St Michael's International School

St. Michael’s International School was established in 1946 and has been delivering a quality, primary education for children aged three to eleven, to the international community ever since. It is without doubt a very special school, bound in Christian principals, with its own unique atmosphere. Our staff are friendly, approachable and incredibly dedicated to ensuring that all of St. Michael’s students achieve their full potential.

St. Michael’s delivers a British style education based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales, adapted to more fully meet the needs of our environment and our school population which draws from twenty six different nationalities. We prioritise the recruitment of highly qualified and experienced British and International staff. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which is supported by a strong team of specialist teachers in Japanese, Music, PE, Library, ICT, Special Educational Needs and English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL.)

St Michael’s International School will be the school of choice for primary education for the international community. Its education will be based on Christian principles which promote understanding, tolerance and friendship and will encompass the spiritual, educational, social and physical development of students. The education will provide a well-rounded solid foundation upon which our children can grow up to become open-minded, caring, compassionate and responsible global citizens.

St. Michael’s International School is organised, led and managed along the lines of a British school.We offer a British style curriculum delivered through the ‘International Primary Curriculum.’The children are organised into year groups according to their age We have one class in each year group.

Each class has a UK trained/experienced teacher as well as support from a teaching assistant.The school is organised into 3 stages or phases

St. Michael’s International School is conveniently located in the heart of Kobe, just north of the major transportation centre in Sannomiya and on the southern edge of the charming Kitano area. Our campus includes two buildings and two shaded play areas, including a rooftop play space. Our new building, constructed in 2006, features 3 classrooms, a purpose-built resource room as well as teacher work spaces. During the 2006 renovation, our existing building was refurbished to include a cafeteria with hot lunch service, a well-situated office/reception area and a medical office. The original building features a well-resourced Library, school hall, recently updated computer lab, eight additional classrooms all with interactive whiteboards, restrooms and storage space.

St. Michael’s constantly strives to improve its facilities and resources, and in summer 2015 the main building underwent the first phase of an ambitious anti seismic strengthening and renovation project which has secured the safety of our building for many years to come. Our Early Years Unit benefitted from a complete makeover which offers enhanced facilities for teaching and learning. Improved facilities in the rest of the building include upgraded electrical circuits, integrated air conditioning and LED lighting as well as improved plumbing and fire safety features.

In August 2017 St. Michael’s International School completed the third and final phase of their ambitious renovation plans for the main building. Significant waterproofing to the north and east walls have secured the future of the building for many years to come and complements the anti-seismic work carried out in 2015. Improved features include upgraded classroom facilities on the third floor, adding a covered walkway between the main building and the roof play space and remodelling of the school hall to create a wonderful multipurpose learning environment. St. Michael’s International School is proud to have established 21st century learning facilities for 21st century learners.

Japanese is taught twice a week from Year 1 onwards; we cater for native and non-native speakers. We employ an ESOL teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages) who supports children who join our school with little English. We also have an English Language Section (ELS) which offers full and part -time English courses for adults as well as afternoon classes for children. Children and parents with little English are encouraged to also enrol in these classes when they join St. Michael’s International School.

The curriculum in St Michael’s International School is based on the National Curriculum of England and taught through the theme based, cross curricular International Primary Curriculum. Our highly qualified and experienced British and international staff are recruited mainly from the UK through high quality recruitment agencies.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which is supported by a strong team of specialist teachers in Japanese, Music, Physical Education (PE), Library, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Special Educational Needs and English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL.)

At St Michael’s International School there is an emphasis on the development of the whole child: the social, emotional, physical and academic aspects are all equally important. Our Christian ethos guides us towards a particular focus on the values of integrity, compassion, responsibility, respect, tolerance, honesty and endeavour!