ISN Philosophy

Our Educational Philosophy

Open Mindset + Integrity = Self-Confidence

The foundation of learning at ISN. A mindset that embraces differences in values, together with the daily practice of acting with integrity, cultivates an unshakable sense of self-confidence in every child.

01

Embrace an Open Mindset


We value a mindset that seeks to understand differences in values.

02

Act with Integrity


We remain true to our authentic selves and the way we genuinely aspire to be.

03

Foster Self-Confidence


We act with consistency and cultivate self-trust (confidence).

Vision — The ideal state we aim for

A world of choice
for all children.


My World
Earth

The term “world” holds two meanings: the personal sense of “My world,” and the global sense of “Earth.”

Individual dreams and actions create ripples of energy that influence others — ultimately shaping a better global future.

Mission — Our reason for being

To empower children
through learning.

Guiding Principles

Expected behaviors in pursuit of our philosophy

01

Connecting with the Fundamentals

Connecting with the fundamentals means understanding the core ideas and values behind things — not just learning basic facts or skills. It’s about discovering what truly matters and applying that understanding in meaningful ways.

02

Active, Empathic Listening

We embrace an open mindset toward others’ words and feelings, seeking not just surface-level reactions but deeper understanding. At ISN, we emphasize empathy and mindful communication, helping children develop the ability to build trust and authentic connections.

03

Engaging with Care and Attention

From greetings and cleaning to building relationships and managing time — approaching each aspect of daily life with gratitude and care nurtures students’ self-esteem and confidence, while deepening trust with those around them. In contrast, attitudes like cutting corners or blaming others can become sources of stress.

At ISN, we value sincere and thoughtful engagement with people and situations. By appreciating each small step, students build the confidence to take on new challenges with a positive mindset.

04

Proactiveness, Agency, and Ownership

At ISN, we focus on developing students from individual creativity to collaborative co-creation within teams. ISN sees independence and proactivity as follows.

Independence
Operating within set boundaries
  • Acting within defined roles
    Students act proactively within their defined roles and responsibilities, focusing on completing tasks responsibly — yet tend to work independently rather than seeking help from others.
Proactivity
Agency & Ownership — beyond boundaries
  • Operating beyond boundaries
    Students take action with a broader perspective, going beyond their own limits.
  • Creating rules and involving others
    They demonstrate leadership by guiding teams or groups, collaborating with others and actively taking the lead to solve problems.
05

Design Thinking

“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”

— Henry Ford

Design thinking is a creative approach that looks beyond improving what already exists. It begins with empathy — seeking out hidden needs — and leads to bold, innovative solutions.

At ISN, we encourage students to challenge assumptions and reimagine what’s possible, understanding the “real wants” behind people’s surface-level needs through care and empathy.

Messages

Representative’s Message

ISN Representative

Rie Kuribayashi

Rie Kuribayashi

We are living in an exciting time of change. Today’s students need real-world skills: critical thinking, collaboration, creative problem-solving, self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and the ability to build flexible solutions to complex challenges.

What if schools, educators, and students worldwide shared a common mission — to nurture values, knowledge, and skills in young people to build a better, more peaceful world? That is the International Baccalaureate (IB). ISN embraces this philosophy, practicing world-class education here in Shinshu.

If our philosophy resonates with you.

Discover the future ISN is building together with its children.
Visit the school and start a dialogue with us.

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