Every great institution begins with a vision. Some dreams remain ideas, while others are transformed through dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to society.
The story of Jahanara Israil School & College (JISC) is the story of one such dream—a dream to create a modern, high-quality educational institution in Barishal and provide students of Southern Bangladesh with opportunities that traditionally required families to look toward Dhaka.
From a vision developed in the early 2000s to a growing educational community of more than 2,000 students, JIS College has continued to evolve while remaining committed to its founding purpose: providing quality education, developing young minds, and preparing students for the future.
The Dream Behind JIS College
The story of Jahanara Israil School & College began in the early 2000s.
At that time, opportunities for private English Version school and college education in Southern Bangladesh were limited. Many families believed that they needed to move to Dhaka to provide their children with access to better educational opportunities.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Saleh M. Shelley and his siblings envisioned creating a world-class educational institution in Barishal.
Their objective was not simply to establish another school.
They wanted to create an institution that could provide modern education, strong academic foundations, discipline, confidence, communication skills, and opportunities for holistic development—right here in Barishal.
The vision gradually became a concrete plan, and with the dedication of the founding family and support from members of the local community, the foundation for JIS College was established.
December 1, 2008 — The Foundation
A significant milestone in the history of JIS College came on December 1, 2008, when the foundation of the institution was established.
The institution was envisioned as a charitable, non-profit, non-commercial, and non-political educational organization, with the primary objective of serving students and the wider community.
For the founders, the institution was also deeply personal.
JIS College became a living memory of their parents. Mr. Saleh M. Shelley and his siblings—Saleh M. Solaiman, Saleh M. Hossain, Saleh A. F. Rahman, and Sultana J. Bhuyan—played a central role in bringing the vision to life. Contributions of land and financial support from the family helped transform the dream into an educational institution.
The foundation was therefore more than the beginning of a school.
It was the beginning of a legacy.
December 28, 2010 — The Doors Open
The next major chapter came on December 28, 2010.
Jahanara Israil School & College was officially inaugurated by Advocate Showkat Hossain Hiron, former Mayor of Barishal City Corporation.
The opening of JIS College marked the beginning of a new educational journey in Southern Bangladesh.
From the very beginning, the institution aimed to provide an educational environment that combined academic learning with broader personal development.
The objective was clear:
Students should not have to leave Barishal simply to receive a modern, quality education.
This vision remains one of the defining characteristics of JIS College.
A New Approach to Education
From its early years, JIS College adopted several educational approaches inspired by the American school system.
Lesson planning, semester-based academic structures, letter grading, and several early academic programs—including English, Phonics, and Saxon Math—were influenced by American educational practices.
Later, the institution incorporated the NCTB curriculum alongside these Americanized academic approaches, creating an English Version educational environment designed for students in Bangladesh.
This approach reflected a broader philosophy.
Education should not be limited to memorizing information for examinations.
Students should learn how to communicate, think critically, solve problems, work with others, express ideas, and become responsible members of society.
Growing from School to College
As the institution developed, its academic programs expanded.
JIS College gradually built an educational pathway that supports students from the earliest years of schooling through higher secondary education.
Today, students can begin their educational journey at Playgroup and continue through Grade XII, creating continuity between primary, secondary, and higher secondary education.
One of the institution's significant achievements has been obtaining authorization for English Version Higher Secondary education in Southern Bangladesh.
This development strengthened the institution's role as an educational destination for students who wanted to continue their English Version education without leaving Barishal.
Building a Community of More Than 2,000 Students
Over the years, JIS College has grown significantly.
What began as a bold educational vision has developed into a large and active learning community serving more than 2,000 students.
Behind that number are thousands of individual stories.
Every student represents a family that has placed its trust in JIS College.
Every classroom represents a space where young people learn, question, discover, and grow.
Every teacher contributes to the development of another generation.
And every achievement becomes another chapter in the history of the institution.
The growth of JIS College is therefore not simply measured by student numbers. It is measured by the confidence of parents, the dedication of teachers, the achievements of students, and the institution's continuing contribution to education in Barishal.
More Than a Classroom
JIS College believes that education extends beyond textbooks and examinations.
Academic excellence remains important, but students also need opportunities to develop communication, leadership, creativity, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and social responsibility.
For this reason, student life at JISC includes academic activities as well as extracurricular, cultural, technological, sporting, creative, and competitive activities.
The institution's recent achievements demonstrate the growing range of student participation across areas such as English, science, technology, sports, debate, ICT, AI, astronomy, programming, innovation, and culture.
These experiences help students discover interests and abilities that may not always be visible inside a traditional classroom.
Preparing Students for a Global Future
Another important part of the JIS College journey has been its emphasis on international exposure.
The institution has created opportunities for students to interact with distinguished visitors and participate in programs connected to international education and culture.
In July 2019, JIS College welcomed H.E. Earl R. Miller, former U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh.
During his visit, Ambassador Miller toured the campus and classrooms, interacted with students, and answered their questions. JIS Chairman Mr. Saleh M. Shelley also shared his vision for the institution and its commitment to creating broader educational opportunities for young people.
For students, meeting an ambassador inside their own educational institution was a memorable experience.
It demonstrated that global perspectives and international conversations could reach students directly in their hometown.
Continuing International Connections
The international dimension of JIS College has continued.
In August 2026, JIS College welcomed U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen to its Barishal campus.
During the visit, Chairman Mr. Saleh M. Shelley shared his vision for JIS College and its commitment to creating meaningful educational opportunities for young people. The Chairman also accompanied Ambassador Christensen on a campus tour, highlighting the institution's learning environment, facilities, and educational activities.
The visit became another memorable chapter in the history of JIS College.
It reflected the institution's continuing efforts to connect its students with international perspectives and meaningful educational experiences.
A Campus with a Bigger Vision
Located at 999 College Row, Barishal, JIS College has developed into a modern, multi-storied educational institution with organized campus facilities.
But the physical campus is only one part of the story.
The real strength of JIS College is its people.
Students arrive with dreams.
Teachers bring knowledge and guidance.
Parents bring trust.
Administrators provide leadership and support.
And together, they create the community that gives JIS College its identity.
Academic Excellence and Student Development
The institution continues to focus on academic performance while encouraging students to become independent and responsible learners.
The leadership of JIS College emphasizes collaboration among teachers, parents, administrators, and students.
The institution also continues its digitalization process, using web-based systems and modern communication tools to improve educational opportunities and communication between the institution and families.
This reflects an important part of the JIS philosophy:
Education must continue to evolve with the world.
Technology is changing the way students learn, communicate, research, and prepare for their careers.
JIS College is therefore continuing its journey toward a more modern, connected, and student-centered educational environment.
The Vision of the Chairman
At the heart of the institution's journey is the vision of its Chairman, Mr. Saleh M. Shelley.
His vision has consistently focused on bringing quality modern education to Barishal and reducing the need for families to relocate to Dhaka in search of better educational opportunities.
He has also expressed the ambition of taking JIS College toward the highest standards of educational excellence in Bangladesh.
This vision has helped shape the institution's development over the years.
From infrastructure to academics, from technology to extracurricular activities, the goal has remained focused on creating opportunities for students to reach their highest potential.
2010 to 2026 — A Journey of Growth
Looking back from 2026, the transformation is remarkable.
2000s:
A vision emerged to establish a world-class educational institution in Southern Bangladesh.
December 1, 2008:
The foundation of Jahanara Israil School & College was established.
December 28, 2010:
The institution was officially inaugurated.
Following years:
The institution expanded its academic programs and developed its school and college-level education.
2019:
JIS College welcomed U.S. Ambassador Earl R. Miller, creating an important moment of international engagement for students.
2020s:
The institution continued developing its academic programs, digital systems, extracurricular activities, and student opportunities.
2026:
JIS College continues to serve a growing community of more than 2,000 students and remains focused on academic excellence, holistic development, technology, international exposure, and the future of young people.
From Barishal to the World
Perhaps the most important achievement of JIS College is the idea that quality education can be developed outside the capital.
The institution was created with the belief that students in Barishal deserve opportunities comparable to those available in larger cities.
Today, that vision continues.
A student can begin at JIS College as a young learner, develop academically and personally through the school years, participate in competitions and extracurricular activities, engage with technology and international programs, and eventually graduate prepared for higher education and the wider world.
The journey begins in Barishal.
But the destination can be anywhere in the world.
The Story Continues
The history of Jahanara Israil School & College is not simply a record of dates and buildings.
It is a story of vision, family, education, community, dedication, and hope.
A dream that began in the early 2000s became a foundation in 2008.
The foundation became an institution in 2010.
And that institution has continued to grow into a community of thousands of students, teachers, families, and alumni.
The journey from the first day to today has been shaped by countless people—founders, trustees, teachers, staff members, parents, students, supporters, and members of the wider Barishal community.
Each has contributed something to the story.
And the story is still being written.
As JIS College looks toward the future, its ambition remains greater than simply becoming a larger institution.
The goal is to become an institution that creates confident learners, responsible citizens, innovative thinkers, compassionate human beings, and future leaders.
From its foundation to the present day, JIS College has continued to carry one powerful belief:
A better future begins with better opportunities for education.
And from the heart of Barishal, the journey of Jahanara Israil School & College continues—with a vision that reaches far beyond the classroom.
Jahanara Israil School & College
From a Dream in Barishal to a Growing Legacy of Education.