Japan, Tokyo
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· Reviewed by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
YES International School Odawara occupies a purpose-built campus at 1-8-33 Shiroyama, Odawara City, Kanagawa. YES Odawara Co., Ltd. established the campus in April 2025, making it the third YES International School campus after Yokohama and Tokyo. The school serves a bespoke curriculum organized around three pillars: Trilingual Education—English, Japanese and programming—to cultivate three distinct modes of thinking; Technology That Opens the Mind—teaching students to use technology with intention and to frame the right questions; and A Real English Environment—English is used as a living language in daily life, not merely as a subject. Learning blends inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary and project-based classes with nature experiences and technology, to broaden creativity and independent thinking. Facilities feature natural wood interiors that create a warm, safe learning space. Meals emphasize carefully chosen ingredients, seasonings and water to support focus, immunity and emotional balance. English is integrated into daily school life, reinforcing immersive language use.
1 Chome-8-33 Shiroyama, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0045, Japan
YES International School Odawara has typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English, Japanese.
Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
School hours 8:30–17:30
YES International School Odawara teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum for students aged 6 to 11.
The curriculum rests on three pillars: Trilingual Education (English, Japanese and programming) to develop three distinct modes of thinking; Technology That Opens the Mind to teach students to use technology with intention and to frame the right questions; and A Real English Environment where English is used as a living language in daily life, not just as a subject. The approach combines inquiry-based learning, cross-disciplinary, project-based classes, nature experiences, and technology to expand students' creativity and independent thinking.
Social and emotional learning centers on three core pillars: Consideration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. These pillars guide daily interactions, classroom discussions, and collaborative projects. Consideration means respecting different perspectives and backgrounds and living alongside others. Critical Thinking means not accepting given answers but asking questions and thinking them through. Creativity means turning ideas into reality and using them to make a difference in the world. The environment is a safe, wood-filled campus that supports thoughtful inquiry and self-expression, while the gut-brain connection is recognized and meals are chosen to support focus, immunity, and emotional balance.
English is lived daily in a Real English Environment where English is not a subject for tests but a living language used to connect with people and the wider world. Students share ideas with teachers and friends, encounter diverse opinions in conversation, and practice expressing themselves in English as part of everyday life. The focus is on the confidence to hold your own thoughts and engage with others rather than perfect grammar. YES uses a trilingual education approach that includes English, Japanese, and programming to develop thinking from multiple perspectives. These elements support global engagement and cross-cultural communication. English is integrated into daily school life, not confined to a single subject.
Where the body feels safe, the mind opens freely, and a wood-filled campus supports calm, focused learning. Soft light, spaces that breathe, and quiet corners help students feel at ease and ready to think. The environment promotes emotional balance by providing a safe space for inquiry and self-expression. The gut and brain are deeply connected, and meals are chosen to support focus, immunity, and emotional balance. Through these design and daily learning practices, students\' mental wellbeing is supported.
1. Inquiry / Request for Information: Admission is a conversation—not a judgment. Families begin by reaching out to inquire about YES. The admissions process is a careful, unhurried conversation in which the school and family come to understand each other. This early contact helps both sides determine whether YES is the right fit.
2. School Information Session / Individual Consultation: A School Information Session or Individual Consultation walks you through YES's philosophy and daily life at YES. It clarifies how learning happens and helps families assess fit with the YES approach.
3. Assessment Visit: Your child spends time in the school, and a shared understanding is built. The YES assessment is not a test of academic ability or a pass/fail evaluation; there are no written literacy or arithmetic tests. The Assessment lasts five days and involves participation in regular school life, with costs limited to actual expenses such as lunch and materials.
4. Enrollment Discussion: Enrollment moves forward only when both your family and the school feel it is the right fit; this is not a traditional exam but a mutual understanding of your child's needs.
5. For kindergarteners or mid-year transfers: Experience Days are offered on dedicated dates (separate from regular school days) so that children and parents can feel what YES is like in a small, focused setting. Several Experience Days are planned during the summer holidays, with Saturday dates available in autumn. An English Immersion Program is open to everyone during the summer break. A Short-Term Enrollment Program is available by the day or in five-day blocks, with places limited. Application Forms may be downloaded, and tuition details are explained during the consultation.