Tokyo International School delivers hands-on learning in Minato Ward

Truly International IB Education - Tokyo International School

Written by Reiko Natsukawa, SRC

Choosing the right school for your children can be challenging. This is especially true for expats who may be new to the city. Online research and word of mouth can provide a lot of information, but some aspects of a school cannot be understood simply by reading their website. I recently visited Tokyo International School (TIS) and talked to General Affairs Manager Shuichi Anazawa about what makes TIS special.

Mr. Shuichi Anazawa - General Affairs Manager / Ms. Reiko Natsukawa

1. Tell me about TIS’s atmosphere and educational aims.

An important characteristic of TIS is the importance we place on a welcoming atmosphere. For example, everyone—including the Japanese staff—addresses one another by first name. Another is the close interaction between teachers and students in a learning environment that makes it easy for students to ask for help and to express themselves. And we maintain a good atmosphere in which the principal and students can talk frankly. TIS offers a balanced curriculum that includes experiential learning and co-curricular activities to encourage learning both inside and outside the classroom such as the Model United Nations Club and Artscape. We also interact with other schools in Tokyo through the Kanto Plains Association in sports and fine arts events.

Gym

MYP Design room

Library

2. Why do parents and students choose TIS?

TIS is fully authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate programs, and our teachers are dedicated to holistic wellbeing and meaningful learning. With a vibrant community of over sixty nationalities, both parents and students feel at home in our diverse and welcoming environment.

Ms. Reiko Natsukawa

3. How would you describe TIS’s locale?

Mr. Shuichi Anazawa

The Shirokane-Takanawa area is situated in Tokyo’s embassy district with many foreign companies and offices nearby. Our campus is located in a relatively quiet, residential area with easy access to the city’s most famous landmarks and green spaces. The area is home to many long-term residents as well as expatriates and locals.

4. How do students get to school?

Most of our students live in the wards of Minato, Shibuya, and Meguro. Forty percent ride the school bus, while others walk or ride their bicycle.We offer seven school buses plus four late buses for those who take co-curricular activities after school.

School bus

5. Why does TIS enjoy working with Ken Corporation?

Of the apartments currently under school contract, half are arranged through Ken Corporation as the broker. Ken is known for its strength in arranging for high-quality residences in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and is particularly strong in high-end rental apartments, many of which they manage directly. And the service level provided by sales staff tends to be more consistent than that of other companies.

Mr. Shuichi Anazawa - General Affairs Manager

In recent years, recruitment of high-quality teachers who will stay for a long time has become important. The quality of the housing provided to teachers (e.g., location, rent, floor plan, floor area, interior design, management services) is key to keeping these teachers motivated. This is especially true in mid-June and August, when school is out and teachers begin their search for housing. Because good properties tend to be snatched up quickly, it is easier to make recommendations by sharing information about new properties promptly and by providing details about facilities and amenities (e.g., library, exercise gym, high-speed internet access, resident custodian, free bicycle use) that may be difficult to determine through conventional search methods.

In the future, we would like to strengthen our partnership with Ken to provide high-quality services to TIS teachers.

6. What is your favorite thing about TIS?

I find it particularly rewarding that the work environment is open and everyone expresses their gratitude in a straightforward manner. Also, many of the children are independent minded and have good human relations skills.