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Kathmandu International Study Centre

Nepal, Kathmandu

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 220
Type Co-educational
Opened 1987
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Nepali, Korean, French, German, Spanish
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Preschool, Kindergarten
Introduction

Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC) is a not-for-profit international Christian school for students aged 4 to 18. The curriculum follows the British system, with Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and Cambridge International AS and A Levels in Grades 11–12, leading to Cambridge external examinations and university placement worldwide. The school draws on resources from around the world to support an international student body and maintains optima class sizes and a holistic approach to learning. Facilities include two libraries, science laboratories, ICT and music rooms, a dedicated secondary library, and a three-storey academic block, alongside a separate sports complex and a grass field. Distinctive programs include the Duke of Edinburgh Award and a leadership course that develop service, expeditions and leadership. KISC holds MSA and Cambridge accreditations, and British Schools Overseas accreditation was achieved in 2022. The school emphasizes service, activities, and cross-cultural understanding through house competitions, electives, and community initiatives.

J8F9+F36, Thecho 44700, Nepal

The Essentials

Kathmandu International Study Centre has 220 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
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.

Stages
Primary and Secondary

Type
Not-for-profit international Christian school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 220 students come from around 20 countries.

Additional learning support
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.

Religious affiliation
Christian

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
No school uniform; students follow the KISC dress code.

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

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

Governance and Ownership
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.
Fees
Application fee

- The non-refundable online application fee is USD 100, payable at the time of application.

Tuition fees (annual and per-term by school level and student category)

- Tuition is presented as an annual amount by school level and student category. The school operates on a four-term academic calendar; the per-term figures shown below are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by four (per-term amounts are therefore an arithmetic division of the annual fee by four).

- Primary (Mission student): Annual tuition USD 3,280 — Per term (calculated) USD 820.

- Primary (Non-mission student): Annual tuition USD 3,812 — Per term (calculated) USD 953.

- Secondary (Mission student): Annual tuition USD 4,600 — Per term (calculated) USD 1,150.

- Secondary (Non-mission student): Annual tuition USD 5,980 — Per term (calculated) USD 1,495.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The academic year runs from early August to late June and is organised in four terms (Term 1: August, Term 2: October, Term 3: January, Term 4: April). Tuition figures are published as annual amounts; transport fees are explicitly charged per term. Per-term billing is computed here by dividing the annual tuition by four. Specific payment deadlines, penalties for late payment, and whether tuition may be paid annually, termly, or by another schedule are set by the school's finance office.

One-off and other mandatory fees

- Capital levy (one-off) USD 750.

- Security/administrative deposit: NPR 20,000 (Rs 20,000).

Transport (optional) and related fees

- Bus service (to/from Kathmandu): USD 110 per student per term.

- Van service (to Patan area): USD 90 per student per term.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; the school is operated as a day school. No boarding fee is published.

Uniforms and dress-code

- There is no school uniform; students must follow the school's dress code. No mandatory uniform fee is listed.

Other potential costs

- Transport is charged separately (see transport fees above). Additional costs that commonly apply at schools (exam/assessment fees, activity or curriculum fees, textbooks, lunches, insurance, optional extracurricular charges) are not itemised in the publicly available fee summary; such items may be charged separately and should be confirmed with the school finance office.

Refund information

- A formal withdrawal form is provided by the school and is used for student withdrawal procedures; specific refund rules (refundability of deposits, timing or percentage of refunds for tuition or other fees on withdrawal) are set out in the school's withdrawal/refund policy. The withdrawal form is available through the school's forms section.

Fee payment options

- The school accepts electronic bank transfers (NMB Bank Limited — international transfer details and SWIFT code are published for payments to Nepal). Card payments and online donations/payments can be processed when card details are provided to the finance/donations contact; PayPal and partner donation gateways are also used for international payments. For local and international payments the school provides bank account details and can process card/PayPal payments. Specific instructions for paying school fees (payment references, invoice numbers, charges for international transfers, and accepted card processing for tuition) are handled by the school's finance office.
Academics

Kathmandu International Study Centre teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
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.

Exam Results
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.

Higher Education Progression
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.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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.

Safeguarding
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).
Parent Experience

History
KISC began as an educational response to the needs of the children of mission workers who came to Nepal after the country opened to foreigners in the early 1950s. It was established by United Mission to Nepal (UMN) and International Nepal Fellowship (INF), and in 1987 KISC became an international Christian school. In 2007 ownership passed from UMN and INF to the Nepali Christian NGO Human Development and Community Services (HDCS), with the school moving to Dhobighat in December of that year. KISC's EQUIP teacher training programme was officially named in 2008 to share KISC's educational standards with Nepali schools. By 2016 KISC was the only K-13 international school in Nepal with both Middle States Association (MSA) and Cambridge International Examinations accreditations; it celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017, moved to its current site in Thecho, Lalitpur in 2018, and achieved British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation in 2022.

Community
KISC is a culturally diverse international Christian school with about 220 students from around 20 countries. Its mission focuses on serving international mission communities and Nepali school communities, reflecting a community-centred ethos. Activity Week each year enables students to bless and serve communities across Nepal, with experiences such as teaching in partner schools, building shelters and painting murals, alongside field trips and adventure activities. The Secondary Life programme includes the Annual Show, Student Council, Green Team and Orchestra & Choir, which foster community involvement and cultural activity; inter-house events and a house system also support school-wide sports and music contests.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
KISC is housed in three buildings relocated in 2018 and enclosed by a high perimeter wall with monitored gates and CCTV. The primary building is single-storey, with outdoor access from each classroom and the primary library sits around a large central school hall. The secondary section is a three-storey block with equipped science laboratories on the top floor and additional classrooms on the lower floors; an administration block houses the medical room, art room, kitchen and secondary library. A separate covered sports area with showers and changing rooms sits on site, and the grounds include outdoor spaces with table tennis tables, a basketball court and a long jump pit. Libraries are well stocked, science laboratories have Cambridge-ready equipment, and ICT/music rooms are well equipped with projectors and interactive whiteboards. The kitchen is used daily for meals and a school clinic is available on site.

Sports Facilities
KISC has a futsal pitch, basketball court, gym (weights and aerobics), a large multipurpose hall and a large grass sports field used for activities including ultimate frisbee, volleyball, netball and cricket. There are two table-tennis tables on site. A swimming pool is accessible nearby for swimming lessons and competitions. The inter-house program includes annual sports and music events, and KISC participates in the Nepal Inter-School Sports Association (NISSA) league.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include two libraries (primary and secondary) well stocked with English publications; the secondary section occupies a three-storey building with equipped science laboratories on the top floor and other subject classrooms on the lower floors. Music and ICT rooms are on site and are suitably equipped; every classroom has a projector and secondary classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. The libraries support English-language learning and Cambridge exam preparation.

Extra Curricular Facilities
IDEA: the International Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at KISC with Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and expeditions. Activity Week provides service projects and adventures for primary and secondary students. Electives are offered alongside the core curriculum, and an annual show is held each year. Students participate in a house system (Dhaulagiri, Makalu and Annapurna) with inter-house sport and music competitions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Electives run Friday afternoons for Grades 6–12, with one elective chosen each term. Students pursue a variety of activities including swimming, music, paper crafts, photography, pottery, cooking, and sports. The program broadens learning beyond core subjects and fosters collaboration across year groups.

Arts & Creative
Orchestra and Choir provide musical performance opportunities, including Christmas and Spring concerts, with an inter-house music competition as a yearly highlight. Primary Life's 2:20 CLUBS include dance, creative writing, and stop-motion animation. Secondary electives also cover arts-related activities such as photography and pottery, enhancing creative expression.

Cultural & Language
World Book Day is celebrated in Primary Life. Electives include arts and crafts such as paper crafts and photography, contributing to cultural appreciation. These activities support literacy and cross-cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
Primary Life offers after-school clubs (2:20 CLUBS) including gardening, dance, creative writing, stop-motion animation, phonics, and athletics. Clubs run on different days by grade, giving students time to pursue varied interests after the school day. These clubs foster social interaction, teamwork, and confidence beyond the classroom.

Community & Service
Activity Week is a major annual focus, with Primary Activity Week featuring a biblical theme and reflective assemblies, and Secondary Activity Week encouraging service to Nepali communities through teaching, building shelters, hospital help, and murals. There are also excursions to national parks and adventure activities. The Duke of Edinburgh Award (IDEA) offers service projects, new skills, and expeditions for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Leadership & Professional
A Secondary Student Council represents all grades and coordinates events to strengthen the KISC community. A year-long student leadership course for Grades 11–12 teaches servant leadership, organization, mentorship, lesson planning, self-reflection, and teamwork. Student leaders co-teach primary clubs, plan events, and lead community service projects. The IDEA program also contributes to leadership development through service and expeditions.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
KISC has sports facilities including a futsal pitch, basketball court, gym, a large hall, and a grass field used for ultimate frisbee, volleyball, netball, and cricket; there are two table-tennis tables and access to a local swimming pool. Inter-house competitions include the Swimming Gala, Football Tournament, and Zuala Basketball Cup, with trophies awarded to the winning house. The Nepal Inter-School Sports Association (NISSA) league activity is a feature, with notable results in the 2024–25 season (e.g., runners-up in boys basketball and third place in girls' football).
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction at KISC. All students whose first language is not English are assessed on their English language abilities. English language support is provided for non-native speakers.
Reputation

Accreditations
British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation: KISC meets the standards of the British Schools Overseas inspection scheme.
Nepal Ministry of Education license: KISC is licensed to offer a British curriculum and deliver the English National Curriculum to pupils.
Admissions

Admissions
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
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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