Overview

Bishop Mackenzie International School (BMIS) is a private, non-profit, coeducational day school located in Lilongwe, Malawi. It serves students from Reception (age 4) through Year 13, covering the equivalent of Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Curriculum & Accreditation

BMIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the full IB continuum:

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Diploma Programme (DP)

It is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

History & Governance

The school was founded in 1944 as the Lilongwe European School, starting with only a handful of students. In 1998, it was registered as a trust under Malawian law. Governance is overseen by a Board of Trustees, whose members are drawn from the parents’ association. The school was named after Charles Mackenzie, an Anglican bishop and missionary in Malawi.

Enrollment & Staff

BMIS typically has around 600–700 students enrolled across primary and secondary sections. The teaching staff consists of about 50–60 educators from diverse backgrounds.

Facilities & Campus

The campus spans about 10 hectares (25 acres) and includes:

Two sports fields

Two basketball courts

A swimming complex with an 18m pool, a 25m pool, and an infant splash pool

Over 40 classrooms, including specialized science labs, art rooms, technology spaces, and drama facilities

A library with more than 22,000 books, with separate sections for primary and secondary students

A health clinic staffed by a full-time nurse

Security features including CCTV and gated access

Co-curricular & Other Programmes

BMIS offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including football, basketball, rugby, hockey, swimming, drama, music, chess, and photography. Students are also encouraged to participate in community service, working with local charities and orphanages. The school produces newsletters, a yearbook, and other community publications.