Introduction

Tsukuba International School is...

Operated for and by the international community
Non-profit educational organization
Politically and religiously neutral
Full-time qualified teachers (from U.S. and Canada)
A welcoming place for people of all races and cultures
A school that encourages higher-order thinking
A safe and caring atmosphere
A school that teaches the idea of world citizenship
A place to grow, a place to have fun, a place to volunteer
A member of the Japan Council of International Schools
A place for you!

Overview of the School

TIS was founded in 1992 in response to the need for an English-based educational opportunity for English-speaking students in the Tsukuba area. The primary objectives of TIS are: to provide an English-based education, to provide a well-planned curriculum of an international nature designed to encourage higher thinking and sequential learning, to provide a sound academic environment, to provide a safe and caring atmosphere, and to instill within students a sense of responsibility as citizens of the world.

TIS is a privately operated, non-profit, religiously-neutral organization. Our primary source of income is from student tuition and donations. TIS is governed by a board of advisors and relies on volunteers to help with activities such as art, music, Japanese language classes, field trips, etc. TIS is a member of the Japan Council of International Schools.

At the present time, TIS provides education for students from grades one through six. Children must be six years old by December 31 of the current school year in order to enroll in TIS. The school year runs from the beginning of September until middle or late June, for an approximate total of 180 class days. In addition to winter break and spring break, TIS observes all Japanese national holidays. The school day starts at 8:45am and ends at 3:00pm, five days a week.

Please see our pamphlet.

Teachers

At TIS, all full-time teachers are native English speakers and are qualified to teach elementary school. They also have teaching experience in an elementary school setting and experience in an international setting. The curriculum at TIS has a distinct international flavor to it. We use textbooks from Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. In addition, special units devoted to Japanese history, social studies, etc. are presented during the year.

Curriculum

Our curriculum was developed with a multi-national student body in mind. We have had students from the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, and the United States. In addition to core subjects, such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, our program is enhanced by local professionals who have expertise in fields such as art, music, Japanese language, physics, and engineering. Because of our location in Tsukuba Science City, TIS is able to provide students with unique learning opportunities. In the past, TIS students have taken tours of Tsukuba Space Center (JAXA), interviewed astronauts, enjoyed visits by international scientists and scholars, and made field trips to national research laboratories.

We hope this brief overview of TIS has been helpful to you. If you are interested in enrolling your child in TIS, working as a volunteer, or serving on a committee, or if you would like to receive any additional information, please contact us at the school office by phone, fax, or e-mail. Thank you again for your interest in TIS.