OUR MISSION
ABOUT AISC
Together we inspire a love of learning, empowering all students with the courage, confidence, creativity, and compassion to make their unique contribution in a diverse and dynamic world.
The American International School Chennai (AISC) was established in 1995 as a nonprofit, independent, co-ed day school located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. In the 2023–2024 school year, AISC has ~676 students in Early Years to Grade 12, representing 26 nationalities. AISC has a two-semester calendar year (Aug. 2–Dec. 15; Jan. 8–June 5). AISC is accredited by the Middle States Association.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROFILE WHO WE ARE LEIGH FITZGERALD Head of School headofschool@aischennai.org
JENNIFER BERTRAM Principal bejennifer@aischennai.org
GRETCHEN GALATY Counselor ggretchen@aischennai.org
AZIZUNNISA Administrative Assistant sazizunnisa@aischennai.org
MARGARET SAMUEL Counseling Office smargaret@aischennai.org
ABOUT THE PROGRAM (Grades 6–8) As a middle school, we provide excellent learning experiences and a nurturing environment for our students to challenge themselves and grow. Our academic and co-curricular experiences provide students with opportunities to develop themselves as internationally-minded lifelong learners and individuals. This foundation positions students to successfully transition to schools in their home country as well as other international schools.
CORE CLASSES The Middle School program is a progressive, inquiry-based American curriculum with an international perspective. Aimed at developing intellectual curiosity and a sense of responsibility, our entire curriculum fosters collaboration, preparation, and engagement and initiative.
ELECTIVE CLASSES Students select two elective courses (visual arts, theater, music & choir, design tech) per year that aim to develop confidence and creativity. Students also select a world language course to inspire a love for language learning and to develop a foundation for intercultural awareness that will foster internationalism.
COUNSELING
100 Feet Road, Taramani, Chennai - 600113. +91 44 2254 9000 www.aischennai.org @AISChennai @AISCMiddle
The middle school years are a time of transition and change as students grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Our counselor works in partnership with students, families, and school personnel to foster the development of each student and advocate for a learning environment that safeguards the rights of all members of the school community.
ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) Our EAL Program focuses on providing developmentally appropriate resources that assist students in their learning of English for academic and social success. Some core courses are co-planned and co-taught by EAL specialists and content teachers so that students are able to demonstrate mastery of content.
ADVISORY These small, 30-minute classes create a structure that promotes connectedness and communication. Advisory builds friendly, inclusive communities and offers time for students to get to know teachers, their peers, and themselves better in order to develop each others’ wellbeing.
ARTS, SPORTS, & ACTIVITIES (ASAs) Students choose from various co-curricular activities that keep them engaged with others inside and outside of our community. We have an active Model United Nations (MUN) Club and also offer opportunities to participate in sports teams, fine arts activities, and service learning activities .
SEVAI
SEVAI, which means “service” in Tamil, promotes exploration for community connection and service learning by providing students the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills in service to others in Chennai.
WEEK WITHOUT WALLS Week Without Walls (WWW) is a week-long destination trip that provides students with cultural, personal, interpersonal, and environmental experiences not available within the regular classroom walls.
BRING YOUR OWN TECHNOLOGY BYOT is a collaborative initiative between home and school that supports learning and fosters responsible digital citizenship both inside and outside of school. Families supply each child with a device that best meets learning needs so that students can collaborate with teachers and classmates through their own devices.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Experiential learning provides opportunities beyond the classroom that promote and strengthen connections to our community, the environment, and local culture. Week Without Walls, SEVAI, and curricular connections incorporate experiential learning into our program.
STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING AT AISC Standards-based assessment is a process where a student’s performance is assessed against a criteria or learning target in a specific subject. Learning targets clearly define the knowledge and skills, thinking and transfer and communication proficiency that students will achieve at each grade level. Teachers collect evidence of student understanding through class work, projects, and assessment data. Students are assessed on their learning and growth towards the standards in each subject area through performance indicators. Teachers also assess students on their Learning Habits, or non-cognitive behaviors, that support academic performance. Our Learning Habits encourage successful behaviors for learning and underscore the connection between visible, outward effort and academic performance.
SPORTS ASIAC Badminton Band and Choir Basketball Soccer Swimming Table Tennis Tennis Volleyball
MIDDLE SCHOOL AT-A-GLANCE
SAISA Swimming Track and Field
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Open Art Studio Assembly Committee
Asia (71%) North America (16%) Europe (12%) Africa (1%)
Cabaret Math Counts Model United Nations (MUN) Student Ambassador Program Theater Production ISTA Theater AMIS Music
163 MS students represent 16 countries. The top 5 are: Korea, USA, Japan, India, and France.
Service Learning Opportunities Student Voices Forum Newspaper