Welcome Letter from Mr. Mike Simpson, School Director

Welcome to The International School Yangon (ISY)!

For more than seventy years, The International School Yangon has been committed to providing an exceptional education for both the local and international communities of Myanmar.

This is my ninth year at ISY. I am deeply grateful to be part of this community, and I am here because I believe in our mission and in our people.

At its heart, school is about people. While academic excellence matters deeply, education is ultimately about helping young people discover who they are, what they care about, and how they can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

We are living in a time of extraordinary change, shaped by artificial intelligence and global complexity. In this context, the qualities that make us most deeply human matter more than ever. At ISY, we believe that developing human intelligence, our ability to think critically, connect, create, collaborate, reflect, and care, is essential for our students to flourish in an uncertain future.

Our mission, a Community of Compassionate Global Citizens, reflects this. We want ISY to be a place where every person feels known, valued, and connected; a place where students are both challenged and supported to grow as thoughtful, capable, compassionate human beings. We believe the best schools are safe and demanding places where people are encouraged to stretch beyond what they thought possible, knowing they are supported every step of the way.

We want students to think deeply, communicate clearly, work well with others, and approach challenges with curiosity and care. Ultimately, we want our graduates to understand that while academic achievement opens doors, character, relationships, and purpose determine how those opportunities are used.

People are the foundation of ISY. From the moment you enter our campus, you meet educators and staff from around the world who care deeply about children and believe in relationships as the basis for learning.

Our diverse community of families strengthens this sense of belonging, creating a place where students can bring their whole selves and feel they truly matter. As students listen, learn, and engage with perspectives and experiences different from their own, they develop empathy, perspective, and the ability to contribute meaningfully in an interconnected world.

Service learning is central to who we are because being human also means recognizing our responsibility to others. We want our students to understand that achievement and leadership are not only about personal success but also about contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Our campus is also central to our mission: a safe, secure, and well-appointed environment with modern classrooms and world-class arts, science, and athletics facilities. We are also excited about our Board’s approval of a new building project, including a 700-seat theatre, expanded library, and new cafeteria, which will further strengthen learning, creativity, and community life.

As you explore our website, I hope you sense what makes ISY special. More than anything, it is our people, the relationships, the sense of belonging, and the shared commitment to growth that define who we are.

Warm regards,
‍
Mike Simpson
School Director, ISY