Seisen International School

Seisen International School (SIS) is an all-girls,^[1] Catholic school^[2] located in Setagaya-ku,^[3] in Tokyo, Japan. Students and faculty from over sixty countries are represented at Seisen, with English being the main language of instruction. It offers the International Baccalaureate program for grades 11 and 12.^[3] It is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan), New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the European Council of International Schools.^[3] It teaches Montessori kindergarten (coed, ages 3–6) and grades 1-12 (girls only, ages 6–18).^[3]

According to the Good Schools Guide International, "The school is popular and has a good reputation."^[4]

According to Anne-Marie De Mejía, Seisen International School provides a specifically Christian orientation in its programmes.^[2]

History

The school was founded in 1949 by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus^[3] in response to requests from United States Air Force families seeking an education for their children. The school began as a kindergarten in 1949 with four American students, moved to Gotanda in 1962 with 70 students and added a first grade. By 1970, the school was up to grade 9 and in 1973, a year after Seisen was moved to the present location in Yoga, the school was extended to include Grade 12.^[5]

CIS International Schools Directory 2009/10, mentions that Seisen has approximately 700 students from around 60 nations.^[3]

Campus overview

There are 35 general classrooms, 3 indoor playrooms, a multipurpose room and a kindergarten hall.

In addition to classrooms, the facilities include three science laboratories (for biology, chemistry, and physics classes), a cafeteria, a drama room, a music room, an art room, a pottery room, a media center, and a computer center which includes a large computer classroom, a smaller, drop-in computer lab which is available both during and after school, and an Information Technology room. The school has an infirmary and a full-time nurse on duty. The facilities also include a convent building and a chapel.

The school’s libraries together have a collection of more than 18,000 volumes and subscribe to 65 periodicals and 6 newspapers. The media center houses filmstrips, records, cassettes, maps, transparencies, and audiovisual equipment. The school’s sports facilities include tennis courts, three playgrounds, a kindergarten play area (with sandbox and play equipment), and a full-size gymnasium with a locker room. The swimming pool and Astroturf field at St. Mary's International School are used for the swimming team and the soccer team.

Alumni

Utada Hikaru, a popular female Japanese Pop Singer, who later transferred to the American School in Japan

CL, a popular female Korean Pop Singer from group 2ne1

References

1. ↑ Alan Stephen (23 July 2008). Immigration To Japan. Lulu.com. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-4357-4431-8. Retrieved 18 June 2012. 
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anne-Marie De Mejía (2002). Power, Prestige, and Bilingualism: International Perspectives on Elite Bilingual Education. Multilingual Matters. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-85359-590-5. Retrieved 18 June 2012. 
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The Council of International Schools (October 2009). CIS International Schools Directory 2009/10. John Catt Educational Ltd. p. 284. ISBN 978-1-904724-68-1. Retrieved 18 June 2012. 
4. ↑ http://www.gsgi.co.uk/countries/japan/tokyo/seisen-international-school?form.submitted=1&country=japan&countryCity=&submit=Go&city=
5. ↑ JEFFS, ANGELA. "New broom sweeps Seisen into the 21st century". The Japan Times. Kabushiki Kaisha Japan Taimuzu. Retrieved 18 June 2012. 

External links

• Seisen International School
• Profile at the Good Schools Guide International

Coordinates: 35°37′22″N 139°38′24″E / 35.622646°N 139.639986°E / 35.622646; 139.639986