At Tokyo International School (TIS), we believe that the most profound learning happens when students step beyond the familiar. Our comprehensive Experiential Education program is not an add-on; it’s a core, value-packed part of your child’s curriculum. We seamlessly blend the highest academic standards with real-world adventures that foster independence, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the world around us. What’s even better? All of these transformative trips and residentials are included in the school fees, providing a stress-free educational journey with no hidden costs.
At TIS, we frame learning around three key principles. One of these is holistic learning, where learners engage in a balanced transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary curriculum that includes experiential learning with depth and breadth. Through our residential trips and annual snow trip, we cultivate a learning environment outside the classroom where students continue to construct knowledge and make meaning of the world together with adults and other children.
Your Child’s Journey of Discovery
Our trips are meticulously designed learning expeditions, thoughtfully created to challenge, inspire, and build the skills your child will need for a successful future. They are the moments your child will remember long after they graduate.
Real-Life Problem Solving:
We challenge students to be active problem-solvers. On our residential trips, they must manage a budget for meals, navigate public transport, and adapt to unexpected situations. During our service-learning trip to Thailand, students work directly with local communities to understand and address real-world challenges, such as sustainable farming or clean water access. These hands-on experiences teach them to think critically and creatively under pressure.
Fostering Teamwork:
From navigating a new city to setting up camp, teamwork is the cornerstone of every trip. Through structured activities and shared responsibilities, students learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and celebrate each other’s successes. These experiences forge lasting friendships and a powerful sense of community, creating a supportive network that extends far beyond the trip itself.
Shared Learning & Collaboration:
Our journeys are powerful platforms for shared learning. Students work together in small teams on various projects, from cultural scavenger hunts in Kyoto’s historic Gion district to environmental surveys in the Japanese Alps. This collaborative approach ensures that every student contributes their unique skills, learning to rely on and support one another to achieve a common goal.
Residential Journeys (Grades 3-10): Students don’t just visit historical sites; they immerse themselves in the rich culture and geography of Japan. Our journeys span the entire country, allowing students to see the depth of Japan from its northern reaches in Hokkaido to the southern islands of Kyushu. From the serene temples of Kyoto to the poignant history of Hiroshima, these trips are a hands-on exploration of the nation’s heritage. Your child will develop essential life skills, forge strong bonds with their peers, and learn the power of teamwork far from home.
Overseas Learning Trip (Grade 10): This is a capstone experience that broadens horizons and instills a global perspective. Students travel to a destination like Thailand for a week of meaningful service-learning, engaging directly with local communities. They strengthen their sense of personal and social responsibility, applying their classroom knowledge to real-world issues.
Annual Ski Trip to the Japanese Alps (Grades 6-9): More than just a winter sport, this annual tradition builds grit and confidence. Students learn to ski or snowboard under the guidance of professional instructors, conquering new challenges on the famous dry powder snow of the Japanese Alps. It’s an exhilarating experience that teaches perseverance and resilience.
By providing these enriching experiences as an integral part of our program, TIS prepares students not just for academic success, but for a life of purpose, resilience, and adventure.
Ready to give your child an education that extends far beyond the classroom? We invite you to experience the TIS difference firsthand. Join on of our Online Open Houses or come visit our campus
Tokyo International School is a non profit school, which is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
We are a fully authorized, International Baccalaureate World School, catering for students from Kindergarten 1 (four years old) to Grade 8 (fourteen years old).
