Introduction to Our New Interim Head of School at AISCT
We are pleased to welcome back Kevin Coordt, M.Ed. to the American International School of Cape Town (AISCT) community as our interim Head of School for this school year. Kevin is a leader with a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to international education. As we begin this new school year, the interim head brings a fresh perspective and a vision that aligns with our school’s core values, promising to enrich the learning environment for our diverse community of students. This blog will give you an inside look at our new leader’s background, the school’s vision for this year, and how he will engage with and support the AISCT community this year.
Background and Experience: What Our New Leader Brings to AISCT
We are excited to welcome back Kevin Coordt, a valued member of our community who holds a master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Coordt initially pursued a career in business advertising, but his life took a transformative turn during a memorable Peace Corps Volunteer experience in Cubulco, Guatemala. While helping farm owners with advertising and business support, he found a new passion: education.
His journey into teaching began unexpectedly when a young girl approached him, curious about a test he had designed for the farmers. This encounter inspired Mr. Coordt to get involved with the local school programs, where he created numerous tests and tutored children. His dedication to fostering academic growth led him to establish a scholarship program that has since provided 1,200 scholarships, ensuring these children could continue their education. The huge impact of this experience, along with a local kid’s heartfelt reference to him as “maestro” (teacher), set Mr. Coordt’s decision to start a career in education.
Kevin Coordt comes to AISCT from San Diego, California. Mr. Coordt says, “My family and I are thrilled to return to Cape Town and this incredible school. This year, both my children will be attending high school at AISCT. I started working at AISCT in 2002 as a teacher for two years, returned in 2009 as the Head of School for three years, and eagerly anticipate the 2024-2025 school year with this extraordinary school community. As we enter AISCT’s 27th year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead. This school year begins with a record enrollment of over 550 students, a thriving academic environment consistently achieving outstanding results, and ambitious capital projects shaping our future.”
This school year, Mr. Coordt is committed to reviewing issues that may arise and supporting and strengthening the AISCT community in every way he can. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, whom he met in South Africa, and their two children, Kalia (Grade 12) and Kai (Grade 9). Mr. Coordt also enjoys running, biking, swimming, surfing, traveling, and spending time with their dog, Crystal. We are thrilled to have Kevin Coordt with us once again and look forward to seeing the incredible ideas he will bring to our school community during his time here this school year.
A Vision for the Future: Expanding the Footprint of AISCT
AISCT is home to a vibrant campus adorned with unparalleled architecture and beauty. The recent acquisition of adjacent land has expanded our school’s footprint to 26 acres. Mr. Coordt says, “We are excited to announce the opening of our new library and media center this August, and the groundbreaking work of our aquatics center and expansive sports fields will commence this winter. The AISCT Board is committed to building world-class facilities in the years ahead, including a state-of-the-art theater, a gymnasium, faculty housing, and student dormitories, ensuring a bright future for our school.”
Success at AISCT: Built on Quality Relationships & a Strong Community Foundation
The success of the American International School of Cape Town has been built upon the foundation of the strong, quality relationships formed within our school community. Mr. Coordt recognizes this and says this success is “possible because of the incredible AISCT community. Our dedicated faculty, hailing from various corners of the world, are committed to delivering a high-quality education to our scholars. Our talented support staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain our campus’s smooth functioning. The invaluable contributions of our parent community, particularly the Parent and Teacher Association (PATA), are evident throughout the year.
Our community partners, including our accrediting body WASC, our AISA membership, our collaboration with the US State Department, and our affiliation with the College Board, ensure that we uphold rigorous international curriculum standards. Our scholars, representing over 65 nationalities, create a true international mosaic. Their remarkable achievements and university acceptances to some of the world’s top institutions testify to their exceptional abilities. This diversity is a source of strength and pride for our school, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity.”
Ultimately, we hope that your child’s time at AISCT will be a transformational experience and that your family’s time in our school community will be memorable. Join us as we welcome Mr. Coordt to AISCT and continue building on our remarkable achievements as we set out on another bright year ahead. Contact our Admissions Team to learn more.
