New Director of Cayman International School Announced
PRINCETON NJ, USA (June 11, 2019) – International Schools Services (ISS) is pleased to announce that James B. Urquhart has been appointed the new Director of Cayman International School (CIS) in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, effective for the 2020 -2021 academic year. The announcement comes after a rigorous and highly competitive search process for the position, and is subject to work permit/immigration approval.
Liz Duffy, President of International Schools Services (ISS), commented, “We’re very excited to welcome Jim and Andie Urquhart to the CIS and ISS families. Jim will bring to CIS broad experience in international education across the globe. We were impressed not only by Jim’s background, but also by his insights, his warmth and his commitment to ensuring that CIS maintain its positive culture and close sense of community, as it grows and continues to further develop and deepen its educational programs.”
Mr. Urquhart, affectionately known as “Mr. U”, has been the Director of the Anglo-American School of Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria since 2011. Prior to his current role, he served as the Middle School Principal at both Graded – the America School of São Paulo in Brazil (2006-2011) and the Anglo-American School of Moscow in Russia (2003-2006). In addition, he served as Assistant School Principal and Science Teacher in Moscow from 2001-2003. His 27-year career in education also includes time in Venezuela, Canada and Japan.
Many international educators will also know Mr. Urquhart for serving as the chairperson of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA). He holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Toronto (Physical and Health Education) and Lakehead University (Education) as well as a master’s degree from Lakehead University in Physiology and Sport Sciences.
Cayman International School is a private, college preparatory, non-sectarian, co-educational school for students from two years old through Grade 12. It was established to provide an American/International educational program for the dependents of the multi-national professionals living in Cayman as well as for Caymanian students interested in an international education. In addition to the United States High School Diploma, students can earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma. For nearly a decade, CIS has been led by Dr. Jeremy Moore. During his first three years, he held the role of Secondary Principal and then accepted the role of Director at CIS on 2013-2018. CIS has flourished under his leadership: growing enrollment, identifying learning and community values, expanding programs, and embarking on significant facility expansion.
CIS currently includes a 60,000 square foot facility on 13.2 acres and is in the process of a large expansion project, which will open in two phases in August 2019 and August 2020. The expansion will add an early childhood campus, as well as a separate, purpose-built high school that includes band, drama and music facilities, a double gymnasium and a media center. The new high school will also have visual arts, science, innovation and maker spaces.
Dr. Doug Murphy, CIS High School Principal and Chair of the search committee for the new head of school, stated, “The CIS Search Committee is excited to have Jim Urquhart join our school community in the summer of 2020. Jim presented himself as a caring, compassionate, and intelligent school leader, who guides with purpose and integrity. As CIS undergoes significant expansion, the community has expressed the importance of keeping a sense of family. Jim’s natural ability to establish personal connections and his intentional involvement in the lives of students and staff will continue to build upon our positive CIS culture.”
Jim and Andie are proud parents of a daughter and a son, who will both be pursuing undergraduate degrees in Canada next year. Mr. Urquhart is enthusiastic about his new appointment, “CIS is clearly a special place for young people and adults alike. As soon as Andie and I walked on the campus we could feel the warmth of its people, as well as the palpable presence of CIS’s mission to connect, inspire and serve. I am thrilled to join CIS and its community as we grow together and build on its many successes.”
For more information contact info@iss.edu or visit iss.edu.
As a nonprofit organization, International Schools Services (ISS) works with more than 500 international schools and thousands of educators each year across its suite of services, creating the largest global footprint in international education support. Since its inception in 1955, ISS has launched and managed more than 110 international schools; placed approximately 50,000 educators; developed ground-breaking learning programs, such as the World Language Initiative and Level 5 Creativity & Innovation Hubs; processed about 15,000 school supply orders annually; and stewarded over 75 school foundations each year. With its headquarters in Princeton, NJ, USA and locations in China and Bahrain , ISS currently directly owns, operates, or manages nearly 20 international schools around the world and promotes innovative best practices for global education through its core services that include founding and managing student-centered, future-oriented schools; recruiting world-class educators; providing cutting-edge professional learning opportunities; sourcing essential school supplies; and stewarding school foundations. ISS staff has extensive experience in all aspects of international education, with most senior leaders having served as Heads of Schools across a variety of continents. To learn more, please visit: www.iss.edu.