History

Since our founding in 1962, Lyford Cay International School has been committed to inspiring excellence in its students, teachers and community.

EP Taylor founded Lyford Cay School, later renamed Lyford Cay International School (LCIS), for the children of employees in his grand property venture on the western side of New Providence, The Bahamas. What started with just nine students and two teachers has grown to a school that serves local students seeking an innovative and rigorous educational experience, as well as the international business and diplomatic community of the island.

The 1990s were a period of tremendous growth for the school, with the addition of the Early Learning Centre, new buildings and international accreditation. By 2003, the original Secondary School building was completed and LCIS received authorisation from the International Baccalaureate (IB) to offer the Middle Years Programme. By the end of the decade, the school had expanded to Grade 12, and achieved authorisation for the IB Diploma and Primary Years Programmes. In 2018, facility and programme expansion continued with the addition of a multipurpose building on the Lower School campus, the start of construction for a new secondary campus and the addition of the Career-Related Programme.

The new state-of-the-art Upper School campus was opened in 2021, featuring a science lab, physics classroom, robotics lab, art studio, dance theatre and multi-purpose sport courts, with additional facilities planned as part of a multi-year master plan.

Timeline

  • 1962

    Entrepreneur and horse-breeder, EP Taylor, founded the school with nine students and two teachers.

  • 1974

    The student body increased to 95.

  • 1991

    Lyford Cay School is the first primary school to have a marching band and its own newspaper.

  • 1993

    The school is incorporated as a non-profit.

  • 1994

    The new Early Learning Centre and Elementary School buildings are opened.

  • 1998

    International accreditation is established.

  • 2003

    The school is authorised to offer the IB Middle Years Programme.

  • 2004

    An expanded high school opens in a renovated building and the school is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme.

  • 2006

    Lyford Cay School is renamed Lyford Cay International School and sees its first class of graduates.

  • 2009

    Authorisation for the IB Primary Years Programme is achieved.

  • 2018

    The new multipurpose building is dedicated as Dingman Hall. The school received authorisation to offer the IB Career-Related Programme.

  • Main entrance to new Upper School building

    2021

    LCIS officially opened the new Upper School campus just a half-mile walk away from the original Lower School campus in Lyford Cay.

  • 2022

    LCIS celebrates 60 years since its founding in 1962.

LCIS At-A-Glance

Take a look

Lyford Cay Uniform

LCIS has developed and changed over its nearly 60 years in existence, but one thing remains the same. The uniforms have always included references to the turquoise and gold of EP Taylor’s horse-racing colours, as seen here on his famous thoroughbred, Northern Dancer.

Lyford Cay Logo Through the Ages

1994 Yellow shield on blue background with book and palm tree
1974
1996 Shield shape in black and white -learning-caring-sharing moto
1996
2001 Lyford Cay on blue background 2001
2009 Lyford Cay on white background 2009
2015 Shield in dark and medium blue 2015

Lyford Cay Mascot

Lyford Cay Yearbooks Through the Ages

1962
year founded
9
number of original students
2006
first graduating class
48
schools worldwide to offer all four ib programmes
Accreditations & Affiliations
IB Continuum logo
NEASC logo
CIS logo
NAIS logo
Tri Association logo
Round Square logo
Eco-Schools logo