Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
231 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
26 |
Most common nationality |
Japanese |
Ratio of local students to international students |
70.8% have Japanese nationality, and 29.2% have a foreign or dual nationality. The ratio of international students is increasing year by year. |
Native English speaking teachers |
All teachers are native or near-native English speakers. |
Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes, CGK offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) lessons. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Japanese |
Max. number of students per class |
Preschool: 24
|
Average number of students per class |
Approx. 14 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Yes. We use BenQ Smartboards, laptops, iPads, and student personal devices from grade 3 and up. |
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) |
Yes |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No. CGK is a secular school. |
External examinations or assessments available |
None currently. |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Daily reading homework is assigned in grades 1 and up. Additional homework may be assigned as needed. |
Approximate hours of homework given |
Maximum of 10 minutes per grade- i.e. Grade 1- 10 minutes, Grade 2- 20 minutes, etc. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
N/A |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Our inclusion and welfare policies require that teachers adhere to any accomodations or modifications as indicated in IEPs. |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
As an IB candidate school that follows a constructivist, inquiry based learning approach, students are met where they are in their learning journey. Students who are excelling in certain areas are supported in working beyond grade level or planned class learning outcomes. Teachers differentiate for learning needs based on ongoing formative assessment that allows them to tailor education for students at any level. |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
We check for competence in our language of instruction (English) to ensure students will be able to access the curriculum or if they need some EAL support. We also evaluate their Japanese language to determine if they should be in JNL (Japanese as a Native Language) or JAL (Japanese as an Additional Language) classes. We briefly evaluate their math and reading skills to determine if they will need extra support in those areas. Lastly, we evaluate behavior to make sure that students will not need support or accommodations that would be disruptive to their learning or the learning of their peers. |
Waiting list |
Yes, depending on the class. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, if vacancies exist. |
School start time |
Preschool: 8:00 am (regular school hours 8:30 am)
|
School finish time |
Preschool: 6:30 pm (regular school hours 5:00 pm)
|
Supervised care before/after school |
Yes |
School bus service available |
Yes |
School provided lunches |
Yes |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
CGK also offer food for pescatarian, vegetarian and halal. Families are allowed to send lunch from home if our school lunch company cannot accommodate their dietary needs. |
Uniform required |
Preschool: Yes
|
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Programming, Dance, Pygmalion, Ronri Engine, and additional clubs based on teacher and student interest. |
Sports activities included |
Students have weekly or twice weekly P.E. lessons with a certified P.E. instructor. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
No |
Facilities at the school |
Library |
Sports facilities at the school |
5th floor is an open space for recess, P.E., and after school activities. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
An international school located in Yokohama, CGK is providing a curriculum of high quality, inquiry-based learning as an IB PYP World School.
|
Teaching approach of the school |
At CGK, we do not decide the specific educational direction children will follow. Children's happiness can take many forms and here at CGK, we'll be close by to support them on their pathway, up until graduation. We follow a constructivist, inquiry based approach that acknowledges and respects every learner's agency in their own learning journey. We use ongoing assessment practices to determine students' abilities and interests and tailor our instruction to meet every student where they are. We do not focus only on academics, but also on character development and 21st century skills. We believe we are all life-long learners and value continuing professional development, supporting IB workshops, postgraduate teaching degrees, in-service workshops, and professional learning communities (PLCs). After graduation, what kind of future will the children be able to create for themselves? In pursuit of a happy future, there are areas of life where simply cramming information or language education won't really help. Teachers are in a position to support children as individuals, not to impose their own values on them, but to help them think, observe, learn, and grow into independent, lifelong learners. By cultivating these abilities and mindsets, we believe they will keep challenging the future, bright-eyed and full of life, even after graduation. |