Kodaikanal International School celebrates 125 years of education

 In 2026, Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is celebrating its 125th anniversary, marking over a century of pioneering education in India. Founded in 1901, the institution has evolved from a small missionary school into a leading global IB World School. 

This event is a double celebration as it marks the school’s 125th anniversary and commemorates 50 years of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in India. 

Bradford Barnhardt, Principal, KIS, speaking on the sidelines of the event, said, “As India’s first IB world school, since 1976, KIS has been shaping inquiry-driven, globally relevant education for five decades.” 

Combined with its origin in 1901, KIS stands as a heritage institution that continuously innovates – blending tradition with cutting-edge pedagogy, he added.  

Speaking on the core values of the century old institution, Mr. Barnhardt, said, they rely on the closeness of their community. “Our core strength is our ability to celebrate diversity while establishing and living out our core values. The scope for leaning in our multicultural, residential community then becomes both constant and profound,” he added.  

Students at the music class at Kodaikanal International School on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
KARTHIKEYAN G

Vice Principal of KIS Cindy Beals, said, “The institution redefines education by merging rigour, relevance, and responsibility. Unlike transactional schooling, KIS creates transformative leaders who combine academic mastery with compassion, creativity, and global citizenship. The mission is not simply to prepare students for college – but to prepare them for life in a just, sustainable, and peaceful world.” 

As part of the community engagement, she added, the students through the Centre for Environment and Human and Service-learning programmes learn to engage with local communities, from teaching English in village schools to conservation projects in the forests.  

Beyond the festivities, the school has successfully preserved its commitment to a diverse community. As she highlighted, this was evident in both the ethnic plurality and the varied socio-economic backgrounds of the student body.