Willowbrook International School

Willowbrook is founded on the belief that the school's mission is to plant the seeds of wisdom, confidence, creativity, and compassion in every child. The educational approach is rooted in the research of Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, and Howard Gardner, emphasizing play, inquiry, and the development of responsible global citizens. The school operates under five value pillars that promote respect for self, community, and the environment.

The school implements the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) through an inquiry-based curriculum that explores six transdisciplinary themes, such as 'Who we are' and 'How the world works.' The Regular Program (English) serves children aged 15 months to 5 years, while the Dual Immersion Program (English/Japanese) serves children aged 2 to 5 years. Additional offerings include creative arts, after-school enrichment, and seasonal holiday and summer camps.

The school employs a diverse, internationally credentialed teaching staff, including lead teachers, assistants, and aides, to maintain appropriate teacher-to-student ratios. Educators utilize a variety of assessment methods, including observation, documentation, portfolios, and progress reports, to support each child's individual social, emotional, and academic development.

Willowbrook maintains an ongoing admissions process, accepting applications throughout the school year on a first-come, first-served basis. The process involves exploring the website, scheduling a tour, submitting an application with a fee, attending a parent interview with the director, and confirming placement via an enrollment fee. While the school welcomes all children regardless of ability, it seeks to balance classrooms based on language, age, and gender.

The school operates throughout the year, with admissions applications accepted on an ongoing basis. The academic reporting cycle includes student-led conferences in October/November, parent/teacher conferences in November and May, written progress reports in November and May, and student-led unit of inquiry celebrations between January and May.

Located in Moto-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, the school provides a dedicated early childhood environment. The campus features classrooms designed for inquiry-based learning, spaces for creative arts, and facilities to support both regular and dual-immersion programs.