Location – 153 Matsugo Tokorozawa Saitama, Japan 359-0027
Website – https://columbia-ca.co.jp/en/
Contact – 04-2946-1911
Columbia International School uses the curriculum of the Province of Ontario, Canada, one of the most advanced and respected educational systems in the world. In technology- and resource-rich classrooms, dynamic and highly qualified teachers support and challenge students to understand the changing world around them.
With an emphasis on academic progress, personal development, and global citizenship, the school aims to provide students with a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment where each individual feels valued and respected.
Innovative Teaching and Student Engagement
Columbia International School follows the Ontario curriculum, which encourages students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and engage with the world around them. Teachers support and challenge learners through classroom activities designed to encourage participation, understanding, and continued development.
The curriculum is structured around developing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Each learning activity has specific learning goals and success criteria to explain and assess learning. Descriptive feedback helps students understand their progress, while peer and self-assessment encourage them to reflect on their work and identify areas for improvement.
Through this approach, students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning and develop a clearer understanding of their strengths and next steps.
A Safe, Inclusive, and Culturally Diverse Community
Columbia International School offers students a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment. Small classes help ensure that each student feels valued and respected, while teachers incorporate a whole-child approach that recognises the importance of social and emotional development and a sense of belonging alongside academic progress.
Students have opportunities to become involved in many aspects of school life, including social and cultural events, community events, and extracurricular activities. These experiences help them develop skills as responsible global citizens and leaders within the school and its extended community.
By creating opportunities for students to participate, connect, and learn from different experiences, the school supports their development both inside and outside the classroom.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Columbia International School offers students a wide range of activities that extend learning beyond regular lessons. These include field trips and museum visits, ski trips, hiking, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, Japanese traditional performing arts, and robotics.
The school is also part of an international school sports league, giving students opportunities to participate in sports alongside learners from other schools.
Community service is another important part of the educational experience. Through the school’s community service programme, each student is required to complete 40 hours of volunteer work in the community. Activities include working with Diversity Park on special-needs activities, Habitat for Humanity, and the World Arts programme.
These experiences allow students to engage with their communities, explore new interests, and develop an understanding of their responsibilities towards others.
Communication and Individual Student Support
Columbia International School maintains an open-door policy throughout the school, from the principal to part-time staff. Students and parents are connected through the Google Classroom platform, which allows them to follow classroom activities and contact teachers or school staff.
The Teacher Advisor System provides additional support to students and parents by monitoring academic and social development. Advisors meet with students regularly to review their programme development, identify goals, and determine the support needed for further academic and social growth. The advisor acts as a support person, coordinator, and point of contact throughout the year.
The school also recognises that students have different learning needs and backgrounds. All teachers participate in continuous learning through Columbia International School’s professional learning circles. Many teachers and teaching assistants are licensed English as a Second Language (ESL) specialists and certified special-needs teachers.
The school’s wireless, one-to-one laptop environment allows teachers and students to access current information and learning strategies, including the use of AI to tailor learning activities to individual student needs.
The goal is to create a fun, challenging, and supportive lifelong learning environment in which students appreciate different cultures and perspectives, develop strong communication skills and an excellent command of English, and gain the knowledge and skills needed to become successful global citizens in the 21st century.
Prioritising Student Well-Being
Student well-being is supported through the Teacher Advisor and homeroom programmes, which help monitor and address individual needs.
The school has a full-time certified nurse and also works with an NGO that provides professional counselling. Students, parents, teachers, and other staff members can contact the NGO confidentially in either Japanese or English.
By making these support services available to the wider school community, Columbia International School recognises that well-being is an important part of a positive learning environment.
Integrating Technology into Learning
Columbia International School has been a wireless Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school since 2000. Technology is therefore a natural part of academic, personal, and social life at the school.
Each class has its own Google Classroom platform, providing 24/7 access to the curriculum and learning activities. Online platforms such as IXL, Khan Academy, Magic School, and Teachy are regularly used to support learning.
The school is also incorporating AI to enhance the learning environment for all students. This focus on technology supports the school’s aim of helping learners engage with changing educational resources and develop skills relevant to the modern world.
Maintaining Academic Excellence Through Continuous Improvement
Columbia International School supports academic rigour and high standards through its school effectiveness and improvement frameworks, regular Canadian and WASC certification processes, and the support of its parent organisation.
Continuous professional learning is central to this work. All teachers participate in the school’s professional learning circles, while staff development opportunities are offered through Ontario, the East Asian Council of International Schools (EARCOS), and the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS).
These opportunities support ongoing school improvement and help teachers continue developing their professional practice.
By combining established curriculum frameworks, professional development, and a supportive school community, Columbia International School remains focused on maintaining high standards while meeting students’ learning needs.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Global Connections
Looking to the future, Columbia International School hopes to broaden its Global Ambassador Programme with its sister schools. The school has already visited and shared experiences with schools in Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, and plans to extend these connections to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Canada.
The school also plans to incorporate AI further to enhance the learning environment for all students.
Through these initiatives, Columbia International School aims to strengthen international connections and continue developing an educational environment that prepares students to learn, collaborate, and contribute in an increasingly interconnected world.