Yangon International Educare Center

The Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC) is the original name of the institution now known as the International School of Myanmar (ISM), a private international school in Yangon, Myanmar. The school was founded in 1998 as The International Child Zone (ICZ) with just 45 students, driven by a desire to provide a higher-quality, internationally benchmarked education than was available in local government schools. After a year, new investors joined and the name was changed to Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC). The school added one grade level each year until it reached 12th grade, moved to its current campus in 2000, and graduated its first small cohort of six students in 2006. In the 2007–2008 school year, the name was changed to The International School of Myanmar (ISM), a name suggested by the high school student council to reflect the school's promise of quality international education for Myanmar youth. Today ISM operates as a preschool-through-Grade-12 school following an American curriculum framework. It serves a diverse student body with a highly qualified international faculty: according to the school's website, 83% of teachers hold an advanced degree, 48% come from North America and 52% from 18 additional countries, and 94% have 10 or more years of experience. The school maintains a low teacher-to-student ratio (stated as 1 to 7) and offers more than 38 extra- and co-curricular activities. More than 700 graduates have gone on to colleges and universities around the world. The school has offered Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including the AP Capstone Diploma, and is transitioning to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme over a two-year period. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As a private, independent school, ISM is not listed on any stock exchange and does not operate as a public company. Its operations are funded through tuition and private investment. The school is led by Director Lyle Moltzan, who has emphasized a commitment to continuous growth, global excellence, and holistic education anchored in Schoolwide Learner Outcomes. The Yangon International Educare Center name remains historically significant as the bridge between the school's founding as a small experimental school and its current identity as one of Myanmar's established international schools.

The institution that became the Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC) and later the International School of Myanmar (ISM) began in 1998 as The International Child Zone (ICZ). According to the school's own account, the idea was sparked when a founder observed about 90 students packed into a single government primary school classroom, sitting quietly and listening to the teacher. Wanting a better, more well-rounded education meeting international standards for his granddaughter and other students, he discussed the idea with a friend who introduced him to Mr. Scheafer and Miss Win. After discussions and hard work, they opened a small school called The International Child Zone (ICZ) in 1998 with only 45 students. Mr. Schaefer served as director and Miss Win as coordinator. After a year of operating as ICZ, the school took in new investors and changed its name to Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC). With additional investment, the school expanded its project, adding a new grade level each year until it reached 12th grade. From various rented locations, the school moved to its current campus in the year 2000. In 2006, YIEC graduated its first batch of only six students. The first two graduating cohorts graduated under the YIEC name. In the 2007–2008 school year, the school's name was changed to The International School of Myanmar (ISM). The name was suggested by the high school student council at that time to highlight ISM's promise of providing quality international education to Myanmar youth, giving them the opportunity to pursue learning at universities worldwide. The school has since grown substantially, with more than 700 graduates going on to colleges and universities around the world. It has offered Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the AP Capstone Diploma, and as of the director's welcome message, it is transitioning from AP to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme over a two-year period. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and describes itself as celebrating more than 27 years since its foundation.

• 2007

  Name changed to The International School of Myanmar (ISM) for the 2007–2008 school year.

• 2006

  Graduated its first batch of 6 students.

• 2000

  Moved from rented locations to its current campus.

• 1999

  After one year as ICZ, new investors joined and the school was renamed Yangon International Educare Center (YIEC).

• 1998

  Founded as The International Child Zone (ICZ) with 45 students.

• Transition from Advanced Placement (AP) courses to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme announced, to take place over two years.

Private international school offering an American curriculum with a low student-to-teacher ratio and a diverse international faculty, preparing students for universities worldwide.

• American curriculum (Preschool–Grade 12)

  A strong American curriculum framework anchored in Schoolwide Learner Outcomes.

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses

  Offered previously, including the AP Capstone Diploma.

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

  Being implemented over a two-year transition from AP.

• ESOL program

  English for Speakers of Other Languages department for specialized language support.

• Extra and co-curricular activities

  More than 38 activities offered.

1. 1International School of Myanmar - Leading International School in Yangonismyanmar.com
2. 2Our Story - International School of Myanmarismyanmar.com
3. 3Welcome to ISM - International School of Myanmarismyanmar.com
4. 4Yangon International Educare Center - Wikidatawikidata.org