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Overseas School of Colombo Previous Page | Next Page

Mr. Peter Gittins, Head of School Overseas School of Colombo Pelawatte Post Office Box 9 Battaramulla, Sri Lanka Tel: 94-1-864-920 Fax: 94-1-864-999 E-mail: admin@osc.lk

2000-2001 The Overseas School of Colombo is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from preschool through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1957. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from August 16 to January 26 and from January 27 to June 21. Organization: The School is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors, elected annually. In the 2000-2001 school year, 1 member was a U.S. citizen. No more than 2 members can be of the same nationality. The head of school is the chief administrator or executive officer. Curriculum: The curriculum is broad-based and designed to provide areas of study related to both the U.S. and British systems of education. Instruction is in English. Courses are offered in art, computers, English (language, reading, and literature), mathematics, sciences, English-as-a-Second-Language, social studies, drama, music, physical education, and modern languages. Both U.S. and British texts are used in PS-grade 8. grades 9-10 follow courses leading to Cambridge University's IGCSE examinations at the end of grade 10 in a choice of subjects from English (language and literature), mathematics, coordinated science, geography, history, modern languages, business studies, information technology, food sciences, art, music, physical education, and drama. In grades 11-12, courses lead to International Baccalaureate examinations for the IB Diploma or Higher Level/Subsidiary Level certificates and to the School's own Academic Diploma. The School has a student services department with teachers who can work with students with diagnosed moderate learning disabilities. The School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the European Council of International Schools. Faculty: There are 53 full-time faculty members in the 2000-2001 school year, including 3 U.S. citizens, 24 host-country nationals and 26 third-country nationals. Enrollment: Enrollment at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year was 313 (PS-grade 5: 154; and grades 6-12: 159). Of the total, 27 were U.S. citizens, 50 were host-country nationals, and 236 third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 8 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees, and 19 were dependents of private U.S. citizens. Facilities: The School is located in a purpose-built facility on a 6-acre site near the parliamentary complex in the new administrative capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. It is equipped with 2 libraries, 3 art rooms, 6 science laboratories, 3 information technology centers, and a home economics room. There are also special areas for music and drama. Sports facilities include a playing field, a large gymnasium, and a 25-meter swimming pool. Finances: In the 2000-2001 school year, the School's income derives from regular day school tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PS: $3,600; Kdg.: $4,950; grades 1-5: $6,900; grades 6-8: $7,800; grades 9-10: $9,600; and grades 11-12: $10,050. The School also charges a non-refundable registration fee of $2,000, a refundable deposit of $420 for PS-grade 5 and $840 for grades 6-12, and an annual capital development and building levy of $500. All fees (excluding the refundable deposit) are subject to a goods and services tax which is charged at 12.5 percent currently. These fees are payable in Sri Lankan rupees or U.S. dollars. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.) This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) may have more detailed information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further with A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information regarding curriculum, special programs, and the like.