The schools report

Students at international schools in Tokyo/Yokohama are not complaining about the free extension to spring break since the earthquake - but parents, especially of students in the upper high school years who are due to take exams in the next month or two, are concerned about the effects school closure will have on their education.

In the back of our minds is the question: what will happen if the Fukushima reactors continue to simmer past  the "back to school" date and some families decide not to return to Japan and finish the school year in their home country?

What are the various international schools in Tokyo planning for the next weeks?  What support are they offering students in the interim?  

St Maur International School: scheduled spring break (24/3 to 3/4) has effectively been lengthened by two weeks; back to school on April 4th. Next week International Baccalaureate revision sessions will be organised for Y12s who are still in town, and the library is open to all. Some teachers have sent homework or revision work assignement directly to students, but not all (Sample size  limited to my two children)


Yokohama International School: the two-week long Spring break begins this weekend. School should reconvene on April 4th.

British School: School has been closed this week, and will remain closed until March 28 inclusive of scheduled spring break of one week. The school will provide provide a learning programme of activities and tasks that students can access on line as of Monday 21st. The Shibuya campus library is open during the break.

French School: School remains closed until April 4th. The scheduled spring break in late April-May is shortened to one week (30/4-8/5). French Schools in the region (Hong Kong, Kyoto, Hanoi) are making room for displaced students to continue their education in the interim, as are schools in France. But no support is offered directly by the school to children  remaining in Tokyo. Parents have the option of home schooling through the distance learning programme of CNED.

German school: The school website is currently down. According the school's blog, however, classes are  cancelled until 27/3, woth the possibility of an extension. As in the French case, arrangement have been made with German schools in the Asia region as well as schools in Germany, especially for the year 12-13 students who are preparing the German Abitur to accept students from Tokyo.

ASIJ: Currently classes are scheduled to reconvene on 28/3 after the end of spring break (19-27/3). No other information is available on the public website.

CAJ: Classes reconvene on 4/4 after the scheduled one week spring break (26/3-3/4).  Virtual schooling and limited on-campus activities will continue. Students are getting assignments by email.


Nishimachi: Back to school on Monday 28/3 after the scheduled 1-week spring break.


Sacred Heart: Back to school on Monday 28/3 after the scheduled 1-week spring break. 

K International School: School remains closed until after scheduled 1-week spring break, April 4th. Students will receive homework assignment from teachers online.