I'll be arriving in Japan in 2 weeks and will be there for 4 months. My 5 year old daughter will be going to school at YIS. Does anyone else have their children there? Do you like the school, teachers, environment, ect. -Ruth

Yokohama International School Annual Food Fair
5 May 2002 -- 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Among others there will be an American Chuckwagon (representing American cuisine) At the Chuck wagon American voter registration will also be available.
Yokohama International School is on "the Bluff", very close to the Foreign Cemetary.
258 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0862
Tel: 045-622-0084
Fax: 045-621-0379
Website: http://www.yis.ac.jp/

Yokohama International School's food fair is May 4, 2003 this year. Looks like lots going on during Golden Week.
http://www.yis.ac.jp/

"Bridging the Gap" conference at Yokohama International School.
20-22 November 2003
Learning about learning. It will be open to the public. See web link for more details.
http://www.yis.ac.jp/Events/Bridging2003/bridging_the_gap_programme.htm

>From the Contact Us page form -
date: 10/15/2003
name: T. Winant
email: yis@yis.ac.jp
tel: 045-622-0084
fax: 045-621-0379
area living in: Yokohama
comments: YOKOHAMA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The Yokohama International School was founded in 1924 by and for the international community in the Yokohama-Tokyo area. The school has enjoyed outstanding success in creating a positive environment for children from the pre-school through grade 12.

THE PROGRAMME
Early Learning: �3 to 5 years � Based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy is child-centered and maintains a staff student ratio not to exceed 1:8.

Elementary: �5 to 11 years � Follows the Primary Years Program (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). It is inquiry based, with full-specialized programs in Art, Music, Drama and PE. All levels of Japanese language taught and mother tongue program accommodated. Average class size less than 1:18

Middle School: �11-13 years � Inquiry based and driven by the social-emotional and learning needs of this particular age group. Balanced and rigorous curriculum including Art, Drama, Music and Voice. Community interaction program and initial phase of the Program on Aptitudes, Careers, and Employment (PACE). Average class size not to exceed 1:18.

High School: �14-18 years � High School diploma based on the Carnegie credit system. Grades 9 and 10: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Grades 11 and 12: IB Diploma Program. Support for the U.S. College Board SAT and AP examinations. No additional fees for external examinations.

Further notes: Information Technology is integrated throughout the school curriculum. Facilities include modern Auditorium, Cafeteria, Technology Center, Library/Multimedia Center, Recording Studio, Music Rooms, Drama Studio, Arts Studio, Graphic Arts Facility, and four Science Laboratories.

Sports: Gymnasium, Dance Studio, and outside Basketball court at main campus. Facilities of the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club are used for field sports.

Yokohama International School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and by the Council of International Schools (CIS). We are an authorized Center for the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and for the SAT and AP examinations of the College Board, as well as the Cambridge Board Examinations (UK). Yokohama center for the Princeton review.

ACCESS TO YOKOHAMA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Yokohama is Japan�s second largest city and it is only minutes away from Tokyo, the largest city. For those residing in Tokyo it is easy to get to YIS by auto on one of the expressways, or by train from Shibuya, Roppongi, Azabu and Nakameguro via the Toyoko Line, Hibiya Subway, Meguro Line, and Minato Mirai 21 Line. The last stop on the various lines and connections is the Motomachi-Chinatown Station which is three minutes walk down the hill from the school. Easy access is with bus number 20 which stops right in front of the school. It can be boarded at Yamate station JR Keihin Tohoku line (also called the Negishi line) and also at Sakuragicho Station. Bus 11 from Sakuragicho station also stops in front of the school. One can also walk up the hill from Ishikawacho station (also on the JR Keihin Tohoku line).

Web Site: http://www.yis.ac.jp
Tel: 045-622-0084, Fax: 045-621-0379
Admissions: admissions@yis.ac.jp
General Information: yis@yis.ac.jp
Time in Japan: over 10 years
Use of Comments: Use my comments freely.

Hello,
We are planning to put our kids in YIS from this September in their ELC program. Can anyone share their experience at this school and also regarding the personal interview which the kids would have faced during admissions. I want to know the level of expectation in terms of spoken/written English language and any other skills.

thankyou
a2002

We have two children at the ELC at YIS right now in both the nursery and transition programs. We have been extremely pleased with our entire experience. Very nurturing, creative environment. The facilities are excellent, and the teachers are superb.

In terms of the interview, I can't give exact specifics, as the children speak with the teachers on their own in the classroom. However, I can say that it was a positive experience. My son built a train track while in the room; he and his future teacher sang a number of songs. My daughter, who was quite reticent at first, drew a lovely picture and sang a number of songs as well. Neither child wanted to leave the interview at the end, they were having so much fun. Clearly, the teachers are able to see what they need to by playing with the children in a non-threatening environment.

In terms of language expectation, all classes are in English so comprehension is important. That said, there are a number of children in the ELC whose first language is not English, and they seem to be doing fine. I would not say that there are expectations for written language, as the ELC is a preschool. Neither of my children was proficient at writing when they entered the school. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to write me.
Bettina

YIS Food Fair: Yokohama International School will hold its annual international food fair at its campus in Yamate-cho on Sunday, 4th May 2008 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fair will feature food and drinks from more than 12 countries, entertainment, vendors, a children's arcade, a raffle drawing, a white elephant flea market and more! YIS is located at 258 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama and is near Motomachi Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line subway (also accessible via the Toyoko Line from Shibuya in 35 minutes)�@For directions: www.yis.ac.jp/contact/map.htm �@ Have questions? Call (045) 622-0084