KAIS International School

Learning today. Leading tomorrow.

Education at KAIS seeks to foster children’s natural inclination towards joy and curiosity, and to assist them on their journey of self-discovery and self-fulfillment. Come see for yourself!

Our Mission & Vision

Empowering Joyful Learners

Mission

Our mission is to serve Tokyo’s international community by providing an academically challenging, creatively stimulating, safe and caring learning environment. jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

Vision

KAIS seeks to foster confident, curious and self-fulfilled individuals; to nurture empathetic, welcoming and socially responsible members of the community; and to cultivate future leaders, conscientious and enthusiastic agents of positive change in the world.

Culture Words

We cultivate connection, community, and friendship with people across a diverse range of backgrounds, interests, and personalities. jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

Culture Words

We are excited about learning and thrive in a collaborative and spirited environment.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We ask questions of the surrounding world, and seek answers to these questions.We ask questions of the surrounding world, and seek answers to these questions.kkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We think deeply and critically about our thoughts, feelings, actions, and experiences.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We take initiative, set goals, and work hard to see them through to completion. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We find creative and practical solutions to problems, and are not deterred by obstacles and challenges.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We recover quickly from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We take ownership of our actions and hold ourselves accountable for what we say and do, always striving to have a positive impact on the world.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Culture Words

We appreciate and respect the diversity and complexity of the surrounding world and are committed to making it a better place.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

What We Offer

Designing the Path to Lifelong Learning

Personalized Learning

Designing Learning so That Every Child Can Find Success

Our personalized learning approach, supported by small class sizes and a friendly school atmosphere, ensures that each child’s unique needs are met. Regular discussions about student performance allow teachers to stay connected with both academic progress and social development, fostering a supportive environment for growth and success.

Electives

Learning That Goes Beyond the Curriculum

Our electives give students the chance to explore a wide range of passions, from robotics and filmmaking to cooking and soccer. With hands-on experiences in areas like engineering, manga drawing, and boxing fitness, we provide a fun and dynamic learning environment where students discover new talents and pursue their interests.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Small Class Sizes

Unlocking Potential Together

Our small class sizes ensure each student receives the personalized attention and support they deserve. This fosters a nurturing environment where students thrive academically and creatively, inspiring excellence in every student and preventing them from falling behind or flying under the radar. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Homework Support

Relieving Homework Headaches

Our Homework Lab/Study Hall provides students with time to complete homework at school, with teachers available for support. This allows students to enjoy more free time at home and reduces the need for parents to assist with homework, creating a relatively stress-free experience for families.

 

 

 

School Houses

Mythical Houses, Real Connections

Our House system, inspired by Japanese mythological creatures, places students in Seiryu, Byakko, Suzaku, or Genbu, fostering connections across grades through friendly competition and collaboration. Students and teachers celebrate wins together and form strong bonds, creating a supportive community that thrives during school events and throughout the year.

Co-Curriculars

Exploring Passions Beyond the Classroom

Our diverse co-curricular activities offer students opportunities to explore their passions in a variety of ISTAA-aligned sports, art and cinema, music production, broadcasting, Model UN, history bowl, and robotics. From competing in robotics competitions to leading a school newspaper, students can engage in exciting experiences that enhance their learning – all while having loads of fun!

‘Project Week’ Scheduling

Pushing Limits and Building Confidence

During our special Project Weeks, regular classes on put on hold, and students immerse themselves in completing major projects for school-wide events like the Humanities Fair or Science Fair. This intense, exciting period fosters resilience, resourcefulness, and self-motivation, preparing students for real-world deadlines and inspiring them to stay curious and achieve more than they thought possible.

OUR APPROACH

Academic Rigor, Personalized Support

Personalized Instruction & Small Class Sizes

All children love to learn. It’s in their nature. So why do some children struggle so much with their studies? The answer, sadly, is a simple one: adults place expectations on children without giving them the support they need to meet those expectations. Here at KAIS, we consider each child’s current level of ability and learning style, and work hard to provide the right kind of support to each child so that he or she can fall in love with learning again. At KAIS, our classes are small by design, helping us to best support the children in our care while making sure nobody flies under the radar, falls through the cracks, or gets left behind. Our educators are mentors, coaches, friends, and guides that help the students achieve their goals in ways that best suit their learning capabilities. 

High Academic Standards & Expectations

Children love challenges and naturally strive to achieve the expectations set for them. They love to make progress and know that they are appreciated for it. This is why at KAIS we keep our students on their toes, lifting the bar higher and higher so they can achieve their greatest heights. Under no circumstances will we maintain low expectations for your child. Make no mistake: though we are a small school, we do not have small dreams for our students. Though we have alternative teaching methods, we do not have alternative goals. We want to empower our students with the competencies, skills, mindsets, earned self-confidence, and appetite for learning necessary to achieve their best in school and beyond. 

Creative & Engaging Pedagogical Approaches

How many students come to associate the learning process with boredom, or have been rendered callous to new ideas through a litany of monotonous drills? Our approach at KAIS tries to alleviate this through tailoring creative and engaging lessons and projects that stimulate the interests of the students. Rather than simply read about science concepts and facts, students in our Science Lab, for example, come up with engaging and relevant questions, problems, or experiments, and work together to discover the answers using their own agency and research skills. In our lessons, we roll out a variety of gold-standard projects to scaffold learning, and target a variety of skills, including art, debate, critical opinion writing, poetry, music, presentation, and more. In all classes, not just our project-based ones, our educators help groups navigate difficult obstacles and achieve their goals. Using this approach, we ensure that students remain intrinsically motivated and enthusiastic about the tasks at hand. This makes education fun for all, teachers included!

Culture of Care & Social-Emotional Support

At KAIS, we believe that caring for others is the right thing to do. The work to develop moral character naturally supports academic achievement, so our team is proactive in building a culture that actively cares and supports its students and staff. It is our job to know and value all students and to express that care in ways that are meaningful to them. We work to know each student personally and express care in ways that are meaningful to them. Students are encouraged—and expected—to care for one another, embracing differences in background, personality, and other traits. Through weekly Social Awareness lessons from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, we follow a curriculum that equips students with essential skills for building healthy relationships, maintaining an anti-bullying culture, practicing respect and empathy, understanding and managing emotions, and minimizing conflicts that can disrupt learning. Additionally, our school counselor is always available to support students facing academic, social, or emotional challenges. We prioritize strong, authentic relationships, believing they are foundational to a culture of care—a principle that remains central to our mission.

Positive Approach to Behavior Management

A large part of our success is due to our ability to establish positive relationships with our students. Rather than overload our school with a complicated system of rules, we confront the vast spectrum of behaviors and situations with a Love and Logic® approach — a system which allows our students to learn from the results of their own decisions or mistakes. Rather than engage in a power struggle by reacting with anger and lengthy lecturing, we apply consequences with empathy and understanding in order to intelligently manage behavior. Through the Love and Logic® approach, we (1) build positive relationships with our students, (2) set enforceable limits through enforceable statements, (3) share control, (4) implement disciplinary interventions that stop undesirable behaviors in their infancy, and (5) delay consequences to get the students to reflect meaningfully on their decisions. Through these practical and effective techniques, stress levels are kept low for everyone and classroom management is easier and more enjoyable. 

Curriculum Overview

Cultivating an environment where high-quality teaching and a love for learning go hand in hand.

Language Arts

Building Lifelong Readers and Writers

The Language Arts program spans from Early Years through High School, cultivating confident, critical readers and writers at every stage. In the Early and Middle Years, students engage in hands-on reading and writing workshops that foster independence and creativity through diverse literary explorations. As they progress in High School, the curriculum deepens analytical skills and writing cohesion, preparing students for college-level challenges. Ultimately, in the Advanced Placement (AP) courses, learners refine their rhetorical abilities through intensive writing tasks, culminating in a polished portfolio that showcases their growth. This comprehensive approach ensures students are equipped with essential skills for effective communication beyond school.

Mathematics

Empowering Problem Solvers

Our Math classes in the Elementary and Middle School offer a grounding in the Singapore Math curriculum, fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. In the Elementary School, students explore foundational math principles through engaging, hands-on activities that promote critical thinking and a love for numbers. As they progress through the Middle School, learners build on these foundations, developing fluency in essential skills while applying concepts to real-world situations. In High School, students tackle more advanced topics including algebra, calculus, statistics, and geometry, preparing them for Advanced Placement (AP) classes, university-level study, and beyond.

Science

Investigate, Experiment, Discover

The Science program from Elementary School to High School, is designed to ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking. In the Elementary and Middle School, students engage with the Science Fusion curriculum, exploring fundamental concepts through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning. As they advance to High School, students delve into more specialized courses in physics, chemistry, biology, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, applying their knowledge to complex scientific challenges. This comprehensive approach equips students with the skills and understanding necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Social Studies

From Local to Global Perspectives

The Social Studies program fosters critical thinking and global awareness from early education through high school. Students begin with the Into Social Studies program, engaging with foundational concepts of community and culture. In Grades 7-8, they move on to exploring diverse perspectives and historical contexts. In high school, the curriculum covers Arcs in History, Global Issues, and Advanced Placement (AP) classes, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world.

Japanese
Cultivating Linguistic and Cultural Understanding

Our Japanese classes cater to both native and non-native speakers, fostering language acquisition through a differentiated approach. Grounded in the Japanese national curriculum, the program enables all students to progress at their own pace while exploring the rich culture and traditions of Japan. This inclusive curriculum ensures that every learner can access and thrive in their language journey.

Supplemental Classes
Supporting Every Student’s Growth

We offer several  supplemental classes to provide a well-rounded education that addresses the diverse needs of our students from Pre-K to Grade 12. With Social Awareness classes focusing on emotional management and resilience, Physical Education promoting fitness and teamwork, Art courses encouraging creativity – as well as 25+ elective choices  on top of that – we foster the learning and growth every child deserves. By nurturing essential life skills and passions, we prepare students for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Explore our schools

From Pre-K to Grade 12

Pre-K – Grade 4

Elementary School

Inspiring young minds with personalized, creative learning.

Grade 5 – Grade 8

Middle School

Empowering balanced academic and personal growth.

Grade 9 – 12

High School

Preparing students with rigorous academics and global perspectives.

Life at KAIS

Welcoming, Curious, and Compassionate

Discover the vibrant community at KAIS, where diverse cultures come together to foster overall excellence. We offer a safe and caring environment that nurtures personal growth and social development, empowering students to thrive and become responsible global citizens.

Student Ratio
5:1

Student to teacher ratio

Global Citizens
20+
Countries represented
Accreditation