Founded in 2001, New International School offers a new and innovative style of education in the context of international schools in Japan. Currently serving about 170 children from preschool age 3 to Grade 9, it is the first international school specifically established to meet the needs of permanent, international marriage, and/or long-term residents of Japan, regardless of nationality, in the clear and research-based recognition that bilingual and multiage education is good for children! Families temporarily in Japan but with an interest in Japanese as well as English are also welcome.

In addition, the school offers a smooth transition for children moving from a Japanese based educational system to an English one from high school, or vice versa.

At New International School, the children learn bilingually in both English and Japanese through team-taught multiage classes; a resource and thematic-based curriculum; and a combination of whole group, individual, center-based and project-based activities. There are two full time homeroom teachers for fewer than 20 children in each exceptionally well-resourced classroom. Parents are assured of their child’s progress in both languages along developmentally based continuums, through parent seminars, student presentations, student-led conferences, anecdotal reports and portfolios.

The children maintain and develop their social and academic skills, creativity, and independence in a child-centered environment they can participate in with great enthusiasm. The school has an exceptional performing- and visual-arts program, which includes the violin for all children from age 8 and above. From age 5 up, physical education includes Tae Kwon Do, and Mandarin Chinese is offered as an elective. Graduates have entered international high schools, private Japanese high schools and schools abroad.