The International School Bangalore

Infobox school
name=The International School Bangalore
type=Private
location=Bangalore, Karnataka
country=IND


imagesize = 144px
principal=Dr Matthew Sullivan
dean=Mrs Santhamma Gopalkrishna
students=approximately 800
website=http://www.tisb.org/
free_label=Chairman
free_text=Dr K. P. Gopalkrishna
free_label2=Director
free_text2=Dr Bindu Hari
information=[phone]

The International School Bangalore (TISB) is a private, unaided primary and secondary education institution located in the outskirts of Bangalore, India. It was established in 2000, founded by Dr. K. P. Gopalkrishna, and is a sister school of the National Public Schools, Bangalore. Students of TISB typically take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at the end of the 10th grade, followed by a two-year International Baccalaureate diploma.

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The International School Bangalore (TISB) is regarded as one of Bangalore's top schools [http://www.blonnet.com/2003/09/10/stories/2003091001101700.htm] . The students largely come from rich backgrounds, or Non Resident Indian families who wish to have their children schooled in India, because the fees are around US$12,000 a year and there are no scholarships or financial aid available. However, scholarships are planned to be available for the IB Diploma Program from the year starting August 2008 onwards. Most students who come to TISB are attracted by the plush lawns, impeccable facilities, and the prospect of going to a top university after completing the IB Diploma Program.

However, negative criticism exists of the school as it impedes open talk about some unfavorable aspects of it. It strictly monitors the ongoings and online communication regarding the image and opinions of the school. Some students claim that this does not provide an accurate depiction of the environment within but its elevated image seems to make up for this.

Academics

TISB has a broad curriculum for its elementary school students that is designed to acquaint them with both eastern and western culture and methods of study. The students have a choice of studying Hindi or western languages such as French, Spanish or German. English is a compulsory subject in this school. The school also has an EFL department.

Examinations are held once at the end of each academic year for grades 6, 7 and 8. In grades 9 and 10, the students take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) course. In grades the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. IGCSE is conducted by the University of Cambridge International Examinations - [http://www.cie.org.uk/CIE/WebSite/home.jsp CIE] and the IB Examinations are conducted by the International Baccalaureate Organization - [http://www.ibo.org (IBO)]

Its claimed internationality in education is at times questioned with the complete emphasis the school places on grades versus a broader, well-rounded education. Unlike most western education systems, a practical, learning-based teaching style is overlooked to give room to a more test-based system. This is believed to give the school the academic caliber it currently holds.

Clubs and facilities

Sports facilities include basketball, football, cricket, hockey, badminton, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, squash and athletics. School starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m., with a break from 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. and lunch from 1:15 to 2:00 p.m. There is one computer lab for the students and a separate one for the faculty apart from computers that are available in the library. The computers are of high specifications and are provided with high speed broadband. The school is also expanding its campus to include a 9-hole golf course and are proposing a university with a tie up with Newcastle University for undergraduate studiesFact|date=February 2007.

The school has produced some plays (Oliver Twist, Bugsy, and the most recent one - The fiddler on the Roof), and a few in-house concerts. The school has various clubs and organizations such as the Model United Nations (MUN) and many clubs relating to the arts, sports, and education. TISB students run a drama club, a school choir, and few other special-interest groups.

Vivum - Intercollegiate Fest

The school also hosts a yearly student fest called Vivum. The fest is run entirely by the 12th grade batch of that year along with assistance from a few 11th graders. The fest includes various competitions like MUN, Speech and Debate, Writing, Drama, Dance, Drawing, Science, Computer Programming, and other such activities apart from a sports competition. The fest ends with a climactic "Battle of the Bands" where bands from the invited schools play for the entire student population for the title. The TISB bands also plays; it however does not participate in the competition. The only part of the fest that the school competes in are the sporting events. The students from grade 10th and below are not allow to take part of the Vivum and it is compulsory for them to stay in the classes.

Other Activities

Apart from its sports and extracurricular activities the school has some other activities the students can participate in. TISB conducts workshops for both IGCSE and IB teachers from around the world. The workshop conductors are teachers from other international schools from countries such as Britain, Thailand and SingaporeFact|date=February 2007. The school also takes part in several community-driven activities such as the annual Terry Fox Run and the aid of several underprivileged children in need of an education.

ister Schools

* National Public School, Indiranagar, Bangalore
* National Public School, Rajajinagar, Bangalore
* National Public School, Koramangala, Bangalore
* National Academy For Learning, Bangalore
* National Public School, Lloyds Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai.

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See also

* List of schools in India
* List of international schools

External links

* [http://www.tisb.org The International School Bangalore Home Page]
* [http://www.bangaloreschools.net/2007/10/27/the-international-school-bangalore-tisb-whitefield-bangalore/ Share your experiences about TISB]