About isy
The International School Yangon is a non-profit Pre-K through 12th Grade international school in Myanmar. Founded in 1955, ISY is the oldest international school in Myanmar and the most diverse.
Welcome Letter from Dr. Gregory A. Hedger, School Director
Welcome to The International School Yangon (ISY)!
For over seventy years, ISY has been committed to providing the best education possible to both the local and international community in Myanmar. Our mission is to be a community of compassionate global citizens, and our vision is to develop lifelong learners who will be a force for positive change in the world.
Since joining ISY in 2016, I have witnessed how deeply these values are embedded in our school culture. Following extensive focus groups with our community at the start of the 2019-20 school year, it was evident that our mission and vision are truly internalized in everything we do at ISY.
Community is the bedrock of the ISY experience. From the moment you enter our gates, you are surrounded by an outstanding faculty and staff from various countries, all dedicated to providing exceptional care and education to our students. Our engaged parents further enhance this strong sense of community through their daily involvement and support.
Service learning is a cornerstone of our educational approach. We encourage our students to engage with the world around them, addressing real-world challenges and developing empathy, leadership, and a profound sense of responsibility.
Global citizenship is at the heart of ISY. Our diverse student body and faculty bring together a wealth of perspectives, fostering an international mindset. We celebrate our differences and learn from one another, preparing our students to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world.
Mission
The International School Yangon is a community of compassionate global citizens.
Vision
We aim to develop lifelong learners who will be a force for positive change in the world.
In the 2022-23 school year, our community participated in a review of our strategic themes, resulting in the introduction of five new themes for the 2023-24 school year: belonging, sustainability, learning, internationalism, and business practices. These themes reflect our ongoing commitment to our mission and vision.
Our boutique-style campus is a hub of activity, where students engage in sports, clubs, service projects, and other opportunities, fostering lifelong friendships and a strong sense of belonging. The sense of community permeates every aspect of life at ISY.
As you explore our website, I believe you will sense the pride we feel in our school and community. From our purpose-built sports, arts, and science complex to our historic administration building, it is clear why ISY is an educational leader in Myanmar, the region, and the world.
Warm regards,
Dr. Gregory A. Hedger
School Director, ISY
About ISY
The International School Yangon (formerly known as International School Rangoon) celebrated its 65th anniversary in September, 2020. ISY is proud of the fact that it has impacted the lives of thousands of students over the years.
Founded in 1952 by Ms. Jevne, an American woman, The International School Yangon (ISY) originally served the needs of students whose parents were working 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. When it moved to its new location, the school maintained the original administrative building which was once the private home of one of ISY’s first local teachers. It was also a center for the Japanese occupation forces during World War II, and an administrative center for the Burmese/Myanmar Government.
Today, ISY takes pride in being a top-tier benchmark school in Myanmar, with almost 450 students from 45 countries in attendance. ISY maintains a nationality cap such that no more than 30% of each grade can be of one nationality. The largest nationality groups at ISY for the 2019-20 school year are Myanmar, United States, South Korea, India and Japan. We offer a program based on an American core curriculum with an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. ISY is a private, nonprofit, and nondenominational school.
Ninety-eight percent of ISY graduates move on to colleges and universities of their choice around the world. ISY is committed to a program that reflects both the school community’s high expectations for academic rigor and the needs of the multinational student body. There is a deep commitment to its mission, which encourages all students to be a force for positive change in their communities and the world.
ISY encourages students to pursue a wide range of interests beyond the classroom. In partnership with parents, the school community fosters the development of each student’s potential by seeking a balance of academic, physical, social, emotional and aesthetic pursuits.
The International School Yangon is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS). ISY is committed to excellence, ensuring that all students achieve a high level of accomplishment using English as the medium of instruction.
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040