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Japan, Tokyo
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MEES International School was founded in 2016 by Euft van den Berg in Tokyo as a boutique international school centered on the child, blending Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and project-based learning. The Hakusan Campus in Bunkyo operates as part of MEES Tokyo, offering Preschool to Elementary with English as the primary language of instruction. The school emphasizes project-based learning and mixed-age cohorts, while also incorporating outdoor education through The Forest program. In 2026 MEES celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of growth across its Hakusan and Sendagi campuses. MEES operates under Rankukan Co., Ltd., the parent company listed in its corporate materials.
The MEES community is a close-knit network in which every child is known by name, and there are strong connections between teachers, students, and families. A hallmark event is the MEES 10th Year Anniversary Festival, featuring hands-on activities, student projects, performances, shared food, and a parents-led second-hand children's items bazaar. The school's outdoor education through The Forest program brings families into regular learning experiences outside the classroom. Parental engagement is supported by school coffee mornings and information sessions that foster ongoing collaboration between families and school staff.
Parent involvement at MEES Hakusan is active through volunteer activities and events coordinated by families. A prominent example is the second-hand children's items bazaar organized by parents, linked to major community events like the anniversary festival. Parents also participate in coffee mornings and information sessions that facilitate updates and safeguarding discussions. While a formal PTA is not publicly described in MEES materials, the parent community functions in a PTA-like capacity by organizing volunteering, fundraising, and communication with the school leadership. This collaborative structure supports student learning and community life.
MEES International School’s Hakusan campus is in Bunkyo, Central Tokyo, about a 5-minute walk from Hakusan Station. Children can join Preschool (ages 1–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12). Preschool combines Montessori and Reggio Emilia influences with hands-on, project-based learning with English as the main language of instruction. Elementary also centers on project-based learning and lists large open spaces plus a Makerspace/workshop and gym studio. A distinctive feature is “MEES The Forest,” described as regular one-day trips for morning/full-day students aged 4 and up, connecting learning with outdoor experiences. Optional bus service is available and Hakusan afterschool options listed by the school include clubs such as Tech Club, MakerSpace builds and Judo.
