KIS Mission Statement
Kumamoto International School aims to teach students to become internationally minded, ethical global citizens who can think intelligently and open-mindedly about how to steward our planet to a better and more peaceful future for all people, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. At KIS, we believe that the best way to achieve this goal is by engaging in a sustained transdisciplinary program of inquiry, exposing students to a variety of perspectives and ways of thinking, while at the same time holding them to rigorous academic standards.
KIS in numbers KIS in numbers
300 students in preschool to Grade Ten.<br> Nineteen countries represented in our school community.<br> Sixty staff members across all divisions.
Message from the Principal Welcome
Welcome to Kumamoto International School!
2024 marks the twenty-second year of our journey providing high-quality English education in Kumamoto. Our preschool division, Picasso, opened twenty-one years ago with only fifteen students and three classrooms in a rental space in downtown Kumamoto. My own son was one of our first three graduates.
Over the past two decades, the world has shifted at a dizzying pace to be global, digital, and English-first. It has been estimated that sixty-five percent of current jobs will be lost to automation in the next few decades, and that fifty percent of today’s elementary-aged students will need to work in jobs that have not yet been created.
In the past, a college education was enough to ensure a good job throughout a person’s life. This is no longer the case. Increasingly, workers must be able to adapt to new technologies and conditions quickly, acquiring new skills throughout their working life as conditions warrant. Fluency in math and technology are essential for many high-paying jobs: As reported in a study by the Economist newspaper, as of 2015, 50% of the highest paying online job postings required coding skills. Such trends will only continue, and education must change to prepare students for these new realities. Traditional education is no longer enough. But why?
Over the past 100 years, the traditional educational approach has proven incredibly successful at efficiently teaching large numbers of students; but it does so by emphasizing three things:
- One-way instruction in which the teacher lectures and students take notes
- Teaching done by separate subject with an emphasis on the rote memorization of facts
- Emphasis on a single correct answer that students are expected to memorize and reproduce to demonstrate learning
Simply put, this type of education is no longer enough because the skills that the new 21st century workplace requires are not those that traditional education emphasizes and teaches. In the modern world, traditional education’s emphasis on the memorization and regurgitation of vast quantities of facts is misplaced. Indeed, going forward, such tasks will increasingly be left to AI.
Increasingly, in the modern world, the ability to adapt as conditions change and the ability to come up with solutions to novel challenges are the critical skills for success. In other words, critical thinking skills are essential.
But what does “thinking critically” mean, really? To put it simply, it means the ability to investigate and form answers to questions when there is no clear-cut right answer. It means the ability to adapt to situations as necessary without having to rely on others to provide the answers.
Our goal at KIS is to prepare our students to thrive in this new global world in which they must live and work. Our classes are built from the ground up to be engaging and fun. At KIS, we emphasize “do”, “experience”, and “understand”, not “sit and memorize.” We differentiate our curriculum and teach via active learning and theme-based transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning units to help empower students to develop agency and be active and eager participants in their own education.
Recently, a friend of mine expressed his excitement over what kind of adults our students would become. I share that profound sense of excitement and possibility. I, too, cannot wait to see where we end up on this incredible journey.
Principal Matthew Ohm
Why KIS? Teaching Students to Think
Kumamoto International School was established in 2003 with 15 students in our Picasso Preschool division. In 2018, we opened our primary school division, and in 2023, our junior high school. We currently have more than 195 students in grades 1 through 10 and will be opening grade 11 in 2025 and grade 12 in 2026.
At KIS, we aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the complex and diverse world of the 21st century. We emphasize not only academic growth but also the emotional and social development of our students.
Our goal at KIS is to nurture students so that they can thrive in this new global world.
As an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) school, our classes are designed to be spaces where students can actively participate and enjoy learning.
We emphasize hands-on learning experiences over simply sitting and memorizing. Our teachers focus on helping students develop self-management skills and logical thinking so that they can succeed in their future paths and become lifelong learners.
Furthermore, KIS offers a true bilingual education, ensuring that students can confidently communicate in more than one language. Our IB program is delivered in English, and we also provide rigorous instruction in Japanese language arts and Mandarin Chinese.
Critical Thinking - The Essential Skill In The 21st Century The Ability to Think – The Most Critical Skill in the 21st Century
Critical Thinking - The Essential Skill In The 21st Century
The World Has Changed
<span>The world has changed. The world has shifted at a dizzying pace to be global, digital, and English-first. It has been estimated that 50% of current jobs will be lost to automation in the next few decades, and that 65% of today’s elementary-aged students will need to work in jobs that have not yet been created.</span>
Just A College Education Is No Longer Enough
In the past, a college education was enough to ensure a good job throughout a person’s life. This is no longer the case. Increasingly, workers must be able to adapt to new technologies and conditions quickly, acquiring new skills throughout their working life as conditions warrant. Fluency in math and technology are essential for many high-paying jobs: As reported in a recent study by the Economist newspaper, as of 2015, 50% of the highest paying online job postings required coding skills. Such trends will only continue.
The Limitations Of Traditional Education In The 21st Century
In many cases, traditional education does not adequately prepare students to succeed in this new digital world. The traditional educational approach has proven incredibly successful at efficiently teaching large numbers of students; but it does so by emphasizing three things:
- One-way instruction in which the teacher lectures and students take notes
- Teaching done by separate subject with an emphasis on the rote memorization of facts
- Emphasis on a single correct answer that students are expected to memorize and reproduce to demonstrate learning.
The problem is that the skills that the new 21st century workplace requires are not the ability to memorize and regurgitate vast quantities of facts; increasingly, the ability to adapt and relearn as conditions change is the critical skill for success. In other words, critical thinking skills are essential.
What Are “Critical Thinking Skills”?
To put it simply, the ability to think critically means the ability to investigate and form answers to questions when there is no clear-cut right answer. It means the ability to adapt to situations as necessary without having to rely on others to provide the answers.
How We Teach Students Critical Thinking Skills At KIS How We Teach Students to Think
It takes years to develop the ability to think logically. At KIS, we use three methods to foster logical thinking: active learning, interdisciplinary learning, and inquiry-based learning. These methods help students think broadly and develop deep understanding. The effectiveness of active learning, inquiry-based learning, and interdisciplinary learning is supported by numerous educational studies.
Initiative ①
Active learning – Active Learning
Students sit at the center of an active learning pedagogical approach. Active learning involves two-way, active participation, with the teacher asking questions and eliciting responses from the students. Active learning can take many forms, but one of its main benefits is that students learn how to investigate answers to questions and generate conjectures and hypotheses on their own, without relying on the teacher. Instead of simply memorizing facts presented by the teacher, students come to understand the material by thinking deeply and logically, asking questions like "why?" and "how?"
Initiative ②
Transdisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Learning
In the PYP Primary School, the KIS Program of Inquiry is delivered through transdisciplinary units. Transdisciplinary Learning (TDL) is an approach where students engage in inquiry-based learning that spans multiple subjects. For example, when exploring the topic "How can we build a healthy body?", students naturally learn concepts from various subjects like science, social studies, and health and physical education. TDL in the PYP encourages students to think critically and solve real-life problems, helping them develop the ability to think across different subjects, just as they would need to in the workplace and everyday life.
In contrast, the MYP Middle School focuses on Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) , where students combine knowledge and skills from different subjects to tackle complex problems. For instance, they might use historical knowledge to discuss social issues while applying English presentation skills to integrate multiple subjects. In IDL, while students combine insights from different areas, discrete subject boundaries remain clear, and students study each subject under the guidance of specialist teachers. The goal of IDL in the MYP is for students to understand the relationships between different academic fields while also acquiring subject-specific knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Initiative ③
Inquiry Based Learning
Inquiry learningis an educational approach that encourages student-led inquiry and research. Rather than passively receiving knowledge, students are actively involved in the process of asking questions, conducting research and finding answers. This method promotes critical thinking, problem-solving skills and deeper understanding.
This process involves the following steps:
Question: Step ① In this lesson, the teacher poses questions to the students. These questions are intended to encourage students to investigate and think within the inquiry-based learning process, deepening their understanding of a certain subject area, and are aligned with the learning curriculum.
Researching: Step ② In the second stage, students use various methods (such as literature review, online research, and interviews) to find answers to questions posed by the teacher. Teachers actively engage in this research process, guiding students to investigate on their own and arrive at answers independently.
Presenting: Step ③ In the third stage, students individually or in small groups compile the information they have researched and present it to the class. The act of organizing and presenting their ideas requires students to genuinely understand the conclusions they have reached. This process of presentation also leads to a deeper, more lasting understanding, beyond just a temporary grasp of the material.
Reflection: Step ④ In the fourth stage, students review and reflect on what they have learned that day. By guiding this reflection process within class time, teachers help reinforce students' understanding and prepare them for the next stage of inquiry-based learning. This reflection stage is repeated until all the learning objectives for the lesson are fully achieved.
The goal of inquiry-based learning is to develop independent, lifelong learners and to improve critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. This method of learning emphasizes curiosity, self-directed learning and the ability to learn from experience.
This approach to education is central to instruction at KIS: as students grow and mature, they are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning and explore topics that are meaningful to them.
The Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning
- Students stop waiting for others to tell them the answer
- They will develop their own hypotheses and ask their own questions.
- They gain the ability to research and investiagte on their own
- They learn to analyze what they find
- They develop communication skills and learn to cooperate
- Reflect on what you have learned and gain a broader perspective on how it fits into your academic studies and how it relates to real life.
Class Structure Class Structure
Preschool Division
- In the preschool department, there is a capacity of thirty students per class.
- All classes are team-taught by native teachers and licensed preschool workers.
- When there are more than 30 children in a preschool class, we add additional teachers to ensure that all children can be properly looked after and taught.
Primary School, Junior High School & High School Divisions
- In our Primary School, Junior High School, High School Divisions, the maximum number of students is thirty-five per class for each grade.
- In the primary school, classes are assigned one to three teachers depending on the number of students. Regardless of the number of teachers assigned to a class at any one time, additional support teachers may be added as necessary to more effectively teach English reading and writing. This ensures that all students receive adequate support.
- In our Junior and Senior High School Divisions, all subject teachers are specialists qualified to teach their subject. We pride ourselves on rigorous recruitment standards.
- We hire staff in all grade levels who put the wellbeing of students first. After being hired, we provide training on student wellbeing to ensure that staff have the support they need.
The Three Pillars of International Baccalaureate Education 3 Pillars of an IB Education
Succeeding in a Complex World
To thrive in the modern multicultural, globalized world, students must be able to communicate and work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understand the perspectives shaped by different cultures. KIS helps students develop into culturally-aware young adults, capable of engaging effectively and respectfully with people from a wide range of countries and cultural backgrounds. This focus fosters open-mindedness and sensitivity to others, key skills for navigating today’s interconnected world.
The educated person in the 21st century
The IB Learner Profile represents ten attributes that we seek to promote and nurture in students as an IB school. The IB Learner Profile represents the educated person in the 10st Century.
The 10 Traits of the IB Learner Profile
- Inquirer
- Knowledgeable
- Thinker
- Communicator
- Principled
- Open-minded
- Caring
- Risk Taker
- Balanced
- Reflective
Learning how to learn
IB Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are a set of five study skills which focus on developing the fundamental skills needed for success in learning and life. These skills are essential to enable students to not only acquire knowledge, but also apply that knowledge in real-world situations and tackle complex challenges. The five ATLs are listed below. ATLs are rooted in the belief that learning how to learn sits at the center of a good education.
Study skills
- Thinking Skills
- Research Skills
- Social skills
- Communication Skills
- Self-management Skills
① Thinking skillsThinking skills refer to the ability to think deeply about things and to solve problems and make decisions. Thinking skills in an IB education are not just about memorizing knowledge, but they emphasize developing the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply the information obtained creatively and logically.
② Research Skillsteach students how to effectively gather, organize, and apply information to their own learning, enabling them to find the knowledge and information they need to solve problems and deepen their knowledge.
③ Social Skillsare the ability to work with others and demonstrate teamwork while working on projects, respecting different opinions and approaches, and developing the ability to work with others to achieve goals.
④ Communication Skillsdevelop students' ability to exchange ideas effectively with others and express their own ideas clearly. This includes not only oral and written expression, but also the ability to communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
⑤ Self-management Skillsempower students to manage their own time and resources, set learning goals and develop plans to achieve them. These skills strengthen student agency, enabling them to adapt to future challenges.
International Baccalaureate education at our school Our Divisions
Primary School Division
Grades 1 to 6
Primary Education Program
Primary Years Programme (PYP)
KIS' Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for students from grades 1 to 6. We focus on inquiry-based learning, integrating a wide range of subjects, encouraging students' curiosity and fostering a global perspective.
Junior High School Division
Grades 7 to 10
Secondary Education Program
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) at KIS caters to students from grades 7 to 10 and aims to strengthen listening, collaboration and presentation skills, as well as promote interdisciplinary learning that integrates knowledge from different subjects. KIS is currently a candidate school for the MYP.
High School Division
Grades 11 to 12
Diploma program
Diploma Programme (DP)
The KIS Diploma Programme (DP) is an internationally recognised programme for students in grades 11 and 12 that offers an academically rigorous curriculum and prepares students for university and careers. KIS is now offering Grade 11.
School Life KIS School Life
At KIS, we strive to create a warm and inclusive environment where all members are supported and valued. Student life at KIS is vibrant and focused on building connections and fostering friendships whilst celebrating diversity. To ensure all students, staff and parents feel included, we actively support, celebrate diversity and promote an inclusive culture that fosters collaboration, respect and growth.
The KIS Student Council serves as a bridge between students and the school administration. Student Council members are responsible for helping to organize and run school events, representing students in discussions with administration, and promoting a positive, supportive, and welcoming school environment. The Student Council provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, assume responsibility, and support their peers, supports new students, and promotes a respectful school culture. Through these activities, the Student Council contributes to making all members of KIS feel welcome and supported.
Students in Grades 5 and above can participate in club activities.
Science Club Science Club
In the Science Club, students learn more about the world of science through experiments and explorations. As they come into contact with the wonders of nature and scientific phenomena, they develop an interest in science.
Art Club
In the Art Club, children can develop their creativity through painting, sculpting and handicrafts, allowing them to freely express themselves and create their own unique works of art.
Music Club
In the music club, you can learn how to play instruments, sing, and study music theory. You can enjoy a wide range of musical activities, from the basics to ensembles.
Debate Club
In the Debate Club, students hone their logical thinking and persuasive expression skills. They learn techniques to persuade others through dialogue and discussion.
Math Club
In Math Club, students improve their mathematical problem-solving skills, develop logical thinking skills, and deepen their interest in mathematics through puzzles and math competitions.
Volleyball Club
At the volleyball club, you will learn everything from the basics to the more advanced aspects of volleyball while honing your teamwork and skills. Through practice and matches, you will improve your physical strength and teamwork.
Basketball Club
At the basketball club, you will learn not only individual skills but also the importance of teamwork. Along with strategic play, you will also train your stamina and explosiveness.
Classes for all students
Robotics Class
Fun Robotics Class: A fun class where students learn to build and program robots, developing creativity, logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
abacus
Abacus Class: A class teaching traditional Japanese abacus techniques. Improve mental arithmetic, concentration and numerical understanding.
Penmanship
Calligraphy Classes: Traditional Japanese calligraphy classes where you will practice writing kanji and hiragana with a brush, helping to improve language comprehension and fine motor skills.
Eiken Class
Eiken Classes: Eiken exam preparation classes for levels 5 to 2. Improve your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
English Conversation Classes
Conversational English Classes: Classes designed to help students improve their English conversation skills, with emphasis on fluency, pronunciation and practical communication.
Japanese
Japanese Classes: Designed for non-native speakers who wish to practice outside of the regular KIS curriculum, focusing on speaking, reading, writing and comprehension skills.
Classes for students in grades 5 and above
English Support Classes
Our English Support classes are for Middle MYP students who need support in English to succeed academically by strengthening their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and helping them to participate confidently in class.
Computer Science Classes (Beginning / Advanced)
Computer Science classes are offered at beginner and advanced levels for students in grades 5 and up. At the beginner level, students learn the foundational coding, programming, and problem-solving skills of computer science. At the advanced level, students tackle more advanced programming concepts, algorithms, and real-world applications. This course develops logical thinking and technical skills to help prepare students for success in a tech-driven future.
- Entrance ceremony
- Familiarization Excursion
- Sports day
- Field trip (by school bus)
- Chess Competition
- Spelling Bee
- Parent Participation Days
- School Trip
- Farewell excursion
- Graduation ceremony
In elementary, middle and high school, students can choose to bring their own lunch or order school meals.
Here is a sample school lunch menu:
January 1th (Monday) Coming of Age Day
September 1 (Tue.)
Rice, corn soup, mapo eggplant, fried dumplings, Chikuzenni, potato salad, fruit
September 1 (Wed.)
Rice, Chinese soup, cod in sesame batter, deep-fried tofu with miso paste, simmered hijiki seaweed, aurora salad, jelly
September 1 (Thu.)
Rice, consommé soup, sukiyaki-style stew, beef croquette, scrambled eggs, bean sprout salad, fruit
September 1 (Fri.)
Rice, tofu miso soup, salmon and potatoes with salted butter, chicken simmered in consommé, okra with sesame dressing, vegetable salad and fruit
School Bus School Bus
Instagram KIS Instagram Feed
Campus information KIS Campuses
KIS has two campuses:
Toshima Nishi Campus- Primary Junior High and High School Divisions
Nishibaru CampusPreschool Division
Map to Toshima Nishi Campus
Toshima Nishi Campus
861-8043 4-2-61 Toshimanishi, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
FAX 096-285-3938
Map to Nishibaru Campus
Nishibaru Campus
861-8029 1-22-24 Nishibaru, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
FAX 096-285-7663
