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Profile9/09
NIS is a private, coeducational day
school founded in 1964 offering an American-based curricular program
from pre-school through grade 12. An integrated,
interdisciplinary, standards-based curriculum provides students with a
strong educational foundation that leads to college preparatory courses
in the high school. The language of instruction is English.
Graduates earn a standard U.S. high school diploma, and additionally,
have the option to obtain the International Baccalaureate (IB)
diploma. The first IB graduating class will be the Class of
2010.
Set on a park-like campus of approximately 7.5 acres, the school consists of three modern buildings safely connected by terraces, greenery, covered walkways, an athletic field and a Cultural Center. Early Learning Center (ELC) Preschool 3-4 and Kindergarten Snuggled between the elementary school, surrounding neighborhood homes and the Cultural Center, the ELC classrooms overlook an inviting playground lined with cherry trees and shrubbery. Bright, cheerful classroom space is warmed by the morning sunlight creating a welcoming and stimulating environment for young learners. The interior space is divided thematically into separate “sections” to accommodate a wide variety of learning areas. A kitchen and a brightly colored unisex bathroom are shared by all students. Outside-play is enjoyed in a safe, cozy and newly-renovated environment. Elementary School Grades 1-5 Renovated in 2004, multi-functional classrooms in the east half of the round Raymond building open out to a tree-lined playground and athletic field. The unique design and color theme of the elementary section provides an inviting, nurturing space from the moment the children enter the hallway. Warm colors, carpeted floors, built in cabinets and ample classroom space encourage independent learning, collaboration and dialogue. Artwork and project-centered learning materials hang from the ceiling to stimulate and inspire. Each room has one full side of windows allowing for bright natural light and fresh air. Desks and tables are aligned in a variety of configurations depending on the unit or theme of the class at that time. The building is completely heated and air-conditioned. Middle School Grades 6-8 Tucked in the ground level of the Wing Building, the middle school students are able to enjoy their own space away from both the older high school students and the younger elementary students. Classrooms are spacious, providing ample room for large group and individualized learning. While each room is equipped with computers, teachers often use the computer lab or the dedicated science lab in the Raymond building for whole-class instruction. Student work lines the middle school hallway wall, opposite a line of student lockers and leading towards the music and art rooms. In 2008, the middle school area was remodeled by pushing out walls to create larger classroom spaces, improved heating and air-conditioning, hallway lighting, and other improvements to provide barrier-free access between all buildings. High School Grades 9-12 Six bright, comfortably sized classrooms and a row of lockers encircle a computer lab on the west side of the Raymond building that make up the NIS high school. Included in this are two science labs with ample space for both lecture and lab work. The library is centrally located in the Raymond building and used by all divisions. Even though the entire school is wireless, students can often be found in the computer lab as well as the library. Together with the rest of the students, the high school students utilize the music room, art room, gymnasium and fitness center. The building is completely heated and air-conditioned. The artificial-turf athletic field was renovated in the summer of 2006 and accommodates tennis, basketball and soccer and is surrounded by an elementary/preschool playground with age appropriate equipment. A two-story field house includes a large changing room and bathroom with space for the PTA on the second floor.
NIS is situated just within the borders
of Nagoya, a city with a population of slightly over 2 million in
central Japan situated roughly mid-way between Osaka and Tokyo. The
school is situated on the top of a hill with views of the Japanese Alps
of Gifu and Nagano to the north. NIS is about a 45-minute drive from
the city center. Many consider this to be ‘out in the country’ though
the quickly developing area surrounding the school makes the
neighborhood more suburban than rural.
NIS offers several levels of English as a Second or Other Language, (ESOL) to provide additional language support to roughly 10% of the students. Other than ESOL support, NIS does not have the personnel to provide for students with special needs who cannot be accommodated through differentiation in the classroom. Due to the nature of the college preparatory program at NIS, there is no ESOL program for students at the high school level.
The last decade has been one of improvement and steady growth for the school. Guiding this improvement process has been the school's strategic planning process and WASC self-evaluation and action plans. Together, these two improvement processes have provided the tools for the school community to determine the priorities of the school to best enhance student learning and achievement. Standardized test scores, admissions to selective colleges and significant scholarships reflect the focus on learning and a professional commitment to improve achievement by the entire school community.
NIS is an International Baccalaureate Organization World School (IBO), a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS), and Japan Council of International Schools.
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