Every year students graduate from Kodaikanal International School with a US accredited KIS High School Diploma certified by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, Philadelphia. Those students who enroll to take the IB full diploma will also qualify for the KIS diploma if the required number of credits are met. 

KIS Graduation Event

KIS holds a formal graduation ceremony towards the end of May every year. Parents, families, staff and students come together for a heartwarming celebration of student 'passing out'. KIS international flavor comes to the fore with national dress as the order of the day, making for a dramatic and colorful event. KIS Graduation celebrations begin on Friday evening with an emotional tribute to the graduating class taking part in the Chapel with a procession of students in formal dress followed by a dinner in the Covered Courts where family are invited to attend and celebrate with KIS designated staff members. On Saturday morning all grade 12 graduating students and their families, friends and advisors take part in the ceremony itself where many tears are shed and photos taken. Since the first High School graduation in 1930, grade 12 students, parents of graduating students and staff advisors have worked together to plan and organize graduation themes, speakers and event programs.

KIS Graduation Goals

Kodaikanal International School sets the following goals for students graduating from KIS. KIS graduating students should:

Demonstrate thinking, knowledge and understanding by:

• Acquiring core knowledge in mathematics, physical and life sciences, literature, social studies and religious studies
• Applying knowledge and understanding to identify and address complex problems
• Justifying one's views and actions with reasonable, intelligible arguments

Demonstrate skills and work habits necessary for learning by:

• Using techniques, tools and technology in a wide variety of situations
• Marshalling time and resources to accomplish goals, both individually and as part of a team
• Valuing the process as much as the product of one's work

Demonstrate communication skills by:

• Reading, writing, listening and speaking effectively in at least two languages

Demonstrate skill in developing and maintaining well being by:

• Being able to care for oneself physically and emotionally
• Accepting the challenge to grow spiritually

Demonstrate aesthetic sensitivity and expression by:

•  Developing and expressing oneself creatively and imaginatively
• Being sensitive to aesthetic quality in the arts and in one’s own work

Demonstrate attitudes and social interaction which are conducive to peaceful, purposeful and joyful living by: 

• Thinking and acting independently
• Living with and for others
• Demonstrating empathy and respect for others
• Taking responsibility for one's own actions
• Demonstrating an understanding of and concern for the environment
• Understanding structures that perpetuate injustice, violence and oppression in society, between societies, between nations, religions and cultures and perceive one's own place within these structures