New International School (Tokyo)

Coordinates: 35°43′29.81″N 139°42′51.55″E / 35.7249472°N 139.7143194°E / 35.7249472; 139.7143194

New International School (NewIS) is a Pre K through High School international school in Tokyo, Japan.^[1] The school opened on September 6, 2001, under the sponsorship of Iwata Gakuen and following the mission of Steven Parr, the current Director/Head of School. Iwata Gakuen established the school first as a company applying for and receiving status as a non-profit school (Gakko Hojin) in 2006. At this point the school officially became “Gakko Hojin Iwata Gakuen New International School of Japan.” A year prior to receiving the non-profit status, the school was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).^[2] In 2013, NewIS renewed its accreditation following a joint accreditation visit from MSA and the Council of International Schools (CIS).^[3] NewIS is a member of the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS)^[4] and the Tokyo Association of International Preschools (TAIP).^[5]

Characteristics

Based on the pedagogies of both Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget, NewIS utilises an educational philosophy of hands-on, constructivist teaching methods. The primary teaching style is to create authentic learning experiences in which students are able to apply what they have learned in practical situations. Two important elements of education at NewIS are resource based education and the use of a thematic approach (Thematic Learning). As a resource based school, NewIS classrooms have a wide range of resources which students and teachers can access freely; from interactive whiteboards (Smart Board) in every classroom, to up to eight student computers in every homeroom, and an extensive bilingual library. These resources are used to facilitate theme based learning where students are able to integrate the various curriculum elements on projects, independent research activities, and group assignments.^[6]

Multiage

All classes at NewIS follow the Multiage (ungraded school) style of education inspired by Dr Sandra Stone, author of Creating the Multiage Classroom. Each of the classes at NewIS has, on average, a three-year age range of children and at least two teachers. As part of the multiage philosophy, NewIS uses techniques such as formative assessment (as opposed to summative assessment) and educational continuums (as opposed to fixed age based standards). This method aims to ensure the students are understood and respected as individuals without being compared to others and without imposing fixed age-grade expectations or limitations on their learning. Students are encouraged to value the process of education rather than focusing solely on the goal.^[7]

Dual language

The NewIS mission states that at NewIS, “every child becomes bilingual over time.”^[8] To achieve this aim, NewIS uses a system of Dual language education. Unlike monolingual education with only Language Arts lessons taught in a second language, dual language education offers immersion in two languages simultaneously. All homeroom classes at NewIS have two full-time teachers, one an English speaker and the other a Japanese speaker, who facilitate learning in both English and Japanese.

Curriculum

After researching a variety of curricula, the Scottish curriculum of the 1990s and 2000s (The 5-14 National Guidelines) was chosen as the original curriculum for the school as it best suited the Multiage pedagogy of NewIS. The 5-14 curriculum resembled the continuums developed by Bonnie Campbell Hill^[9] with both being adapted to the needs of NewIS as a way to complement developmentally based learning and the thematic approach. Integrating the continuums of Bonnie Campbell Hill alongside the Scottish 5-14 curriculum formed the foundation of the educational structure at NewIS. In 2010/11 when Education Scotland^[10] began implementation of the new Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland, NewIS began the process of integrating the new curriculum into the school. For the school year 2013/14 CfE was fully adopted at NewIS at all age stages up to and including the High School.

Both the English and Japanese elements of the NewIS program use the same pedagogies and curriculum, which has led the school to develop a radically different approach to Japanese kanji when compared to those used in the Japanese school system or at other international schools. Kanji are learned systematically from an early age in a logical order for reading and writing as recommended by Yukio Yoshimoto of Rikkyo University, along with the learning of common use kanji and developmentally appropriate kanji related to themes.

Through the NewIS music curriculum, all students learn to play the violin through the Suzuki Method starting from age 6. Using violin skills as a base, students then have the option to develop musical skills with numerous other instruments.　

Dr. Sandra Stone has been a consultant to the multiage program, and Professor Emeritus Kazuko Nakajima^[11] of the University of Toronto has been a consultant to the Japanese program since the school was established.

Facilities

NewIS is housed in four separate buildings near Ikebukuro station in Tokyo. To accommodate hands-on, constructivist teaching, the classrooms are spacious and well resourced. Resources include a library with over 23,000 books, Interactive SmartBoards in each homeroom, student computers in all classrooms, and many resources for active learning, including over 50 science kits imported from the United States. One of the buildings houses an all-purpose room used for PE, assemblies, and events, and a rooftop playground.

Main building – Homeroom Classrooms, Art, Music, JAL and EAL, Technical Center, and School Offices

Annex - Gym, Homeroom Classrooms, and Roof-top Play Area

Sun Building - Homeroom Classrooms

Ikebukuro Excellence Building - Library and Resource Center

2 School Buses

Extracurricular activities

School events

To compliment the multiage, hands on approach to learning at NewIS, a number of student centered events have been created. These include, speciality weeks e.g. Book Week, Autumn Festival, Heritage Week, and Science and Technology Weeks;^[12] two or three day overnight camps for the older children; and whole school events such as Snow Day, Field Day, and yearly musical productions.^[13] NewIS also offers parents and visitors a number of seminars throughout the year detailing and explaining the various pedagogies and teaching approaches utilised throughout the school.

Extra programs

Extra programs include a Saturday Program, Summer School, After School Clubs, and Mandarin Chinese classes.

See also

• Active learning
• Assessment for learning
• Bloom's Taxonomy
• Constructivism (learning theory)
• Student-centered learning

References

External links

• Official Homepage of The National Multiage Institute in Arizona
• Tokyo with Kids
• Essential Schools