Chennai, India: American International School Chennai: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The American International School Chennai (AISC), founded in 1995, is a nonprofit, independent, coeducational day school. It offers a U.S./international-style educational program in English from the Early Years (age three) through grade 12 for American and international students who are temporary residents of India. The school year runs from early August to early June.

Organization: The school is governed by a nine-member board of directors represented by the U.S. Consul General – Chennai (1), four (4) members elected by the members of the Association, three (3) members appointed by the Board of Directors, and one (1) U.S. Government’s Representative appointed by the U.S. Ambassador to India. The Board Chairperson must be an American.

Curriculum: The school’s Mission is “Together we inspire a love of learning, empowering all students with the courage, confidence, creativity and compassion to make their unique contribution in a diverse and dynamic world.” The high school is a college-preparatory program leading to a U.S. High School Diploma supported by Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). School-wide subjects include language arts/English, math, science, social studies/history, world languages (French and Spanish), art, music, theater, PE/health, and design technology. AISC is 1:1 Bring-Your-Own-Device in grades 3-12, and grades 1-2 are 1:1 with iPads. English language learning is embedded in the curriculum. Grades 5 through 12 have experiences in India via Classroom Without Walls, Week Without Walls, and Discover India field trips. The school offers a full program of after-school activities from KG to grade 5. The middle and high schools offer an array of athletics and clubs. The school participates in the regional middle school athletics conference, ASIAC, and the regional high school conference, SAISA. AISC is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is approved by the Association of Indian Colleges and Universities.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, AISC has 359 total staff including 102 teachers, 60 of whom are U.S. citizens, 36 host-country nationals, and 8 third-country nationals. The faculty and staff come from Australia, Canada, France, India, Israel, Italy, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 665, (EY-grade 5: 308; grades 6-8: 160; and grades 9-12: 197). Of the total, 94 are U.S. citizens, 57 are host-country nationals, and 514 are third-country nationals.

Facilities: AISC sits on 13 beautiful acres. The layout of the buildings takes advantage of the sea breeze, while water features, ample trees, and shrubberies help maintain a cool environment in the public areas. The safety of the students was taken into consideration at every stage of the planning and construction of the campus. The purpose-built Fine Arts Center houses music, art, and theater spaces, which include a 740-seat auditorium. All classrooms are air-conditioned, including the Olympic-standard gymnasium with automated bleachers, climbing wall, health center, middle/high and elementary cafeterias, next generation science labs in the middle and high schools, elementary school science and design studio, and secondary school design technology lab. The school has a newly-constructed six-lane track and renovated soccer pitch; an all-weather, multipurpose, multisport artificial turf field; a 17,000-square foot dedicated elementary school playground; 25-meter swimming pool; 6 covered tennis courts; a well-equipped fitness center; a 14,000-square foot Early Years Outdoor Learning Center; and a newly renovated 4000-square foot air-conditioned Rec Gym. The Early Years to grade 1 classrooms feature special low furniture and bathrooms. There are 2 Collaboration Information Centers (CIC) which combine libraries and areas to gather and inquire. The school is fully wireless. As of summer of 2019, AISC has transformed all learning spaces with improved lighting, carpet, acoustics, storage, and adjustable, easy-to-move furniture. AISC is the first K-12 school in the world to achieve LEED Platinum status, using the real-time ARC platform.

Finances: In the 2023-2024 school year, annual tuition rates are as follows: EY: US $14,630; KG-grade 5: US $28,730; grades 6-8: US $29,415; and grades 9-12: US $33,045. The school charges a registration fee of US $4,000, a development fee of US $12,000 (both one-time and non-refundable), and an application fee of US $400. All fees, except for the application fees, are payable in U.S. dollars.

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information.  Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.