Kagoshima International School (KIS)

39-22 Shimorata 2-chome, Kagoshima city, Kagoshima 890-0056

Nearest station: Kagoshima station on the Chuo line.

Phone: 099-285-0700 Fax: 099-285-8008 Email: karintanimura@gmail.com

Website (under construction)

A Christian, non-denominational school that caters for kids aged 2-6 years old, with an after-school ESL classes for graduates. The school has plans for an elementary international school. The school holds its classes in a large, brick 2-storey building that has an auditorium, four large classrooms, three smaller classrooms, a PTA/YMCA meeting room, staff room, playground. In 2010, the school will become the first YMCA school in Kagoshima City. The school’s goal is ot create the highest quality English immersion kindergarten and elementary school for the children of Kagoshima.

Low teacher-to-student ratio. The school aims to provide a nurturing atmosphere stimulates learning, elebrates individuality, promotes self- esteem, and encrouages social interactions based on respect and kindness. 3 semesters with school year starting in April and ending in March and school holidays that follow the Japanese calendar. School hours: 8:30 am – 2 pm. Daycare until 8 pm.

All teachers have at least a teaching certificate and a 4-year bachelor degree in education.

Curriculum: Children engage in a framework called Creative Curriculum, an early childhood development approach that is rooted in educational philosophy and theory as well as in practice. The framework for this curriculum takes advantage of a child’s natural curiosity to explore the world around them and provides experiences that enhance and enrich each child’s cognitive, language, social emotional, physical, creative and spiritual development. Competitive sports is not encouraged at the kindy age but some children enjoy soccer and baseball at the park.

The day starts with circle time, during which they sing songs, look at the calendar, or have a phonics lesson before moving on to Learning Station Time where each child has free choice to spend time in the library, art, computer, blocks, puzzles and games, music and dramatic play (house) or cooking (snack) areas. Playground time or neighborhood park time follows before returning for a story. Prayer follows before lunch which is followed by more free playtime. The day finishes with circle time with more drama, music or a bible story and then the goodbye song.

Bicultural children support is given and bilingual J. teachers are hired to help. Gifted child programs: the head teacher is an expert in the field of gifted education. Creative curriculum allows children to choose what they want to learn and to progress at their own rate of speed. The children love learning and many are far ahead of grade level. Some J. kindy children join the after-school elementary English classes and can read and write at the same level as native-English-speaking children sometimes even higher! There is a delivery service that provides a warm nutritious lunch. Bullying is not tolerated at the school since kindergarten is a time when a child’s character is formed. The school seeks to have children learn how to be compassionate and empathetic.

Exams: A positive developmental assessment system is used to track each child’s progress and an optional Children’s Eiken English Test is given once a year.