Celebrating 70 years of excellence

Established in 1955 as a not-for-profit school, The International School Yangon (ISY) marks its 70th anniversary. This milestone is a significant chapter in ISY’s history, reflecting seven decades of dedication to education, community, and global citizenship. Listening to the stories of past and present school directors it is evident that ISY leaves a profound impact on all who pass through its doors. With inspiring teachers, a vibrant campus, and a tradition of fostering lifelong learning and pathways to future success, ISY continues to uphold its legacy of excellence while looking ahead to creating an even brighter future.

Years of ISY

An iconic building at the heart of our campus.

When The International School Yangon (ISY) moved to its new location, it retained the original administrative building, a structure steeped in history. Once the private home of one of ISY’s first local teachers, this building stands as a testament to the school’s deep-rooted connections to the local community. Over the decades, it has witnessed significant moments in Myanmar’s history. During World War II, it served as a center for the Japanese occupation forces, and in subsequent years, it became an administrative center for the Burmese/Myanmar Government. Today, it embodies the rich and complex heritage of the region, symbolizing resilience and continuity at the core of ISY’s campus.

Upcoming Celebratory Events

18th November – 70th Year Announcement from ISY Board Chairperson, Ekayi Maw – read here
23rd November – 70th year Celebration official kick-off at the Family Fun Fair
TBA – Time Capsule
TBA – Alumni Event – to celebrate our past ISY students
29th March 6 pm – ISY Gala – Timeless Traditions

ISY History

Founded in 1952 by Ms. Jevne, an American woman, The International School Yangon (ISY) originally served the needs of students whose parents were working in the diplomatic and business community. It continued to grow in size and soon became a kindergarten through grade 12 school offering outstanding academic programs to both international and local students. In 1955, a Declaration of Trust was made by His Excellency Joseph C. Satterwaite, Ambassador of the United States to the Union of Burma. In 1988, the school moved to its present location in the Golden Valley neighborhood of Yangon. Enjoy the timeline below outlining ISY’s history.

1955

The International School Rangoon (ISR) was established in September 1944, originally located on Kabaaye Road. It offered grades from 1st through 4th.

A Declaration of Trust was formalized by His Excellency Joseph C. Satterwaite, the U.S. Ambassador to the Union of Burma.

1959

The school moved to 61 Insein Road, expanding to serve students from Kindergarten to 6th grade, with an enrollment of approximately 80 students.

1966	The deed of trust was amended on 14th March 1966 to include Articles of Association and by-laws.
1970	The school has classes from KG to the 8th Grade. There are now 127 students from 18 countries.

1976	The International High School (IHS-R) was founded in 1976 by the International community to provide a high school education for its students. It was located on Prone Road. About thirty students attended the school in the first year.
1977	In 1977, the school moved to 8 Wigan’s Avenue.
1983	About six years later, the school moved to Dubern Road near the American Club.
1984	On December 22, 1984, the school’s first van, a twelve-seater Toyota minibus, was christened “Lemon Drop,” a name proposed by Patrick Larsen in a contest. The van was a generous gift from the School Board.
1984	The Elementary school and High school were first accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

1985	In February 1985, ISR received two new Apple IIe computers. The teachers immediately began computer training, and students soon started working on them as well.
1989	The school moved to its current location in the Golden Valley area of Yangon. IHS-R merged with ISR, and a new logo featuring the “Chinthe and Naga” was created. The Chinthe represents strength, and the Naga symbolizes power; together, these mythological creatures embody the strength and power that marked the merger of the two schools.
1990	The first visit from WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges) took place. A three-member accreditation team reviewed our philosophy, goals, and curricula, met with staff, students, and community members, and observed classes. They provided faculty and board members with a positive review of their report.
1991	The first fun fair was held at the new school campus in Golden Valley, featuring a traditional Ferris Wheel and pony rides. This event showcased the larger and improved facilities that served both schools.
1991	Santa Claus arrived on campus—Christmas on an elephant! After meeting Santa, everyone enjoyed elephant rides.

1994-95	ISY expanded by about 50 students and acquired a new building along with a wider road. The D-building got off to an auspicious start.
1996	ISY built a new addition—the E Building—which was the newest building that year.
1998	ISY renovated the canteen to improve hygiene. With the addition of Lollipop, a local fast-food restaurant, a more spacious and efficient layout was created.
1998	The girls’ volleyball team brought home ISY’s first-ever SEASAC volleyball championship, joined by the first ISY boys’ volleyball team.
1998	ISY implemented the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to ensure safe, orderly campus exits during emergencies. An additional security gate, staffed by uniformed guards, was also added to control vehicle access.
2000	ISY hosted the SEASAC Fine Arts Festival for the first time, with four participating schools. The final performance took place at the Strand Hotel Ballroom on Sunday, March 5th.
2001	The new four-story building, now called the C Building, opened to accommodate ISY’s growing curriculum, student body, and faculty. Locker room facilities with showers were added on the ground floor, while the canteen moved to an air-conditioned lunchroom on the second floor. Classrooms and computer labs for all grade levels filled the third and fourth floors.
2002	In response to 9/11, ISY constructed a large security wall around the campus, which was completed in the fall. The wall received mixed reactions: some students felt “encaged,” while others saw it as essential for safety. To enhance its appearance, the ISY Art Department designed a mural for the wall.
2003	The protective wall in front of ISY was completed, featuring a design created by ISY students and teachers—thanks to the efforts of the Art Department! Construction began in September and took about a year to finish.

2008	MUN expanded its influence traveling to Cairo on the first trip out of Asia.
2008	High School initiated a series of class trips to put together a fledgling Week Without Wall.
2012	Connie Buford, the U.S. Department of State’s Regional Education Officer for Southeast Asia, visited ISY on October 26. Her role includes supporting U.S. families overseas through international schools like ISY, which benefits from grants and professional development resources.
2013	ISY Peace Day Celebration
2014	ISY experienced significant growth, welcoming 60 new students and adding a third section to each middle school grade. The school also set a record for college and university visits, with representatives from more countries than ever before.

2015	ISY underwent a major transformation as buildings C, D, E, and the Teak MPR were demolished for new purpose-built facilities. The year also saw the opening of the ECIC campus for Pre-K to Grade 1, giving younger students their own spacious area to explore. With the expansion, over 100 new students joined the Elementary School, bringing fresh energy and excitement.
2017	ISY’s brand-new Science, Arts, and Sports Building redefined our campus, placing our facilities among the finest in the region. Meanwhile, the Early Childhood Interim Campus (ECIC), a “small oasis of happiness” for Pre-K to Grade 1 students, wrapped up its final year, preparing to reunite with the rest of the Elementary School on the main campus.
2018	This year focused on strategic planning as ISY updated its guiding statements, adopted a new mission to define its identity, and crafted a vision for student outcomes. A new tagline was also introduced to encapsulate the essence of ISY’s mission and vision.
2019	ISY partnered with United World Schools (UWS) to build the Wan Kaung School, providing access to education for children in underserved areas. ISY raised funds to cover construction and hire the first teacher. Completed in November 2019, the school opened with 80 students from KG to Grade 4, with ISY students visiting the village to support the project.
2019	In early 2019, ISY received government approval to open a satellite campus in Nay Pyi Taw, with the Shwe Taung Group’s Junction Hotel chosen as the location. The Nay Pyi Taw campus officially opened on September 2, 2019, strengthening ISY’s commitment to Myanmar’s growth and enhancing its ability to serve the international community. However, the ISY Board of Trustees decided to close the school at the end of the 2020-21 school year to focus on the main campus in Yangon.
2019	In 2019, Yangon campus students enjoyed a new playground installed over the summer, with trampolines added in December, quickly becoming a favorite feature among students.
2020	In 2020, despite challenges from COVID-19 affecting in-person learning, ISY advanced technology integration, enabling students to continue learning virtually. Over the summer, ISY launched Chinthe Learning Online on the Moodle platform, allowing students in different time zones to learn at their own pace with regular teacher check-ins. This platform supported asynchronous learning throughout the first half of the year.
2020	ISY made a significant move toward carbon neutrality with the completion of a solar panel installation across campus buildings. Since activation, these panels now supply around 90% of ISY’s power needs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., marking a major step in our commitment to renewable energy.
2021	In 2021, a state-of-the-art climbing wall was installed in our gymnasium, now enjoyed by students as in-person learning resumes.
2022	In 2022, ISY refurbished the design of its entrance wall to enhance clarity and make a prominent statement. The new sign created an inviting atmosphere, and students were excited to see the updated look as they resumed their school activities.
2022	ISY launched The Chinthe Fund during the Family Fun Fair, introducing a new approach to fundraising for our core partners. This initiative aligned seamlessly with the event’s goal of raising money for student service learning groups.
2022	The ISY merchandise store was rebranded as Chinthe Zay, and new merchandise was introduced.
2022	This year saw the revision of the Strategic Themes in line with a five-year review cycle, and the school adopted the five strategic themes. Each theme is linked to specific statements defining the vision for each statement.
2023	During the summer of 2023, ISY underwent significant campus improvements, including the construction of a new and expanded library and a much-needed formal multi-purpose room. The front steps, commonly referred to as the teak steps, were refurbished with actual teak, enhancing their appearance and durability.