school’s 100-acre off-campus camping property, gives students an opportunity to raft, canoe, swim, explore archery, zipline, and enjoy the different climbing facilities.
Musical excellence is a hallmark of the KIS education and our alumni include a host of distinguished composers and professional musicians. In addition to the regular curricular music offerings, KIS offers IB Music to IB Diploma students and annually presents students for Royal Schools of Music (RSM), London examinations in Music, Practical and Theory which are held on campus.
With infrastructure to support upto 8 different sports, KIS provides an opportunity for learning the fundamentals, rules and strategies for the sport of choice. The sports curriculum provides a broad understanding for individuals through physical activities with a strong emphasis on the relationship between the physical, intellectual and emotional well-being.
From our experience, we find that the biggest advantage of the IB curriculum is that our graduates are college-ready. They are independent thinkers, who are culturally aware with a superior quality of academic output, and ready to take on challenges.
Our academic and holistic programs at KIS develop and nurture students to become resilient and culturally competent individuals, empowering them to contribute positively to society. Critical thinking, ethical decision making and social and emotional intelligence are hallmarks of a KIS graduate, enabling them to become leaders the world needs.
Corey is an energetic leader and community-minded individual with over 18 years of professional experience in education. He serves as Principal of KIS, where he attended as a student from 1977 through his graduation in 1986. He returned to KIS in 2012 as Vice Principal and he took up the role of Principal in 2013. As Principal, Corey is responsible for all aspects of administration and management of the school, including academic programs, staffing, student services, finance, and facilities. He engages extensively with students, teachers, staff, and the broader KIS community of alumni and parents across the world. Corey has been in the field of shaping young minds and inspiring them to be lifelong learners for almost two decades. His wealth of experience in education includes being a classroom teacher, curriculum planner, literacy consultant, writing mentor, and youth program coordinator. Before joining KIS as an administrator, Corey lived in Portland, Oregon, where he served as a consultant for curriculum development and instruction and as an adjunct faculty member for the Oregon Writing Project at Lewis & Clark College. He gained valuable leadership experience as a coordinator, facilitator and board member at Willamette Writers, a non-profit organization. Corey holds a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Concordia College, Portland, where he received the Outstanding Student Award for Elementary Education in 2000. He also holds a Certificate in the Teaching of Writing from Lewis & Clark College’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling. He completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lewis & Clark College, Portland, specializing in International Affairs.
