The Trivandrum International School, which claims to be "Kerala's first international school with a global curriculum, faculty, infrastructure and proven academic delivery mode," has commenced operations on the outskirts of Thiruvanathapuram.
The Rs 20 crore (Rs 200 million) school, promoted by George M Thomas, a non-resident Indian from the Sultanate of Oman, is located on a 15-acre campus.
While classes have commenced and the entire academic infrastructure is in place, a swimming pool and other sports facilities will be completed before the end of this month.
"The school offers the ICSE and British 'O' level up to class 10 and will offer the ISC and British 'A' levels in classes 11 and 12. The school also plans to offer the International Baccalaureate in classes 11 and 12," said G Vijaya Raghavan, honorary director of the school.
The Trivandrum International School has roped in a group of professionals from India and abroad who have been teaching in reputed schools in London, Hong Kong, Amman, Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Montreal, Jakarta, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ooty, Chennai, Kochi and Thiruvanathapuram, he added.
The executive director and head of the school is Elizabeth Moir, a post-graduate from the Oxford University and a British citizen, with over 25 years of professional experience around the world.
The headmaster of the school is Richard Hillebrand, another Oxford graduate with teaching experience in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
The other expatriate members on the faculty include Paula Magdalene, UK-educated English and special needs teacher with nearly 20 years of experience; Charlie Shearer, academic consultant, an Oxford-educated professional; and Tashi Tendulf - La, academic consultant, a Cambridge-educated professional.
Out of the 76 students enrolled so far in KG level to class 8, most are children of NRIs from the United States, the UK, Switzerland, Columbia, Thailand, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, UAE, Kuwait and Maldives.
According to Raghavan, the high teacher-student ratio (1:6); strong comprehensive tutoring to help students do without private tution; classes in music, dance, theatre, painting and public speaking; sports facilities for swimming, cricket, football, basketball, tennis; excellent boarding facilities; in-house nutritionist and visiting medical practitioner; and unique evaluation systems are some of the features of the school.
Claiming that the setting up of a school of its size has been achieved in record time, Raghavan said, "This has demonstrated that large projects can be set up in Kerala on schedule without disruptions of any kind."
The foundation stone for the project was laid by the Kerala chief minister, A K Antony, on September 16, 2002, in the presence of the ministers of industries and education.
Construction of the project was started in mid-December 2002.