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Rie Kuribayashi

MESSAGES

We want to nurture unique and active individuals with a global perspective.

Rie KuribayashiRepresentative of ISN

VISION

Empowering all children with choices for the world.

The purpose of ISN Education is to nurture “independent individuals.”
Nurturing independent individuals involves the following process:

1. Discovering who we are,
2. Understanding empathy (towards others),
3. Developing the skill of “giving.”
4. The process of “giving” is a practice that shifts one’s focus from “self” to “others/people around them.”

ISN believes that an independent individual is one who shows an interest in others and practices giving in various ways.
Therefore, they develop well-being for not only themselves but also their organizations and their communities.
This is reflected in the ISN mission statement created by ISN staff members five years ago: “ISN is nurturing leaders who make the world exciting!”

MISSION

ISN is where children train to be inspiring world leaders.

ISN students use tools such as IB’s LP/ATL (Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning) and the Japanese national curriculum guidelines to deepen their understanding of who we are and empathy. They also develop self-management skills, social skills, communication skills, thinking skills, and research skills as part of the process.

In partnership (equal relationship) with the entire school community (friends, parents, guardians, school staff, homeroom teachers, and other stakeholders), they practice and grow every day.

Daniel Taku FrisbyNagano Campus / PYPC

Daniel Taku Frisby

-Nagano Campus / PYPC

We are in an exciting time of change.

Hi, I am Dan Frisby the PYPC Coordinator Team Leader at ISN.
Our students, their view of their world, and the way they learn create, and share have changed.

Today’s students need real-world skills to thrive in the not-too-distant future. Qualities like critical thinking, collaboration, creative problem-solving, self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and the ability to construct complex solutions.

Imagine a worldwide community of schools, educators, and students with a shared mission to empower young people with the values, knowledge, and skills to create a better and more peaceful world. This is the International Baccalaureate (IB).

IB programmes aim to provide an education that enables students to make sense of the complexities of the world around them, as well as equip them with the skills and dispositions needed for taking responsible action for the future.

These programs encourage students to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners. The aim of ISN is to develop internationally minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet. Central to this aim is international-mindedness.

Using English as our primary language allows students to connect with the world. Our curriculum provides the educational foundation your child requires for the future, but is delivered in a holistic, empathetic, and supportive manner that nurtures your child to embrace challenge.

ISN acknowledges that while students should be at the heart of the transformation journey, the careful and deliberate empowerment of educators is what will build the finest education program for all at ISN.

I am very excited for you to come on this exciting educational journey with you and your children to create a world where our Well being and understanding of our place in the world can drive a fantastic future for all to explore and grow.

Martyn John Hatori Singleton

-Gojo Campus

Hello, my name is Martyn Hatori-Singleton and it’s my honor to welcome you to the Gojo Campus of the International School of Nagano.

As both an educator and a parent, I understand the importance of choosing the right school for your child and at Gojo Elementary and Middle School, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment to empower your child to thrive.

Our school is a place where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that education is about more than just memorizing facts and figures – it's about cultivating and sustaining curiosity, developing critical thinking skills, and learning how to be responsible and compassionate members of society.

At ISN Gojo, we value diversity and inclusivity. We are proud to have a diverse student and teaching body and we understand that every student brings unique perspectives, experiences, and talents to our community. Therefore, we are committed to creating an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and supported.

Our faculty and staff are dedicated professionals who are passionate about learning and deeply committed to their students' success. They work tirelessly to create engaging and challenging academic programs that will help your child reach their full potential. Whether it's through small class sizes, individualized instruction, or a wide range of developmentally stimulating activities, we are committed to providing the support and resources your child needs to succeed.

And finally, we believe that education is a partnership between the school, the family, and the community. We welcome parents to get involved in our school community, whether it's through volunteering, attending events, or simply staying informed about their child's progress. We believe that by working together, we can create a strong support network that will help your child succeed.

We hope that you will consider our school for your child's education. We look forward to getting to know you and your family and to welcoming you into our community here at ISN Gojo, Nagano, Japan.

Martyn John Hatori SingletonGojo Campus Part 21:05 Part 300:50

Nakajima Yuko

-Head of Minami-Matsumoto Campus

Nakajima-Yuko

Greetings!
Welcome to ISN Minami Matsumoto Campus, where we foster the world’s future leaders!

ISN Minami Matsumoto campus is located in the central area of Matsumoto city. It is surrounded by several kinds of parks where students can further their learning outside the classroom; These parks provide facilities where students can hone skills needed to achieve developmental milestones and prosper their well-being.

ISN Minami campus prepares an inquiry-based learning environment that is designed to satisfy students’ curiosity and encourages them to be inquirers. Our teachers are trained to set up a learning environment that will help students to develop their thinking skills. We support our students by not giving them the answer to everything but instead, help them to cultivate a curious mind and encourage them to dig deep and find the answer on their own and have ownership of their work.

We are happy to have your beloved child on our campus. We are excited to be part of your child’s journey in discovering many things and achieving their goals that will bring smiles and happiness to their lives. We all can’t wait to see them be successful and proudly say: I did it!

Kenneth Nicolaysen

-Head of Nagano Campus

Kenneth-Nicolaysen

Hello there!

Thank you for taking the time to visit our school and learn more about what we offer. My name is Kenneth Nicolaysen, and I am thrilled to be the head of Nagano campus at the International School of Nagano.

I've been a part of the Nagano campus since we opened our doors in 2019. Initially, I started as a teacher for our Nursery class, but as of the start of our 2023 school year, I took on the role of head of the Nagano campus. It's been quite a journey seeing how we've grown over the years, starting with just a few students and now having a bustling community of learners. It's been an exciting time to be a part of this school, and I'm honored to have witnessed its evolution firsthand.

The preschool and elementary classes are housed under one roof at Nagano campus. This arrangement serves a dual purpose: younger students have role models to admire, while older students can showcase their independence. Across all classes, the common thread is "Fun," ensuring that students enjoy their learning experience.

Incorporating fun activities and games into the learning process can enhance engagement and retention of information. Having fun while learning also promotes creativity and innovation, allowing individuals to explore and develop their unique interests and talents.

Our teachers prioritize creating a fun and joyful learning environment for all their students. When learning English feels like work, students quickly lose interest. We aim to make speaking English at school a natural part of communication with teachers and friends rather than something they must actively consider. This approach helps students stay engaged and motivated to learn, leading to a stress-free and enjoyable time at school.

Learning English can be a blast, especially for our young learners who get to sing and dance their way to fluency! We ensure all lessons and activities are conducted in English to give students and teachers ample opportunities to practice the phrases and vocabulary they're working on.

Our school is dedicated to providing a fun and nurturing environment for our students, and we would be honored to have you join our community. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want to schedule a tour. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Maejima Chisaki

-Head of Shimauchi Campus

Maejima-Chisaki

Welcome to the ISN Shimauchi Campus page. My name is Chisaki Maejima, and I am the head of Shimauchi campus at the International School of Nagano.
Our campus is located to the north of Matsumoto City. Every day, we stimulate our senses and engage in inquiry based activities amidst the backdrop of the Northern Alps and the Narai River. Every day, we are impressed by the bright eyes and full of energy of our students as they express themselves to the fullest.
Be an inquirer!", "Be a risk taker!", "Be open minded", "Be a communicator!" The school is a safe and secure place where you can challenge yourself, seek out answers to questions you encounter, all the while expressing your thoughts and ideas as much as you like. We cherish the time we spend with each child so that they can express and realize their full potential. We are also lovingly involved with the children so that they can become people who can use their strengths to give back and serve the community positively when they go into society.
We are very happy to be able to work with parents to support their children during this important period of their lives, building the foundation (roots) that will allow them to be able to create their own path in life and give back to others using their own strengths in the future.