Overview
Located on the serene Palani hills some 2133 metres above sea level is the Kodaikanal International School (KIS) which is affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB). It was established in the year 1901 as an American boarding school for the children of missionaries. In 1968, it was accredited by the US Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools (Philadelphia). In 1981, the KIS High School Diploma was recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi and today allows KIS graduates direct entry to Indian Universities.
Today KIS is one of India's most prestigious independent academic schools. The school admits qualified students at all class levels and full boarding students are admitted from class III. KIS school academic year runs from mid-July to end-May and admissions are open throughout the year.
KIS has been ranked India’s No 4 international school in the Education World-C fore Survey- India School Rankings 2012, and has the No 1 International school in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Campus
Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is a multiple campus school with world class facilities located in Kodaikanal and nearby national forest reserve in the Palani Hills conservation zone. KIS consists of two academic campuses: The Highclerc campus which has KIS High School (grades 9-12) and Ganga which has
KIS Elementary School (playschool, preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5)
Middle School (grades 6-8)
Academic facilities include 73 classrooms, 2 libraries (and an additional English medium community library), 2 media centers, 5 computer / IT labs, 3 study halls, 6 science laboratories (including home economics) and a student recreation room ‘lounge’.
KIS is amongst the first schools in India to have a networking system connected by a fiber optic cable backbone intranet. The IT section has around 350+ computers, 5 computer labs, 4 servers supporting the network. It also has a broadband internet connection and a monitoring system to supervise student internet use. 450 students and staff laptops also use the school network.
Sport & PE facilities include 2 covered courts (Highclerc and Ganga campuses) for basketball, indoor football, volleyball and badminton. Three fields for football, cricket, baseball and field hockey, 2 outdoor basketball courts, 2 racquetball courts, 2 children's playgrounds and a fitness center are provided.
Accomodation
Student dorm accommodation and staff accommodations are provided on both the campuses. Excellent catering facilities are also in place with 2 main dining facilities with full kitchens and a fast food counter for students & staff.
Academics
KIS has been accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) of Colleges and Schools in 1968, now accredited by both secondary and elementary school divisions (CSS and CES). The International Baccalaureate Diploma was introduced in 1976. It has been recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi in 1981. KIS is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), National Honor Society (NHS), US based student leadership organization and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Extracurricular:
Student life is enriched by a variety of extra-curricular activities -- including intramural and inter-school sports competitions, hiking and camping, and numerous opportunities for creative expression through the drama and music programs. Activities include visits to the local orphanages where students play games with the little ones, read to them, do maintenance work and gardening. The green team focuses on environmental issues and is involved in tree planting. Food distribution teams distribute excess food from the school kitchen to the needy. Computer classes are conducted on a regular basis for students from local schools that lack computer facilities.
Admission
KIS has classes from kindergarten till class XII. KIS seeks candidates who demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to work independently. Admission is open to qualified students at all class levels from preschool to class XII. Children below class III (8 years of age) are not admitted into boarding. New students are accepted throughout the year.
Fees : the fees includes registration fee, security deposit and other expenses and amounts to around Rs 5.8 - 8lakh for day scholars and Rs 7.5- 9.5 lakh for boarders.
Achievements
KIS has been ranked India’s No 2 international school in the Education World-C fore India’s Most Respected Schools Survey-2011, and has the No 1 rank in the parameters of competence of faculty and quality of alumni/students.