AISC in Brief
How do we capture the dynamic learning environment that you would see at AISC? We created a picture of our ecosystem that shares our Realms, Drivers, Commitments, Characteristics and Mission.
The Five Realms
The education children receive at AISC consists of five realms of learning: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Community and Play/Choice.
While more traditional education models might focus on academics exclusively, we look to educate the whole child. In addition to the five realms, we have four drivers of change at AISC. These drivers focus on collaboration, creation, personalization and application. These drivers are not everything students do, but they influence the decisions we make at the school around curriculum and expectations.
Supporting Your Child
AISC's three core commitments are to co-curricular programs, pastoral care, and student voice and choice. These commitments emphasize supporting your child and their interests, over a one-size-fits all approach. There are two characteristics of the AISC community: parent engagement and digital connectivity. All of these elements come together to support our students to live our one Mission, which leads to systematic learning and growth.
Our Story
The American International School Chennai (AISC) was established in 1995 through a bilateral agreement between the Governments of the United States of America and India. Our charge since our founding has been to strive to provide excellent instruction, programs, and facilities for children of American and international parents on expatriate assignments in Chennai.
Our founding ideals are based on developing within our students a deep and meaningful awareness and understanding of culture and the diversity of cultures around the world; to embrace India, Tamil Nadu, and Chennai so that our students appreciate, know, and interact with the historical, social, and cultural context within which we all live here in historical Madras; and to serve as a demonstration center of U.S. educational methods and practices.
#AISC25 | Celebrating 25 Years
AISC is an international learning community with English as the language of instruction. Consistent with our commitment to diversity, we offer strong English Language Learner (ELL) programs to students in grades 1-12.
We offer a rigorous curriculum based on North American academic standards and instructional practices in EY3-G12 and the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs to students in grades 11-12. We are committed to preparing students for their future — their next grade, their next school, for college or university, and for the challenges of the 21st century. Students in Grades 3-12 benefit from a Bring-Your-Own-Technology (BYOT) program; this technology could be an iPad or laptop depending on the age of the student.
The school provides a safe and spacious learning environment where students are empowered to nurture their love of learning and thrive on challenges. At AISC, we cultivate the values of mutual respect, personal responsibility, equality, and compassion. We seek to emphasize the development of students’ creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. We embrace the notion that each student learns differently and we strive to engage the wide range of learning styles that pass through our gates and fill our classrooms every day.
At AISC, we promote a healthy well-balanced lifestyle with a diversified academic program and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities through our Athletics, Arts, and Activities Programs. Likewise, we believe that students learn by doing and that community engagements offer opportunities to make unique learning connections and to support local civic endeavors.
AISC’s Facilities
Today, we are situated on a 13-acre campus in the Taramani area of Chennai in state of the art facilities, including two libraries, two gymnasiums, a fitness room, a 25-meter swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, six lane track, playgrounds, two cafeterias and 800-seat auditorium. AISC is located approximately 6 km from downtown Chennai and 6 km from the airport.
AISC’s Community
AISC’s community of families is connected to government, corporate, and educational organizations located in Chennai. We have 850 students who represent a diverse demographic mixture from approximately thirty countries. Koreans comprise approximately 30%, North Americans 20%, Europeans 25%, Indian 8%, Japanese 14%, and the remainder from Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa.
AISC’s Faculty
Our international faculty brings a diverse range of experience and proven commitment to students, instruction, and high standards for achievement. They have access to a rich array of resources and current, progressive instructional and curricular professional development. The school is highly committed to the professional growth and development of its staff. Our faculty-student ratio is 1:6 with 82% of faculty holding an advanced degree.
Accreditation
AISC is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA, Philadelphia, U.S.A.), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO, England).
