In the Camana Bay area of George Town on Grand Cayman Island rests the Cayman International School (CIS). Just a 10-minute walk to Seven Mile Beach, the pre-K-12 school focuses on inquiry-based learning in the realms of Concepts, Competency, and Character and on community principles of Kindness, Partnership, Sustainability, and Good Intent.
The vibrant waterfront town of Camana Bay is adjacent to the school with a variety of shops, restaurants, a marina, the National Art Gallery, the Harquail Theatre, mangrove trails, residential areas, and a hospital.
Founded as Faulkner Academy in 1994, CIS completed a major expansion project, adding a new state-of-the-art Early Childhood Centre in 2019 and a cutting-edge high school building in January 2021 that houses a double gymnasium, library, common area, and performing arts spaces.
The purpose-built campus sits on 22 acres and now boasts 206,000 square feet of indoor learning spaces spanning four different buildings. Within these are a library, STEAM Lab, computer/video production lab, two science labs, two music rooms, two art rooms, two student support centers, 42 classrooms, an amphitheater, and an administration building. In addition, the school has a full- sized, artificial turf soccer pitch with a FIFA 2-Star rating, a swimming pool, two tennis courts, and two basketball courts.
Along with project-based and service-learning opportunities, CIS offers a robust program with extensive athletic, arts, and other co-curricular activities. Currently enrolled are 1,010 students representing 45 nationalities, and 25% of them are Caymanian. Fully accredited by the Middle States Association, the international school organizes its curriculum into grades aligned to the American system. The research-based Early Childhood program draws from High Scope and Reggio Emilia. From kindergarten to Grade 10, CIS delivers the U.S. Common Core and aligns with Next Generation Science Standards; the program is also informed by the Common Ground Collaborative and WIDA. Students in Grade 11 and 12 engage in courses from the International Baccalaureate (IB), and over half of them take the full IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Twenty percent of the teaching staff are from the Caymans.
As the arts are an integral part of student learning CIS, students are encouraged to explore a range of creative experiences. Students in middle and high school have the opportunity to participate in band, choir, and annual musical theater productions. While music, theater, classic art, photography, design, technology, and more, are all part of the visual arts, performing arts, and technological arts programs, after school, students work together in collaborative groups to create a variety of concerts, plays, and art shows to share with the school community.
The extracurricular athletics program includes teams for boys' and girls' soccer, volleyball, and basketball along with swimming, netball, tag rugby, track & field, and cricket.
After school, students from Pre-K through Grade 5 can enjoy Pack-Up-&-Play. Split into two groups, Early Childhood and Elementary, students enjoy some or all activities: Guided Free Play, Snack Time, Activity Time, Quiet Time, Homework Time, and Outside Playtime.
CIS can hire certified, experienced singles and couples, including those with a non-teaching partner. Teachers must hold an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. As per government regulations, certified teachers up to the age of 65 wishing to teach overseas may obtain a work visa.
Benefits include a competitive, non-taxed salary in addition to annual airfare for each international teaching employee and one dependent. The school will match an employee contribution of 5% in a retirement plan that becomes activated after overseas teaching staff have been on the island for nine months. For those teaching abroad, tuition at CIS is covered 100% for the first child, 50% for the second child, and 20% off for the third and subsequent children. In addition to an Annual Wellness Allowance, worldwide health insurance—for all countries—is fully covered and includes dental and long-term disability. There are local employment opportunities for non-teaching partners.
The school is highly supportive of professional development (PD). In addition, to internal or external PD that furthers the school’s goals, CIS allows each full-time staff member to apply for a total amount of 1000.00 KYD per year from the “Personal Professional Development Fund” for approved professional development activities.
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Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
