History Kodaikanal International School

1 history

1.1 origins (1890–1919)
1.2 development (1920–1959)
1.3 internationalization (1960–1989)
1.4 recent history (1990–present)

history
origins (1890–1919)

margaret eddy, founding principal of kodaikanal international school (1901)



the original highclerc school , ca. 1906

in 1880s, there great need english-medium school in south india, due ever-increasing christian mission community in area. having school @ hill-station allow children of missionaries escape tropical diseases claiming lives of many, , provide cool , open atmosphere stimulated learning.

in months of year 1900, woman name of margaret eddy came visit son sherwood (after whom sherwood dormitory named), working missionary in batlagundu. seeing need school, , realising missionaries not find means establish one, decided begin process herself. held first kodaikanal conference on 1 june 1900, in established committee duty find teachers , building in schooling held.

after commissioning highclerc hotel building more year later, under leadership of mrs. margaret eddy, highclerc school opened students on 1 july 1901. 1902 owners of building had drastically increased rent, school moved rock cottage , central house. in 1905, mrs. eddy returned kodaikanal, , able buy highclerc hotel new owner inr 29,000 along 3.5 acres (14,000 m) of land. since time school has remained in present location. mrs. eddy served principal of kodai school, without salary, 1901 1905, when forced return america due sickness.

development (1920–1959)

significant development of school began in late 1920s, when land acquisitions provided dormitory accommodation , facilities growing school, continued in during next 3 decades. 1930, school had expanded high-school accommodating preschool through grade twelve, , same year, tracy manley became first student receive high school diploma kodai school. in 1944, dayavau dhanapal became first indian woman staff member join school.

internationalization (1960–1989)

the 1960s marked beginning of new era in school s history; period of revolutionising social changes. in 1960, herb krause, grand daughter kodai school graduate , former teacher @ school, took role of principal after ten years teacher. krause s goal open school students of nationalities , religions – movement away traditional american christian image school had had. in 1966, committee established improve curriculum, staff , instructional material of school, , accredited middle states association of colleges , schools in 1968 result of committee s work. new merit/demerit disciplinary system introduced supplementary system of discipline , guide staff members – controversial standardisation of disciplinary consequences.

another major change in school occurred during time – nationalism becoming more , more visible in world, , american missionary exodus india began. debased kodai school community in way not have been expected. nature of kodai school student body needed change in order meet enrolment needs , budget realities. herb krause began visiting new delhi, bangkok , beirut. several international companies endowed grants upon school in return guaranteed places students. consequently, student body of more diverse , cosmopolitan background developed.

this led new debate religious freedom, having fundamental mission , purpose of school. kodai school staff divided 2 groups: 1 supporting mandatory christian curriculum, other supporting religious freedom. when new chaplain, robert dewey, arrived in 1965, issue came head. dewey merged ideals of christian school , religious freedom: once said creative dialogue absolutely essential if school going wants be. word know suggests educationally , experientially school can , @ best .

robert carman ( 48) worked frank jayasinghe, new director of development, produce project design, document outlined mission, philosophy, , expectations of students within school. in 1972, kodai school renamed kodaikanal international school , , became first international school in india. when jayasinghe took on principal in 1973, continued krause s campaign students – enrolment increased 279 students in 1975 475 in 1985.

in 1975 kis became first school in india adopt international baccalaureate diploma program. in 1977 first kis students sat first ib examinations in india. significant development recognition of kis high school diploma india university board in 1981 , number of individual universities in india.

recent history (1990–present)

in 1994, project design (1974) revised , renamed design 94. design 94 stands today statement of mission, philosophy, goals , objectives of kis . in 2006, kis officially granted request follow ib middle years program curriculum grades 6–10, , began issuing myp diplomas. kis offers ib primary years programme (pyp) grades 1–5. of 2014, kis offers 3 programs of ib curriculum viz. pyp, myp , ibdp. kis offers kis high school diploma awarded graduating students don t opt ib diploma.

kis has current strength of 487 students , 110 teaching staff. staff , students come on 25 different nationalities , every continent.