The deed of trust was amended on 14th March 1966 to include Articles of Association and by-laws.

The school has classes from KG to the 8th Grade. There are now 127 students from 18 countries.

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.

In 1977, the school moved to 8 Wigan’s Avenue.

About six years later, the school moved to Dubern Road near the American Club.

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.

The Elementary school and High school were first accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Claus arrived on campus—Christmas on an elephant! After meeting Santa, everyone enjoyed elephant rides.

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.

ISY built a new addition—the E Building—which was the newest building that year.

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.

The girls’ volleyball team brought home ISY’s first-ever SEASAC volleyball championship, joined by the first ISY boys’ volleyball team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MUN expanded its influence traveling to Cairo on the first trip out of Asia.

High School initiated a series of class trips to put together a fledgling Week Without Wall.

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.

ISY Peace Day Celebration

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In 2021, a state-of-the-art climbing wall was installed in our gymnasium, now enjoyed by students as in-person learning resumes.

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.

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.

The ISY merchandise store was rebranded as Chinthe Zay, and new merchandise was introduced.

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.

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.