Our Story
The 2015-16 academic school year marks a special time in history for the International School of Stavanger (founded as the Stavanger American School). It’s our 50th year, our jubilee! Hipp hipp hurra.
The story of the school is likely part of your story. We are especially excited this year to celebrate and reconnect with the many characters who made ISS/SAMS an important chapter in their lives.
- Our story is about the thousands of active, respectful and thoughtful young personalities who – facing a new adventure – have stepped into the classroom, onto the field, or on the stage, ready to embrace new opportunities, learn and fulfil their potential.
- Our story is about their families – with ties to proactive corporations and peace-oriented missions – that have landed in a new location and made sure ISS was more than a school, but the big extended family and community you can only hope for when away from ‘home.’
- Our story is about the hundreds of exceptionally-caring and dedicated teachers who have created meaningful bonds with these students, provided a safe environment for them to be themselves and reshaped school programmes to meet changing needs.
- Our story is weaved in with Stavanger’s story. ISS and Stavanger – a city once considered the sardines capital of Norway at the end of a train line but now the oil capital of Norway and a former European Capital of Culture – have evolved together over the last half-century (thanks to innovative and globally-minded politicians).
- Our story is not yet finished. No matter the chapter or decade, the theme of our story has always been student-centered. Today’s vision is to inspire a community of responsible, globally-engaged and empowered learners who will undoubtedly write their own unique stories over the next 50 years and beyond.
North Sea Exploration
January 6, 1960
The search for and exploration of oil in the Norwegian sector of the North sea takes off in the 1960s. Several American oil companies established offices in Stavanger and it became apparent there would be a need for a long-term schooling solution
SAMS Established
July 15, 1966
Representatives of the local government and foreign oil companies doing business in Stavanger made the decision to start the ‘Stavanger American School’ (named accordingly based on ties to American oil companies). It was established on 15 July 1966 and authorised by what is now the Ministry of Education.
First Day of School
September 15, 1966
On 15 September 1966, 4 teachers welcomed 42 students to their first day of school at the Stavanger American School in an old school building in Revheim, which happens to be very close to today’s location.
A Move to Eiganes
September 1, 1971
SAMS moved its facilities to Eiganes Skole in 1968 then expanded to Kvalaberg Skole in 1971 and 1972.
Another Year, Another Site
September 1, 1972
SAMS moves to Nylund Skole during the 1972-1973 year. Later, up to five locations were used at one time.
Accreditation Success
September 1, 1974
SAMS received its first accreditation in 1974, only the third international school in the world to be accredited by ECIS at that time. ISS/SAMS has been rigorously accredited and validated five times since then by ECIS (European Council of International Schools)
New Campus in Hafrsfjord
September 1, 1982
A new purpose-built campus opens in 1982 in the Madla/Hafrsfjord area. With classes previously spread between several local Norwegian schools, this building has 70 classrooms so all of the grades are unified under one roof. The city of Stavanger donated the land and
Pre-School Arrives
September 1, 1984
To better serve the needs of the local families, a Pre-School was established for three- and four-year-olds in 1984.
Expanding Curriculum: GCSE/IGCSE
September 1, 1986
To meet the needs of the increasingly diverse student body, the British GCSE programme was added in the late 1980’s, coinciding with the first year the UK was switching from O-Levels. A later decision was made in Stavanger to shift
New School Name
September 1, 1990
With a maturing oil industry and more international companies sending families to Stavanger, the school changed its name in 1990 to the ‘International School of Stavanger’ to reflect the changing student body, pedagogy and international curriculum. By 1991, 25 nationalities were represented.
NATO Students Join ISS
September 1, 1994
In 1994, a NATO base (formerly located in Oslo) was reassigned to Stavanger, requiring a new wing of classrooms to meet the increase in enrollment. Today, the school maintains close ties with NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre.
A Split: ‘Middle’ and ‘High’ School
August 1, 1996In 1996, the school officially separated its former secondary school into different groupings for Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9-12) to provide specific programmes for these age groups that were socially- and emotionally-appropriate as well as academically enriching.
Expanding Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Diploma
September 1, 1996
In 1996, the universally-recognized and academically-rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme was introduced (and both A-Levels and Advance Placement were retired). ISS continues to offer the IB Diploma and IGCSE, long seen as a good match for the predominant university destinations of
A Growing School, A New Wing
January 11, 1999
In 1999, another new wing of classrooms and a new cafeteria were added.
Stavanger Dutch School Joins ISS
January 1, 2001
The fourteen students that comprised the Stavanger Dutch School moved from their former classrooms at Tjensvoll Skole to ISS through an agreement between ISS and Norske Shell in January 2001. (Photo from 2014-15.)
ISAs Prepare Students
October 1, 2003
In 2003, ISS introduced the International School Assessments (the international school version of the PISA assessments), helping students to practice and prepare for external examinations.
Authorized Status from the Kingdom of Norway
September 1, 2011
The school was given approved status from the Kingdom of Norway via the Education Act in 2011.
Yet Another Expansion
September 1, 2012
In 2012, when there were more than 800 students, another expansion project was completed, which included classrooms, three new science labs, a new primary library and gym, updated kitchen facilities and renovated design and technology lab.
Pre-School Embraces Unique Approach
August 1, 2014
The former Primary School has been split into two distinct sections: Early Childhood (Pre-School-Grade 1) and Primary School (Grades 2-5). In Pre-School, specifically, ISS embraces the latest brain research and introduces a pedagogical approach for our three- and four-year-olds that concentrates
The Duevels ‘Graduate’
June 15, 2015
After a combined 82 years of service, Drs. Len and Linda Duevel graduate (retire) from ISS in June 2015. After 42 and 40 years at ISS respectively, Len and Linda have together put ISS on the map of international schools. The school celebrated
ISS Offers French Maternelle
August 1, 2015
Bonjour! Starting in August 2015, the ISS Pre-School/Reception warmly welcomed L’École Maternelle children previously enrolled at Lycée Français de Stavanger.
50 Years – Hipp Hipp Hurra
August 12, 2015
Fifty years later, in September 2015 under the direction of Mr. Gareth Jones, ISS opens its doors to more than 630 students and 100-plus faculty members from around the world. Today’s students hold passports from nearly 50 countries (6 continents!) and they tell us their