Canadian International School Tokyo

CIS was founded in 1999 by two of its present directors. Contact was established with the Department of Education of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island to adopt that province’s curriculum at Canadian International School Tokyo (CIS).

At Canadian Inte.rnational School Tokyo our commitment is to empower students to become effective, independent learners: confident in their abilities and principled in their actions.CIS - Tokyo is accredited by the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). The K-12 curriculum is presently used by the provincial ministries of public education in each of the 4 Atlantic Provinces and is fully accredited across Canada. Annual onsite inspections by the Department of Education in PEI are held. Please feel free to contact the International Education Coordinator, Mike Leslie, at the PEI Department of Education for further information regarding CIS’ status as an overseas school.

CIS is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in California and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (K3-Grade 5).

All CIS teachers must be certified by the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). This certification requires each teacher to provide a statement of professional standing, a certified university transcript and a current Criminal Record Check. This standard of certification indicates that all CIS teachers have achieved educational standards required for employment in a public or private school in Canada.

In addition to classrooms, CIS has technology labs, music and art areas, a science laboratory, a resource centre, fully supervised indoor and outdoor activity and play areas. The three building school campus is a short walk from Osaki station.Students from Japan and many other foreign countries attend CIS. The classes are taught in English and focus on the written learning outcomes from the Department of Education in PEI.

Small class size make it possible for each homeroom teacher to become an academic mentor and advisor for students as they work through the academic program. Teachers have high academic expectations for CIS students and provide support for students so that they can achieve their best.

At CIS students feel safe, not only physically safe but safe enough to express their ideas, to consider, to reflect, to care, to suggest and to congratulate. In this environment, the personality of every student can develop, and grow resulting in well-adjusted adolescents and adults. We will work together to ensure that this amazing community of learners provides a supportive learning environment for all students.

The Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework from the International Baccalaureate offered to students from ages 3-12. Students who go through the Primary Years Programme, or PYP, become self-motivated inquirers and internationally-minded members of their communities.

The Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework from the International Baccalaureate offered to students from ages 3-12. Students who go through the Primary Years Programme, or PYP, become self-motivated inquirers and internationally-minded members of their communities.

In the final year of elementary school, Grade 5, students demonstrate their capabilities as PYP learners during the Exhibition. This is the culminating project of the Primary Years Programme which asks students to use what they have learned throughout their elementary years as they research, explore, and take action on global issues.

During high school students complete a planned sequence of core and elective courses which can be selected to reflect a student's personal interests. Core and elective high school curriculum at CIS includes courses in English language arts, mathematics, general science, biology, chemistry, physics, history, computer studies, Japanese, music, physical education and art. Selection of certain elective subjects makes science/business and arts/business streams available as options for study. At CIS students will earn high school credits resulting in a Canadian academic high school graduation diploma. This academic graduation also provides students with post secondary entrance requirements for many Canadian and other universities. Significant student personal academic counseling is provided as students make these course selections and begin outlining their post secondary interests.

Other opportunities at CIS include the provision of advanced placement (AP) exams, from the College Board of the United States in some grade 12 subject areas. These exams written in the spring of each academic school year can provide students with post secondary academic credits and/or placement in many North American universities.

As students move through this last phase of their secondary education at CIS there is increased emphasis on the accomplishment of the skills necessary for success at the post secondary level. Teaching strategies, and student evaluation, provide a message to the students of the importance of organizational skills, emotional intelligence, and work ethic. Academic feedback and success enable students to discover their learning styles, and prepare for the challenge of the post secondary environment.

CIS accepts new students in April of each year as well as in September. These students may require extensive language support. During this three month period this will be provided for each student. All new ENGLISH IMMERSION students are "imbedded" in their age appropriate grade level classes. Students from grade K-6 participate fully in the IB PYP program units of inquiry. And grade 7-112 students attend all regular classes. Language support is provided for students using a variety of models depending on the needs of the student.

The role of the Guidance Counsellor is to provide support for the school community, particularly students, their parents or guardians. Guidance Counsellors are registered teachers and possess appropriate post graduate qualifications.

At CIS Tokyo, we have two libraries. In building A, the library is used by our students from grade K3/4 to grade 5. Students visit the library on a weekly basis to take out and return books as well as to learn about information literacy. A favourite part of class visits to the library are read-aloud story sessions. Older students begin to develop and enhance their critical reading and research skills in preparation for their PYP exhibition at the end of grade 5.

The middle school/high school library is located in building C and used by students from grades 6 to 12. The library is open twice a week after school for students to borrow and return books. Both libraries offer a range of age-appropriate materials!