The concept for IST began taking shape as the result of an increased international outlook and an influx of international staff and their families in Dar es Salaam. This increase followed the attainment of independence for Tanganyika (later to join with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania) in 1961. A body of people in 1962 explored the possibility of setting up an international school in Dar. With the assistance of the then Geneva-based International Schools Association the body was successful in the creation of what has become by all accounts a successful school with a current enrolment of 960 students from over 60 nationalities spread over three campuses, employing over 100 teaching staff and several hundred support staff. However, the beginnings were slightly more humble…

When the school opened its doors on the then Cameron Road (now UN Road) in September of 1963 it had 214 elementary-aged pupils, nine full-time and one part-time teacher, mostly recruited from within Tanzania. At the time it was also the first international school in this half of Africa. By the end of the year this had grown to 305 pupils and 15 full-time teachers. The original school buildings were centred upon what is now known as "the staffroom quad" - in other words the central of the three quads which make up the Elementary School as it is now. It houses a Resource Room, a small AV theatre, a Counsellor's room, a third grade classroom and now what is, for the time being, the archives room, Room 32. The double story classrooms to one side of this quad were not part of the original school. The 1964-65 school year began with 415 students. Throughout the following years two flats of teacher housing, a laboratory, a library, a music room, an assembly hall (’66) and the pool (’67) were added. In 1966 more teacher flats were finished and land for a playing field was bought and built.

In 1978 the school made the move to expand to an Upper School, opening with a single block of classrooms. In June of 1980 the first IST student sat for a mathematics GCSE exam. By June of 1981 there were 10 students. The International Baccalaureate program was introduced in 1983, and has since become the main diploma program at IST. Following years of construction the secondary campus on the Msasani Peninsula, essentially as it is now, was officially opened on August 30, 1986.

As we celebrate another year of IST in Tanzania we do so in a turbulent time in the world. However, through the true international education that has remained part of the original vision we believe we can continue to promote the understanding and tolerance that is a mainstay of our program.

OPENING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1963
Seated - Original School Head Miss Irene Leach
Speaking - Original CEO Dr. Michael C. Latham
Seated - A Representative from International Schools Association