Accreditations and affiliations

HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION

Choosing a school that is right for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. There is a large variety of international education options in Tokyo, each with different objectives and programs. Researching and selecting a school with quality programming in which your child will thrive can be a significant challenge.

At KIST, we are committed to delivering education of the highest standard and to the continual development and refinement of our educational programs. The quality of our programming is assured through school accreditation and/or authorization by external organizations. While affiliation with such organizations mandates staff involvement in professional development, KIST also supports staff involvement in continuously reflecting on, and improving, their practice through professional opportunities provided by other membership organizations we belong to and through a comprehensive teacher appraisal system implemented annually.

KIST has attained accreditation and/or authorization by the following organizations:

The Council of International Schools (CIS) is a large membership community of over 1,000 educational institutions in more than 100 countries. CIS works collaboratively to shape international education through professional services to schools, higher education institutions, and individuals. The CIS vision is to inspire the development of global citizens through high quality international education: connecting ideas, cultures and educators from every corner of the world.

As a fully accredited CIS school, KIST has met thorough accreditation requirements in areas including whole-school operations, school governance, and curriculum and is required to participate in ongoing whole-school evaluation inspections every five years.

Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation offering highly respected programmes of international education that develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.

Authorized as an IB World School since 2002, KIST offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from K1 to Grade 5, and the globally renowned Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12.

To ensure strict adherence to IB developed standards and practices, and to support continued program development, KIST participates in evaluation inspections every five years.

Pearson’s Edexcel is the UK's largest awarding organization, offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to educational institutions around the world. KIST is authorized as an Edexcel International Centre authorized to offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), an internationally recognized qualification for students based on individual subjects of study.

At KIST, students take Pearson Edexcel IGCSE courses in Grades 9 and 10.

The College Board and Educational Testing Service has designated KIST as a Test Center for the administration of the SAT exams in Tokyo. This partnership ensures that KIST students have easy access to sitting the SAT exams held at various times each year right here on our campus. Students aspiring to attend university in the USA are encouraged to sit the SAT exam as it is a prerequisite for entry to some universities and colleges. All KIST students also sit a PSAT exam in both Grades 9 and 10.
KIST is certified as an authorized educational foundation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Ministry of Education. In meeting the strict requirements in becoming certified by the local authorities, KIST is recognized as an institution delivering quality educational programming. Many benefits result from this recognition, including tax-exempt status for the school, access to secondary school educational support funding for parents, and student eligibility for concession fares on public transportation.

KIST is also affiliated with the following organizations:

The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is an organization of over 150 member schools in East Asia. EARCOS's mission is to inspire adult and student learning through its leadership and service and to foster intercultural understanding, global citizenship and exceptional educational practices within its learning community. KIST has been a member of EARCOS since 2017.

KIST is a member of the Corporate Contribution Program Association, a special corporate scholarship program that is available for organizations responsible for covering expatriate employees' educational expenses. Instead of paying tuition and applicable fees, companies agree to make donations to the school. The donations are used partly to fund special corporate scholarships, which are awarded to dependents of participating companies.

The Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS) is a collegial and collaborative organization which exists for the betterment of all international schools in Japan to the benefit of the parents who choose them and the children who attend them. It's mission is "to promote, support and sustain quality English medium schools serving the international community in Japan through an educational framework which is international in both style and substance. KIST has been a member of JCIS since 2017.

The Principals’ Training Center for International School Leadership (PTC) serves the unique professional development needs of practicing and aspiring principals, teachers, counselors and school business leaders in international schools worldwide. KIST is an official member of the PTC and regularly accesses professional development workshops and the networking opportunities available through the PTC to support international schools.

The Tokyo Association of International Preschools (TAIP), founded in 2005, supports international preschools in the Tokyo area in terms of networking, staff development, parent education and publicity. KIST is a founding member of TAIP and regularly involves early childhood staff with networking and professional development opportunities provided by TAIP.