Aomori prefectural government to build a new K-12 integrated international school: Rokkasho International School

Update: The school is now operational and is called

Rokkasho International School
Grades: Kindergarten – Elementary School – Junior High School
Address: 1304-2, Nozuki, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Aomori Pref.
Web-site http://rokkasho-is.jp/en.html

…

Tentatively called the Aomori International School in Rakkosho village, Aomori Prefecture …

Featured in the news as in the works is … a new private and fully integrated K – 12 international school that is being proposed as part of the government policy to produce Super English Language High Schools(SELHis). It is envisioned to cater in equal proportions to Japanese and foreign students. The school is to operate using the International Baccalaureate (IB diploma) system and is to be established by the Aomori Prefectural government with the help of Aoba International and Senri International Schools and also Katoh Gakuen, Details here (link is down). However this government website also mentions the planned school project. The name is subject to change.

According to this web document, plans for the new international school dovetails with the proposed ITER Energy R&D project and the many housing development projects in the area which is viewed as having the advantage of direct and easy airport access to Korea. According to the site, the school “will be built in Rokkasho and will enrol children of ITER participants and Japanese students and from around the region. The school will teach the IB curriculum, recognized in Korea. Country-specific education will also be made available through the use of existing facilities, such as “the French School” in Misawa which uses local school classrooms.”