Aoba-Japan International School | |
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Learning in Itself is a Way of Life
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Location | |
Suginami & Meguro Campuses, Tokyo Japan |
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Information | |
Type | Private |
Established | 1976 |
Founder | Regina Mary Doi |
Head of school | Neal Dilk |
Grades | Kindergarten to Grade 9 |
Enrollment | 300 |
Color(s) | Maroon and gold |
Mascot | Jaguar |
Accreditation(s) | CIS, NEASC |
Affiliation | None |
Website | Official A-JIS Website |
Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS), in Tokyo, Japan is a co-educational school located on two campuses in Meguro-ku and Suginami-ku. Approximately 300 students are enrolled in classes from pre-kingergarten to grade 9. The school is designed to meet the specific needs of students who come from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds, with over 30 nationalities represented in the student body. Multilingual education is emphasized through the mainstream curriculum provided entirely in English, in addition to Japanese and other language studies. An intensive English program is provided for students who have little or no experience studying in English at the time of enrollment.
The School is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and operated by Aoba International Educational Systems Co., Ltd.
The school's missions statement is as follows:
We shall fully acknowledge and form a synergistic relationship between the broadly varied backgrounds of our students, parents, teachers and staff. This diversity in both cultures and language added to the traditions and language of Japan, shall serve as the setting for the increasing awareness of and contribution to the international community. We shall constantly develop and evolve to meet the current demands in education and guide our students to reach their fullest potential for them to "Be the best they can be."
The school philosophy is "Learning in itself is a way of life".
Contents |
Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS) was initially founded as Aoba International School (AIS) in 1976 by Regina M. Doi. Aoba International School was established in the Aoba-dai area of Meguro-ku in central Tokyo. Shortly after being founded, the school moved to the site of the current Meguro Campus adjacent to Saigoyama Park.
In 1980, a second campus, established as Japan International School (JIS), that included an elementary school and middle school was opened near Daikanyama station close to Aoba International School. As enrollment increased, JIS moved three times: to Harajuku, Shibuya, and finally in 1992 to the present location in Suginami ward.
In 1997, the school earned accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
In 1998, Aoba International School was merged with Japan International School to form Aoba-Japan International School.
Aoba is a Japanese word that literally translated means "blue leaf" and refers to the deep green leaves of early summer.
The policy of the school is to respect the right of each individual to hold religious beliefs, however religious doctrine is not taught as a separate class in the school. The school gives consideration of religious subjects as they are reflected in literature, art, performance and the lives of religious personages, the history of religious beliefs and customs, the study of the influences of religion in history and civilization, as they relate to human culture and development. Classroom teaching in any subject provides opportunities for students to develop their own values and patterns of belief. The school aims to provide a culturally sensitive balance in school activities and events which reflect the diverse cultures and beliefs of the students, however the school does not promote or impose specific religious beliefs on students. Individuals are not required to participate in any school activity contrary to their religious beliefs.
The school runs a values education program integrated throughout the curriculum, facilitated through weekly formal values lesions, monthly assemblies, classroom conferences and school-wide activities. The program includes all grade levels and departments and is based on Living Values: An Education Program founded by Diane Tillman and supported by UNESCO and UNICEF. The purpose of the program is to provide guiding principles and tools for the development of the whole person, recognizing that the individual has physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Students explore a set of core values, which include peace, respect, love, tolerance, honesty, humility, cooperation, happiness, responsibility, simplicity, freedom, and unity. Core elements of the program include teaching conflict resolution strategies to the children, building self-esteem, creating a safe environment for all and modeling and demonstrating the values we expect from the children.
A-JIS is one of eight schools comprising the Kanto Plain league of international schools (KPASSP) and has teams competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer. The interscholastic athletic program is intended to enrich and enhance academic programs and provide a wholesome environment for the development of teamwork, individual skills, positive self esteem, and school spirit/pride through friendly inter-school competitions.
Team | Titles |
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Middle School Girls Volleyball | 2006 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
Middle School Girls Volleyball | 2002 Kansai Tournament Champions |
Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2006 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2006 Kansai Tournament Champions |
Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2005 Kansai Tournament Champions |
Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2004 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2003 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
Junior Varsity Boy's Basketball | 2004 Yokohama Invitational Champions |
The school music program aims to teach students how to properly use their own singing voice, perform using musical instruments, read and write musical notes, understand the elements of music and how music is a part of past and present culture. All students from kindergarten to grade 5 study General Music for two class periods per week. The program is attuned to the AERO standards of music education and uses the McGraw-Hill published Share the Music textbooks.
All students in the 4th and 5th grades are encouraged to join the Beginning Band and learn the basics of playing a band instrument. Instruments are provided by the school and include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and percussion. All instruments are taught in lesson groups of the same instrument, with the teacher modeling playing techniques. In subsequent years in the band music program, students are also offered piccolo, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, oboe and tuba.
In the 2008-2009 school year, the former Wind Band Club became integrated into the school curriculum as a full-fledged class. Students in grades 6 to 9 select either Band, Chorus or Bell Choir as their elective class and meet twice a week during the school day for rehearsal. The Middle School Chorus, Band and Hand Bell Choir perform annually in December at the Holiday Concert and in May at the Combined Spring Concert, in addition to several other smaller performance opportunities over the course of the school year.
The school publishes a bilingual (English-Japanese) newsletter called the A-JIS Courier for parents, families, students, faculty and staff each month from September to June, distributed on or around the 10th of each month. The newsletter provides reports on recent school activities and upcoming events, including academic awards, athletic results and family community events.