Aoba - Japan International School
Encyclopedia
Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS), in Tokyo
, Japan
is a co-educational school located on two campuses in Meguro-ku
and Suginami-ku
. Approximately 300 students are enrolled in classes from pre-kingergarten to grade 9. The school is designed to meet the specific needs of students who come from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds, with over 30 nationalities represented in the student body. Multilingual education is emphasized through the mainstream curriculum provided entirely in English, in addition to Japanese and other language studies. An intensive English program is provided for students who have little or no experience studying in English at the time of enrollment.
The School is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and operated by Aoba International Educational Systems Co., Ltd.
The school's missions statement is as follows:
The school philosophy is "Learning in itself is a way of life".
In 1980, a second campus, established as Japan International School (JIS), that included an elementary school and middle school was opened near Daikanyama station close to Aoba International School. As enrollment increased, JIS moved three times: to Harajuku, Shibuya, and finally in 1992 to the present location in Suginami ward.
In 1997, the school earned accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
In 1998, Aoba International School was merged with Japan International School to form Aoba-Japan International School.
founded by Diane Tillman and supported by UNESCO and UNICEF. The purpose of the program is to provide guiding principles and tools for the development of the whole person, recognizing that the individual has physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Students explore a set of core values, which include peace, respect, love, tolerance, honesty, humility, cooperation, happiness, responsibility, simplicity, freedom, and unity. Core elements of the program include teaching conflict resolution strategies to the children, building self-esteem, creating a safe environment for all and modeling and demonstrating the values we expect from the children.
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
is a co-educational school located on two campuses in Meguro-ku
Meguro, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It calls itself Meguro City in English.Meguro hosts fifteen foreign embassies and consulates. One of Tokyo's most exclusive residential neighborhoods is located in Meguro....
and Suginami-ku
Suginami, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Suginami City.As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 538,703, with 301,277 households, and a density of 15,834.39 persons per km². The total area is 34.02 km².-Geography:Suginami occupies the...
. Approximately 300 students are enrolled in classes from pre-kingergarten to grade 9. The school is designed to meet the specific needs of students who come from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds, with over 30 nationalities represented in the student body. Multilingual education is emphasized through the mainstream curriculum provided entirely in English, in addition to Japanese and other language studies. An intensive English program is provided for students who have little or no experience studying in English at the time of enrollment.
The School is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and operated by Aoba International Educational Systems Co., Ltd.
The school's missions statement is as follows:
We shall fully acknowledge and form a synergistic relationship between the broadly varied backgrounds of our students, parents, teachers and staff. This diversity in both cultures and language added to the traditions and language of Japan, shall serve as the setting for the increasing awareness of and contribution to the international community. We shall constantly develop and evolve to meet the current demands in education and guide our students to reach their fullest potential for them to "Be the best they can be."
The school philosophy is "Learning in itself is a way of life".
History
Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS) was initially founded as Aoba International School (AIS) in 1976 by Regina M. Doi. Aoba International School was established in the Aoba-dai area of Meguro-ku in central Tokyo. Shortly after being founded, the school moved to the site of the current Meguro Campus adjacent to Saigoyama Park.In 1980, a second campus, established as Japan International School (JIS), that included an elementary school and middle school was opened near Daikanyama station close to Aoba International School. As enrollment increased, JIS moved three times: to Harajuku, Shibuya, and finally in 1992 to the present location in Suginami ward.
In 1997, the school earned accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
In 1998, Aoba International School was merged with Japan International School to form Aoba-Japan International School.
"Aoba"
Aoba is a Japanese word that literally translated means "blue leaf" and refers to the deep green leaves of early summer.Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs
The policy of the school is to respect the right of each individual to hold religious beliefs, however religious doctrine is not taught as a separate class in the school. The school gives consideration of religious subjects as they are reflected in literature, art, performance and the lives of religious personages, the history of religious beliefs and customs, the study of the influences of religion in history and civilization, as they relate to human culture and development. Classroom teaching in any subject provides opportunities for students to develop their own values and patterns of belief. The school aims to provide a culturally sensitive balance in school activities and events which reflect the diverse cultures and beliefs of the students, however the school does not promote or impose specific religious beliefs on students. Individuals are not required to participate in any school activity contrary to their religious beliefs.Values Education Program
The school runs a values education program integrated throughout the curriculum, facilitated through weekly formal values lesions, monthly assemblies, classroom conferences and school-wide activities. The program includes all grade levels and departments and is based on Living Values: An Education ProgramLiving Values
Living Values: An Education Program [LVEP] started as an outreach programme for the Brahma Kumaris religious organization called 'Sharing Our Values for a Better World' in 1995...
founded by Diane Tillman and supported by UNESCO and UNICEF. The purpose of the program is to provide guiding principles and tools for the development of the whole person, recognizing that the individual has physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Students explore a set of core values, which include peace, respect, love, tolerance, honesty, humility, cooperation, happiness, responsibility, simplicity, freedom, and unity. Core elements of the program include teaching conflict resolution strategies to the children, building self-esteem, creating a safe environment for all and modeling and demonstrating the values we expect from the children.
Athletics
A-JIS is one of eight schools comprising the Kanto Plain league of international schools (KPASSP) and has teams competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer. The interscholastic athletic program is intended to enrich and enhance academic programs and provide a wholesome environment for the development of teamwork, individual skills, positive self esteem, and school spirit/pride through friendly inter-school competitions.| Team | Titles |
|---|---|
| Middle School Girls Volleyball | 2006 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Girls Volleyball | 2002 Kansai Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2006 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2006 Kansai Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2005 Kansai Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2004 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
| Middle School Boy's Basketball | 2003 Kanto Plain Tournament Champions |
| Junior Varsity Boy's Basketball | 2004 Yokohama Invitational Champions |
Music Program
The school music program aims to teach students how to properly use their own singing voice, perform using musical instruments, read and write musical notes, understand the elements of music and how music is a part of past and present culture. All students from kindergarten to grade 5 study General Music for two class periods per week. The program is attuned to the AERO standards of music education and uses the McGraw-Hill published Share the Music textbooks.Beginning Band
All students in the 4th and 5th grades are encouraged to join the Beginning Band and learn the basics of playing a band instrument. Instruments are provided by the school and include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and percussion. All instruments are taught in lesson groups of the same instrument, with the teacher modeling playing techniques. In subsequent years in the band music program, students are also offered piccolo, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, oboe and tuba.Middle School Band, Chorus and Hand Bell Choir
In the 2008-2009 school year, the former Wind Band Club became integrated into the school curriculum as a full-fledged class. Students in grades 6 to 9 select either Band, Chorus or Bell Choir as their elective class and meet twice a week during the school day for rehearsal. The Middle School Chorus, Band and Hand Bell Choir perform annually in December at the Holiday Concert and in May at the Combined Spring Concert, in addition to several other smaller performance opportunities over the course of the school year.School Newsletter
The school publishes a bilingual (English-Japanese) newsletter called the A-JIS Courier for parents, families, students, faculty and staff each month from September to June, distributed on or around the 10th of each month. The newsletter provides reports on recent school activities and upcoming events, including academic awards, athletic results and family community events.Notable alumni
- Mirai YamamotoMirai YamamotoMirai Yamamoto is a Japanese actress. Her father is Kansai Yamamoto. She is a left hander...
, actress - Nami MiyaharaNami Miyahara, is a Japanese voice actress employed by Kekke Corporation and recording artist.- Early life :When Miyahara was in junior high, she and her family moved to Austria, where she attended an international school and learned English.- Musical career :...
, singer, voice actress - Risa Ichikura, model
- Ai Kawamata, artist
- Keisuke OgiharaKeisuke Ogiharais one of the founding members of the hip hop group Rip Slyme. He was born on June 17, 1975 in Helsinki, Finland to a Japanese father and a Finnish mother. He is best known by his stage name Ilmari , which is considered to be his middle name in Finland....
, singer - Masatsugu Chiba, singer
- Hikaru Utada, singer