KIS has about 600 students, including 459 boarders and 107 day students, of which 90 are staff children.
KIS has over 30 different nationalities represented. Currently approximately 50% of the students are Indian nationals.
KIS has two academic campuses on which both residential and tuition facilities are provided. Buses run between the two campuses and travel time is about five minutes. Grades 9 through 12 girls’ student residences are located on the main campus and grades 9 through 12 boys’ student residences are located not more than 10 minutes’ walk from the main campus. The walk is considered safe by the local community and transport is provided in the evenings and during monsoon times.
Due to the growth of KIS, a purpose built Elementary School was set up on Ganga compound. It was felt that each campus should have the facilities and environment appropriate for the respective class levels and age groups.
Kodaikanal is 4 hours’ drive from Coimbatore and 3 hours’ drive from Madurai. Both cities are serviced by national airports and train stations. There is also a train station at Kodai Road about a two hour drive away through which major trains pass.
Family visits are encouraged, but not in the first month of attendance. It is a good idea to coincide these visits with a school concert or music recital, sports event or national holiday.
There is no uniform at KIS but the dress code requires neatness, modesty and standards generally accepted at Indian educational institutions.
KIS encourages the spiritual development of each member of the community to promote spiritual understanding among world faiths and to present Jesus Christ as a valid faith option through Religious Education classes and services at KIS Chapel. Students of other religions are permitted to follow the principles and observances of their faith.
KIS provides internet access to students from specific supervised locations within the school such as the computer labs and the school libraries. Internet access is provided primarily to support the educational objectives of the school but also to allow students to have controlled access to a broader range of features available on the internet. All student residences are equipped with computers and printers. Laptops are permitted with restrictions.
KIS graduates continue their education in colleges or universities around the world. Requirements for graduation are defined in terms of credits which lead to the KIS High School Diploma.
Each student has an advisor who guides them in selecting classes and whenever they have questions. Each of their class teachers is also available outside of the classroom for advice and to answer questions. Study halls are monitored both during the school day and in the student residences at night when the students have a compulsory study time from 7:30pm to 9:00pm.
KIS offers ESL classes in Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Placement tests are administered to new ESL students at the beginning of each semester, based on placement test results ESL students attend classes appropriate to their level / ability. The goal of the ESL department is to help students mainstream as quickly as possible.
KIS has a Learning Resources department, providing support for students who have been assessed as having a learning disability. Support is given either within mainstream classes or students are withdrawn in specific content areas for one-on-one tutoring.
KIS has a long established history with the local community and students are generally treated as part of Kodaikanal. All entrances to school properties are controlled by campus security guards. Visitors are required to sign a register and are given a pass only if their purpose on campus is legitimate. Traveling from property to property is done in groups or under supervision and often in school vehicles. Students must be in their student residences by 7:15pm Sunday through Thursday. Movement off campus for grades 3 – 8 is restricted to twice on the weekends and only with a pass. Senior students are given some freedom in moving off campus.