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Admissions FAQ's
ADMISSIONS RELATED
SCHOOL RELATED
ADMISSIONS RELATED
Q. When is the
application deadline?
NIS accepts applications at all times of the year, and depending on
availability students can enroll at any time. However, school policy
regarding transferring seniors requires one full year spent at NIS as a
senior.
Q. How long does the
admissions process take?
The school requires ample time to review the application and the
transcripts submitted, and we ask for a minimum of two weeks
from between receipt of the application and an interview. To ensure a
smooth transition for both the student and the class they will enter,
the school requires some preparation time after the interview as well.
Since many students enter the school at mid-year, we have found that it
is important to not only properly inform any and all involved staff but
also the applicant’s peers – their classmates.
Typically the applicant will start 2-5 days after the family
interview.
Q. Do we need to
have an interview?
An interview is an important part of the admissions process for both
the parents and the school to determine if your child will succeed in
our program. After submitting all application documents, an interview
will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. On certain occasions,
conditional acceptance can be granted without an interview.—>
Admissions Guidelines
Q. Is student aid
available?
Yes, need-based student aid is available for families who have
difficulty in affording the school tuition with a priority placed on
students who have no alternatives for education in the Nagoya area.
Please contact the Development office if you wish to receive a copy of
the “Guide to Student Aid at NIS”.
Q. Are official
transcripts needed?
Yes, for high school, official transcripts are required, and should be
sent directly from the applicant’s school. Certified transcripts can be
submitted with the admissions materials but must be in an unopened
envelope. We request elementary and middle school applicants to submit
original documents either directly from the school or in a sealed
envelope. The admissions decision may be delayed if the appropriate
documents are not submitted in a timely manner.
Q. Is there a
specific form required for a health check?
NIS requires each student to submit a health report (“Admissions
Health Form”), to be completed by the parents and submitted together
with other admissions materials. Having adequate information about your
child is crucial to our ability to provide a supportive environment,
and we rely on parents to provide all of the information requested on
the form. NIS does not require a physical check-up, but strongly
suggests that families coming from abroad invest in a full physical
check-up prior to departure and to submit that information to the
school as well. A form to present to medical professionals is available
from the school. NIS has adopted recommendations by the World
Health
Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Center for
Disease Control in determining a list of suggested immunizations. As
with other medical issues, it is important that families keep records
of immunizations and know what is recommended for specific
countries
while travelling. The list of suggested immunization is on the NIS
Admissions Health Form. If a student has NOT been immunized for any of
those on the list, we ask parents to provide further information and/or
explanations. The school may place restrictions on attendance and
non-immu-nized students may be excluded from the NIS campus for an
extended period of time if deemed necessary by the
administration.
Q. Why is the
family photo required?
As part of our concerns for the safety of the student, we ask to
receive a photo of the student and the student’s family. NIS is a small
campus, and while we prefer to be open to the community, we also must
be careful when letting visitors on campus. Having a photo gives us a
reference for people that may be on campus.
Q. Can we add the
application fee to the initial billing?
Yes, for families who are being sponsored by their employer, the
application fee can be added to the initial billing. Please inform the
Development Office ahead of time.
Q. Do you give
school tours?
NIS encourages all parents to learn as much about our program and our
school community as possible and tours are always welcome. The
Development Office coordinates the admissions process, and parents
interested in seeing the school are encouraged to contact the school to
arrange a tour. Parents are asked to call the school ahead of time –
preferably one day – and to make an appointment. Tours are recommended
between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Q. Do you allow
short-term enrollment (i.e. for a few months)?
In certain circumstances, and depending on availability, students who
are here for a limited time may enroll in NIS. All applicable tuition
and fees will be billed accordingly.
Q. Can my child
“try out” the school for a day or two first?
NIS does not allow students to “try out” the class or the school for
an extended period of time. If after a tour you wish to see more, we
recommend scheduling another tour on another day and at a different
time.
SCHOOL RELATED
Q. What is the
nationality breakdown?
For the 2009-10 school year, roughly 25% of the students hold U.S.
passports, 35% hold Japanese passports, and 40% hold “others”. Annually
there are 20-25 different nationalities represented in the school, with
the largest groups of students from the U.S., Canada, Korea and Japan.
The number of children who have dual citizenship continues to rise, as
does the number of Japanese “returnees” who have spent time
abroad.
Q. Does NIS provide a
hot lunch program?
NIS contracts our food service to Cezars Kitchen who provide hot
buffet lunches and a la carte items each day from 8:00 am to 4:00. The
system operates much like a debit card, which must be activated with an
initial deposit. Discounts are available for semester or year-long
plans. A monthly menu is available online and also at the cafeteria.
Some students bring their own lunches from home. The school cafeteria
has a microwave for reheating food, and there is hot water available
for use as well. (learn more about Cezars Kitchen at:
http://cezarskitchen.com/ ) after the family interview.
Q. Does NIS have bus
service?
Yes, the school has bus service to the Nagoya City area and a shuttle
bus that services the JR Kozoji station several time a day. The bus
service is privately contracted and parents pay at a flat rate for this
service. Depending on availability, students may ride the shuttle bus
on a “pay per ride” basis. CAUTION: Some bus routes may be full; do not
assume bus availability is automatic, and please contact either the
Development Office or the Business Office for more information.
—> Bus
Service
Q. Our house is far
from the bus stop – can the bus route change?
Unfortunately, the bus is only allowed to travel along the four fixed
routes and stop at those bus-stops.
Q. How large are
elementary classes?
Typically, a class will have between 15-20 students per teacher.
Teaching assistants are assigned as needed.
Q. Where do most
students go after leaving NIS?
NISers can be found scattered across the globe. Younger NISers who
leave prior to graduating from high school move on in their
educational path well prepared. Historically, many graduates of our
high school continue their studies in the United States;
recently,
however, many have chosen other options, including Canadian
universities.
Q. How can I get
involved in the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association)?
An informational letter from the PTA is included in a packet that is
distributed to new families after admission. If you are interested in
participating in PTA activities or volunteering, you can indicate as
such on the family information form, or contact the PTA through
the NIS website, email (pta@nis.ac.jp) or in person at any of the NIS
events that are sponsored by the PTA throughout the year. The PTA
always welcomes volunteers!
Q. What supplies does
our child need?
Your child will need a range of supplies depending on grade level. A
suggested list is distributed after admission or can be obtained from
the principal’s office. All supplies are available locally. The PTA
also sells a supply kit for grades 1-8.
Q. Are there any
after-school activities for elementary students?
ASA’s (After-School Activities) are available from the 2nd quarter for
two days a week. ASA’s change each quarter and are run by teachers.
Parents are asked to pick children up shortly after the activities
finish.
Q. Do you have a
dormitory?
NIS does not have a dormitory.
Q. Does NIS have a
summer school or other courses outside normal school hours?
NIS has a two-week summer program which offers a chance for students
to engage in activities focusing on arts & crafts, drama, music,
sports, games, science, media, culture, language and leadership. NIS
does NOT offer other evening or weekend remedial programs such as
English or SAT prep courses.
Related Links:
Required
Documents | Admissions
Policies | Admissions
Guidelines | Grade
Placement
Tuition & Fees | Explanation of
Fees | Financial
Aid
Bus Service | Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions | Downloadable Forms
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