Overview
Founded in 1953 by Miss Barth, Calcutta International School (CIS) is a reputed co-educational international school sited in Kolkata serving both local and expatriate communities. With over 17 nationalities represented from all continents, the school claims to inculcate understanding and appreciation of different cultures and religions among its students, promoting a sense of global unity.
The mission of CIS is to impart comprehensive, student-centred education compatible with international standards.
CIS is a member of the Council of International Schools, following its standards and benchmarks. It is affiliated with the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel, UK, offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum as well as the General Certificate of Education (GCE) curriculum. The school also offers the IB diploma programme from this academic year -- September 2012.
Campus
The school is sited on a 2 acre campus, 15 km from Kolkata airport. The main block housing the classrooms is spread over an area of 60,000 sq ft and an area of 4,143 sq ft has been demarcated for the auditorium. The classrooms are bright, well ventilated and air-conditioned.
There is a science laboratory for junior classes and separate physics, chemistry and biology laboratories for the seniors. There is also a computer laboratory with internet facility for both teachers and students. The campus houses a well stocked library with fiction and non-fiction books, reference books, periodicals and CD-ROMs. The library constantly acquires new resources to stay up-to-date.
A Special Education Needs (SEN) department offers need based programme for students.
The school has an infirmary and a trained nurse on campus and health records of all students are maintained.
Accomodation
Calcutta International School is a day school, hence hostel facility is not provided.
Academics
Calcutta International School is affiliated with the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel, UK, offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum as well as the General Certificate of Education (GCE) curriculum. The school also offers the IB diploma programme from this academic year -- September 2012.
The school follows the UK National Strategy and ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level curricula for the graduating classes. Besides languages, art and computer science, all the conventional school level subjects are taught. Students of junior classes are not introduced to annual examinations, which starts only from class VI for the core subjects i.e. English language, literature, mathematics and science. From class VII onwards, annual examinations are introduced for all subjects. Students are introduced to the three separate disciplines of science, namely physics, chemistry and biology, from class VII.
The school conducts an aptitude test along with career counseling to guide students regarding their choice of subjects for the ‘O’ level course. ‘A’ level exams for Edexcel are held in May-June and January and CIE exams are held in May-June and October-November.
The school also offers students the Duke of Edinburgh award, an international recognition awarded to students aged fourteen and above for successful completion of a programme of activities broadly classified under the categories of service, skills, physical recreation and adventurous journey.
Extracurricular: The school offers its students a range of extracurricular activities in the form of sports such as football, basket ball, tennis, cricket, golf, squash, taekwondo, and quiz classes, choir and contemporary creative dance lessons. Recently a creative club has also been introduced offering visual arts, jewelry design, graphic design, fashion design and textile design.
Admission
Admission to Calcutta International School is open to Indian as well as international students, although preference is given to expatriates, foreign nationals and non-resident Indians. The school academic year starts in June and ends in May. For admissions into pre-nursery, students should be atleast three years old. A unique feature of the school is reservation of certain numbers of seats for admission to various classes throughout the year.
Application forms are available in the school office on weekdays between 8.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. and on Saturdays between 9.00 a.m. and 1 p. m. Applicants need to register by paying a fee of INR 2000. Shortlisted candidates and parents are called for discussion and appraisal. For senior classes candidates are required to write an entrance test.
For admission to ‘A’ levels a cut-off mark is decided every year depending on the general performance of class X/‘O’ level students and the availability of seats. This is followed by the usual entrance test and interview.
Fee: Yearly fees- INR 45,900-63,100
Admission fees-INR 35,000-1, 50,000
Registration fees-INR 2000
Achievements
With over 17 nationalities represented from all continents, the school claims to inculcate understanding and appreciation of different cultures and religions among its students, promoting a sense of global unity.