KIS High School
History
Built on the original Kodaikanal School site of the period Highclerc Hotel, KIS was founded in 1901 as Kodaikanal School and has evolved from being a school serving the needs of the missionary children to one of India's foremost academic schools preparing students for college and university entry around the globe.
Initially structured as an American curriculum elementary school, by 1926 Kodaikanal School went up to grade 10 with a recorded Council resolve to set up a 4-year high school course. By 1929, the first full high school program was established and in 1930, Tracy Manley was the first proud student to receive a High School Diploma.
Accredited in 1960 by the Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges, Philadelphia, KIS High School was the first international and first IB school in India with IBO approval of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12 in 1974.
KIS High School Today
KIS High School is an evocative place. Student groups roam casually between classroom and specialist classroom blocks built of traditional gray stone topped with terracotta tiled roofs, set amongst verdant gardens and contrasting with abundant green lawn, communal spaces. The memorable 'quad' with its covered verandahs and heritage tree has a distinct 'college' feel.
As an American high school, all students graduate from KIS with an internationally recognized High School Diploma. The KIS IB Diploma program is optional for grades 11 and 12 and runs alongside the High School Diploma program. Both IB and SAT results have been outstanding compared with the world and US means for the last 30 years.
KIS High School presently has around 248 students in grades 11 and 12 and the student / teacher ratio is roughly 8:1. In keeping with KIS philosophy of caring, guided holistic self development, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and independent decisions. Self expression and creative thinking is valued. KIS aims to see students happy at school and comfortable with the academic demands made on them by the US college preparatory programs and the IB Diploma program requirements.
KIS High School teaching team consists of 25 full time staff not including special needs staff. Professional volunteers, teacher trainees and international exchange students are frequent visitors adding to the richness of KIS High School.
Teacher professional development is valued and supported at KIS with staff regularly attending IB, CIS and NESA workshops and conferences held in various parts of the world. As part of KIS commitment to staff professional development, regular in-house professional development sessions are conducted every Tuesday morning with an emphasis on pedagogy, classroom techniques and all round teacher development.
KIS High School students live in dorms in and around Kodaikanal, (Kennedy, Upper Boyer, Lower Boyer, Solvik, Wissy) for girls and (Bartlett West, Bartlett East, Claverack, Penryn, Loch End) for boys. Girls' dorms are located on the main campus and boys' dorms are within 10 minutes walking distance from the high school campus.
KIS High School has 22 academic department offices, over 60 spacious classrooms, a large computerized library with more than 28,000 volumes, a mini-theater, media room, a student recreation room and study hall as well as meeting and performing spaces.
The teaching team consists of well trained teachers supplemented with special needs staff.. In addition, professional volunteers, teacher trainees and international exchange students are frequent visitors adding to the richness of KIS High School life.
KIS High School Coordinator profile
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.
Charmaine Jesudoss |
