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Japan, Kyoto
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Kyoto International School (KIS) was founded in 1957, tracing its origins to Kyoto Christian Day School. It is a not-for-profit institution governed by a volunteer executive board. KIS is the city's first and only IB Continuum School, offering the IB from Early Years through the Diploma Programme. It has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1992 and by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) since 2006. In August 2025, the school planned to open its first Grade 11 class, followed by Grade 12 in 2026, to complete its Upper Secondary programme.
KIS describes itself as a close-knit, diverse community of students, teachers, and parents with small class sizes that enable personalized learning. The school emphasizes inclusivity, student well-being, and international-mindedness as core values of the community. Alumni maintain ties with the school through regular reunions and opportunities to reconnect. The community engages in a range of events and cultural activities throughout the year, organized by the school and external groups and supported by the PTA.
The Kyoto International School Parent Teacher Association (KIS PTA) is the formal association of parents and teachers at Kyoto International School. Its purposes include fostering open communication, strengthening relationships within the community, sponsoring programs for students, parents, and teachers, and fundraising for educational equipment. Membership includes all parents with children enrolled at KIS and school staff. The PTA is administered by an elected Committee with a Chairperson, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a teacher representative; the current PTA chairs are Hollie Inoue and Austin Moore, and the Head of School is Matt Topliss. PTA finances are raised through annual fees (3,000 yen per family) and are controlled by the PTA Executive Committee, with formal accounting and approval processes for expenditures. The PTA participates in events such as the KIS Festival, a major community festival featuring international food, art displays, and a children's market.
Kyoto International School (KIS) has served Kyoto since 1957 and describes itself as the city’s only IB Continuum School. KIS offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school currently provides learning from Early Years through Grade 10, with plans to expand to Grade 12 by 2026. KIS lists campus spaces that include classrooms, a library, a playground and a gymnasium. Student life includes a House Team system and after-school options such as Bukatsu (clubs) and activities like calligraphy, gardening, board games, dance, sport and STEM, with additional paid lessons such as coding, drama, basketball and piano.
