Chittagong Grammar School (C.G.S.) was founded in 1992, to satisfy the need for a truly international school in Chittagong. The existing English-medium institutions were not of an international standard and many families were forced to send their school-going children overseas to seek a quality education.
Four Chittagong families (Dadas, Ispahanis, Khans and Nizams) came together and co-opted the best teaching resources available in the city. These teaching consultants set criteria for standards and established school policies. The aim was to get the best teachers in Chittagong under one roof to create an institute of a high international academic standard.
A derelict building on Sarson Road was renovated and refurbished to house the school which opened in January 1993. There were only five classes - 5 to 9, 64 students and 14 teachers. Enrollment commenced in October/November 1992 and classes began on 12th January 1993. The mission of the school was to enable children to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable, both academically, physically, morally and socially. Extra-curricular activities formed an integral part of the curriculum and students were encouraged to develop through participation in a range of activities.
CGS 1992 to 2003
Calendar
Year Operational year School year Range of Classes ‘O’ Levels
% Pass
Highlights of the year
1992 - - - - Enrolment & admission tests for admission to CGS begins.
1993 1st Jan - Dec 5 - 9 - Classes commence 12th Jan 1993
1994 2nd Jan - Dec 3 - 10 - Teacher Training Programme initiated
1995 3rd Jan - Dec 3 - 10 86% 1st ‘O’ Level Batch achieve
excellent results.
1996 4th Jan - July P.G. - 10 95% K.G. Section Introduced
1996/97 5th Sept - June P.G. - 10 96% School moves into own premises at 39
Fazlul Kader.
1997/98 6th Sept - June P.G. - 10 98% ECA’s expanded
1998/99 7th Sept - June P.G. - 10 100% CGS hosts Round Square
Regional Junior Conference
1999/00 8th Sept - June P.G - 10 100% Computer Center Opened
2000/01 9th Sept - June P.G - 10 99% Senior Section returns to Sarson Road
2001/02 10th Sept - June P.G. - 11 96% Construction of ‘A’ Level
Block at Surson Road
2002/03 11th Sept - June P.G. - 12 97% School restructured into Upper, Middle
and Lower sections
2003/04 12th Sept - June P.G. - 12 96% UCLES Awards ‘International Fellowship
Status’ to CGS.
The school rapidly gained an excellent reputation within the community and demand for placements outnumbered seats available by the second year! The range of classes was expanded and by 1996 the entire range of classes (Playgroup to ‘O’ Levels) were being offered. Later the same year the school academic year was changed from January - December to a September - June session.
In September 1996 the school opened the school session it’s own premises and moved the Junior Section (Playgroup to class 3) there. Later the same year representatives from The Round Square Organization paid an inspection visit to CGS. Immediately upon their return they issued a letter welcoming CGS as an associate member to the group. It has since participated in two Senior Regional Conferences and one Junior Regional Conference. It hosted the third Junior Regional Conference in December 1998. Full membership to Round square is under consideration at the organization’s headquarters. CGS is now also listed as an international school in the ISS (International Student Services) Directory of excellent International schools.
In the meantime, ‘O’ Level results were improving and pass rates were up to 98% by 1997/1998. In January 1999 CGS students achieved 100% ‘A’s and ‘B’s - (79% ‘A’s and 21% ‘B’s) possibly the best results in the country!
A Teacher Training Programme introduced in 1994 ensured that teacher expertise was constantly being upgraded to maintain an excellent teaching and learning standard throughout the school. Teachers are appraised regularly and their professional development is a priority with the school administration.
Today the school is a venue for Cambridge ‘O’ Level examinations. In September 2002 the ‘A’ Level programme begun. There are a range of extra-curricular activities that promote student growth in all spheres of development. The school maintains a high level of discipline and environmental excellence. It focuses on providing an overall, holistic education for the children of the Chittagong community. It is also a centre for the US College board examinations, SAT I & SAT II.
