What percentages of nationalities are there at your school?
Currently we have about 65% of our children who are Japanese Returnee students. The rest are either dual nationality or foreign.
What is the purpose of the school?The school was devised to offer an International style education to Japanese children returning to Japan (who have been to other International Schools abroad) or dual nationality children/foreign children living within travelling distance to the school. Our Mission Statement encapsulates what we believe in here at Makuhari International School.
What curriculum are you teaching?
We are teaching children using the objectives from the Japanese Curriculum. This is our foundation but not our total! The objectives are the skills and concepts (and knowledge in some cases) from that curriculum. In some cases these are general in content (such as the objectives from kindergarten years) and in other cases they can be more firmly based on Japanese content. In all cases, and especially where it is the case that objectives are more Japanese orientated, we adapt and add to those objectives using other International curricula.
For example, the Japanese objectives in kindergarten years are fairly sparse and include only one objective related to mathematics. (Many private Japanese kindergartens therefore devise their own curricula which include the teaching of maths.) As an 'Article One' school we are required to teach these objectives. However, we supplement these in Kindergarten years with objectives from The Early Learning Goals from the English Curriculum. This ensures that children not only cover what is legally required but much more besides, including a strong mathematical content and emphasis on:
l Personal, Social and Emotional Development
l Communication, Language and Literacy
l Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
l Knowledge and Understanding of the World
l Physical Development
l Creative Development
English teaching largely follows the Framework for Literacy which is followed in most UK schools.
The curriculum is not individually decided by class teachers but supplemented by them and aimed at stretching and supporting children within a precise and structured programme of subjects and activities.
More detailed information will be provided by the school to parents of children who enrol at the school.
Please visit these sites for more information;
How can you ensure your school is International whilst you are teaching the objectives from the Japanese Curriculum?
There are many International Schools in Japan and their curricula vary from each other as well as other International Schools around the world. Some use the English curriculum, some use an American curriculum, some use the IB curriculum and some devise their own. We are no different in this respect. In all cases these schools are international in the sense that they :
1. Use and adapt a curriculum to be international in content and focus - as MIS is doing.
2. Employ native English-speaking teachers - as MIS is doing.
3. Accept children from a variety of countries, including their host country - as MIS is doing.
4. Conduct their teaching in English - as is the case at MIS.
5. Aim at giving children some of the skills and knowledge required to function outside of the host language - as MIS is doing.
What nationality are the teachers?
All class teachers are native English speaking teachers, in almost all cases hired from abroad. Among other things these teachers are:
· Teachers who are well-trained, well-qualified, committed and career-orientated.
· Teachers dedicated to the profession who love children and educating children.
· Teachers who are flexible and team-players who wish to continue learning as well as teaching.
· Teachers who are looking to constantly improve what we offer the children as well as their own skills as teachers.
Teachers have been initially hired on two year contracts - much as other International Schools.
Is the school Accredited?
The school is recognised by the Ministry of Education in Japan. It is our intention to gain outside Accreditation via 'Western Association of Schools and Colleges' and 'Council of International Schools' as soon as is practicably possible. (Schools need to have been running for a certain time before this is possible.) It is also our hope to join the 'Japanese Council of International Schools' at the earliest convenience.
How large are classes?
Class sizes in Kindergarten 1 -3 are 20 MAXIMUM. Class sizes in Grades 1-4 are 24 MAXIMUM. These numbers are not subject to change.
Where might students go after attending MIS?
Children will have various choices on graduation from Makuhari International School. These will include:
1. Enrolling at a Japanese Junior High School. Because MIS has 'Article One' status, this will mean that transferring to a Japanese School will not hold any problems for those parents who wish their children to do so.
2. Enrolling at another International School.
Does the school have a hot lunch programme?
In our initial year it was our intention to get the basics right and provide the very best education that we possibly could. Therefore, we did not focus on this during our first year. We do however, use an outside company which parents can order lunches from.
Do you have a bus service?
We provide buses for children. Currently about 60 % of our children use buses. Our buses go to Urayasu, Funabashi, Chiba, Sakura, Makuhari Baytown and various other places. All buses employ bus assistants.
Are there any after-school activities offered?
We offer many after school clubs and a wide variety of types of club, ranging from art, through sports to drama and music. Clubs are not only run by staff at the school - we also use outside experts where possible and convenient. Clubs, where organised by the staff, are free for children at the school and run from 3.30pm to 4.10pm.
Do you plan to offer a summer school at some time in the future?
At the moment we are planning to offer a Summer School during 2011. This will probably be open to current children and others as well. We will use professional staff and try to make the programme one that mainly focuses on English development. Please watch the website closely for developments.
Do you let parents tour the school?
We are delighted to show prospective parents around the school. If interested, please contact the school and we will arrange such a tour.
What language will the lessons be taught in?
All lessons, with the exception of Japanese OR Japanese Studies, are taught solely in English by native English class teachers. Children will be screened before entry at the school to ensure that their English is at a good enough level to allow them to access the curriculum at the school.
