Marymount International School was founded in 1955 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary to educate children from the business and diplomatic community. In 1979 it became the first school in the United Kingdom to fully adopt the International Baccalaureate programme as its main curriculum of instruction.
Academics
Marymount has an excellent record in the IB Diploma. In 2011, 20% of IB Diploma candidates received a score of 40 points or higher, placing them in the top 5% worldwide. In 2011 one candidate received a perfect score, a result achieved by less 0.2% of students worldwide. This is all the more impressive since the candidate took a seventh subject – Further mathematics- taken by barely a hundred brave students in the world. In 2008, one Marymount candidate received a perfect result of 45 points. In 2007, two Marymount IB Diploma candidates received the perfect score of 45 points, two of only 65 students in the world. Since, at least one student of the graduating class has received a full 45 points, often making them the class valedictorian. Most graduates go on to attend university around the world. Some destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter University, London School of Economics, Boston College, New York University, Stanford University, Australian National University, McGill University and Tokyo University.
Curriculum
Year groups are called "grades" rather than "years". Marymount follows the Middle Years Programme for girls aged 11 to 16 and the Diploma Programme for the last two years.
Student life
Marymount is an international school which caters to a diverse student population and incorporates aspects of both the American and British educational traditions. The British-style blazer is part of the prescribed uniform and the house system is an integral part of student life. American nomenclature for year groups is used, meaning there is no "sixth form" as the final year of secondary education is grade 12 rather than year 13. Student leaders are elected into a "Student Council" and the head of the council is known as a president rather than head girl. In the middle of the school year, grade 10 and 11 students are elected into the National Honor Society. A formal graduation ceremony is held at the end of the year to farewell grade 12 students.
Houses
The four houses are named after founders of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
St Jean
St Constance
St Felix
St Croix
Boarding
Boarding is available to all students and about half the student body are boarders. They are housed in four main halls and cared for by houseparents and a resident nurse. Younger boarders usually reside in triple rooms and older students are allocated double or single rooms.
Pastoral Care
As a Catholic school, spiritual life is an important aspect of student life. Students are expected to attend chapel services and invited to actively participate. A Sacrament of Confirmation is held every two years. Students may also take part in community service projects through exchange programmes with its sister schools in the RSHM international network of schools.
