The current purpose-built campus is on 22 acres and features a 206,000 sq. ft. of indoor learning spaces spanning four different buildings. It consists of multiple libraries, STEAM Labs, computer/video production lab, science labs, music rooms, art rooms, student support centers, 42 classrooms, an amphitheater, and administration buildings. In addition, the school has a full-sized artificial turf soccer pitch with a FIFA 2-Star rating, a swimming pool, two tennis courts and two basketball courts. CIS has become widely recognized in international education circles, and this remarkable expansion project will further its growing reputation for excellence.
School Map
- High School Car Park
- High School Gym
- High School
- Early Childhood Playground
- Early Childhood Reception
- Early Childhood Car Park
- Security Guard Office
- ARC (Arts and Recreational Centre)
- Main Administration Building
- A Block
- B Block
- C Block
- D Block
- G Block
- F Block
- E Block
- Football Field Car Park
- Football Field
- Swimming Pool
- Basketball Courts
- Tennis Courts
- The Quad
Early Childhood
Building Opened in August 2019
Our early childhood facility opened in August 2019 and creates a bespoke learning environment for our youngest learners here at CIS. The serene Prek2, PreK3 and PreK4 classrooms can be viewed from an L-shaped airy corridor and are purpose built for child-led inquiry, learning through play and support our High Scope Curriculum. Each classroom leads onto self-contained open-air teaching terraces, which again connect to our state-of-the-art early childhood outdoor playground space.
The playground integrates nature with world-class early childhood facilities. Pathways wind around three sandpit areas, a small hill with a built-in slide, a safe wooden climbing structure and access to bikes and scooters. The early childhood library, music and movement, and perceptual motor (early years Physical Education) classrooms can be accessed from this stunning outside area.
Elementary School
Main School Building (Classic Wing) Opened in 2006
The main school building (now referred to as the Classic Wing) was opened in 2006. Initially, it housed all divisions, however, since the school expansion the lower and upper floors of the A, B and C blocks currently exclusively serve the kindergarten through fifth grade classes. The ground floor classrooms open onto picturesque and shaded courtyards. Our Elementary A, B and C blocks house our STEAM Lab, Art and Music Classrooms, which have high quality resources updated yearly by Educators, including devices per child. The elementary library had new flooring installed in the summer of 2022 and has a wide range of high-quality children's literature, reading resources and inviting quiet reading spaces.
Additionally, all elementary students have access to the main elementary playground, featuring four climbing structures including a natural wooden ascending frame (installed in 2019). The ARC (Activities and Recreation Center) combines a large gymnasium and performing arts stage. This is utilized by elementary students for Physical Education lessons, as a lunchtime cafeteria area and for concerts and divisional assemblies.
Middle School
Main School Building (Classic Wing) Opened in 2006
The Middle School at CIS is a natural progression up the open air corridors of the main buildings (Classic Wing). Middle school classrooms are found on the lower and upper floors of D, E and F Block. Most open onto a picturesque shaded courtyard and sunken miniature amphitheater. Grades six, seven and eight have access to the new high school gymnasium, high school music classrooms and black box theatre, high school commons and cafeteria areas, as well as the Elementary and Middle School Library spaces and resources. State of the art science laboratories, a STEAM and Art rooms are all integral to the high quality learning spaces in the Middle School.
High School
Building Opened in January 2021
The high school building opened in January 2021 and was created as a transformative educational environment that enhances deeper learning by providing students opportunities to engage in constructivist activities in a variety of spaces. The first-floor commons are a flexible, open and welcoming room that can be used as a cafeteria as well as divided into smaller educational work areas.
The first-floor commons also houses interconnecting art and makerspace studios with state-of-the-art design-technology machines. The second and third floors combine serene classrooms opening onto shared collaborative commons areas, as well as a purpose built high-ceilinged modern library with a variety of study nooks and bespoke seating. The high school additionally boasts a large gymnasium, black box theater space, performing arts stage, music and movement choir room as well as a variety of music practice rooms and a fitness room specifically intended to enhance high school students' health and wellbeing. Overall, the innovative design of the high school promotes collaboration, enables inquiry-based and project-based learning, and creates an atmosphere of excellence for all students.
Facilities Expansion History
Cayman International School
- Board
- Parents
- Students
- Faculty
International School Services
- ISS has been dedicated to world-class education for over 55 years
- Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey
- ISS is a non-profit organization, 501(c)(3)
- ISS owns and governs CIS
Dart
- Based in the Cayman Islands, Dart has a global portfolio of investments including real estate, hospitality, retail and biotech
- Dart is the owner and developer of Camana Bay
- CIS was the first building to open in Camana Bay on September 6th, 2006
Perkins + Will
- Perkins + Will is a US-based architectural firm founded in 1935 with offices in Miami
- Collaborates with clients all over the world to create healthy, sustainable practices
- Perkins + Will principal Lawrence Kline was the lead architect on original CIS project during his time at Spillis Candela
Financing
- Partnership between CIS and Kenneth B. Dart Foundation
- US $60m development costs of expansion funded by Kenneth B. Dart Foundation
- CIS has a lease until 2043
Facilities Agreement
- The KBD Foundation owns the school buildings
- Dart owns and operates the ARC and Sports Complex
- CIS pays for usage of the school buildings and the Sports Complex
- Dart rents out the Sports Complex during non-school hours
Camana Bay Times - October 2021
"When Dart announced in 2018 that it was moving forward with a planned US$60 million expansion of Cayman International School, there were 630 students at CIS.
The expansion added a new early childhood school and high school to the existing facilities.
Enrolment projections anticipated growth with the opening of the early childhood school in August 2019 and the opening of the new high school in early 2020. By the 2023/24 academic year, enrolment at CIS was expected to top 900 students.
That projection, however, was reached and surpassed two years ahead of schedule, with 945 students enrolled for the 2021/22 school year."
Continue reading on the Camana Bay Times.
Cayman Compass - April 2018
A 9-acre site next to the existing school is being cleared and plans have been submitted for a new purpose-built high school and early childhood center.
The new buildings will free up space in the existing school, ultimately allowing for the addition of at least one extra class at every age group. The school’s director, Jeremy Moore, said the developments would take the school’s capacity from around 630 to 1,100 and almost double the size of the campus."
Continue reading on the Cayman Compass.