Woodstock School in Mussoorie has now been awarded Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation. CIS is a global membership community working collaboratively to shape international education through professional services to schools, higher education institutions, and individuals. Its members include many of the best international schools around the world.
The final award of CIS accreditation shows that the school has achieved high standards of professional performance in international education and has a commitment to continuous improvement. Woodstock’s journey has been a long one, with work beginning in earnest in 2017. It included a period of self-study and assessment, followed by a CIS evaluation visit by a team of educational professionals last autumn. A great number of staff and students have been involved in the process, which has examined every aspect of Woodstock life — from how the teachers and students live its principles in practice, through classes and curriculum, to the school’s enrichment and environmental management.
CIS highlighted a number of aspects of Woodstock’s culture and approach which really shone through during their assessment. These included the well-articulated strategic vision which is being ably implemented, and the exceptionally diverse co-curricular programme throughout the school. They described the work of the auxiliary services staff as exemplary and felt their commitment and work ethic is exceptional. CIS also highlighted the outstanding dedication and support from the residential team which provides high levels of care for all the students. CIS were impressed with the school’s ambitious plans for developing the campus, and how they align with the guiding principle of ‘treading lightly on the earth’. And they praised the commitment to the development of global citizenship – which is at the heart of both Woodstock’s ethos and CIS’s own.
While gaining CIS accreditation is a powerful endorsement of the school’s approach, the real benefits lie in the support it will gain as part of a global community of the world’s best international schools. By 2020 Woodstock School will be widely recognised as a leading educational institution in Asia, impacting the world from its Indian Himalayan context. The diverse student body and talented staff will be drawn from many nations. Its educational approach will be relevant, innovative and inspiring, built upon values which have anchored the school for more than 150 years.
Woodstock currently offers a college-preparatory academic programme that culminates in an American High School Diploma. External examinations include the UK Cambridge IGCSE at Grade 10 and the US College Board Advanced Placement Examinations in Grades 11 and 12.
Woodstock School is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). This school is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Woodstock School believes is important for its students. Following a phased implementation approach, Woodstock started offering the IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-8 in July 2017. Pending full authorisation from the IB, the Woodstock Class of 2021 will be the first cohort of students to graduate with both the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students graduating in the Class of 2018, 2019 and 2020 will be unaffected by this change.