School special
By Tokyo Families | In Focus
K International School
Founded in 1997, KIST aims to provide a quality, holistic international education for children from diverse backgrounds and abilities to study together in a safe and secure environment without prejudice or injustice. Authorized as an IB World School by the International Baccalaureate, KIST is currently the only school in Tokyo to offer all three IB programs: PYP, MYP and DP. Commencing with our first graduate class in 2006, KIST graduates have enjoyed great success in gaining admission to universities around the world.
Tel: (03) 3642-9993
The American School in Japan
The American School in Japan’s Early Learning Center, located in Roppongi Hills, caters to our youngest children, while the main campus serves K-12 students in Chofu. Both are co-educational. The school’s educational philosophy is embodied in its mission statement of “developing compassionate, inquisitive learners prepared for global responsibility.”
Tel: (0422) 34-5300
Saint Maur International School
Saint Maur International School, established in 1872, is the oldest international school in Japan. The co-educational school offers a quality education within a well-maintained modern facility to students of all nationalities and religious beliefs, from preschool through high school. Apart from academic success, the school is noted for the pastoral care of its students, and in order to achieve this, the school emphasizes quality rather than quantity, and limits its student body to a total of 500 students. Saint Maur International School is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools & Colleges.
Tel: 045-641-5751
Makuhari International School
Makuhari International School’s Mission Statement includes the phrase ‘all children are special with unique skills and gifts’. This is something we all strongly believe in here at MIS. Our school is designed to cater for Japanese Returnee children as well as dual nationality and foreign children in the Chiba and Tokyo areas. We have a beautiful campus with excellent modern and extensive resources, our teachers being the most important of those resources.
Tel: 043-296-0277
Tokyo YMCA International School
Recently accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, K-6, students at TYIS benefit from a rigorous, North American-based academic program as well as from their interactions with other students and teachers from different cultures. Our teacher, are diligent, caring, experienced professionals who, through positive interaction make a special effort to help students reach their full potential in conjunction with the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Responsibility and Respect.. It is our sincere hope that the TYIS multicultural learning community will enable all our students to develop the academic, interpersonal and leadership skills necessary to achieve great success.
Tel: (03) 3615-5632
Seisen International School
Seisen International School is a Catholic school with a Christian atmosphere in which students of all races, nationalities and faiths thrive. We have approximately 700 students representing more than 50 nationalities. Seisen has high expectations for its students’ character development and academic achievements.
Seisen is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education via the Seisen Jogakuin Educational Foundation.
Tel: (03) 3704-2661
New International School
Serving children from age 3 to Grade 9, NewIS is the first dual-language international school in Japan. It is also multiage by design. It was designed to serve long-term and permanent residents of Japan who wish to educate their children bilingually, but it has had a clear appeal to shorter term residents as well. Team teachers facilitate the children’s learning in both English and Japanese using a child-centered, thematic approach and an abundance of resources for active learning. Graduates attend international schools with high schools, Japanese private schools, or schools abroad including, at present, Northfield Mount Herman School, the Putney School, and St. Johnsbury Academy. Visitors are welcome by appointment.
Tel: (03) 3980-1057
www.newinternationalschool.com
ABC International School
ABC International School is Tokyo’s premier international preschool, a magical introduction to the school environment for families from around the world. At ABC, we have committed ourselves to implementing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate environment for children. Our curriculum is child-centered and theme-based, with a balance of academic programs and play-based learning. ABC is a place where focus is on the positive to create an environment that is nurturing, fun and exciting. Our facilities include a gymnasium, art room, computer room and library, pre-kindergarten room, 3-year-old classroom, 2-year-old classroom and toddler room. What makes us special: Our low student-teacher ratios, our experienced and caring educators, and our beautiful classrooms which are full of educational resources.
Tel: (03) 5793-1359
www.abcinternationalschool.com
PAL International School
"Obento! Obento! Ureshiina!" “Itadakimasu!”
おべんとう、おべんとう、うれしいな！いただきます!
We can hear lunch songs in Japanese every day at PAL International School. We begin lunch time with this phrase to express gratitude for all who had a part of preparing the food.
At PAL International School, students and teachers come from all over the world. They all have different backgrounds and different cultures, and we strive to maintain a multi-cultural environment. Traditional activities are integrated into our curriculum to ensure our students have the opportunity to fully experience Japanese culture. We strongly believe that the understanding of true Japanese culture will help them to respect and appreciate their own and others' cultures! At PAL, we seek to educate all the children to be truly international and life-long learners!
Tel: (03) 5770-8166
Montessori Friends
The school was founded on the desire to utilize the Montessori Method of education which has a positive impact on children's lives while inspiring their social and educational development. In an appropriate environment, children have a natural desire to learn, and do so in a positive and enjoyable way. Montessori Friends provides this environment and suitable activities for each stage of development, by observing and responding to the individual needs of each child. Teachers stimulate both discovery and development. Every student is treated with respect and is offered constant encouragement. There is an open door policy and parents are welcome to observe.
Tel: (03) 3726-9386
RLC Preschool
For 25-plus years, RLC has been providing fun and stimulating activities for children aged 1.5 to 4.5 years old. We have a varied curriculum that encourages children with all aspects of their social, skill-based and personal development, and our teachers work closely with parents to ensure that your child’s first experience of school is positive and exciting. RLC is conveniently located in Roppongi Hills, near Roppongi, Azabu-Juban and Hiroo train stations.
Tel: (03) 5913-8272
Summerhill International School
The Summerhill Studies programs are an exciting series of afternoon programs that address popular student needs. We offer English lessons for beginners, Art for Kids, Advanced English and homework help as well as Japanese for beginners. Each program is available on a one on one basis or group basis. The programs are designed for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old and are taught by our qualified teaching specialists each trained in their fields of instruction.
Tel: (03) 3453-0811
Tokyo Union Church ELC
Since 1985, Tokyo Union Church Early Learning Center has offered a high-quality, early childhood program in a safe, loving, stimulating and nurturing environment for children between the ages of eighteen months and five years old. TUC ELC strives to provide a creative and challenging play-based, academic, early childhood program. Music and the Brain, a research-based music program which was inspired by neurological research linking music and cognitive development, has been offered from January 2010 as one of the components to our curriculum. TUC ELC warmly welcomes families of all cultures and religious faiths.
Tel: (03) 3400-1579
Gymboree
At Gymboree Play & Music, children learn as they play. Designed by experts, our age-appropriate activities aim to develop the cognitive, physical, and social skills of children in a fun and comfortable environment. Excluding our special drop-off programs for 2 1/2- to 5-year-olds, all of our programs require parent involvement and encourage parents to participate in and understand their child’s development. In addition to our unique classes, we offer daily PLAYGYMS where members can enjoy free play in our spacious gym room. Our flexible cancellations, make-up, and class transfer policy makes it easy for moms to adapt their child’s class schedule to their changing needs. Come in for a free trial class and see why families around the world love Gymboree!
Motoazabu Tel: (03) 5449-2311
Jiyugaoka Tel: (03) 3723-0651
Jun International Pre-school
Jun International Preschool is a nurturing, home-like environment where children thrive and develop at their own pace. We believe that a happy child is a relaxed child, and that a relaxed child is a receptive one. Every child is different, and we strive to find the best way for each individual to absorb our English atmosphere. A good ratio of teachers to children is adopted to give each child the attention he or she needs.In particular, through playing and sharing with others in a multi-age classroom, younger and older children can develop together.
Tel: (03) 3334-8326
Pottery Classes in English
With Eriko, a female Tokyoite ceramic artist, you can make your own tablewares and/or artworks using Japanese traditional glazes and clays.
Location: Daikanyama (Shibuya-ku) or Oimachi (Shinagawa-ku)
Class menu:
• Beginner and intermediate class • One hour pottery-making class • Kids class
Please check details on the web site: www.pottery-tokyo.jp
Or send Eriko an e-mail: erigooo13@hotmail.com
Trial lesson: Adults ¥5,000
Children ¥3,000 (Including materials)
Mugen Karate
Mugen Karate, which literally means "knuckle-free defense" is the newest addition to dojos servicing the Minato area where most foreign residents live, work or study. Check out any of the two dojos conveniently located in the Minato and Shibuya areas and begin training now! Kids ages 5-12 and adults welcome. Fees range from ¥8,500 to ¥10,500 a month (depending on the age group) and includes training thrice a week for 1 hour 45 min each lesson. The two dojos are close to Nissin Supermarket and National Azabu store, making Mom and Dad's shopping convenient after dropping off the kids.
For bookings in English, e-mail: info@tokyofamilies.com
www.mugenkarate-hiroo.com Tel: (03) 5422-8515
www.mugenryu-azabujuban.com Tel: (03) 5856-5575
Fab Academy
TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance have popularized dance more than ever, inspiring people to move and groove. From latin to jazz, hip-hop to hula hoop, newly-opened FAB ACADEMY provides an outlet for those looking for their inner dancer.
Foreign-owned and operated, Kike Yamakawa and Brad Hays are excited to introduce the “boutique dance studio” concept to Tokyo. The international active lifestyle space offers bilingual classes in dance, modeling, and yoga for all ages and levels. Parents' classes are offered early afternoon with kids' and teens' classes after school.
The studio at FAB features a specially engineered sprung dance floor that provides cushion and support for the body. State-of-the-art lighting and a high-fashion catwalk allow members to bring out their inner superstars. The bright and energetic colors of the studio along with charismatic instructors make it a warm and supportive atmosphere in which to learn, grow, and meet new people.
Whatever age or level you may be, there’s sure to be a class that will inspire you to move your body and have a FAB time. So, leave your inhibitions and stress at the door and enter the fantasy that is FAB.
“We bring out the FAB in you!”
Where? 3-1-2 Azabudai, Karafutokaikan Iigura Building B1,
Minato-ku (Iigurakatamachi Crossing)
Closest stations
Roppongi-itchome (4 minutes)
Roppongi (6 minutes)
Tel: (03) 6459-1739