Bishop Mackenzie International Schools
Web: www.bmis.cois.org
2007-2008
The Bishop Mackenzie International Schools (BMIS) is an international, coeducational day school, which offers an educational program from kindergarten through grade 12 for pupils of all nationalities. The school year comprises 3 trimesters extending from late August to early December, from early January through late March, and early April to late June.
Organization: The School operates as a not-for-profit trust under Malawi law, governed by a Board of Trustees elected from among the parents.
Curriculum: The curriculum for students in PK-Grade 8 is modeled on the National Curriculum for England adapted to the setting of Malawi and the international community. Instruction is in English. The PK (reception) class admits children who reach age 4 by August 31, Kindergarten (year 1) admits children who are 5 by August 31. Specialists are on staff to teach a full range of subjects including art, music, physical education, French, drama, media studies, science, math, English language and literature, history, geography, and information technology. In Grades 9-10, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), curriculum of Cambridge UK is offered in a wide range of subjects. This curriculum is examined at the end of grade 10. Grades 11-12 follow the International Baccalaureate diploma curriculum, which is externally examined in grade 12. An educational support program is in place, to assist students with mild to moderate learning problems or students who need assistance with English-as-a-Second Language. Student admission and placement is dependent on prior school records and reports and BMIS' own assessment to match the student's need to the school program. BMIS is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools.
Faculty: In the 2007-2008 school year, there are 57 faculty members.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, enrollment was 643.
Facilities: The School occupies a 25-acre site on the southwestern edge of Lilongwe's Area 3, a settled area of suburban housing. There are 21 teacher-based classrooms and rooms for art, music, and ICT in the primary school. In the secondary section, special facilities include 3 fully equipped laboratories and ICT room. The library is shared, as are the sports fields and gardens. Hard play areas include 2 tennis courts and a basketball court. An assembly hall doubles as a sports hall. A swimming pool complex comprises 25-metre pool, an l8-metre pool, and an infant splash pool.
Finances: In the 2007-2008 school year, the School's income derives almost totally from tuition fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: Kdg.-grade 6: $8,967; grades 7-11: $13,408; and grades 12-13: $14,496. There is a once-only registration fee per family of $2,125 and an annual $65 registration fee per student. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars and apply to students whose parents have tax-free status in Malawi.)
