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Japan
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UWC ISAK Japan's academics combine leadership development, design thinking, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). The program supports students to drive positive change through an integrated approach to learning. A university advising program provides personalized support for college admissions, gap years, and entrepreneurship.
The Arts program includes Visual Arts with mediums such as photography, painting, 3D, printing, and screen-based art, with access to iPad Pros and Adobe Creative Cloud. Theatre is offered as IB Theatre, covering Theatre in Context, Theatre Processes, and Performing Theatre. IB Film provides hands-on film experiences, balancing theory and creation; Music is a campus-life feature supported by student-led clubs and performances at Ohga Hall.
Japanese Culture integrates traditions and philosophy, including concepts such as wabi-sabi and omotenashi, with activities like tea ceremonies and other workshops. Cultural excursions include hiking, camping, and skiing, with the Discover Shinshu Fund enabling hands-on experiences that connect students with Nagano's history and communities. Traditional handicrafts and Japanese culture in practice involve crafts such as pottery and calligraphy, and a school-wide practice of Stop & Clean emphasizes servant leadership.
Clubs & Activities number 30+ clubs and activities, with all students taking part in Core Activities across seven categories: Peace & non-violence, Stewardship & sustainability, Creativity & entrepreneurship, Japanese culture, Global affairs, Diversity & Inclusion, and Leadership. Students must participate in a Core Activity and a Core Sport, with opportunities to join student-led clubs and even lead them. Student-led clubs provide leadership opportunities with budgets and bi-weekly faculty support.
Leadership Focus includes Community Service as a core element, with students leading projects (CAS) and engaging with local communities. Impact Beyond describes HatchEdu, a project to support educational entrepreneurs, and initiatives around gifted learners and education policy; it also highlights policy recommendations and events for educators and parents. The school emphasizes community impact and real-world engagement as part of its leadership framework.
A Grade 10 leadership program provides a year-long foundation for leadership that carries into the IB years, with personalized and project-based learning. Leadership in Action centers on opportunities such as Leadership Projects (CAS), Outdoor Education, and Student-Led Clubs & Activities. The program also includes university advising and an emphasis on entrepreneurship as part of student development.
A Health & Wellness Center, including a Counseling Office and on-campus clinic, mindfulness spaces, and fitness facilities, supports student well-being. Outdoor Education is a core wellbeing program offering seasonal trips and skill-building activities that foster resilience and teamwork. Boarding life provides residences with House Mentors and Residential Advisors, plus a safeguarding program, counseling, advisory groups, and a supportive community focused on safety and well-being.
UWC ISAK Japan is a co-educational, full-boarding high school in Karuizawa, Nagano. It opened in 2014 as International School of Asia, Karuizawa (ISAK) and joined the UWC movement in 2017. Students study in Grades 10–12. Grade 10 is described as “Pre-IB” with a leadership and project-work focus, and Grades 11–12 follow the IB Diploma Programme (including TOK, the Extended Essay and CAS). UWC ISAK Japan empowers transformational leaders to make a positive impact now and in the future. As Japan’s first full-boarding international high school, we educate intellectually curious, compassionate, and innovative students from diverse backgrounds.
