Tokyo International School

Since 2019, Daniel Reynolds BPE MA, a Canadian and fluent Japanese speaker, with 20 years of previous experience in three international schools in Japan. He comes here from being deputy head of GEMS World Academy in Switzerland and before that upper

Admission to TIS is based on English language ability, cultural diversity, gender and general academic ability. A standard screening is done at the school or by e-mail if the child is not in Tokyo. The admissions policy is to try to include in each

After grade 8, around one quarter of students move on to international schools overseas with the remainder going to international schools in Japan. Yokohama International School recently polled over twice its nearest rival with nearly 23 percent of

The school employs the Primary Years and Middle Years Programme of the IB, based on “inquiry-based learning”, with a school year divided into six units of inquiry which last about half a term. Teachers record the questions and responses of their

There are no special needs teachers as such, but mild learning problems are addressed by class teachers.

Grades 1-4, EAL support for maximum of three children per class. In grade 5, each student assessed on a case by case basis and in Middle School, students are expected to be proficient in English as only limited support available. Japanese speakers

The art work is lively and imaginative and there is a strong emphasis on the performing arts. All students from kindergarten to grade 5 perform an annual show at Sakura Hall and the Middle School all participate (either in front of or behind the

The usual range of sports and games activities are played, using the spacious gym and the outside athletics surface. There is an annual sports day in November and grades 5 to 8 go on a ski trip to Naaba.

Discipline issues are rare at TIS because the students are busy and engaged. The school states that this is because the emphasis is on understanding each other and learning collaboration.

Recently, the proportion of American, Australian and Swedish students has been relatively high with only a tiny number from the Middle East and Central and South America. Students from Japanese families make up approximately 15 percent of the total

The school relies on the fees for income with extra funds raised through the PTA. Fundraising is “to enrich the lives of the students,” purchases including a cover for the swimming pool, a tennis court and playground toys.

A lively, imaginative school, “always striving for excellence”; and one that is worth a visit, particularly if you are looking for a slightly less orthodox educational approach.