Last year ISS celebrated 20 years on our separate Sindelfingen campus but ironically, our whole school started in Sindelfingen in 1985. Help us celebrate 40 years of international education in our wonderful host city.
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Since its founding in May 1985, the International School of Stuttgart has served as the primary English-language educational resource for children from international and globally minded families in the Stuttgart region. The founding families were primarily American expatriates working for IBM, Hewlett Packard, and other local companies. Notably, the Cain, McCleland, Skillicorn and Romey families, The Henderson, Emery and Viksne families, were among these pioneers, and all remain in touch with the school to this day.
In the autumn of 1985, the school opened its doors with 16 students across three composite classes, operating out of the Böblingen Waldheim. Founded with the vision of fostering both academic excellence and character development, the school aimed to provide a nurturing environment for its students to thrive.
In September of 1985, ECIS introduced ISS to Nick Ronai. He was immediately hired and two days later ISS started their very first day of school without his presence. Nick Ronai moved to Stuttgart In January 1986 to become the first School Headmaster of ISS.
His wife volunteered as the librarian, and their two daughters enrolled as students at the school.
By March 1986, enrolment had doubled, prompting the school to search for new premises in time for the start of the 1986/87 school year. A school mascot and logo were designed as a student project. The dragon, a symbol of strength, courage, and resilience, represented the spirit of our community and our shared commitment to greatness.
The city of Stuttgart graciously made a vacant state school in Möhringen available to the International School of Stuttgart. This new location provided space for the addition of a Kindergarten class, as well as a permanent home for the school for the next eleven years. The move also brought several additional classrooms and improved facilities, allowing the school to better accommodate its growing student body.
In October of 1987, the Board of Directors approached Hewlett Packard for assistance in producing the first promotional video for the International School of Stuttgart. This was an era before emails and the internet, when communication relied heavily on word of mouth. The Board, along with the Headmaster, personally reached out to businesses across the Stuttgart and Sindelfingen regions for recruiting new families and students. They wanted to introduce ISS to the local community and companies with assignments in the area.
ISS students were coming from a broad area surrounding Sindelfingen, necessitating the use of school buses. The primary challenge was determining the optimal bus routes. Among the first policies outlined in the ISS Handbook were the addition of seatbelts for student safety on the buses and a cap on class sizes, limiting them to 16 students.
“It gives me great pleasure to introduce the first ISS yearbook. It’s a project we’ve all talked about, but this time we’ve actually done it!” Nick Ronai, Headmaster.
ISS began offering a variety of clubs, to enhance student engagement beyond the classroom. There were class trips and family ski trips organized by the very dedicated teachers.
In March 1992 ISS held the school’s very first “Open House.”
This event brought together local politicians, business leaders, and community members to showcase the school’s mission and vision. It marked a significant milestone in building strong relationships with the surrounding community and fostering a sense of shared purpose. The Open House served as an invitation to all to engage with the school and support its growth and success in the years to come.
By 1993, the addition of an Grade 8 and an expected enrolment of around 100 students prompted the school to seek further accommodations. The availability of a pavilion at the Wilhelms-Gymnasium in Degerloch allowed the Middle School (Grades 5 to 8) to relocate to more suitable premises, with access to enhanced sports and science facilities.
“We had no idea how it would turn out as you may well imagine, we just took a chance, and our chance was a just a dream.”
Mrs. Cain, Co-founder of ISS 1985
“We have wonderful memories of our time with ISS. My husband and I were both on the Board of Directors and we felt fortunate to be in on the
foundation and growth of such a wonderful learning opportunity for our children (and ourselves).”
Janis Henderson, Co-founder of ISS 1985
“We worked on a couple of things for the purpose of recruiting children and parents, but also as an introduction to ISS. The questions for a parent coming to Germany for an assignment were, ‘What does ISS look like and what was the rigor of the academic curricula?’ And so, we put together a videotape. One of the people that I’ve worked with, Hewlett Packard, did a lot ok work in the area of audiovisuals. She helped find some camera people and they had put together 10 minute video tape.”
Steve Emery, Parent and Board of Directors, 1985 -1994
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In September 1995, celebrating its 10 year, ISS began the school year with 125 students and 20 teachers, many of whom are still part of the school community today. During this time, with the support of an active Beirat consisting of representatives from the state, city, and local businesses, the school started to make plans for the development of its own campus.
ISS was proud to dedicate this 1996-1997 yearbook to the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Möhringen building. Based on our understanding of its history, the building has always served as a school, and there are still residents of Möhringen who attended in its early years. The International School of Stuttgart opened its doors in the Möhringen building for the first time in the fall of 1986. Ten years later, the school now offers a formal educational program in English for children from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 10.
The 1997/98 school year was a time of transition and growth for the school. The Middle School remained housed in the Wilhelms-Gymnasium, while the Möhringen building was rapidly outgrowing its capacity. At the same time, a construction site was underway—soon to become the new permanent home for ISS, with plans for the move set for September 1998. This period marked a pivotal moment in the school’s development, as the community eagerly anticipated the opening of the new campus and the opportunities it would bring.
In the 1998/99 school year both staff and students were happy to be under one roof again, new classes were added from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 11 and numbers continued to rise – so much so that at the end of the year the first of ISS’s „temporary“ classroom blocks was added on the former beach volleyball pitch and the school board began to think about accelerating phase 2 of the campus project.
“The International School of Stuttgart has proven its necessity, its right to exist and the entitlement to do a better physical environment. The generous support of private enterprises and local and state authorities wit is both courageous and significant.” Thomas Schaedler, School Director, 1997-2000
The ISS Campus Plan envisioned the consolidation of the Elementary and Middle Schools into a purpose-built facility located on land in Degerloch, leased from the city of Stuttgart. It also included the expansion of classes into the High School, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma as a globally recognised school-leaving qualification. The Plan and its implementation were the result of the commitment of Werner Baur, the Director Thomas Schaedler and boards under the leadership of Shefford Baker, John Smith and John Sheehan.
The 1999/2000 school year was one to celebrate.
ISS first Grade 12 graduation ceremony with 13 students from America, Finland, Turkey, Australia, France, India and Germany set the standard for the school’s academic quality. Most of those students are still in touch with the school and with each other today via our Alumni program and social media.
The number of international students continued growing and ISS reached a proud 320 students. With the support from the local business community and local authorities, ISS was able to plan and finance an extension to our existing campus in Degerloch.
2001 also marked the groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the campus development project, which included a new building for the Elementary School and a long-awaited gymnasium. Under the leadership of John Sheehan and Konstanze Hauser, the year was further highlighted by ISS earning accredited status from both the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
By the end of August 2001, David Gatley joined ISS as the new Director, and the newly completed buildings were ready to accommodate up to 450 students for the 2001/02 school year.
In October 2002, ISS proudly welcomed its 500th student, Haruka Katsuda, who arrived in Stuttgart from Japan.
The SV Sportverein was established in response to the desire of international students to connect with local German students through participation in local soccer and basketball leagues. With initial support from the MTVKinder-Fußball-Akademie and close collaboration with the Leichtathletic Club and the Stuttgarter Rugby Club at Hohe Eiche, the Sportverein has since flourished. It now boasts members of all ages from both the ISS community and the local area.
The Sindelfingen campus began with just 10 students and, with the support of Beirat member Manfred Ehringer, quickly developed a distinctive dual-language profile. This innovative approach soon gained recognition as a cutting-edge program by educational bodies around the world. Over the years, the campus has expanded by one grade level each year, and was then housed in the Sommerhofen Grundschule and the Gymnasium in den Pfarrwiesen.
ISS has established strong connections within the local community.
In 2003, the Sindelfingen satellite school was founded and quickly became a stable and successful institution, serving as a launchpad for further growth.
The student numbers grew in Sindefingen to 17 Kindergarden through Grade 2 students this school year. A significant milestone for ISS came with the appointment of Sarah Kupke, who joined the Sindelfingen campus in 2004 to oversee operations. This marked the founding of the Böblingen and Sindelfingen International Community School (BaSICS), taking up a wing of the Sommerhofen Schule and expanding to 30 students. The longterm prospect for Sindelfingen was to develop a bilingual school.
“There are a lot of good memories at ISS and certainly the school has much to celebrate, but what it has to celebrate more than anything else are its graduates, its students and how they have become successful adults in their chosen careers.”
Fred Runkel, ISS teacher 1989-2000“
“We were in it together. We all didn’t know a thing, really. I mean, we were sort of building this aeroplane as it flew-The IB programme.”
Liam Garvey 1998 – present
“It was a real labour of love starting the school and certainly very challenging in the early days!”
David Gatley , ISS School Director from 2001- 2005
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2005 saw Habitat for Humanity volunteer construction trips with students working alongside low-income families. The underlying principle was to enable learning experiences which go beyond the classroom and increase awareness.
The school year also epitomised by the first Lower School PYP Exhibition.
Many of the students in the graduating ISS Class of 2005, were some of the first students to have completed the full program from start to finish. The experience was quite a milestone.
Student learning does not stop after the final bell. In 2006 more than 300 ISS students had 50 opportunities to participate in different organised activities during the after school hours-activities which encouraged teamwork and strengthen interests which could last a lifetime.
It was Don Gray who recommended changing the ISS Dragon to the ISS Stallion since Stuttgart is historically known for its horse breeding.
A Stute is a female horse, and the name was supposed to have been Stutengarten, or “garden of horses”. According to legends of our region from the year 950, Duke Ludolf of Schwaben founded a horse breeding center and riding school in the present city of Stuttgart.
2008 saw the arrival of Tim Kelley as Director and ISS hosting an English language Model United Nations conference for the first time in spring of 2009.
In subsequent years the number of students attending MUNISS from both international and German schools has risen to over 200.
The 2008/09 school year also saw the school board under the leadership of Dr Peter Ladwig facing the challenge of continually rising student numbers and expanding academic programmes. A feasibility study identified both the needs in terms of additional facilities and the capacity of the site to meet those needs. At the same time the third round of temporary accommodation in Degerloch was installed during the summer of 2009, consisting of 3 additional classrooms, a drama and examinations space and new facilities for the youngest students in the “Nest”. Following an architectural competition local architects Ackermann & Raff were contracted to develop plans for an extension housing an additional sports hall and state-of-the-art classrooms and community facilities.
In 2009 ISS realized a need to expand sports facilities and develop more classes for our growing Middle School. Working with architects Ackermann & Raff, the same people who designed our Lower School in Degerloch, we built a space that would replace the old Pavilion area. It is interesting to note that when we opened the new facility, we still needed to keep the Pavilion because we had continued to grow beyond our projections!
BaSICS grew from 60 students in July 2009 to 86 students in July 2010. Students from Kindergarten to 7th Grade engaged in learning opportunities. It was a multilingual and multicultural.
In January 2010, the former state bank building in Sindelfingen became the new home for the Sindelfingen Campus. This move marked a significant milestone in the school’s growth, with the campus quickly becoming a central hub for learning and community. At the heart of the campus, the “Treffpunkt” emerged as a vibrant gathering space, fostering collaboration and connection among students, faculty, and visitors alike.
2010 was a year of technology, planning for the future of learning and the year of the CIS/NEASC self study enabling students and teachers to extend the teaching beyond the classroom walls.
The memorable “25 Years of Everybody Learning” celebration highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and enriching environment for all students.
In 2011, Summer@ISS Degerloch was established, offering a dynamic summer program that has since become a beloved tradition. Over the years, approximately 3000 children have participated in Summer@ISS, experiencing engaging activities and learning opportunities. This program also became an integral part of celebrating the school’s milestone events.
Mr. Kelley inaugurated the new building together with students, teachers and parents along with representatives from politics and business.
Seven new classrooms, a student lounge, a café, media and multi-purpose rooms and another sports hall are now available at the ISS.
Around 660 pupils from numerous nations attended ISS and a further 140 at our Sindelfingen campus.
Renovation of all the existing Science labs on both campuses and an additional, fifth lab in Degerloch took place in 2013. The STEAM initiative was launched in 2014, marking a significant step in the school’s educational development. That same year, the Sindelfingen campus was also authorized to offer the IBMYP (International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme).
“This is a school that has got real vision for the future and is using some really innovative approaches to education where the head of school, his office is tantamount to being a cupboard at the top of the building just off the library. And the reason I thought that was important because I thought, this is really interesting. This isn’t about, ‘This is the Head of School’s office.’ It was about a really clear central message that the building and the space that we were using was all about the students.”
Sarah Kupke 1990-1995, 2004-2021
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KIVA is a micro-financing non-profit dedicated to connecting people through lending to help alleviate poverty. Our ISS lending team began supporting entrepreneurs in developing countries in October of 2015. What began as a CAS initiative to bring Geography and Business beyond the classroom has since grown into a powerful force for change. To date, we’ve provided over $60,000 in loans to people around the world!
Ever since families from IBM and Hewlett Packard began this school with 16 students in a small classroom in Böblingen this desire has remained at the core of the ISS experience. It remained that way when the school moved to Möhringen. It remained that way when we built this building, the one next to it and more recently the Middle School and New gymnasium.
The chronology of ISS represents 30 years of everyone learning. But it is really in the past 5 years, where we have seen over 1000 new students come and go, that our common goal has crystallised into a purpose as simple and clear as the invention of the chronometer.
“ISS is no longer teaching about the world. We are teaching our students how to navigate it. Not because we can, or even because it may be profitable. We are teaching our students to navigate the planet…”
Tim Kelley, ISS School Director
At the start of 2016 school, children’s voices greet passengers in some Stuttgart trams and buses. The idea for the campaign came from Ober-Burgermeister, Fritz Kuhn, who was also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of SSB. During the recordings in the studio, the ten- to twelve-year-olds had professional support from Dorothee Roth. The pupils recorded their announcements in German as well as in their mother tongue.
The International Café initiative was started at ISS in September 2016, in order to welcome and get to know the refugees that have arrived in Degerloch in the last years. Up to 70 refugees visited our school each time, coming from one of the two refugee homes in Degerloch. The guests were picked up by bus at their living quarters and brought to the school. There were men, women and children from many different countries and all age groups.
In February of 2017, the refugee children played the Kane’s Arcade games created by our Grade 6 students in their advisory programme.
ISS was recognised as “MINT-freundliche Schule” and “Digital sports community and to enable them to play in the local soccer Schule” in 2018. The Driving Learning Forward initiative was endorsed to capture the ideas, passions and collective reflection the whole ISS community in terms of the future of education.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted educational systems worldwide as case numbers began to rise, leading to widespread closures of educational institutions. Despite these challenges, in 2019, ISS Stuttgart successfully maintained its operations and swiftly transitioned to distant learning, ensuring continuity for its students.
Redesigning school every week was a new adventure in the second phase of the COVID pandemic. Each week, usually on Friday, ISS would received regulation changes that necessitated Sunday meetings to re-organize spaces, testing areas and vaccination monitoring to match the requirements for reopening school in person. This process lasted for over half a year!
The acclaimed musical Jesus Christ Superstar, produced as a film within COVID-19 regulations at ISS, was launched in December 2020. Set in modern times, where social media influences the narrative, the story of Jesus of Nazareth unfolds as a moving tale of two friends who clash over a campaign of goodwill and fame. Ultimately, it explores themes of faith, friendship, and betrayal. Given the restrictions of the pandemic, it became clear that a live performance would not be possible, so the decision was made to finalize the production as a film instead.
Maths Quest 2021. Two days of virtual mathematical problems and challenges with schools form around Europe.
Congratulations to the two Grade 5 teams from ISS competing and being mathematical ambassadors for our school. Organized through ECIS, this year’s competition is hosted by St. George’s School in Luxembourg.
This year marked a profound shift in how we taught and learned, as remote learning became the new norm. The graduating class of 2020, faced with unprecedented circumstances, celebrated their graduation without guests, adapting to the challenges of the moment with resilience.
“I have had to stand before the
last two graduating classes wearing a mask.” Tim Kelley 2021
Kindergarden students took building a greenhouse to a whole new level as part of their Plant Unit of Inquiry. In addition to its completion was the development of our Innovation Hub and the Innovation Hour as a pilot program for Grades 3 through 5 for more collaborative and cross-disciplinary teaching to also take place through the Units of Inquiry.
In 2021, after nine months of intensive collaboration with internal focus teams, the school began construction of new facilities, including year-based student clusters, expanded Arts facilities, a new theater, and a fully equipped kitchen. This development required the demolition of part of the original yellow building during the summer, and the installation of temporary classrooms on the pitch to accommodate students during the construction phase.
ISS was the very first school worldwide to implement a new accreditation process that compined expectations from both NEASC and the IBO.
ISS also facilitated the first authorisation visit from the International Baccalaureate Organisation in 2004. Celebrating 20 years of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 2024, ISS reflects on two decades of nurturing young learners, fostering inquiry, and cultivating a love for learning in a global community.
In May 2024, our ISS Sindelfingen campus celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of academic excellence and cultural diversity. “Students from over 50 nations under one roof” – a testament to the vibrant international community that has flourished here.
In August of 2024, we opened the doors for our new state of the art building Upper School and Lower School students. This building represents the final phase or our Future Of Education Next strategy plan focusing on fostering a dynamic, organised environment that values relationships, engagement and visibility in alignment with our revised Guiding Statements.
We continue our outreach to our local community. Members of the ISS Upper School Choir performed at the Degerlocher Frauenkreis, a local organisation, fostering stronger connections with the local community, enjoyed the music of our choir.
2025 will be a year of exciting accomplishments for ISS, including the highly anticipated Model United Nations ISS (MUNISS) conference and the ECIS conference. These events will bring together students, educators, and leaders from around the world, further strengthening ISS’s commitment to global citizenship, collaboration, and academic excellence.
As we mark this momentous milestone of 40 years, we reflect on the incredible journey that has shaped ISS into a beacon of educational excellence. Over the past four decades, our school has nurtured and inspired generations of students, instilling in them the values of integrity, curiosity, and perseverance.
From modest beginnings to becoming a pillar of academic achievement, innovation, and community spirit, our school’s journey has been one of growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the success of every student. This anniversary is a celebration of our past but a reaffirmation of our commitment to future generations.
We honor the visionaries, teachers, students, and families who have contributed to our success. Their passion, hard work, and shared belief in the transformative power of education have paved the way for the “40 years of Excellence”we proudly uphold today.
“ISS has been a cornerstone in shaping my worldview, talents, and ambitions.Within its nurturing embrace—of supportive staff, a vibrant community, and richopportunities—I’ve grown into a confident, curious, and compassionateindividual ready to embrace the future.”
A-M. Schaetzle Class of 2017
“ISS is not just a school, but a community that teaches compassion and teamwork—two very important skills that have helped me throughout medical school and in becoming the doctor I aspire to be.”
E. Dinkelacker Class of 2018
THE 40 THEN: “Future of Education Then” Alumni Campaign
The Annual ISS Alumni Reunion: June 5, 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming all interested Alumni to gather, celebrate and contribute to our ISS 40th Anniversary Future of Education Then Campaign. The primary purpose of this event is to reconnect, but there will be an opportunity to learn more about how we can raise a merit scholarship for future students as well to celebrating how forward thinking our school has always been.
40 NOW: “Future of Education Now” Community Campaign
80’s Dance Party!
On May 23, 2025, ISS hosted a vibrant celebration bringing together students, families and staff to mark our 40th Anniversary in true retro fashion. This unforgettable event was one of many ways we’re celebrating four decades of learning, growth, and innovation at ISS.
We’re continuing the celebration through our Future of Education Next Campaign—highlighting our vision for the future and the enduring strength of our community.
40 NEXT: “Future of Education Next” Community Campaign
The 40th Anniversary ISS Gala: Novemeber 8, 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming members of our community to gather, celebrate and contribute to our ISS 40th Anniversary Future of Education Next Campaign. The primary purpose of this event is to support both the sustainability of our school and its commitment to environmental sustainability, our student’s top priority.
Space is limited so RSVP.
