About TIS
Tsukuba International School ( つくば・インターナショナル・スクール) is an English-based elementary school in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. It was founded in 1992 in response to the need for an English-based educational opportunity for elementary-level students in the Tsukuba area. The primary objectives of TIS are: to provide an English-based education, to provide a well-planned curriculum of an international nature designed to encourage higher thinking and sequential learning, to provide a safe and caring atmosphere, and to instill within students a sense of responsibility as citizens of the world.
TIS is a non-profit, religiously-neutral organization. Our primary source of income is from student tuition and donations. We are governed by a board and we have a team of volunteers to help with activities such as art, music, Japanese language classes, field trips, etc. The school has been a member of the Japan Council of International Schools since 1998.
At the present time, TIS provides an education for students from grades one through six. Children must be six years old by December 31 of the current school year in order to enroll. The school year runs from the beginning of September until mid-June, for a total of 180 class days. In addition to winter break and spring break, TIS observes all Japanese national holidays. The school day starts at 8:45am and ends at 3:00pm, five days a week (Monday to Friday).
Please see our pamphlet for more information about the school’s latest developments.
Teachers
At TIS, all full-time teachers are native English speakers and are qualified to teach elementary school in their home countries. They also have teaching experience in elementary school settings and are comfortable working in an international environment. The curriculum at TIS has a distinct international flavor to it. We use textbooks from Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. In addition, special units devoted to Japanese history, social studies, etc. are presented during the year.
Curriculum
Our curriculum was developed with a multi-national student body in mind. Over the years, we have had students from the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States. In addition to core subjects, such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, our program is enhanced by local professionals who have expertise in fields such as art, music, Japanese language, physics, and engineering. Because of our location in Tsukuba Science City, TIS is able to provide students with unique learning opportunities. Our students have taken field trips to many of the national research laboratories located in Tsukuba (e.g. JAXA, NIAH, etc.), enjoyed digging up bamboo shoots and planting rice with the help of people in the school’s neighbourhood, and learned crafts such as pottery from professional craftspeople.
We hope this brief overview of TIS has been helpful to you. If you are interested in enrolling your child in TIS, working as a volunteer, or serving on a committee, or if you would like to receive any additional information, please contact the school. Thank you again for your interest in TIS.