This year, the International School of Indiana (ISI) celebrates 30 years of shaping globally minded students, fostering cultural understanding, and providing world-class education. Since its founding in 1994, ISI has remained committed to preparing students for success in an interconnected world through its full-continuum International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and language immersion programming.

For three decades, Schmidt Associates has been honored to support ISI’s vision, from master planning and renovations to the creation of a unified campus. As ISI marks this milestone, we celebrate its profound impact on students, families, and the broader community.

A Vision That Transformed Education in Indiana

ISI was founded in response to a 1991 Indiana Humanities Council report calling for stronger global education. Recognizing this need, ISI launched in 1994 with a pioneering language immersion and IB curriculum that has since shaped thousands of students into global citizens.

What started as a single building on West 42nd Street has grown into a thriving Pre-K-12 school with 600 students representing cultures from around the world.

One ISI: A Unified Campus for a Stronger Community

For years, ISI’s lower and upper schools were housed in separate locations. But its long-term vision was clear—to unite all learners in one collaborative, innovative environment.

The final step in achieving this vision was the Chen Family Lower School, completed in 2022. Designed by Schmidt Associates, this 50,884-square-foot facility strengthens ISI’s language immersion, cultural competency, and hands-on learning—fostering critical thinkers and global communicators.

A Learning Environment as Dynamic as Its Students

At ISI, learning happens everywhere—not just in the classroom. The Chen Family Lower School was designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding through:

• Flexible classrooms that adapt to multiple teaching styles.
• A global library immersing students in world cultures.
• Makerspaces for robotics, arts, science, and home economics.
• A gym and performance space celebrating music, movement, and storytelling.
• A playground modeled after Indiana’s geography, featuring an interactive Ohio River water play area and rolling hills.

As a symbol of ISI’s diversity, the main lobby proudly displays 30 flags representing the global student community.

ISI’s Commitment to Excellence Recognized

ISI’s focus on academic rigor, global citizenship, and student well-being has earned it the distinction of Indiana’s top-ranked private K-12 school. The Chen Family Lower School also received the 2024 IIDA IDEA Award for K-12 Education, honoring its innovative design for student engagement, security, and collaboration.

“ISI’s commitment to project-based learning, nurturing curiosity and providing world-class education in the heart of Indiana has only grown over the last 30 years of working together. At Schmidt, we celebrate the great faculty, staff, and volunteers helping to raise globally minded students and citizens for an interconnected world.”

— Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal-in-Charge

Looking Ahead: The Next 30 Years of Impact

As ISI celebrates this milestone, we reflect on the thousands of students who have graduated as global citizens—ready to lead and contribute to a more connected world. At Schmidt Associates, we are proud to have played a role in shaping these learning environments and look forward to supporting ISI’s next chapter.
Congratulations, ISI, on 30 years of excellence!

See how Schmidt Associates is transforming K-12 learning across Indiana and Kentucky: https://schmidt-arch.com/k-12-studio/