Canadian International School (Bangalore)

Canadian International School
Address
No. 4&20 Manchenahalli Yelahanka Bangalore , 560064 India
Information
Type	Private, College-prep, Day & Boarding International school
Motto	Nurture, Challenge, and Empower [1]
Established	1996 [2]
Principals	Rekha Sachdej [3] (ES) Andrew Nicholson [4] (MS) Jay Langkamp [5] (HS)
Head of school	Ted Mockrish Ed. D [6]
Grades	PK–12
Accreditation	IBO, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Council of International Schools
Website	www.canadianinternationalschool.com

Canadian International School (Bangalore) (CIS) is a private co-educational school located in Yelahanka, Bangalore North, India. Yelahanka is close to Bangalore International Airport. CIS is certified by the Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It was the first school in Bangalore authorized by the IBO to offer International Baccalaureate Program for grades 11 and 12. ^[7]

History

Canadian International School (CIS) was established in 1996 by two Canadian entrepreneurs under the name "Canadian School of India". It was started for students desiring an international education in an international environment. The school was taken over by a new board of directors in 2002 and was then renamed as the "Canadian International School". Canadian International School shifted its campus to a 15-acre purpose-built campus in 2006. It was the first school in Bangalore authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in grades 11 and 12 and it received accreditation from Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges) in 2011.

Recognition

• In 2016, to mark its 20th anniversary, CIS launched its solar power initiative. It became the first school in India to be 100% run on solar energy. ^{[8] [9]}
• In the year 2017, Canadian International School was recognized as India's first Apple Distinguished School.  Recognized by Apple Inc. for meaningful and effective use of technology in teaching and learning. ^[10]
• In 2018, CIS was recognized by Commonsense.org, as a “Common Sense School” with regards to child protection and digital citizenship education.  Many CIS teachers are certified as “Common Sense Educators”. ^[11]
• In 2020, in response to the global pandemic, CIS was the first in India to host a Drive Through graduation ceremony to honor the accomplishments of its high school seniors. ^[12]

School curriculum and Faculty

Canadian International School started in 1996 with 6 teachers, 13 students but 9 nationalities and over the years the student population has steadily grown. Currently, the school has around 700 students who represent 37 nationalities. The school is considered to have an exceptional student-teacher ratio and the teachers represent about 27 nationalities.

• Elementary School: students follow the Cambridge Primary curriculum in the elementary school.
• Middle School: students follow the Cambridge Secondary 1 curriculum in the middle school with the addition of the Contextual Learning program.  The CL activities connect students with local organisations, to develop common projects to impact the world positively and in accordance with the 2020 UN SDG’s.
• High School: the International General Certificate of Education program offered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations ^[15] is followed by students of grades 9 and 10. CIS offers the International Baccalaureate's Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12.

World language programme

As an English medium school, CIS offers world language options such as French, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin. In addition to world language options, CIS offers mother tongue language in both French and Japanese to those students who qualify. CIS also supports non-native speaks through their EAL (English as additional language) program.

Affiliations

In 2019, CIS joined the Common Ground Collaborative as a member school and created its Definition of Learning. Learning at CIS is transformative process that leads to conceptual understanding, demonstration of competencies through application, and development of character as seen through the CIS Core Values. CIS is also a member of EARCOS, East Asia Regional Council of Schools. In 2019, CIS founded BAASC (Bangalore Activities and Athletics School Conference), with 4 member schools, to promote interschool athletics among students in of International Schools in Bangalore.

Remote Learning

In March 2020, in response to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, CIS immediately moved from in-person classes to a complete remote learning platform ^{[13] [14] [15] [16]} to complete the academic year as well as equip students to effectively navigate the transition. ^{[17] [18]} CIS hosted India’s first drive through graduation for grade 12 grade students.

Campus and facilities

The CIS campus is located outside of downtown Bangalore, in Yelahanka. The campus is located on the edge of Yelahanka lake and is surrounded by fruit and spice plantations. The campus houses 3 main academic wings for each of the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, a 25 meter swimming pool, a 500 seat capacity state of the art auditorium called the Odeum, 3 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, a badminton court and more. CIS has separate boarding facilities for boys and girls.

Boarding

CIS boarding welcomes grade 6 – 12 students in a modern accommodation with a family style atmosphere. A total of 112 students can be accommodated, boys and girls, in two separate wings. Boarding students share rooms in pairs of the same age/grade. A range of CAS and IAYP (International Award Youth Program) clubs are available to boarders along with a host of other recreational, weekend activities. CIS Boarding also ensures the availability of a boarding parent in each floor whose role is to create a safe, healthy, and friendly environment conducive for studies.

Environmental interests

Apart from being run 100% on solar power, CIS practices many different conservation and preservation techniques such as rainwater harvesting, water conservation and recycling, a bio gas tank that provides piped gas to a few burners in the cafeteria, 4 food composting units along with an organic garden setup by the elementary school student council. ^[19] The elementary section implemented other initiatives such as a local clean-up: ‘The Garbage Challenge'. ^[20]

Terry Fox Run

CIS hosts the annual Terry Fox Run in Bangalore. The run is the legacy of Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. CIS has been hosting a 5 km public run for the past 7 years with the aim to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. ^{[21] [22]}

Extracurricular

Students have many avenues to explore extracurricular activities. They presented a choir and orchestra concert at RMZ Galleria Mall, Yelahanka, while performing under the guidance of the music faculty. ^[23]

Students in drama production have adapted and performed ^[24] William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night . Middle school and high school students partake in a competitive inter-school sports tournament - Bangalore Activities and Athletics School Conference (BAASC) - such as the BAASC Swim Meet and the BAASC Girls’ High School Basketball Championships. ^[25]

References

1. "Vision, Mission and Core Values".
2. "History".
3. "Rekha Sachdej".
4. "Andrew Nicholson".
5. "Donald Macmillan".
6. "Welcome note from HOS".
7. Boruah, Maitreyee (24 January 2011). "Canadian International School is proud of its ethos -We live and breathe internationalism!'". Daily News and Analysis . Retrieved 6 September 2018.
8. Arakal, Ralph Alex (4 October 2017). "Bengaluru school now boasts of 100 per cent solar power". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
9. Ray, Aparajita (30 January 2017). "IT parks, schools, hospitals opt out of grid, embrace green energy for power". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
10. ""Implementing Technology In A School Is A Catalyst To Learning": Canadian International School". BW Education. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
11. Vivan, Sridhar (5 April 2015). "International schools ask parents to sign no-FB undertaking". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
12. "Bangalore School Arranges A Drive-Through-Graduation Ceremony For Its Students! How Cool!". Whats Hot. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
13. "Schools raring to be back, govt yet to decide". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
14. "As Blackboards Give Way To Screens, Best Ways To Ensure Online Learning". www.readersdigest.in. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
15. "International Schools Reframe Learning In The Age Of COVID-19". BW Education. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
16. "How blended learning pedagogy helped schools".
17. "5 effective ways to help children overcome anxiety during Covid-19 lockdown". India Today. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
18. "COVID-19: How to have reassuring conversations with kids". The Indian Express. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
19. "Exclusive: This Bangalore school is South Asia's second fully-solar powered school". Business Insider. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
20. "CIS students take up 'The Garbage Challenge' on World Environment Day". EducationWorld. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
21. Admin, India Education Diary Bureau (1 October 2019). "Canadian International School hosts 'The Terry Fox Run' : The Marathon of Hope for Cancer Research". India Education Diary. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
22. "Canadian International School holds 'The Terry Fox Run' : The Marathon of Hope for Cancer Research" . Retrieved 30 July 2020.
23. "Canadian International School presents Winter Music Concert at RMZ Galleria Mall as part of Christmas celebrations" . Retrieved 30 July 2020.
24. "Things to do today in Bengaluru". Bangalore Mirror. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
25. Admin, India Education Diary Bureau (21 February 2020). "International Schools Compete in the Bangalore Activities and Athletics Conference (BAASC) at Stonehill International School". India Education Diary. Retrieved 30 July 2020.

External links

• Schools portal
• Canada portal
• Bangalore portal

• Official website

13°07′13″N77°35′37″E / 13.1204°N 77.5937°E / 13.1204; 77.5937