KIS is a non profit company, registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956. The company is incorporated under a Memorandum of Association. As a minority owned, non profit company the members of the association are required to be Christian. The main objectives of the association are:

1. To establish, manage and maintain school(s) and other educational institutions as a minority institution based on Christian principles, for the purpose of providing students of many nationalities, communities and creeds an opportunity to obtain a quality education and to develop spiritually, morally, socially and physically as whole persons.
2. To provide a creative, high quality academic program with a curriculum which values learning as an end in itself and is also accredited by appropriate national and international agencies for college preparatory education.
3. To promote research and exchange programs and to undertake associations with other schools and institutions engaged in similar pursuits.
4. To provide a multicultural Christian environment within which students and staff together are helped:
1. To develop an awareness of and concern for global issues, such as the environment, wealthy and poverty, communalism, development and colonialism and justice and peace
2. To develop respect for the dignity and worth of others as fellow human beings
3. To develop a greater appreciation for and an ability to see the strengths and weaknesses of all cultures, both their own and others
4. To develop a particular awareness and appreciation of the cultures of Tamil Nadu, India and South Asia
5. To take over the affairs, assets and liabilities of the Kodaikanal International School, an association registered under the Societies Registration Act 21 of 1860 as successor in interest.

Membership of the association is by invitation and normally for a term of 3 years, designed in such a way that one third of the members come to the end of their term each year. Following a second consecutive term a person may not be re-elected for at least one year by the end of which they may be stand again for re-election.

The association retains responsibility for the establishment of a Council of Directors including the election of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, the appointment of the Principal, who would also be the Secretary of the association, oversee fiscal and budgeting policies and any decision relating to the purchase or sale of land. Other responsibilities are then delegated through the Council of Directors to the Council or the Principal as is determined by the Council.