For instance, when it comes to carbon, students have the opportunity to learn about where it can be found in nature, conduct scientific experiments, physically interact with it, and engage in various activities related to becoming more aware of carbon. As part of this year’s learning experience, we plan to construct a compost system within the school to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions resulting from food waste created by school lunch leftovers. This compost system will both retain and add valuable nutrients to our no-dig garden. Through hands-on involvement in creating compost and understanding its biology, students will learn about this cycle. This activity is carried out in collaboration with the elementary school.

To gain practical experience with permaculture and introduce it at the Gojo Campus, we engaged in a residential learning experience at PAWA Permaculture School in Chiba in July 2023. We experienced a variety of earth-friendly systems, i.e. compost to provide hot water for showering and bathing, no-dig food beds, a food forest and passive building heating, while also learning practical skills such as making rocket stoves, wattle and daub building and pizza making.

In Genius Time, students take the lead in selecting and working on projects in areas of their interest. For this academic year, for instance, one student is working on Tree Guilding. Tree Guilding is a planting technique used in forestry where different plant species are co-cultivated and thus support each other in a variety of beneficial ways, i.e. pest control, soil amending, attracting pollinators and retaining water. Additionally, other activities that students are engaged in during the Development Time this year include:

・Furniture Making
・Video Game Designing
・School Planting Program
In 2024, such activities in English will make up 30% of the middle school activities.

The remaining 70% of our program primarily focuses on academic learning, incorporating the Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE curriculum, Eiken and the Japanese middle school curriculum. During this time, both English and Japanese are given dedicated hours.

We recognize that students have the option to attend either public schools or “English-focused” schools, whether in Japan or abroad. Our goal is to support students in achieving their current and future aspirations, ensuring that they excel in both Japanese and English tests. Unless there are special circumstances, we encourage students to keep local high school entrance exams in mind. Regular classes are conducted, and homework assignments are given to prepare students for these exams.

English instruction is primarily based on the Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE textbooks. In subjects like mathematics and science, where there is substantial overlap with the curriculum requirements, the content is adjusted to allow students to learn concurrently in both languages.

While students may learn individual topics, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on reaching the fourth level of Solo Taxonomy, which is “Relational.” This means that students are expected to understand how what they’ve learned relates to and becomes relevant to various aspects of society, the natural environment, media, and more. Furthermore, the assessment evaluates to what extent students are capable of understanding and taking action at the fifth level, “Extended abstract.” The assessment also explores the significance of the learning experience for each student, how the fundamental objectives of learning have been achieved or not, and what it means to them personally.

Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE encompass content that is not part of the standard Japanese curriculum. This additional content is primarily covered during dedicated English-only study hours. If students become particularly interested in certain topics, they can further explore them individually in the library, through self-study, or at home, even in Japanese.

As part of the Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE programs, mock exams are planned to help students prepare for their assessments. These mock exams provide a valuable opportunity for students to practice and gain experience in the examination process.

During the Japanese classes, students have regular tests for each unit. Over the course of three years, students gradually build the foundational skills needed for the local high school entrance exams they’ll take. At ISN’s MS, we work to build students’ confidence in their abilities at their own pace.

For parents, showing interest in and willingness to support their children’s learning at home, and actually providing that support, can have a positive impact. Especially when students are setting their own goals (such as future dreams, desired schools, target scores, and desired skills), creating a schedule (self-management skills – what needs to be done by when, in what order, etc.), and establishing a routine, parental support is very meaningful until the students develop a self-sustaining learning cycle. Here, support means doing it “together.” In the beginning, it’s not just about giving guidance but also sitting down together, creating a focused and relaxed atmosphere, and having time to talk. It’s important for parents to set aside time to engage with their children, where they can give their full attention without any distractions from work or other obligations. If it’s not possible to do this every day, then aim for at least once a week to spend quality time together and have meaningful conversations. Balancing rest and physical activity is also essential!

ISN’s middle school students receive highly customized support from their first year. Rather than immediately writing essays, we start by helping students organize their thoughts and practice essay writing when their ideas are clear.

Music

This year’s middle school music program focuses on the idea that each student learns their role thoroughly, takes responsibility for playing their instrument, and creates beautiful harmony by resonating with others. The activities emphasize learning to listen to the surrounding sounds, harmonizing different tones, and working together towards a common purpose, much like a team within an organization. The goal is to foster teamwork, individual critical thinking, effort, active social interaction, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Students are also encouraged to choose the pieces of music they want to perform, even if they are challenging, and to use their personalities and individuality to contribute to the group’s overall performance. In this way, they take ownership of the process while the instructor provides support.

Regarding guitar instruction, the focus is primarily on teaching chords using chord charts. The foundational skills are taught during music class, and then chord charts are provided for self-practice either at home or at school.

During music class, students are guided on the aspects they may have difficulties with their respective instruments and the rest of the learning is done by practicing individually at school or home. In particular, piano and keyboard instruction involves challenging elements and is conducted by students with experience. Drumming not only involves reading sheet music but also encourages creative thinking and expression, making it suitable for students with strong critical thinking skills (drumming is taught in all elementary grades as well). For xylophones and metallophones, students who can adapt and coordinate well with others tend to perform more smoothly.

Each student selects their instrument based on what they want to play, and the choices are made based on their individual preferences. This naturally led to a format that suited each instructor’s expertise. Ensemble music, especially playing together in a group, is focused on individual understanding of their chosen instruments, personal practice efforts, and how to collaborate with their classmates. The aim is to achieve both personal growth and harmony within the class. The quality of the “beautiful harmony” they create and how well they harmonize with each other demonstrate the students’ progress.

While there are fewer students compared to the elementary school, each student’s role is more significant, which is why a band format was adopted in the music class for MS program.

For the 3rd-year middle school students, discussions about their future educational paths started around June. While considering overseas schools as an option, the approach has been to allow students to conduct their research at their own pace into places they genuinely want to go. Upon sharing the information they gathered, it was surprising to discover that boarding school costs range from a minimum of 5 million yen to 9 million yen. Further research revealed that in native English-speaking countries, such expenses are standard.

A coincidental find was a state-run boarding school, which became the top choice considering the budget. In Japan, there are about four international schools offering boarding school programs, with costs averaging around 6 million yen. For boarding schools abroad, it’s usually required that parents accompany the student or, if not, additional expenses may include contracting guardian services (representing parents in their absence). These costs, in addition to tuition and boarding fees, can add up significantly.

In a world where a large population can communicate in English, regardless of one’s chosen profession or dream, a valuable skill to differentiate oneself is the ability to use highly specialized English. The ability to delve into backgrounds and related phenomena in fields such as psychology, political science, and design, and learn, experience, and express these concepts in a native-level English environment, sets individuals apart from those who can merely speak English. It makes them not only unique within Japan but also internationally. With this goal in mind, experiencing the influence of native English is a significant attraction for the specific student, more so than attending an international school where students from various countries gather. This is to refine the student’s skills and abilities, as well as to support other capabilities and skills during their high school journey.

On the other hand, for quite some time, the decision was made to take the local public high school entrance exams, as a “test of one’s abilities and knowledge.” The knowledge and understanding of subjects like mathematics and science in Japanese that the students acquire to achieve what they want is never a disadvantage. Instead, learning to comprehend them in two languages often provides various advantages. Furthermore, taking the high school entrance exams can be a one-of-a-kind experience. It is an opportunity to say, “I worked hard and did my best,” and later, when choosing a different path, to avoid potential regret about not attempting the high school entrance exams in Japan. It’s an experience that shouldn’t go to waste.

The teacher responsible for the curriculum guidelines at ISN Middle School also enjoys tutoring students in high school entrance exam subjects. She handles Japanese language, social studies, mathematics, and science. She regularly meets with students every few weeks, either in person or via Zoom, to check on their progress. They listen to their students’ feedback and adjust homework assignments accordingly based on how the students are doing.