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Colombo International School - Kandy Branch

Sri Lanka, Kandy

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 700
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages English, French, German, Sinhala, Tamil
Typical class size 9
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Colombo International School (CIS) Kandy Branch, established in 1998, provides an English-medium education based on the British curriculum for 700 students. Located in the tranquil residential suburb of Mawilmada, the campus prepares students for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and International Advanced Level (IAL) examinations. Students study a mandatory minimum of eight subjects at the IGCSE level, including options like French, German, and Economics, before narrowing their focus in the Sixth Form. A standout feature of CIS Kandy is its deep commitment to the Performing Arts. It holds the distinction of being the only school in the region to stage annual theatrical productions for the wider Kandy public, providing students with unique practical experience in drama and stagecraft. Beyond academics, students must participate in at least two extracurricular activities, ranging from Animal Welfare and Eureka clubs to competitively coached basketball and rugby programs.

175 Paranagantota Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka

The Essentials

Colombo International School - Kandy Branch has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 9, instruction in English.

Location
Colombo International School Kandy is located at 175 Paranagantota Road, Mawilmada, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Stages
Infant, Junior and Senior sections for ages from about 2½ to 18.

Type
secular, co-educational international private day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds including Korea, Japan, China, Britain, India, Sweden, Germany and the Maldives, as well as Sri Lanka.

Country affiliation
Sri Lanka

Religious affiliation
Secular
Diving Deeper

House System
Every pupil and staff member is assigned a House. The House system is a long standing tradition that creates competition, promotes teamwork, and encourages good behaviour and academic excellence. Annual competitions are held in the performing arts, debating and sports.

Governance and Ownership
The Colombo International School, Kandy is a branch of the Colombo International School. It follows a uniform academic programme based on the British curriculum and offers the same standards of instruction as the Colombo main branch.
Fees
Application fees

- A registration and a deposit are required as soon as a place is offered (applies Nursery to Year 11). Payment of the registration and deposit is a condition of acceptance.

Tuition fees (per term and per year) — estimated ranges

- The school does not publish a public, itemised fee schedule by year-group on the materials available; the figures below are estimated tuition ranges compiled from recent market guides for Sri Lankan international schools and are presented by stage for use as working ranges only. Sources used to estimate these ranges are cited after this section.

- Infant / Early Years (Nursery, Pre‑Reception, Reception):
- Typical estimated fee per term: LKR 200,000 – LKR 400,000.
- Typical estimated fee per academic year (three terms): LKR 600,000 – LKR 1,200,000.

- Junior School (Year 1 – Year 6):
- Typical estimated fee per term: LKR 300,000 – LKR 500,000.
- Typical estimated fee per academic year: LKR 900,000 – LKR 1,500,000.

- Senior School (Year 7 – Year 11 / IGCSE years):
- Typical estimated fee per term: LKR 350,000 – LKR 700,000.
- Typical estimated fee per academic year: LKR 1,050,000 – LKR 2,100,000.

- Sixth Form (Year 12 – Year 13 / A Level):
- Typical estimated fee per term: LKR 400,000 – LKR 900,000.
- Typical estimated fee per academic year: LKR 1,200,000 – LKR 2,700,000.

(These ranges reflect recent published estimates for comparable international schools in Colombo and Kandy and should be treated as indicative only.)

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are invoiced on a termly basis and term fees are required to be paid in advance. The admissions declaration requires that term fees be paid at least fourteen (14) days before the commencement of each term. Parents must give three calendar months' written notice in case of withdrawal; if three months' notice is not provided the appropriate term fee is payable.

- Academic term dates are published by the school (example: the 2025–2026 term dates are provided in the school calendar). Invoices are raised with a due date; the application form records an invoice/due-date field for office use.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Colombo International School, Kandy branch operates as a day school; there is no public indication of a boarding programme for the Kandy branch and no boarding fees are published for the Kandy campus.

Other costs or fees

- Registration and deposit (paid on acceptance) — required as noted above.

- Uniform, PE kit, books and stationery — parents are required to provide uniform, PE kit and required books/stationery; these are additional, one‑off or annual costs charged to parents. The application declarations explicitly list uniform and required books/stationery.

- Examination and assessment fees (IGCSE / A Level examination entries) — external examination fees are commonly charged in addition to tuition and are typical for schools preparing students for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and A‑Level examinations. Expect separate invoicing for exam entry fees and exam administration.

- Extra‑curricular activities, trips, transport and specialist learning support — these items are commonly invoiced separately by international schools and should be budgeted for in addition to tuition.

Refunds and withdrawal policy

- The admissions declaration requires three calendar months' written notice of withdrawal. If proper notice is not given, the school will charge the appropriate term fee. Term fees remain payable at least 14 days before each term until the child is officially withdrawn. The application form requires payment of the registration and deposit on offer of a place. The application materials do not specify a published, itemised refund schedule for registration, deposit or term fees.
Academics

Colombo International School - Kandy Branch teaches British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
British-based curriculum designed to provide an all-round, holistic education with equal emphasis on academics, arts, sports, culture, technology and social development. The three-stage system comprises Infants School, Junior School and Secondary School. CIS Kandy replicates the main branch's standards and prepares students for Edexcel's IGCSE and A Level examinations. The curriculum includes Languages (French, Sinhala, Tamil) and a broad range of subjects taught by a mix of Sri Lankan and expatriate staff. The programme emphasizes both academic achievement and wider development.

Student Teacher Ratio
The staff to student ratio is approximately 1:9.

Exam Results
Examination results have been consistently outstanding, with many students achieving three or more A or A* grades every year. The school offers the UK-based IGCSE and A Level examinations.

Higher Education Progression
Alumni attend prestigious universities worldwide including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, Harvard, Monash, Princeton, Stanford and the University of Melbourne. They pursue studies in medicine, engineering, economics, business management and law.

Gifted and Talented
Generous scholarships reward top-performing students. An Enrichment Programme is incorporated into the Sixth Form curriculum to broaden intellectual horizons and develop critical thinking.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a strong pastoral system. Class Teachers monitor student wellbeing, conduct and performance. A Head of Year oversees each year group and works with the Head of Secondary and the Principal to support students. There are daily tutoring sessions where Class Teachers provide academic and personal support. The staff-to-student ratio supports small-group and individual attention and the school places emphasis on student wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school offers a Supportive Literacy programme for students who require additional English language support, run by a specialised branch of the English Department. The programme creates specific and individualised programmes for students with literacy needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Additional English language support is provided through the Supportive Literacy programme run by a specialised branch of the English Department, delivering personalised programmes for learners needing extra language support. For students arriving without an English language qualification appropriate for overseas university entry, the IELTS course is offered in the Sixth Form to support admissions.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is central to CIS. The school has a strong pastoral system with Class Teachers who monitor student wellbeing, conduct and performance. A Head of Year oversees the welfare of the year group and liaises with the Head of Secondary and the Principal. Daily contact with Class Teachers supports attendance and helps address personal issues, contributing to the aim of keeping students happy and well supported.
Parent Experience

History
Colombo International School was founded in 1982 to provide co-educational, English-medium, high-quality education in Colombo. The CIS Kandy branch opened in 1998, with the same ethos and curriculum as the main Colombo campus. Students at CIS are prepared for Edexcel's IGCSE and A Level examinations, and a full range of subjects is offered in both branches. Many CIS graduates have progressed to universities in the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, India and elsewhere.

Community
Art, Dance, Drama and Music are central to CIS, with Art taught as a subject for Years 7–9 and many arts activities outside class. Regular musical and cultural evenings, drama productions and choir/orchestra performances take place, many in the 700-seat CIS auditorium. Clubs and societies cover many interests, including Animal Welfare, Debating, Environment, Interact, IT and MUN, with student Presidents and Secretaries leading activities and a staff adviser. A house system promotes competition and teamwork, with annual events across performing arts, debating and sports; the Sports Department offers athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, netball, rugby, soccer, swimming and tennis, and CIS competes island-wide.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Colombo International School, Kandy provides facilities for Cricket, Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton and Drama. Professional coaches support Basketball and Rugby. The school emphasises Performing Arts, staging plays annually for the public in Kandy. The campus supports a holistic education through a broad range of extra-curricular activities. The two CIS campuses follow a uniform British curriculum.

Sports Facilities
Basketball and Rugby are coached by professional staff. Facilities accommodate Cricket, Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton and Drama. The Basketball teams have won Under-15 titles at All Island and Inter-International Schools tournaments. The school's sports program supports athletic development across the campus.

Academic Facilities
The Colombo International School, Kandy follows a uniform British curriculum. Students are prepared for Edexcel IGCSE 9-1 and Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) examinations. IGCSE 9-1 subjects include English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English Literature, French, German, Sinhala, Tamil, IT, Economics, Business Studies, Accounting, History, Geography and Art. IAL courses include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, History, IT and Accounting.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Participation in a minimum of two extra-curricular activities is mandatory. The school believes in holistic education and encourages participation in extra-curricular activities that complement academics. Professional coaches support Basketball and Rugby. Facilities are provided for Cricket, Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton and Drama, and the Performing Arts program is emphasised, with annual plays in Kandy.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The curriculum is based on the British system and is designed to provide an all-round education with equal importance given to academic and intellectual development. The school uses a three-stage education process: Infants, Junior and Secondary. Students are prepared for Edexcel IGCSE 9-1 and International Advanced Level exams. The curriculum emphasizes an integrated approach that couples academic study with arts, sports, culture, technology and social activities.

Arts & Creative
Art, Dance, Drama and Music are central to CIS Kandy. The Performing Arts are emphasised, with regular productions and a choir and orchestra that perform at events. The school places particular importance on the Performing Arts, staging plays annually for the public in Kandy. Students can join clubs such as Drama, Art, Choral, Orchestra and other arts-related activities, all overseen by specialist staff.

Cultural & Language
English Literature is offered as part of the IGCSE programme. French and German are available language options, along with Sinhala and Tamil. These language offerings are part of the IGCSE/IAL pathways within the British-based curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
CIS Kandy encourages broad participation in social and hobby activities through a wide range of ECAs. A minimum of two extracurricular activities is required for each student. Active clubs include Debating, Drumming, Interact Club, IT Society, Math Olympiad, Science, Chess, Environmental and Social Service, among others. Students participate in club activities that are supervised by staff, with student Presidents and Secretaries leading the clubs.

Community & Service
Social service and community involvement are encouraged through clubs such as Animal Welfare, Social Service, and Environmental groups. Additional clubs include Debating, Chess, IT Society and MUN, which provide opportunities for teamwork, service projects and community engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is supported through roles such as club Presidents and Secretaries, appointed annually. Model United Nations is a key activity, with CIS hosting COMUN 2023 and SLMUN 2023.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Colombo International School, Kandy uses a House system that promotes teamwork, responsibility and academic excellence. The Sports Department offers athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, netball, rugby, soccer, swimming and tennis, with island-wide competitions and national representation. Regular events in performing arts, debating and sports unite the school community and encourage wellbeing. Many CIS students go on to represent national and international teams.
Languages

Language Provision
The school provides English-medium education. Languages taught include French, Sinhala and Tamil, with German available as an IGCSE subject. The IGCSE 9-1 programme includes English, French, German, Sinhala and Tamil among its language offerings. In the Junior School, languages offered are French, Sinhala and Tamil.
Admissions

Admissions
1. A downloadable application form is available by clicking the 'Click here to download the application form' link on the Admissions page.

2. Admission to the school takes place throughout the year and it involves an assessment in English and Mathematics. Reports will also be reviewed at an informal interview.

3. The Principal and Head of Secondary are available to meet interested parents and a tour of the Kandy campus can be arranged.

4. Age groups served range from Nursery 2+ to 3+, Pre-Reception 3+ to 4+, Reception (KG 1) 4+ to 5+, Year 1 (KG 2) 5+ to 6+, Year 2 (Pr 1) 6+ to 7+, Year 3 (Pr 2) 7+ to 8+, Year 4 (Pr 3) 8+ to 9+, Year 5 (Pr 4) 9+ to 10+, Year 6 (Pr 5) 10+ to 11+, Year 7 (Form 1) 11+ to 12+, Year 8 (Form 2) 12+ to 13+, Year 9 (Form 3) 13+ to 14+, Year 10 (Form 4) 14+ to 15+, Year 11 (Form 5) 15+ to 16+, Year 12 (Lower 6) 16+ to 17+, Year 13 (Upper 6) 17+ to 18+.

Scholarships
The school offers generous scholarships, rewarding the top-performing students. Scholarship criteria include more than just academic progress, reflecting the holistic contributions to school life.
School Events
The school has not added events
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