K. International School Tokyo

K. International School Tokyo (KIST, ケイ・インターナショナルスクール東京 Kei Intānashonaru Sukūru Tōkyō) is a private, non-denominational international school located in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1997, the school caters to over 600 students representing approximately 50 different nationalities. KIST was the first school in Tokyo and the Kanto region, and the second school in Japan authorized by the International Baccalaureate to offer the three inquiry-based learning programmes: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, the Diploma Programme and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum (IGCSE) for grades 9 and 10. The language of instruction is English. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools.[1]

K. International School Tokyo
Location
Tokyo

Japan
Information
TypeInternational school
Motto"Learning for Life"
Established1997
PrincipalKevin Yoshihara
PrincipalMark Cowe
Head of SchoolKevin Yoshihara
Websitewww.kist.ed.jp

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
April1997ECE program began at Higashi-suna, Koto-ku
It was a kindergarten for non-Japanese children[4]
September 1998Elementary School program began, Grades 1 and 2
September 1999Elementary School program expanded to Grade 5
July 2000Recognized as a school foundation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
September 2000Secondary School program began, Grades 6 to 9
January 2002IB Primary Years Programme authorization received
June 2003IB Middle Years Programme authorization received, Affiliated with CIS as regular member
September 2003Grade 10 began
June 2004IB Diploma Programme authorization received
September 2004Grade 11 began
September 2005Grade 12 began
January 2006PYP re-authorization received
June 2006Inaugural Grade 12 graduation held
September 2006Campus relocated to Shirakawa, Koto-ku
April 200710th anniversary celebration held
October 2008IB PYP, MYP and DP Workshops in Tokyo held at KIST
November 2008Construction of West Building began
August 2009West Building opened
January 2010Artificial turf installed on main playground
September 2010 LEAP[5] (Learning Enhancement Academic Program) began
October 2011MYP-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
January 2017 Attained full accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS)
January 2018 Joined East Asia Regional Council of International Schools (EARCOS
May 2019 Attained status as the top IB school in a country where English is not the native language

Source for table: [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 High, Extended Low, and Standard classes from MYP. The majority of Grade 10 students attain scores in the 90th percentile for mathematics on the PSAT each year. 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, 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 Health Education class and assemblies. The gymnasium has bathrooms, equipment storage, and changing rooms for students.

Internet and computers

The school provides free Wi-Fi for enrolled students. Laptops are available on each floor of the Elementary School and from the library center in the Secondary School. From 9th grade, students are required 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. As of 2018, there are over 650 students enrolled.[4]

References
  1. https://www.cois.org/page.cfm?p=1884
  2. "Founders' Vision | "Learning for Life"". www.kist.ed.jp. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/japanese-school-children-royal-wedding-kate-middleton-prince-william-13478480#.T8YRJWWhTi0.email/2
  4. 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. http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/1
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