K. International School Tokyo

K. International School Tokyo
Location
Tokyo
Japan
Information
Type International school
Motto "Learning for Life"
Established 1997
Acting Head of School Yoshishige Komaki
Website http://www.kist.ed.jp/

K. International School Tokyo (KIST, Kインターナショナルスクール東京 K Intānashonaru Sukūru Tōkyō) is a K-12 secular international school in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1997. KIST offers all three programs of The International Baccalaureate centered on inquiry based learning. The main language of instruction is English, catering to approximately 600 students from over 50 different countries.[1]

The school was founded by Yoshishige and Takako Komaki.

The school is split into two sections sharing one campus located next to two metro stops on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line and Toei Oedo Line in Koto, Tokyo. The campus is about a one-minute walk from the subway. The elementary school runs the Primary Years Programme, while the secondary school runs the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programmes.

The campus has several of the original buildings but opened a new section in August 2009. The elementary school was featured on ABC News with an interview with students about the UK Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton seeking to get Japanese school children's impressions on March 28, 2011.[2]

History

April1997 ECE program began at Higashi-suna, Koto-ku
It was a kindergarten for non-Japanese children[3]
September 1998 Elementary School program began, Grades 1 and 2
September 1999 Elementary School program expanded to Grade 5
July 2000 Recognized as a school foundation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
September 2000 Secondary School program began, Grades 6 to 9
January 2002 IB Primary Years Programme authorization received
June 2003 IB Middle Years Programme authorization received, Affiliated with CIS as regular member
September 2003 Grade 10 began
June 2004 IB Diploma Programme authorization received
September 2004 Grade 11 began
September 2005 Grade 12 began
January 2006 PYP re-authorization received
June 2006 Inaugural Grade 12 graduation held
September 2006 Campus relocated to Shirakawa, Koto-ku
April 2007 10th anniversary celebration held
November 2007
October/November 2008 IB PYP, MYP and DP Workshops in Tokyo held at KIST
November 2008 Construction of West Building began
August 2009 West Building opened
January 2010 Artificial turf installed on main playground
October 2011 MYP-DP re-authorization received

Source for table: http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/1

Academics

The school is well-known for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement compared with other IB schools in Japan. According to the school homepage, the IB Diploma average score for Class of 2015 was 36.00(of 45 maximum possible) which is +6.12 points above IB DP average score for May session. 9 students achieved over 40 points, 1 students attained a perfect score of 45 , 1 student attained 44 points and 2 students attained 43 points.[4]

The school is strengthening Mathematics and English since 2013 by separating classes depending on student's ability in that subject. The school follows the Key Stage 3 curriculum and Edexcel International GCSE. Mathematics class is divided into Extended, Standard, and Basic classes from MYP. English (also known as Language and Literature) is one of the most important subjects at the school. Students are given assessments for English class frequently such as writing essays, writing exams and etc. The school also offers a English strengthening program, Learning Enhancement Academic Program (LEAP), for those who need support and improvement in English.

The school follows the Cambridge IGCSE Science curriculum. Students begin studying Science as an official subject when they enter the Middle Years Proram (G6). Therefore, the school science curriculum is approxamately 3 years behind compared to Japanese public schools. KIST DP Science scores are outstanding and higher than the world average in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Australia

Deakin University Queensland University of Technology University of Sydney Sydney Institute of TAFE
University of Melbourne Monash University University of Queensland

Canada

Acadia University Simon Fraser University University of Western Ontario
Bishop University University of British Columbia York University
Dalhousie University University of Northern British Columbia Mount Allison University
McGill University University of Regina Trent University
Ryerson University University of Toronto University of Victoria

Japan

Akita International University Lakeland University Temple University
Chuo University Meiji Gakuin University Tokyo Future University
Dokkyo University Nagoya University Temple University Japan
Doshisha University Ritsumeikan University University of Tokyo
International Christian University Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Waseda University
Kwansei Gakuin University Sophia University Yokohama National University

United Kingdom

Ashton University Manchester Metropolitan University University of Kent
Birmingham City University Oxford Brookes University University of Leeds
Brunel University Queen Mary, University of London University of Liverpool
Camberwell College of Art and Design Roehampton University University of Lincoln
College of Fine Art and Design London Royal Holloway, University of London University of Liverpool
Durham University Staffordshire University University of Manchester
Edinburgh Napier University University College London University of Nottingham
European Business School London University of Aberdeen University of Saint Andrews
Hult Business School University of the Arts London University of Sheffield
Imperial College London University of Bath University of Stirling
King's College, London University of West of England, Bristol University of Sussex
Kingston University University of Birmingham University of Surrey
Lancaster University University of Cardiff University of Warwick
Leeds Metropolitan University University of Edinburgh University of Westminster
London School of Economics and Political Science University of Exeter University of York
University of Glasgow

School building and facilities

The school consists of three buildings; elementary building, main building, and gymnasium.

All pupils that follow the Primary Years Program study and spend most of the time in this building. The elementary building is new with elevators and excellent classrooms.

The main building, also known as the secondary building is where the main office is located at and pupils study the Middle Years Program / Diploma Program. The main building is relatively old as the building was previously used by Japanese public school. It is said that the owner of the school bought the old Japanese public school that has closed due to population decline. Science laboratories, Library, and main office are all in this building. The main building has all the necessary facilities for students.

- Criticism

According to reviews, the school is old and dusty in general. One of the review claims that the school is unable to provide enough resource for conducting experiments for science class. The school is hosting and running events such as KISTival to collect enough money to reconstruct the main building. The school has been delaying their reconstruction schedule for a long time. The school is currently considering to reconstruct the main building at 2020.

The school has a gymnasium with stages and a full basketball court. The gymnasium is large enough to hold assemblies for all secondary students. The gymnasium is commonly used for Physical and Education class and assemblies. The gymnasium has bathrooms, equipment storages, and changing rooms for students. There are several reports of water leaking from the roof when heavy rain seasons and the changing room being insanitary however, the school established a rule which prohibits students from leaving their belongings behind in the changing room.

Reputation

KIST is well-known for high academic performance in the Tokyo area. Diploma Program average score was 36.00 this year where the full potential mark is 45. KIST is excellent in academic performance however, there are many criticism regarding student's behavior outside of school.

Therefore, the school responded to the issue and updated the Code of Conduct making it more strict and safe. [See Code of Conduct]

Students usually cause issues in the subway platform such as throwing objects towards the train track, eating snacks in the platform, and using inappropriate language. Tokyo Metro Kiyosumi Shirakawa station is concerned about student behavior in public transport and requested the school to respond to this issue. Therefore, the school has changed the code of conduct and prohibited students from eating / drinking in the platform and located teacher monitors near the subway entrance.

Other than causing issues in the platform, it is said that students have caused many troubles in the near by Kiyosumi Park.

Internet and Computers

The school provides free Wi-Fi for enrolled students. Laptops are available from the library center and students that are 9th grade or above are permitted to bring their own personal laptop to school. However, students in the school claims that the Wi-Fi speed is too slow and laptop (DELL VOSTRO 3550) usually does not respond when internet explorer is running. Wi-Fi routers errors occurs frequently and only staffs / teachers have access to LAN cables. The school is currently trying to improve the Wi-Fi conditions, however, students are still concerned about the slow Wi-Fi and slow computers.

Student body

As of 2008 the student body originated from 50 countries, and about 20% were Japanese nationals. To enhance national origin diversity the school makes sure that no nationality has more than 30% of the student body comes from any particular country. That year there were 480 students.[3] Coordinates: 35°40′58.6″N 139°48′1.6″E / 35.682944°N 139.800444°E / 35.682944; 139.800444

References

  1. ↑ http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/1
  2. ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/japanese-school-children-royal-wedding-kate-middleton-prince-william-13478480#.T8YRJWWhTi0.email/2
  3. 1 2 Nakamura, Akemi. "Flexible and diverse, international schools thrive" (Archive). The Japan Times. January 3, 2008. Retrieved on October 23, 2015.
  4. ↑ KIST Website http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/441
  5. ↑ KIST Website http://www.kist.ed.jp/node/444

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, December 29, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.