Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
500 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
35 |
Most common nationality |
Dual nationality |
Ratio of local students to international students |
Only international students are eligible to apply, as well as Japanese who are returning from overseas after more than two years. |
Native English speaking teachers |
All teachers are native or near-native English speakers. |
Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes, Saint Maur offers English as Additional Language (EAL) lessons. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Japanese, French, Spanish |
Max. number of students per class |
20 |
Average number of students per class |
15 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
All classrooms are equipped with smart boards, there are two computer science labs (one equipped with Macs, one equipped with PCs) and Macs in the library that can be used by students. The art room is equipped with Macs and virtual reality headsets, and all Macs have a variety of software (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) installed. All High School students and some Middle School students bring their own laptop to school. Teachers at Saint Maur use a variety of technology and apps (for example for quizzes) to vary students' learning experience. |
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) |
We used Zoom during COVID-19 related school closure and have since then switched to Google Meets, for example for online parent-teacher conferences or staff meetings, if needed. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Religious Studies classes are offered that focus on world religion. We also offer monthly Catholic masses that parents, teachers, staff and students may attend if they wish. |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Saint Maur welcomes students from all (or no) religious backgrounds. |
External examinations or assessments available |
IB, IGCSE, PSAT, SAT and Trinity exams. |
Results in these examinations |
The IGCSE examinations for the tenth graders are held every year in May/June. Last academic year (2022-23), all Grade 10 students at Saint Maur were able to complete all their IGCSE examinations. Saint Maur students achieved a large number of A* and A grades, accounting for 49.53% of all the grades. Moreover, 92% of the grades were at least a C or above (C grades and above are generally recognized as "good" passing grades). The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) examinations are held every May. The maximum point total is 45. In May 2023, 32 students in Grade 12 at Saint Maur sat the IB examinations, 23 of whom were full IB Diploma candidates. All 23 of these students successfully completed the requirements to earn the IB Diploma, in comparison with a worldwide pass rate of 79.67%. The cohort had a mean total points score of 33.09 points out of 45, exceeding the world mean of 30.24. The average subject grade obtained by students undertaking the full IB Diploma was 5.19 (out of 7), surpassing the worldwide mean subject grade of 4.83. Three full IB Diploma candidates (13% of the cohort) earned 40 or more points. Our highest score this year was 43 points. The Bilingual Diploma recognizes those IB Diploma candidates who studied two Group 1 language courses (for example, English A and Japanese A language and literature). Ten Saint Maur students achieved a Bilingual Diploma. The IB Course Candidates achieved an average subject grade of 4.12 across their subjects. |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes. |
Approximate hours of homework given |
In Middle School, students are assigned 20 minutes of homework per subject per day (up to 2 hours) and in High School, students are assigned 30 minutes of homework per subject per day (up to 3 hours). |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Three staff members support children with special learning needs. |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes, all new students will have to sit an entry exam. |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
MAP testing (Measure of Academic Progress), a computerised adaptive test for English and Maths. |
Waiting list |
Yes, for most Grades. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Applications throughout the year are accepted, if seats are available. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, but not for Grade 11-12. |
School start time |
8:15 a.m. |
School finish time |
3:20 p.m. (regular school time), 4:30 p.m. (after school activities) |
Supervised care before/after school |
The Saint Maur Prime Time Program has been established in response to the needs of a growing number of families requiring supervision for their young children from 07:45 a.m. to 08:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school days. The Prime Time Program provides on-site supervision of children from pre-school age to Grade 3 by some of our staff. |
School bus service available |
No. |
School provided lunches |
Our school cafeteria is managed and operated by Cezars Kitchen, a private, professional catering company who prepare all food on campus in a modern kitchen. Cezars provides the students and staff with a high quality food service which promotes good food and healthy eating habits. There are various drink dispensing machines located throughout the campus, which are also operated by Cezars Kitchen. |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
The cafeteria staff are very knowledgeable about ingredients and help students make the right meal choices. Alternatively, students can also bring in their own meals from home. |
Uniform required |
Yes. |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Robotics, K-Pop, Japanese Anime, Film, Yearbook, Debate, Habitat for Humanity, Handicrafts, Art, Ping Pong, Irish Dance, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Running, Tennis, Math Challenge, Brain Bowl, History Bowl, Yoga... and many more! |
Sports activities included |
Running, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Irish Dancing, Kendo, Multi-Sports |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes - a Junior Varsity and a Varsity Basketball team, Soccer team, Cross Country team, Baseball team and Volleyball team. Students compete in many competitions across Japan. |
Facilities at the school |
A large whole-school library, a state-of-the-art auditorium with seating for 400 people, and new science labs in a dedicated science building. |
Sports facilities at the school |
A large size gym, one small and one large gym for Montessori students, three sports activity rooms, one small and one large rooftop play area, and one large outdoor sports complex. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Undoubtedly, one of the most valuable benefits of a Saint Maur education is preparation for the future. We provide students with rigorous academics and robust extracurricular options, which results in a 100% matriculation rate into colleges and universities. Since 1872, Saint Maur has functioned as a school community where moral values govern all that we do to help students, parents and staff reach their full potential. |
Teaching approach of the school |
Although the school remains traditional in values, it is progressive in educational innovation. Saint Maur has continuously been among the first schools in Japan, Asia, and the world to adopt and develop the Montessori system, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Today, we continue to open new, state-of-the-art facilities, such as our dedicated Science Center, and introduce students to the most cutting-edge technology. We are an inclusive center that supports each member of our school community, and students receive unparalleled care in a safe, supportive, diverse, and inclusive learning environment. For 140 years, strong character and moral citizenship have been emphasized in all areas of school life at Saint Maur. We believe that our Student Behavior Profile, Essential Outcomes and Zero-Tolerance Policy towards bullying are important guiding principles throughout the development of our students. A Saint Maur student works morally and cooperatively with all people, and assumes the responsibility required to combat social injustice. We prepare students from over 35 countries to be global citizens through dynamic, international curricula. Saint Maur functions as a community that respects and values cultural and religious difference. The cultural diversity inherent in our school is one of our strengths, and students develop the knowledge, skills, and internationally-minded approach necessary to contribute productively to an increasingly interdependent global society. |