From Worldly to World-Class :
School History from 2008 to 2020
By Eric Wiberg ( 1975-79 ) and Dr Joanna Paul , Development Director
This excerpt is taken from Chapter 4 of the forthcoming book , “ The History of Lyford Cay International School ,” and covers 2008-20 : a period of leadership stability , academic innovation and continued accreditation . With strong student body growth and a wide range of academic offerings , LCIS was able to evolve in a changing educational landscape and launch a major campus expansion outside the gates of the Lyford Cay community . See how a worldly school became world-class .
What we know today as the Lyford Cay International School ( LCIS ) began in 1962 as a school house and headmaster ’ s home to educate children of the staff employed at a resort destination . Growing handin-hand with the Lyford Cay community and New Providence , LCIS has since blossomed into something far more cosmopolitan than what the original staff and students may have been able to imagine at that time in a small developing community . By adding protocols to passion , LCIS has grown into a worldclass institution , buttressed by the many cultures leading it , studying and becoming wise to worlds not just beyond the gates , but globally .
passion and geographically broad experience to the school to help it reach the next rung . Dr Bobo was recruited to focus on the crucial steps of continued accreditation , as well as to develop policies and procedures to elevate the school and bring best practices and leadership on education trends to the school and country . She most fondly remembers seeing the ‘ Lyford Lyfer ’ photos with students as they grew from their first years of enrolment as toddlers into high school graduates . “ LCIS offers world-class curriculums and programmes ,” she said . “ The preparation the school provides for university and life is unmatched .”
Mr David Mindorff
Dr Stacey Bobo
The expansion period of LCIS ’ history between 2008 and 2020 is remarkable for its stability of leadership , with the longest-serving Principal , Dr Stacey Bobo , handing over the reins after 11 years to a returning administrator , teacher and parent , Mr David Mindorff . During her years of service , former Principal Dr Bobo left an indelible imprint on the school . Characteristic of an LCIS Principal , she brought both
With the leadership turnover from Dr Bobo to Mr Mindorff , the returning teaching and learning specialist brought a deep understanding of the school and its constituents as well as new experiences that would influence the school ’ s upward trajectory . Continuity and strategic growth , coupled with an ambitious accreditation process , would see LCIS become not only a leader in the International Baccalaureate ( IB ), but several other rigorous stress tests as well . Principal Mindorff explains that “ When the Council of International Schools ( CIS ) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges ( NEASC ) announced that we successfully completed our five-year re-accreditation process , it confirmed that the faculty , curriculum , child protection policy , organisational structure and other practices at LCIS are on par with other leading schools around the globe .” With only 25 % of some 10,000 international schools achieving equivalent approval levels to LCIS , it is clear that the commitment to continuous improvement is a passion and a strategy .