Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Tsukuba International School. If you have a question about our school and you don’t see the answer here, please feel free to contact us.

What is an international school?

An international school is a school that offers an international curriculum and that is open to students of all nationalities.

Which grades does TIS offer?

TIS offers an elementary curriculum (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Physical Education, Information Literacy, etc.) covering grades 1 through 5 (ages 6 to 11) and a junior high curriculum covering grades 6 through 9 (ages 12 to 15).

Is TIS an English conversation school?

No, we are not an English conversation school. We offer a complete curriculum for full-time elementary and junior high school students. All classes are taught in English.

What kind of curriculum do you use?

Our curriculum is in line with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate. Tsukuba International School is a candidate school for the PYP and the MYP. We are pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that we believe is important for our students. (Only schools authorized by the IB organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (DP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.) For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit the International Baccalaureate website.

Is TIS affiliated with a particular religion?

No, we are religiously neutral and we welcome students from all races, religions, and cultures.

Can Japanese students enroll in TIS?

Yes, we welcome students from all cultural backgrounds including Japanese, as long as they can communicate in English.

How is the school funded?

The school is a non-profit organization and relies 100% on the tuition paid by the parents along with any donations we are able to obtain from private sources.

Are your teachers licensed to teach?

Yes, our full-time core teachers are licensed to teach at the elementary and/or junior high level (as defined in their home countries). Our current teachers are from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Can I volunteer at TIS?

Yes. We welcome qualified people who are interested in teaching or assisting with subjects such as art, physical education, music, and Japanese classes. Volunteers can also help with events and other activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.

How can I get a job at TIS?

Please see our jobs page for information about working at Tsukuba International School.

Please note that in order to apply for a teaching position, you must possess a degree in education with a specialization in primary or middle school education, and the degree must have been obtained in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States. A degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) is not a sufficient qualification for teaching core subjects at the elementary or junior high level.

How long is the school day?

The school day starts at 8:30am and finishes at 3:05pm.

When does the school year start?

The school year starts in September and finishes in June. Please have a look at our school calendar for more details.

Can I enroll my child in April?

Yes, you can enroll your child in April. We have a Spring Headstart Program that runs from April to June. These three months give students a chance to get used to the school environment and give non-native English speakers the opportunity to develop their English language skills before starting in September. The Headstart Program is available to all students from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Please contact us for details.

What is the difference between the Headstart Program and the Regular Program?

Our regular school year goes from September to June, and this is referred to as the Regular Program. The Headstart Program goes from April to June (three months) and exists to give incoming students a chance to study intensive English before starting the school year in September.

In Japan, public schools go from April to March, so parents sometimes want their children to start studying at our school from April instead of September. The Headstart Program provides us with a way to accept students who are transferring from Japanese schools and gives them a chance to get used to our school before starting our school year in September. Students in the Headstart Program follow the same curriculum as those in the Regular Program.

Students who complete the Headstart Program in June are automatically accepted into the Regular Program from September.

What if my child doesn’t speak English?

Students at TIS are immersed in English and under ideal circumstances can be brought up to a high level of fluency in a relatively short time. However, for non-native English speakers, we require at least some basic English ability and that at least one parent be able to communicate in English.

How old must my child be to enter Grade 1?

Students entering grade 1 must be 6 years old by December 31 of the current school year in order to be eligible for admission. This age requirement may be waived for transfer students who have completed at least one term of school elsewhere. Students aged three to five are eligible to attend Tsukuba International Preschool.

Do you offer a junior high school program?

We started our junior high program in September 2010 with a Grade 7 class and we now offer up to Grade 9.

Do you provide lunch for the students?

No, we do not provide a school lunch. Students bring packed lunches every day.

Do you have a school bus?

Yes, we do. Students can be picked up from several locations, including Arakawaoki Station on the Joban Line, Higashi Odori (in Namiki near AIST and in Sengen near Blomster Anna and Chinrai), Nishi Odori (near Ninomiya House), and Kenkyu Gakuen Station and Banpaku Kinen Koen Station on the Tsukuba Express Line. Click here for details of our bus service.

Do you offer any after school programs for children in the community?

Our after-school program and enrichment programs are only for current, full-time students. Tsukuba International Camp is available during the summer for children in the community.

I am Japanese and I just returned from a stay overseas with my family. I would like my children to continue their education in English. Can TIS help?

At present, we only offer full-time enrollment, so we welcome any Japanese students whose parents want them to pursue an English-language education on a full-time basis.

Are there any other international schools in Tsukuba? in Japan?

TIS is the only international elementary and junior high school in Tsukuba that offers a curriculum designed and implemented by qualified teachers. You can find a list of international schools in Japan by searching the internet or purchasing the Guide to International Schools in Japan.

What are my child’s options after s/he graduates from TIS?

Many graduates from TIS have gone on to international junior high and high schools in Tokyo and then on to universities abroad. Other students have continued in Japanese schools after TIS, and still others have integrated back into schools in their home countries.

Why should I send my child to an international school?

For international families, one of the primary advantages of sending your child to an international school is the ability to communicate in English with the teachers and staff of the school. Also, our small class sizes and international curriculum offer an environment conducive to developing your child’s creativity and critical thinking skills. Finally, if you are planning to stay in Japan for a short time (one or two years or less), it may be difficult for your children to adjust to the Japanese school environment and keep up with their studies. In cases like this, where parents have concerns about their children keeping up with their cohorts back home, an international school like TIS can be a good option.