Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School is a non-profit, religiously-neutral organization committed to providing a high-quality, challenging international education. It emphasizes the development of the whole student, valuing diversity, equality, and opportunity within a compassionate learning community. The school's mission and daily interactions are guided by the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, encouraging students to think independently and interact positively with nature and their community.

The school offers a full continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). The curriculum is taught in English, with additional specialist instruction in art, music, physical education, design, and Japanese language (both language acquisition and language and literature). The DP is a two-year programme for students in Grades 11 and 12.

Graduates of the school pursue diverse paths and have successfully gained entrance to colleges and universities around the globe. The school is an IB World School, and its curriculum is designed to prepare students for higher education by fostering critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and global responsibility.

The school employs specialist teachers to support student learning, including dedicated staff for learning support. These professionals assist students with various needs, including speech, language, and communication difficulties, as well as other learning requirements, to ensure an inclusive environment.

The school is currently accepting applications for pre-kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 11. Prospective families are required to confirm eligibility, check for waiting pools, express interest via an online form, and attend a school information session before submitting an application. The admissions office is closed during July and August.

The school year runs from late August to late June, with classes held Monday through Friday. The school day begins at 8:30 am for primary students and 8:15 am for secondary students, with dismissal times varying by programme. There are no classes on weekends or public holidays.

The campus is located in a forested area and features unique log-house buildings, including the West Building (Finnish pine), the East Building (Japanese cedar and cypress), and the Musis Cottage for music. Outdoor facilities include two full-size basketball courts. The school provides a library with approximately 10,000 volumes, classroom computers, and campus-wide Wi-Fi, with a Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) requirement for students in Grade 4 and above.

The school offers various enrichment programmes and after-school care. Students engage in independent learning projects, research, and activities that leverage the school's library and digital resources. The school also facilitates regular field trips to local research institutes in Tsukuba to provide students with direct exposure to scientific work.