IMPORTANT LINKS AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS

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Schooling

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If you are considering sending your children to one of the many excellent international schools dotted around Tokyo, it's important to understand the history, characteristics and style of international education and schooling. This way, you'll be better informed when it comes to making a decision.rnrnChristian Missionaries built the first international schools way back in the Meiji period. Some of these schools are still going today. The next wave of international schools began in earnest in the 1950s. One difference between the Meiji period-built schools and the '50s schools, is that English is the main language used in class in the latter schools.rnrnCurrently there are about 80 international schools in Japan that range from Pre-school (ages 18 months to 5 years old), Kindergarten (ages 5-6 years old), primary school, junior high school, high school and post secondary.rnrnMore than half of the international schools are Pre-schools or Pre-schools/Kindergartens and the majority of these are in the Kanto area.rnrnThe major international schools are generally divided into two categories: national schools such as the American School in Japan and the British School. These schools are certified by associations in their home countries and international schools such as St. Mary's in Tokyo that feature a more international approach that may have elements of American, Canadian, British and Australian education within the curriculum and approach to teaching.rnrnSome of the international schools are co-ed, such as the Tokyo International School, while others such as St. Mary's (boys) and Seisen (girls) focus on education for boys or education for girls.rnrnInternational schools established by missionaries, and where missionary children are taught, tend to have a strong religious focus.rnrnAlso, in most cases, international schools limit the percentage of Japanese students in order to try to maintain an "international" flavor.rnrnInternational Pre-schools continue to grow in number and popularity, to meet the increased demand that is coming from more foreigners living in Japan, increases in children from international marriages and Japanese families who want their children to go to international schools.

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