Located on the serene Palani hills some 2133 metres above sea level is the Kodaikanal International School (KIS) which is affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB). It was established in the year 1901 as an American boarding school for the children of missionaries. In 1968, it was accredited by the US Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools (Philadelphia). In 1981, the KIS High School Diploma was recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi and today allows KIS graduates direct entry to Indian Universities.
Today KIS is one of India’s most prestigious independent academic schools. The school admits qualified students at all class levels and full boarding students are admitted from class III. KIS school academic year runs from mid-July to end-May and admissions are open throughout the year.
KIS has been ranked India’s number three international school in the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2020-21.
Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is a multiple campus school with world class facilities located in Kodaikanal and nearby national forest reserve in the Palani Hills conservation zone. KIS consists of two academic campuses: The Highclerc campus which has KIS High School (grades 9-12) and Ganga which has KIS Elementary School (playschool, preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5) and Middle School (grades 6-8).
Academic facilities include 73 classrooms, two libraries (and an additional English medium community library), two media centers, five computer / IT labs, three study halls, six science laboratories (including home economics) and a student recreation room ‘lounge’.
KIS is amongst the first schools in India to have a networking system connected by a fiber optic cable backbone intranet. The IT section has around 350+ computers, five computer labs, four servers supporting the network. It also has a broadband internet connection and a monitoring system to supervise student internet use. 450 students and staff laptops also use the school network.
Sport & PE facilities include two covered courts (Highclerc and Ganga campuses) for basketball, indoor football, volleyball and badminton. Three fields for football, cricket, baseball and field hockey, two outdoor basketball courts, two racquetball courts, two children’s playgrounds and a fitness center are provided.
Kodaikanal International School has been accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) of Colleges and Schools in 1968, now accredited by both secondary and elementary school divisions (CSS and CES). The International Baccalaureate Diploma was introduced in 1976. It has been recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi in 1981. KIS is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), National Honor Society (NHS), US based student leadership organization and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Extracurricular:
Student life is enriched by a variety of extra-curricular activities — including intramural and inter-school sports competitions, hiking and camping, and numerous opportunities for creative expression through the drama and music programs. Activities include visits to the local orphanages where students play games with the little ones, read to them, do maintenance work and gardening. The green team focuses on environmental issues and is involved in tree planting. Food distribution teams distribute excess food from the school kitchen to the needy. Computer classes are conducted on a regular basis for students from local schools that lack computer facilities.
Corey Stixrud (principal)
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SportsKodaikanal International School has classes from kindergarten till class XII. KIS seeks candidates who demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to work independently. Admission is open to qualified students at all class levels from preschool to class XII. Children below class III (eight years of age) are not admitted into boarding. New students are accepted throughout the year.
Admission Procedure:
Parents who desire to enroll one or more children at Kodaikanal International School (KIS) should apply early in the preceding academic year and should submit an application through our online application platform.
Interested applicants are requested to complete an inquiry form through the school’s online portal. Students who are residents of SAARC countries should visit KIS for testing and interview. During the visit the prospective student and his/her family will meet with the Admissions Officer, the Dean of Residential Life and be interviewed by a faculty member. He/she will also be required to sit a general aptitude test in English and Math and write an essay on a topic of interest.
The school has a rolling admission procedure. All applications are addressed immediately. The following documents will be requested during the application process:
• Application for admission
• Parent statement
• Student application
• Reference for student
• Scholastic record
All forms must be completed by the parents and student(s). Candidates’ academic records for the last three years, plus the three reference forms (from teachers/counsellor/principal), birth certificate, and/or copy of their passport are also required. However, students who are in Grade 10 need not wait for the board examination results – they can forward them when they arrive.
The KIS Admissions office will contact applicants each time they receive paperwork to ensure that all forms required have been received. The Admissions office requires clear communication directly with the parents / guardians of all prospective students during the entire admissions process. Candidates are welcome to contact the Admissions office regarding concerns or questions.
After completion of all paperwork and following the visit, the KIS Admissions Committee will meet to determine if the prospective student has met the criteria to be accepted to Kodaikanal International School. If an appropriate match has been made, the KIS Admissions Coordinator at KIS will send a letter of acceptance via email to the prospective student and his/her parents.
The parent/guardians of the student are requested to send a letter of acceptance to the offer of admission. A security deposit to assure the student’s registration at Kodaikanal International School is required. Once the security deposit is paid, KIS will send further material regarding the registration of the student.
Fees : the local fee schedule is as follows:
| Grade K-8 | Grade 9-10 | Grade 11-12 | |
| Boarder | ₹ 12,33,000 | ₹ 13,32,000 | ₹ 15,32,000 |
| Day Scholar | ₹ 10,03,000 | ₹ 10,92,000 | ₹ 12,60,000 |
Kodaikanal International School has been ranked #3 among international residential schools in India in the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2020-21.
Student dorm accommodation and staff accommodations are provided on both the campuses of Kodaikanal International School. Excellent catering facilities are also in place with two main dining facilities with full kitchens and a fast food counter for students & staff.
