Compare International Schools in Kathmandu, Nepal

The school is in Lalitpur, Nepal, about 7km south of Kathmandu. Postal address: P.O. Box 2714, Lalitpur, Nepal. The site offers views of the Himalayan mountains.

Primary and Secondary

Not-for-profit international Christian school

Approximately 220 students come from around 20 countries.

The Student Support Faculty supports all pupils across the Primary and Secondary Schools with Individualised Education Plans for students referred for learning differences. We cannot accommodate physical or severe learning disabilities at this site due to staffing and space limitations.

Christian

KISC runs one bus and two vans each school day morning and afternoon. The bus travels to the Kathmandu side of the city; one van travels to the Patan area and another to the Godavari area. Bus cost: US$110 per student per term; van cost: US$90 per student per term.

No school uniform; students follow the KISC dress code.

The pupils are offered a school lunch each day, cooked on site from fresh produce. There is no on-site snack service noted.

Houses are Dhaulagiri, Makalu, and Annapurna. Inter-house events include sports and music activities; house T-shirts are available for students.

KISC is owned by Human Development and Community Services (HDCS), a Nepali NGO. The School Management Committee (SMC) governs KISC and includes representatives of parents and staff, HDCS, and a Ministry of Education representative; the committee meets six times a year.

KISC delivers an international Cambridge curriculum. The Primary Curriculum covers Language Skills, Mathematics, Science, World Around Us, PSHE, and Bible, plus Related Arts (Library, Art, ICT, Music, PE). Language instruction emphasizes reading, writing, grammar and spelling, with a word‑study approach to spelling. In Secondary (Grades 9–12), Cambridge International Education (CIE) is taught, with IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and AS/AL in Grades 11–12, culminating in Cambridge external examinations. The school uses resources from around the world to support its international student body and maintains optima class sizes and a holistic approach to learning. The Duke of Edinburgh Award program and a Leadership Course complement academics, and graduates have been accepted into universities worldwide.

Examinations follow Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). IGCSE is studied in Grades 9–10 and AS/AL in Grades 11–12, with external Cambridge assessments. Grades are reported under Cambridge guidelines, and the school provides a GPA through an external provider to universities when required for admission; the school does not internally rank students. Detailed results data for recent cohorts are published in the school profile.

Graduates have been accepted into top universities worldwide, including Australia (Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong), Canada (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Ontario Tech, University of Waterloo, York University), the United Kingdom (Cardiff University, Royal College of Art, University of Birmingham, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of London, University of Southampton, University of Westminster), and the United States (Amherst College, Baylor University, Biola University, Calvin University, among others). The School Profile lists additional institutions across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and beyond.

SEL is embedded in the KISC Primary Curriculum. Language Skills and PSHE are taught as part of everyday learning. The curriculum intentionally combines academics with social and emotional learning to help students collaborate, disagree respectfully and take responsibility for their own learning. Pastoral Care provides ongoing encouragement, support and guidance across the whole school community. The program aims to create a safe, trusting environment, promote positive student interactions, and help students develop personal, social, and emotional skills.

Student Support exists to assist all students across the Primary and Secondary Schools, focusing on different learning styles and requirements. An Individualised Education Plan (IEP) is developed for students referred to the Faculty. If a student has suspected Specific Learning Difficulties, a diagnostic assessment is offered to inform the IEP. There are current site and staffing limitations that prevent accommodating students with physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities.

Health & well-being include a school doctor on site every school day who provides health services and health education. Trained first aiders are available on site for immediate care. Covid protocols apply for positive cases or close contacts. Pastoral Care focuses on encouraging and supporting students, maintaining a safe and trusting environment, and fostering positive interaction among students.

HDCS Child Safeguarding Policy provides a framework to protect children from harm and create a child-friendly environment. KISC operates under the HDCS Policy with a supplementary KISC Appendix. KISC is a member of the Child Safety and Protection Network. Safeguarding concerns can be reported to the Child Safeguarding Focal Personnel or via the reporting mechanism. The Focal Personnel include Hannah Stewart (Primary), Genevieve Allen (Secondary), Lauri Lind (Secondary) and Krishna Bohara (EQUIP).

1. Contact Us: Request information about KISC with the Admissions Coordinator and check availability in the child's expected entry grade. 2. Schedule a tour: Experience the environment and atmosphere of the school by visiting with a guided tour arranged by the Admissions Coordinator. 3. Complete an application: The online application fee is USD 100; submit the required documentation; an application does not guarantee acceptance; you will receive an email from the Admissions Coordinator within two weeks with next steps. The age/placement check is by August 1; children entering Pre-K must be 4 by the start of the term; the teacher will assess readiness for progression. 4. Testing: Academic testing for Pre-K through Grade 12, scheduled by the Admissions Coordinator; information for students whose first language is not English is provided; a minimum English level is required to enroll; if not met, a retest is possible after six months; an English Language Learner (ELL) program is available for admitted students. 5. Parent Interview/Enrollment: Within two weeks of testing, acceptance for enrollment is communicated by email; if admitted, a meeting with the Head of the Primary School or the Head of the Secondary School is arranged to discuss enrollment.

Scholarships are offered through a formal application process. The Scholarship Application collects information including student name, year group in the coming academic year, whether a Nepali parent is present, and a Financial Questionnaire with questions on family income, assets, expenditures and other circumstances. Scholarships are limited and awarded based on need relative to other students in the KISC community; funds come from fees paid by other students; scholarships are awarded for one year only. The Scholarship Committee requires complete and accurate information; misrepresentation can result in loss of the scholarship. The Scholarship Application is accessible via Forms & Information; scholarship outcomes are communicated with signatures and dates.