Cedar School had its modest beginnings in 1987 when three couples set out to find an alternative form of education for their young children.  Starting off as a private tutoring group accommodating fewer than twelve children, the school was housed in a breezy building with a large yard at Meyers on Tortola's Ridge Road.  Calling it the Rainbow School, they hired one teacher to instruct students in what was reminiscent of an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse.

In 1989, the parents of the Rainbow School got together with The Parents Tutorial Group, which provided private schooling for a small group of students ranging in age from 11 to 14.  By developing a school that would provide small classes and an innovative and high quality curriculum, the two groups hoped to transform their educational philosophy into a creative learning environment.  Because there was no private high school in the BVI, the school also hoped to provide university preparatory education open to all island children - BVIslanders, belongers and expatriates - from pre-kindergarten through high school.

The two groups formed a Board of Trustees comprised of parents and prominent community members including Audley Maduro, Gerry Farara, and the late Henry Creque.  They named this new educational endeavour Cedar School and applied to the BVI Government for a School License, which was granted in 1990.  They hired a principal and expanded the premises at Meyers by building additional classrooms.

With the help of a core of active parents and a dedicated staff, the school continued to grow rapidly.  In mid 1993, the school took over the premises of the Pasea Kindergarten, adding a second campus and 20 additional students.  The primary and secondary divisions also continued to grow.  By the end of the 1993 school year, Cedar had outgrown its premises at Meyers and leased the first floor of a former supermarket building in Baugher’s Bay, which was renovated into classrooms and offices.  In 1996, the school rented the entire second story of the building in order to accommodate additional classrooms and spaces for a computer lab, library, and science lab.  Additional playground space was leased and equipment installed.

In 1994, the Board of Trustees decided to seek accreditation and commenced that process with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, based in the United States.  Middle States accredits schools worldwide.  As part of the accreditation process, the School embarked on strategic planning, a process which is on going. Through the strategic planning process, stakeholders in the School community - parents, staff, and students – continue to define and refine the vision for Cedar School.  As the members of the School community defined the School they wanted Cedar to become, they dared to dream of an international school, educating a multi-cultural community, offering an excellent academic university-preparatory programme, in a facility designed to provide an environment conducive to innovative teaching and passionate learning.

As the School grew, it became clear that both growth and the academic program were hindered by the School's facilities and that larger premises with more comprehensive facilities were needed. In the mid 1990's, a group of trustees began to explore the feasibility of buying land and constructing a purpose-built facility. In 1998, the Board of Trustees commenced a capital campaign so that land could be acquired in Kingstown and financing could be arranged to build a brand new facility. In January 2001, construction began on the 17,000 square foot facility. In September of that same year, the new building opened for school. Today, our school houses a student population of over 250 students and a faculty and staff of 46, and 17 classrooms for children ages 3 through 18 in addition to a dedicated science lab, library, computer lab, art room, and music room.  In the summer of 2005, an expansion project created the addition of two secondary classrooms, a commons room, a college resource centre and a special resources office in an adjacent building to the Kingstown campus. 

In 2004, Cedar School was granted accreditation through grade 12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  The implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme also began at this time as did consideration of implementing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme.

In 2005, Cedar School was granted membership in the Council of International Schools. In December 2005, Cedar School began an intensive 18 month self study for accreditation by the Council of International Schools. In August 2006, Cedar School earned 'applicant' status having passed application B, the second stage of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme authorisation process.  Cedar School was awarded accreditation from the Council of International Schools in August 2007. 

In February 2008, Cedar School officially changed its name to Cedar International School to reflect the diversity of the school community and in light of the successful efforts to gain accreditation through the Council of International Schools and the plan to becoming an International Baccalaureate World School through authorisation of the PYP, MYP and DP programmes.  The International Baccalaureate approved Cedar International School as an IB World School, fully authorised to offer the DP programme in late February 2008.  The authorisation visit for the IB Middle Years Programme took place in the spring of 2008 and the school was awarded authorisation in September 2008.  

During the 2009-2010 school year, the faculty and administration will continue to develop and implement programmes that meet the needs of our diverse student population.  The faculty is working diligently to plan and implement all components of the Primary Years Programme, and we are confident that we will be prepared for an International Baccalaureate site visit in the spring of 2010.