AStudents will cultivate the habit of managing their learning and be able to have confidence in daily activities, which is required for going on to further education and building their career after getting a job.

AAfter the COVID-19 crisis, it has been around 1.2-1.3.

AFive in the new K1 class, 18-20 in the new G1 class, and 5-10 in the new G7 and G10 classes respectively. Please check our website for more information.

AAbout 5-10 students, although it depends on the academic year.

AWe will put emphasis on the applicants’ understanding of our school (philosophy and purpose), whether or not they are determined to take on the challenge to overcome in aiming to grow themselves, and the evaluations made by the teachers at the applicants’ schools to see if they have the habit of being able to learn independently.

ARegarding the applications during the primary selection period (July 1-31), selection interviews will be held from July 1 to August 10, and parents will be notified of the results all at once on August 20 (by e-mail). Regarding the applications during the secondary selection period (October 1-31), selection interviews will be held from October 1 to November 10, and parents will be notified of the results all at once on November 20 (by e-mail). Regarding the additional selection (January 1-31), selection interviews will be held by February 10, and parents will be notified of the results all at once on February 20 (by e-mail).

AYes, the school will offer options for three to five days within the period of time of two to four hours, and applicants can choose up to the third choice. We usually make arrangements during afternoon hours (1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.) on weekdays.

AYou will write it in either Japanese or English. They will choose one from three themes on the day of selection.

AIn an interview, we ask about an applicant’s thoughts on the report card and content written in the essay. We also ask the applicant to introduce what kind of things they are interested in and what actions they take on a regular basis. Pass or fail will not be determined based only on the quality of the essay.

ARegarding admissions of the new first year in the kindergarten, elementary, junior and senior programs, we do not impose requirements for English on the students and their parents.

AWe ask parents to send their children to our elementary program. Our kindergarten program has only one small class with multi-age students of which the capacity is up to around 15. We give priority to the siblings of the students who are currently attending our elementary school course; however, we accept students each school term if there is a vacancy in the class.

AFor admissions to the new G1 class (first year students), we will confirm their parents’ understanding of our school and the future of their children in the selection interviews. In addition, we will observe their children’s behavior.

AIt refers to the report card that schools regularly share with the students or a report that includes the three to ten grade evaluations as well as the evaluation and comments by the teacher in charge. If there is no such report in applying for the new G1 class, the report is not required. The report needs to be written in Japanese or English.

AAbout 30 minutes.

AA notification of the passing status will be sent on the 20th day of the month following the application period by e-mail. Even if a student passed the selection process, if there is no vacancy, he/she will be on the waiting list; therefore, parents will be notified of a conditional offer. The student will be registered on the waiting list upon the payment of the (non-refundable) enrollment fee in the tuition invoice. The order of waiting will be confirmed at this time, and parents will be notified of the order whenever there is any change. When there is vacancy, a notification to indicate that effect and confirm the intent of enrollment at that time will be sent. In the case of enrollment, the student’s parents will pay tuition other than the enrollment fee, and the intent of enrollment will be confirmed upon the payment. If the payment has not been made by the deadline, the student is deemed to have no intention to enroll in the school and another student will be informed of the vacancy in the order of waiting. Even if a student who was on the waiting list decides to not enroll in the school and even if a student cannot be enrolled in the school because there is no vacancy, the enrollment fee will not be refunded.

A空きがある場合に学期ごとに随時受け入れ可能です。編入学年によっては、高度な英語力が必要です。

A留学生の受け入れも可能です。単身での留学生は高等課程（１０年生～１２年生）へのお受け入れとなり、当校管理の学生寮に入寮いただきます。在留資格取得に向けてのサポートも提供しています。様々な国の留学生をバランスよく受け入れることで、当校の多様性にも配慮しています。親・保護者のもとから通学する留学生の場合は、国籍にかかわらず一般生として出願いただきます。

AProspective students for new admission (new K1, new G1, new G7, and new G10) will be asked to participate in the Open Class, instead of individual school tours. Also, in the case of a student who wishes to transfer to our school within the academic year or in the next academic year and if there is a vacancy in the relevant grade class, arrangements for the student will be prioritized. Regarding the applicant who wishes to be enrolled in our school in two or more years, an individual school tour will be arranged in January or February if there is vacancy.

ABecause of the characteristics of Columbia, which is an international school for local students, our school actively accepts Japanese returnees having a significant international experience. We accept students in grade classes that have vacancy in each school term.

CIS does not offer special support or care to the returnees; however, if they were enrolled in international schools or local schools in Western countries while living abroad, they will be able to smoothly get used to studying at our school. Students seem to feel that the environment other than classes is Japanese, but we would like those returnees to be active as role models for the students who have experience of living abroad.

AEnrollment per school term may be approved in the case of the grade class that has a vacancy. Even if the period of stay is shorter than one school term, registration is for each school term, and no adjustment will be made for tuition.

AMake an application at the time of applying for enrollment in or transfer to the junior high school or high school course (students in G7-12), and our school will select one or two students annually. Since our school is a school for local students and has the Japanese-like environment, the purpose of the SDS is to support the activities in our school by international students who do not have a Japanese background and Japanese students who had lived abroad in order to make our school environment international even if only slightly. The amount equivalent to 10% to 30% of tuition among school expenses will be awarded as the SDS.

AIn the selection of students for participation in summer school for entrance into the regular school, we refer to the evaluations made by the teachers and staff, part-time staff, and volunteers who taught in summer school. However, just because a student did not participate in summer school does not mean that he/she will be at a disadvantage for enrollment in the regular school, and vice versa.

AIn the selection of students for participation in Saturday school for entrance into the regular school, we refer to the evaluations made by the teachers and staff, part-time staff, and volunteers who taught in Saturday school. However, just because a student did not participate in Saturday school does not mean that he/she will be at a disadvantage for enrollment in the regular school, and vice versa.

AOur alumni who had taken on a challenge are the evidence. Since our students keep making efforts to the extent possible after enrolling in our school, they will be able to steadily develop their English skills to that extent. In the case of conversations only, students will be able to basically understand what is going on in class in about six months. After that, while steadily engaging in repetitive basic training (vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing), our students keep in mind the checkpoints required in the preview and review of classes, group activities, presentations, and other activities and are being evaluated. Academic ability is not the amount of knowledge nor test skills but is the idea or habit that each student can manage their own learning and continue doing so, just like ascetic training over a long time. Since there is no Japanese-like entrance exam, time and effort to be spent for cramming difficult content for the entrance exam can be spent on ascetic training for their basic English skills and classes, which will be evaluated. This is not the comparison with the academic ability on the premise of the preparations for the entrance exam in Japan. Our students will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria in Canada (Ontario). If a student cannot meet the criteria, he/she will not be able to pass the course. The end of the school term where students met the criteria and conditions is graduation, and the number of years is not considered for graduation.

AAll the classes including math but excluding kokugo (national language), which follows the government guidelines for education by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan, are in accordance with the curriculums by the Ministry of Education in Canada (Ontario). From a larger perspective, there is not so large a difference, but there are many small differences, such as the differences in the order of learning, the way of teaching, the way of learning, and how students are evaluated.

ABe sure to communicate with the teachers in charge of such subjects. Support for understanding the knowledge of the subjects and test-taking skills by cram schools in Japan will be helpful.

AAbout 15 minutes per day in the kindergarten course. Students in G1-2 use PCs for about 15-30 minutes. Students in G3-6 use PCs for 30-60 minutes. Students in G7-12 are assumed to use PCs in all classes.

AOur school has the actual results of our students going to Japanese junior high schools and high schools every year.

Columbia does not teach Japanese curriculums and cannot teach to the Japanese junior high school and high school entrance exams (university entrance exams); therefore, students who wish to take exams for Japanese schools study independently to pass the exams, such as going to cram schools.
It depends on the academic year, but at the time of becoming G7 and G10 students, 20% to 30% of the students will be enrolled in Japanese schools by taking junior high school or high school entrance exams. Regarding the students in G9-12, 1-3 of them will study abroad at the timing of the summer break.
No. If there is no serious concern in the academic, personal, and social aspects, we assume that all students will move up a grade every April until G10 (first year in high school).

AStudents learn in classes every day that school grades are the most important in going to university. In addition, students in G9-12 will have an individual interview once per school term during their HR (homeroom) activities, and the requirements for graduation and the students’ future courses after graduation will be confirmed. Furthermore, students in G11 and G12 will be able to participate in the explanatory meeting by the persons in charge of admissions at each university, and the school promotes the concept that students and their parents can actively use the opportunities to be able to directly have consultations with the persons in charge of admissions at Canadian universities during the Study in Canada Fair.

AOur students go to Japanese universities every year. However, our school is not a school for students whose goal is to go to Japanese universities.

Regarding the qualifications of candidacy for an exam, whether or not Japanese universities certify that the students who are enrolled in international schools in Japan, including our school, have the qualifications of candidacy for an exam is dependent on the department and admissions office at each university.

AIt does not matter. However, they are required to be able to communicate with our school either in Japanese or English.

AEach teacher’s (subject) tools (such as blogs etc.), e-mail, video chats, face-to-face interviews, etc.

AIf questions and/or confirmations are short and concise, it is often the case where students and their parents can communicate with their teachers through their blogs or e-mails before and after school at the teachers’ discretion. If they wish to have more detailed conversations, they adjust the schedule for an interview (including online) through blogs or e-mails and have an interview at the necessary times.

AColumbia has the parent-teacher meeting called the PTSA, and only the payment of the annual membership fee is compulsory (per household, instead of per student). The PTSA is completely on a voluntary basis where parents participate in any activity whenever they can participate. Parents who can provide support for the school will do so to the extent possible, so that they can provide opportunities for special learning that cannot be provided in daily activities that the school conducts for their children (students).

AIt will be about 30 minutes in the case of homework for the kindergarten course and the lower grades in the elementary school course. For students in middle grades in the elementary school course, junior high school course, and high school course, they are basically assumed to do their homework by themselves.

AOur school provides opportunities for classroom observation and parent-teacher conferences once every school term. Teachers may ask parents to have such conferences, but participation in the classroom observation is basically optional. If parents cannot come to the school on the day of the classroom observation or parent-teacher conferences specified by the school, the preferred day and time for classroom observation or parent-teacher conference can be individually arranged.

Since there are no parents who reluctantly participate in activities, parents who participate in activities enjoy these activities greatly. Parents voluntarily conduct activities for something extra to make students’ school life more enjoyable that the school has not been able to do so, such as parents who can spare time (effort) will do so, who can provide finances will do so, and who can provide connections will do so.

AIn the kindergarten and elementary school courses, our school/teachers can communicate with the students and their parents through the teachers’ (each class) blogs. Since Japanese language teachers and assistants to the teachers help communicating with parents in Japanese and English, it is okay even if parents cannot speak English. Some students use the traditional communication notebook. Regarding the junior high school and high school courses, almost all of the students have direct communication with their teachers, and if their parents would like to have better communication between students and teachers, the secretariat will provide support.

AAbout 22-23 students per class

ASince kindergarten and elementary school students spend most of the time with their teachers, they have opportunities to have conversations in English at any time during the school activities from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students in the junior high school and high school courses make their own decisions to have conversations in English.

ABy 9:00 a.m. in all courses of kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, and high school.

AYes, we prioritize the use by the younger students in the kindergarten and elementary school courses.

AFor elementary school students (G3-6), after-school clubs by our teachers are, in principle, free of charge. If there is an activity outside the school, they will incur the actual costs, such as the transportation cost. For junior high school and high school students (G7-12), they will incur the actual costs, such as the transportation cost, the fee to participate in a competition, and any other costs. Regarding the sports team activities for which participation is optional, there may be club dues of 3,000-5,000 yen per school term (for consumable items etc.) to be charged by the club. Clubs and lessons by the external professional instructors will be based on the fees.

AStudents in the kindergarten and elementary school courses mostly stay with their teachers and/or assistants in and out of a classroom. In principle, students in the junior high school and high school courses spend the break time freely.

ANo. Our school supports the activities by an NPO called TELL Japan, and our teachers, staff members, students, and their parents can have consultations with the dedicated staff members of TELL in Japanese and English at any time by phone, e-mail, etc.

AThere are not that many students but there are some students every year.

AGirls have been able to choose to wear trousers since CIS introduced the school uniforms.

AAll the students are supposed to wear the school uniforms and come to and leave school, except on the day of a school event, but teachers often ask students in K-G3 to wear sportswear during the day.

AAlthough it depends on the academic year, there have been more boys in recent years.

AThe dormitory is a facility for international students enrolled in our school with the residence status of student, but if there is vacancy, a student other than the student enrolled in our school with the residence status of student can stay. However, only the students in G10-12 can stay. Students in K-G9 cannot use the dormitory.

AStudents in K-G6 are based on the selective system and students in G7-12 are compulsory. If a student has medical or religious reasons, he/she can bring lunch from home after paying the lunch fee.

AWe are not a so-called article 1 school. We believe that it is solely at the parents’ discretion to decide on enrollment in another school. Please follow the advice of your local municipality.

AIn the elementary school course, students in G3-6 can participate in the after-school activity (one hour), which changes on a daily basis, by the homeroom teacher.

In the junior high school and high school courses, classes will be shortened every Wednesday and an hour and a half after lunch will be spent for activities (club activities). There are various activities, such as sports, art, drama, yearbook, and music. Apart from these activities, there are after-school sports team activities for junior high school and high school students for which participation is optional. They play futsal in the spring school terms, volleyball in the fall school term, and basketball in the winter school term, and they play against other international schools.

The school trip (guidance overseas trip) has been suspended since the COVID-19 crisis.