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Japan, Tokyo
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Columbia International School was established in September 1988 as a High School Division in Hibarigaoka, Tokyo, by Kabushikigaisha US Canada Gakuen. The school relocated to Tokorozawa, Saitama, in April 1998. A Junior High School Division was established in April 1999. The Annex building and a dormitory were added in April 2000, and the Elementary Division was established in April 2002. Other milestones include parking lots established in 2007, the 20th anniversary in 2008, the Elementary building with a full-size gymnasium in 2009, the Kindergarten Division in 2013, the 30th anniversary in 2018, and artificial turf installed on the field in 2023.
The campus sits in a nature-rich suburban area about 20 km northwest of Shinjuku in Tokorozawa and currently enrolls around 250 students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with more than 21 nationalities represented. Many students are Japanese, with a significant number coming from other parts of Asia or joining as boarders who live in the on-site dormitory built in March 2000, located about an eight-minute walk from the campus. The school provides English instruction with a strong ESL program and Japanese Kokugo lessons offered daily up to Grade 8. Recent community events include Habitat for Humanity, a Sports Day, Spirit Day (Kinder and Elementary), and activities such as a Dance Club.
Columbia International School maintains a PTSA, short for Parents, Teachers & Staff Association, to coordinate involvement of parents, teachers and staff in student life. The PTSA holds monthly meetings to discuss school life, safety, and events, and offers opportunities to join as an executive committee member or as spot volunteers for events. The association emphasizes collaboration among parents, teachers and staff to enrich student life and to plan and deliver school activities. The group uses the PTSA acronym to reflect staff involvement alongside parents and teachers. Participation is open to parents and staff who volunteer to support events and initiatives.
Columbia International School is a K–12 school in Tokorozawa, west of Greater Tokyo, with access via Higashi-Tokorozawa Station on the JR Musashino Line. Teaching follows the Ontario (Canada) curriculum and all courses are taught in English, with Japanese (Kokugo) lessons offered daily up to Grade 8. The school offers a boarding program, with a dormitory located about an 8-minute walk from campus and supervised daily by a resident dorm supervisor. Co-curricular options listed by the school include activities such as art, newspaper, soccer, music club, yearbook club, photo club and drama club. For older students, the school notes that the Grade 11 Guidance Overseas Trip (G.O.T.) is a compulsory activity.
