Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
62 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
12 |
| Most common nationality |
Japanese |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
1:1 |
Languages
| Native English speaking teachers |
86% are native speakers. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Japanese |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
14 for elementary, 16 for high school |
| Average number of students per class |
11 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No. |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Standardized testing is done through computers in every classroom. Students use computers provided in the classrooms for daily research, dictionary use, Japanese extra help, math games, creating PowerPoint presentations, etc. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
No. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Yes, Christianity. Students study Bible classes daily. There is a Friday chapel where students play games to help them remember Bible verses. |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Most students are not Christians, but families agree to participate in the twenty-minute Bible classes. |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
Standardized curriculum-based measurement tests three times annually for grades 1 through 8. Students in grades 9 through 11 take preSAT tests annually. Students in grades 11 and 12 may choose to take the SAT in Tokyo. Students who take AP classes can take the AP test in Tokyo. |
| Results in these examinations |
The standardized tests in reading and math from grades 1 through 8 average 80% annually. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
Elementary: 20 to 60 minutes daily; Junior High: 45 to 60 minutes daily; High School: 60 to 90 minutes daily. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
NLIS is only nine years old. 2024-25 will be the first year that a student is graduating with a high school degree. He will attend a university in New Zealand. We expect all students to attend higher education after NLIS. |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
No. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
The students do a lot of hands-on activities, including science and art fairs annually, as well as haiku, art, and math contests annually. Students are challenged with group and individual presentations in every class. Two teachers have gifted and talented licenses. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
No. |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
All students must pass an English interview with two teachers and a reading and math test. First graders are accepted with zero English skills. Some second-grade students are accepted with zero skills, but all children from third grade must have English skills. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Elementary students are given an oral English test, which includes reading the alphabet and numbers and recognizing pictures from the teacher's prompts, describing pictures, reading texts, and answering questions orally. Students tend to enjoy the interviews. Older students are asked questions about themselves, what subjects they like or dislike, etc. All students take a written math test. |
| Waiting list |
Not at this time, but at times, the classes fill up. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
February 28th is the deadline for the new academic year without a late fee; however, enrollment is open all year. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes. |
School day
| School start time |
8:50 for Junior and High school and 9:00 for elementary. |
| School finish time |
3:00 for first and second grades, 3:15 for third through sixth grades, and 3:30 for junior high and high school. |
| Supervised care before/after school |
There is afterschool care for elementary students until 5:00 for a small fee. |
| School bus service available |
No, but the school is located a ten-minute walk from Kofu station. |
| School provided lunches |
No, but two Obento services deliver food daily starting at 350 yen a day. |
| Uniform required |
No, but NLIS has clothing guidelines, and all students must wear a school badge or a school T-shirt. |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Karate, Japanese for foreigners, English as a foreign language, Eiken classes, Bible study for teen girls |
| Sports activities included |
There is a thirty-minute daily recess for all grades, plus physical education two times a week for elementary grades. Junior high and High school students have P.E. as an elective. Students play table tennis, pickleball, basketball, jump rope, relays, badminton, etc. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
No. |
Facilities
| Facilities at the school |
Students walk to the prefectural library every other week, and every classroom has hundreds of books to borrow. Science labs are done several times in each unit in all classes, and chemistry labs are done in high school. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
There is a very small gym. |
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
New Life International School, NLIS, is a small international school that provides quality Christian education in a safe, loving, family atmosphere. Students are encouraged to be active, independent, expressive, and loving. NLIS has a candidacy with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and has applied for full accreditation with the goal of spring 2025. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
The main classes are only in English. They are student-centered and use a primarily American curriculum; literature classes use books from around the world, and Singapore math is used from grades one through eight. Students are expected to participate in all classes. All students study Japanese four times a week. Native-level students study Japanese national textbooks with Japanese teachers. Non-native students from grade four may study for the National Japanese Proficiency Tests with bilingual Japanese teachers. |