K. International School Tokyo

K. International School Tokyo
Location
Tokyo
Japan
Information
Type International school
Motto "Learning for Life"
Established 1997
Head of School Jeffrey Jones
Website http://www.kist.ed.jp/

K. International School Tokyo (KIST, Kインターナショナルスクール東京 K Intānashonaru Sukūru Tōkyō) is a K-12 secular international school in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1997. KIST offers all three programs of The International Baccalaureate centered on inquiry based learning. The main language of instruction is English, catering to approximately 600 students from over 50 different countries.[1]

The school was founded by Yoshishige and Takako Komaki.[2]

The school is split into two sections sharing one campus located next to two metro stops on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line and Toei Oedo Line in Koto, Tokyo. The campus is about a one-minute walk from the subway. The elementary school runs the Primary Years Programme, while the secondary school runs the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programmes.

The campus has several of the original buildings but opened a new section in August 2009. The elementary school was featured on ABC News with an interview with students about the UK Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton seeking to get Japanese school children's impressions on March 28, 2011.[3]

History

April1997 ECE program began at Higashi-suna, Koto-ku
It was a kindergarten for non-Japanese children[4]
September 1998 Elementary School program began, Grades 1 and 2
September 1999 Elementary School program expanded to Grade 5
July 2000 Recognized as a school foundation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
September 2000 Secondary School program began, Grades 6 to 9
January 2002 IB Primary Years Programme authorization received
June 2003 IB Middle Years Programme authorization received, Affiliated with CIS as regular member
September 2003 Grade 10 began
June 2004 IB Diploma Programme authorization received
September 2004 Grade 11 began
September 2005 Grade 12 began
January 2006 PYP re-authorization received
June 2006 Inaugural Grade 12 graduation held
September 2006 Campus relocated to Shirakawa, Koto-ku
April 2007 10th anniversary celebration held
October 2008 IB PYP, MYP and DP Workshops in Tokyo held at KIST
November 2008 Construction of West Building began
August 2009 West Building opened
January 2010 Artificial turf installed on main playground
September 2010 LEAP[5] (Learning Enhancement Academic Program) began
October 2011 MYP-DP re-authorization received
April 2012 EIC (English Intensive Class) began for Grades 6 to 8
June 2012 Inaugural performance of the school song, 'For Tomorrow'
May 2013 Edexcel International GCSE examinations recognition received
August 2014 K. International Preschool (KIPS) opened at Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku
January 2015 Granted candidate status for accreditation by CIS

Source for table: http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/1

Academics

The school is well known for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement compared with other IB schools in Japan. According to the school homepage, the IB Diploma average score for Class of 2015 was 36.00(of 45 maximum possible) which is +6.12 points above IB DP average score for May session. 9 students achieved over 40 points, 1 students attained a perfect score of 45, 1 student attained 44 points and 2 students attained 43 points.[6]

Mathematics and English

The school has a strong focus on mathematics and English, following the Key Stage 1 and 2 curricula in the elementary, and the Key Stage 3 curriculum and Edexcel International GCSE. Mathematics class is divided into Extended, Standard, and Basic classes from MYP. English (also known as Language and Literature) is one of the most important subjects at the school. Students are given assessments for English class frequently such as writing essays, writing exams and etc. The school also offers an English strengthening program, Learning Enhancement Academic Program (LEAP), for those who need support and improvement in English.

School building and facilities

The school consists of three buildings; elementary building, main building, and gymnasium.

Elementary Building

All pupils that follow the Primary Years Program study and spend most of the time in this building. The elementary building is new with elevators and classrooms.

Main Building

The main building, also known as the secondary building is where the main office is located at and pupils study the Middle Years Program / Diploma Program. The main building is relatively old as the building was previously used by Japanese public school. It is said that the owner of the school bought the old Japanese public school that has closed due to population decline. Science laboratories, Library, and main office are all in this building.

Gymnasium

The school has a gymnasium with stages and a full basketball court. The gymnasium is large enough to hold assemblies for all secondary students. The gymnasium is commonly used for Physical and Education class and assemblies. The gymnasium has bathrooms, equipment storages, and changing rooms for students.

Internet and computers

The school provides free Wi-Fi for enrolled students. Laptops are available from the library center and students that are 9th grade or above are permitted to bring their own personal laptop to school.

Student body

As of 2016, the student body originated from 50 countries, and about 25% were Japanese nationals. To enhance national origin diversity the school makes sure that no nationality has more than 30% of the student body comes from any particular country. That year there were 630 students.[4]

Coordinates: 35°40′58.6″N 139°48′1.6″E / 35.682944°N 139.800444°E / 35.682944; 139.800444

References

  1. ↑ http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/1
  2. ↑ "Founders' Vision | "Learning for Life"". www.kist.ed.jp. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  3. ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/japanese-school-children-royal-wedding-kate-middleton-prince-william-13478480#.T8YRJWWhTi0.email/2
  4. 1 2 Nakamura, Akemi. "Flexible and diverse, international schools thrive" (Archive). The Japan Times. January 3, 2008. Retrieved on October 23, 2015.
  5. ↑ "LEAP | Learning Enhancement Academic Program". www.k-leap.jp. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  6. ↑ KIST Website http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/441
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