Built on the former Kodai School site with part of the period Highclerc Hotel still in existence, KIS High School has evolved from the original 13 to around 414 students.

KIS High School is an evocative place. Student groups stroll casually between classroom and specialist blocks built of traditional grey stone topped with terracotta tile roofs set amongst verdant gardens and abundant green lawn communal spaces. The memorable 'quad' with its covered verandahs and heritage tree has a distinct 'college' feel.

Accredited in 1968 by the Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges, Philadelphia, KIS High School was the first international IB school in India, the second IB school in Asia and one of only 10 schools world wide to trial the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) program for grades 11 and 12 in 1976.

Still an American High School all students graduate from KIS with an internationally recognized High School Diploma. The KIS IB program is optional for grades 11 and 12 and runs alongside the High School Diploma program. Both IB and SAT results have been outstanding and well above world and US means for the last 30 years.

KIS High School students live in dorms in and around Kodaikanal (Kennedy, Upper Boyer, Lower Boyer, Sherwood, Solvik, Wissy and Phelps) for girls and (Bartlett West, Bartlett East, Claverack, Penryn, Bruton, Crescent Park, Mayvilla and Loch End) for boys.

KIS High School has 22 academic department offices, over 60 spacious classrooms, a large computerized library with more than 28,000 volumes, theater, media room, student recreation rooms, IB recording studio and study hall as well as meeting and performing spaces.

The teaching team consists of specialized subject specific teachers and special needs staff. Professional volunteers, teacher trainees and international exchange students are frequent visitors adding to the richness of KIS High School life.

KIS Middle School (grades 6 – 8) has now become part of the Ganga campus structure. The original Middle School building has recently been given over to KIS High School and has been renamed the Arts Block housing the English, Health, ESL, Home Technology, Creative Writing, Photography, Journalism and Art departments. The building was purpose built in 1986 and is a strong architectural feature of the original Highclerc campus. Towering over the KIS sports fields, upper and lower Bendy with panoramic views of Kodai lake, this area contains the MYP Coordinator’s office as well as a Media Room, computer lab, 15 classrooms and one of the two IB recording studios.

Every experience I’ve had as a teacher has taught me something special, and I treasure every memory.  I am grateful to Mrs. Rosy John, a teacher in Pune, who set me on this path when she said,” You have a way with children, Charmaine; do your B.Ed.”  My professional journey since then has been wonderful and exciting.

By the time I joined KIS, I had taught all three levels: Kindergarten, Middle School and High School. Most of this experience came from schools run by the Presentation Order of nuns: St Joseph’s and Sacred Heart, Church Park.  I salute my mentors in these institutions who fashioned me as a teacher.

In July 2002, I moved to KIS; it was a huge change from the structure I was used to earlier. I will never forget my first teaching assignment in KIS: Grade Four teacher with nine students in my class. The following year, I moved to the Middle School as the English teacher for Grades 7 and 8.  Two years later, as the AOI Leader for Community and Service, I was a member of the MYP Steering Committee. In 2007, I was appointed as the Middle School Coordinator in charge of the day- to-day running of this section (Grades 7-10); over those two years, I also taught the Grade 10 English Course.  The school has been through a series of changes over my period of service, and with the latest move of Grades 7 and 8 to the Ganga Campus, I moved into the High School as the High School Coordinator overseeing Grades 9-12; in addition to my administrative responsibilities, I also teach an IB English course.

As the High School Coordinator, my job is particularly challenging. Besides attending meetings and answering calls and letters from anxious parents regarding their children’s GPA and credits, I also have to deal with sagging pants, absences, tardies, detentions, and Activity Restriction lists.   However, just when I feel like a sergeant dishing out consequences, the day is redeemed with a ‘smile through tears’, a handshake, a hi-five or a heartfelt apology, and everything seems worthwhile.  Every time I come face to face with a challenge, I say this very special prayer: Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

KIS is ‘home away from home’ for all of us; my colleagues and I do our best to help our students feel that  way.