School of K l K l , m h S d 1, 2019ISKL’s humble origin began in an old palace built in the 1920s by the Sultan of Selangor, located in the Ampang Hilir district of Kuala Lumpur

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STArT dATe: July 1, 2019iSKl.edu.my

OVERVIEW

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is looking for a new Head of School, starting July 1, 2019. The first fully accredited international school in Malaysia, ISKL balances a sound tradition of academic excellence with innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Young minds are nurtured with the spirit to succeed and are confidently prepared for a lifelong journey of opportunities ahead of them.

SCHOOL HISTORY

Established in 1965, ISKL is the first fully accredited international school and the first school with an American curriculum in Malaysia. Today, ISKL is home to 1,623 students from more than 60 countries.

ISKL’s humble origin began in an old palace built in the 1920s by the Sultan of Selangor, located in the Ampang Hilir district of Kuala Lumpur. Under the leadership of the first Head of School, Robert Fendley, classes began in September 1965 with nine teachers and 48 students. The school grew rapidly through the early years. By 1970, there were more than 400 students.

When the Malaysian government required the original site, the Society for the International School of Kuala Lumpur was granted a 2.6-hectare parcel of land nearby. Operations at the new premises commenced in 1976. Because of fluctuating enrollment, the school began reaching out for more non-American students. As a result, in the 1980s, enrollment jumped to 900 and the school established its International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

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VisionTo walk in a harmonious environment where care follows closely behind; learning is stimulated, curiosity sparked, vision cultivated, and action inspired.

MissionThe International School of Kuala Lumpur provides an exceptional education that challenges each student to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and understanding to become a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.


In 1992, the Melawati campus opened to accommodate the Elementary School and the Ampang campus became the home of the Middle School and High School. In March 1995, the High School moved to a new wing of the Ampang campus. In 2010, the school would again make plans to move, this time to a brand-new, state-of-the-art, Ampang Hilir campus, which opened in August of 2018.

Over the years, ISKL has ridden the ups and downs of the economy but has steadily built an outstanding international reputation by balancing sound tradition for academic excellence with innovative approaches to teaching and learning. As a nonprofit and parent-governed institution, the school also provides countless opportunities for students to engage in arts, athletics, and extracurricular programming and to otherwise develop skills for a lifetime of success.

THE SCHOOL

The International School of Kuala Lumpur’s tagline is deceptively simple: Be All You Are. Embodied in these four words is a well thought-out and coordinated K-12 program that teaches children not who the world wants them to be but rather who they really are. ISKL cultivates students from early childhood through high school with learning experiences that challenge them to be highly successful. While the school values strong academic achievement, it knows that more is expected of graduates today. To this end, it prepares students to have a lifelong passion for learning and develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to thrive in a globally interconnected and complex world. The ideal ISKL student is one skilled in the art of collaboration, creativity, and critical reasoning. All students are supported in forming a global perspective that is culturally rooted and sensitive.

Fast Facts

Students Enrolled: 272Zip Codes Represented: 26Students of Color: 36%Student to Faculty Ratio: 7 to 1Faculty and Staff of Color: 51%Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees: 74%Athletic Teams: 8 competitive varsity and junior varsity teamsEndowment: $2.5 millionTotal Financial Aid Awarded for 17-18: $1.4 millionStudents Receiving Financial Aid for 17-18: 21%


With most graduates going on to attend some of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities, ISKL continues to set the bar in education both locally and globally. The program today is guided by the school’s new strategic plan (2018-2021). Based on both the school’s stated mission and vision, ISKL’s new strategic priorities include:

• Implementing learning programs that are engaging, challenging, innovative, and inspirational and which empower each student to become highly successful.

• Providing opportunities, along with the skills and knowledge, to equip students to achieve the physical and emotional balance that is needed throughout life.

• Valuing the partnerships created within the learning community and beyond.• Ensuring the organization is growth-minded and effective through the advancement of its

systems, long-term sustainability, and the professional learning of colleagues.

On the cultural level, ISKL focuses on nurturing a caring culture of service, trust, and professional collaboration. It aims to promote health, safety, and wellbeing through taking care of mind and body and equipping students with the ability to manage change and challenges effectively.

Instruction is in English. ISKL is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS) and in the United States through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ISKL is also authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the IB Diploma Program and offers Advanced Placement courses, as well.


ACADEMICS

The program at ISKL, from the Early Years Program through High School, not only strives to balance academics and life skills, but also focuses on interweaving the two.

On the academic front, the essential goals are to:

• promote excellence by delivering 21st century learning aligned with ISKL Learning Principles while promoting innovation and student agency;

• ensure that the learning needs of all students are met as the school becomes more inclusive; and • further the integration of ISKL School-wide Learning Results in teaching and student learning.

Early Childhood ProgramThe ISKL Early Childhood Program is based on developing the whole child. Social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative skills are cultivated to support students to become lifelong learners. In line with current research, the teachers scaffold and support a broad range of active learning opportunities. Children construct their own knowledge about themselves, others, and the world around them by practicing developmentally appropriate skills, making choices about their individual learning, and communicating their understanding through healthy relationships with peers and adults.

The program offers small class sizes with a friendly and caring atmosphere. A wide range of technology tools helps enhances learning. The program also includes a child-friendly kitchen, art studio, and gardens. The outdoor learning space includes a climbing wall.

Specialists provide extra support for language, literacy, and social and emotional development.


Elementary SchoolThis dynamic learning community is committed to meeting the needs of all students within a warm and caring environment. The standards-based curriculum provides a strong foundation in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Specialists provide additional instruction in Visual Arts, Music, and Physical Education. Spanish and Chinese are introduced in the Prep years, with students receiving instruction in one of these languages every other day.

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is committed to preparing students who are non-native English speakers to function successfully in the regular classroom setting.

The program also helps students to think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively, collaborate constructively, live ethically, and learn enthusiastically. Information Literacy, Health, Service Learning, and Sustainability Education are integrated throughout the curriculum. Students have access to an extensive Library collection, a range of educational technology, science labs, and a Maker Space.

A diverse co-curricular program provides students with opportunities to explore interests and develop academic, artistic, and athletic skills. Grade-level performances, parent workshare events, and cultural celebration days provide students with opportunities to showcase their learning and to experience live performances.


Middle SchoolISKL’s Middle School is a bridge between the Elementary years and the High School years. By providing a safe and supportive learning environment, wrapped with lots of joy and enthusiasm, the Middle School allows students to thrive during these years of growth and change.

The bulk of a student’s day involves the core subjects — the Humanities, Mathematics, Science, and World Language — allowing students to meet high academic standards while engaging in thematic learning and interdisciplinary teaming. A wide variety of elective options provides a rich and varied academic program. Augmenting the academic program is an extensive variety of co-curricular activities including sports, service learning, special interest clubs, and the visual and performing arts.

The Middle School English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program is designed to develop English language competency of EAL students to meet grade level, subject specific, and school expectations.

Each day begins in a multi-grade homegroup where one teacher meets with 8-10 students with the primary purpose being to build relationships and make connections with students. The friendships formed here, combined with the lessons and activities, help students deal with the social and emotional changes of adolescence.

A long-standing tradition and highlight of the school year is “Malaysia Week.” For one week every April, students engage in outdoor interdisciplinary education opportunities in the rainforests and coral reefs of Malaysia.

High SchoolOver the years, the ISKL High School program has built its outstanding international reputation by balancing sound tradition for academic excellence with a caring and inclusive community. The program aims to maximize a student’s cognitive abilities through engagement and perseverance in challenging learning experiences. It emphasizes the development of critical thinking, application of sound research techniques, the use of knowledge in new situations, and exposure to a variety of perspectives. The extracurricular opportunities are designed to cater to the specific needs, interests, talents, and aspirations of students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

All students are required to take a core curriculum based on the five major academic areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and World Language. This core curriculum is enhanced by a variety of elective courses in fine arts, applied arts, technology, and physical education. With over 110 courses from which to choose, the selected program is tailored to suit students’ growing talents and maturing interests.

Advanced academic programs at ISKL give students an opportunity to take university-level courses. The school offers a full range of IB courses and selected Advanced Placement (AP) courses to provide students an appropriately challenging academic program in preparation for university entrance.

ISKL students who choose to take AP or IB courses can earn credit, Advanced Placement, or both, for university entrance in North America. The IB Diploma is also recommended for students wishing to study in Europe, Australia, or Malaysia. Students can demonstrate that they have the aptitude to master university-level materials with these advanced academic courses in their records.



The High School also offers a Global Action Program (GAP), designed to increase students’ awareness of emerging global issues by involving them in a range of cultural, environmental, and service opportunities within Southeast Asia.

The High School enrolls 608 students from 48 nations, 16 percent of whom are Americans. The program offers a U.S. secondary school diploma with an optional IB Diploma. The 79 high school teachers come from 13 countries and 63 percent hold advanced degrees.

ARTS AND ATHLETICS

From the Early Childhood Program through the High School, arts opportunities abound. The Early Childhood Program has an art studio to engage students in the creative activities daily. The Elementary and Middle School years offer numerous programs in the visual and performing arts. Music is required for all sixth graders. The High School offers a wide range of courses and extracurricular programs in the arts — from choir and jazz band, to dance and drama, to painting and photography, to the Improv Club.

In recent years, ISKL seniors were accepted to the following colleges and universities, among others:

Arizona State UniversityBoston University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Cornell University Dickinson College Elon UniversityEmerson College Haverford College Imperial College of LondonJames Madison UniversityKansas State UniversityKings College LondonLehigh UniversityMcGill UniversityMount Holyoke CollegeNational Taiwan UniversityNew York University Northwestern University Pennsylvania State University Pratt InstituteRice University Santa Clara UniversitySkidmore College The George Washington University The University of Edinburgh, ScotlandThe University of Hong KongThe University of St. Andrews, ScotlandUniversity of California, Berkeley University of CambridgeUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of DenverUniversity of Michigan University of Newcastle, AustraliaUniversity of VermontVassar College Wake Forest UniversityWofford College

College Acceptances


ISKL belongs to two athletic leagues, the Association of South East Asia Schools (IASAS) and the International Schools Athletics Conference (ISAC). The former is the premier athletics and activities conference in the region, founded in 1982. Varsity teams compete in volleyball, swimming, soccer, basketball, rugby, cross country, tennis, softball, badminton, track and field, and golf.

ISAC provides the bulk of the in-season competition, with games and tournaments for both male and female athletes at all levels, from Elementary through to High School. Formed in 2007, the ISAC mission is to provide regular quality athletic competition for the students of international schools of Kuala Lumpur in a safe and sporting environment. The teams compete in volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, rugby, badminton, track and field, softball, and golf.

ISKL students of all ages are expected to stay physically active. Other official activities include swimming, in-line skating, tae kwon do, yoga, dance, rock climbing, and more.

SCHOOL LIFE

ISKL encourages all students to participate in the school’s extensive range of activities in addition to their academic pursuits, recognizing that time management and balance are essential characteristics of success in all students. Activities are available to students starting at the Elementary level, and include opportunities in the arts, athletics, and clubs such as Film Makers, Art Attack, Technology Club, Construction Club, Model United Nations, Cooking, Robotics, and Earth Club. The High School offers 45 clubs and numerous community service opportunities.


Service learning at ISKL encourages students to make positive changes around them. It allows the broadening of ideas and concepts through hands-on efforts that make an impact on communities. The school has an ever-increasing number of service learning opportunities that address campus, local, and global needs, including the Global Action Program (GAP), Malaysia Week, Eco-Schools environmental projects, and Habitat for Humanity. There are also additional service-based curricular programs.

A signature program is the Global Action Program (GAP) — designed to increase students’ awareness of emerging global issues by involving them in a range of cultural, environmental, and service opportunities within Southeast Asia. Participation is compulsory for all High School students except those in Grade 12 who remain on campus to focus on the demands of their senior year.

PHYSICAL CAMPUS

Starting in August of 2018, all divisions of ISKL are located on a single campus in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a diverse city of more than two million people. The new campus is set on approximately 25.7 acres in the Ampang Hilir district and is designed to create the most advanced learning environment featuring academic, arts, and athletic resources. The campus includes world-class science labs and classrooms with flexible teaching spaces, two libraries, gymnasiums, competition swimming facilities, regulation track and playing fields, as well as a performing arts center.

ISKL’s “green” facility is the first Malaysian school designed to achieve platinum Green Building Index (GBI) status with environmentally sustainable concepts.


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur literally means “muddy confluence.” The name suggests that the early founders had no sense of the region’s potential growth. The original site at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers was still a small hamlet in 1857 when the town was officially established. In 1880, Kuala Lumpur became the official capital of Selangor. In 1882, British Colonial administrator Frank Swetenham became the first Resident of the Federated Malay States and in this capacity began developing Kuala Lumpur into a full-fledged urban center. Kuala Lumpur achieved city status in 1972, becoming the first settlement in Malaysia to be granted the status after Malaysian independence. Today Kuala Lumpur is home to nearly two million people and serves as the capital of Malaysia, a modern-day melting pot of a country. Kuala Lumpur is also the cultural, financial, and economic center of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur has undergone rapid development in recent decades — and is now home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia’s futuristic development. Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political, and cultural events, including the 1998 Commonwealth Games. With its comprehensive road system and extensive public transportation system, Kuala Lumpur is also one of the leading cities in the world for tourism and shopping. It is the eighth most visited city in the world. Forbes has named Kuala Lumpur sixth in its list of 10 best cities to retire abroad, and the best in Asia, with factors including world-class healthcare, affordable cost of living, and widely spoken English.

Bahasa Malaysia is the national language, but English is also widely used, and people frequently mix both Bahasa Malaysia and English into their speech. Chinese and Tamil are also commonly spoken in Malaysia. The climate is tropical, and the city gets an abundance of rain in the monsoon season.


STRENGTHS

• Extraordinary learning spaces in the new platinum Green Building index (GBI) status campus• Diversity: the school’s 1,623 students are from over 60 countries and the 215 faculty members

represent 20 countries• Reputation for educational excellence in Malaysia• Warm sense of community with a tradition of positive, active parental involvement• Increasingly inclusive re: admission of students with diverse learning needs• Comprehensive Strategic Plan in place for the next three years, with strong community buy in• Challenging academic program reflected in excellent IB results, but with focus more on

personal growth than grades• School culture embraces collaborative decision-making

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

• Carefully manage growth to 2,500 students to maintain an appreciation of diversity• As demographics change, continue to support a holistic educational emphasis while at the same

time celebrating academic achievement• As the school becomes more inclusive, “scale up” professional development of faculty and assure

appropriate level of specialized support for students • Because the board is both elected and transient, provide comprehensive governance training• Build community by strengthening connections across school divisions now that everyone is on

one campus

DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Has cultural sensitivity—celebrates diversity• Is decisive—yet is also a good listener and approachable, visible• Is both a highly effective educational and business leader• Has experience guiding boards toward best governance practices• Is a strategic thinker and will support the ISKL strategic plan• Has strong interpersonal skills and is genuinely personable• Will build on successes and not seek to make changes before deeply engaging with the community

and appreciating what is already in place• Is a learner, someone who is a teacher at heart


TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position• A current résumé• A one-page statement of educational philosophy and practice• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each

(references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:

John ChandlerSenior [email protected]

Art CharlesSenior Consultant, Managing Associate/International [email protected]

David ChojnackiSenior [email protected]

Fred WessonSenior [email protected]

Documents

School of K l K l , m h S d 1, 2019ISKL’s humble origin began in an old palace built in the 1920s by the Sultan of Selangor, located in the Ampang Hilir district of Kuala Lumpur