K. International School Tokyo will offer an intensive class starting from April 2012 for new Grade 6-9 ELS (English Language Support) students in need of additional English language support. In order to prepare these students to move on to study at secondary schools that use English as the main language of instruction, students in this class will focus on acquiring English language and mathematical skills building a stronger foundation for further learning. This class aims for students to transfer to an English language secondary school within a year, perform well in classes, and acquire skills necessary to succeed in the IB Diploma Programme or other rigorous programs. Therefore, students are required to have a certain amount of English and basic mathematics ability upon enrolment. The intensive class is also available to students who plan to move on to other schools within or outside of Japan.

The IB program, offered at KIST, emphasizes the necessity to nurture students so that they engage in thoughtful and appropriate behavior as well as develop a diverse skill set including a sense of international mindedness. It requires students to attain advanced language and mathematical skills to enable the understanding of concept driven curriculum as opposed to memorization. The IB Diploma Program (DP) that students at KIST undertake in their last 2 years of secondary school is recognized　for university admission. Students who achieve high scores in the DP will have an opportunity to enroll in the world’s leading universities; many students at KIST have pursued this path. As the DP can expand a student’s future potential it is viewed as a challenging program. In order to attain success in the DP, students will need sufficient preparation.

Currently, KIST provides English language support during class for those students needing limited support. However, it is challenging to offer a sufficient learning environment for those students most in need of assistance with current English Language Support (ELS) alone. Subsequently, in order for a greater range of students to develop opportunities to succeed in the IB Programmes, KIST will offer an intensive class to improve the English and mathematics abilities of students entered into the program within a short period of time.

Students eligible for the intensive class:

• Newly-enrolled Grade 6-9 students who require high ELS (English language support) support and are recognized, through the entrance exam, to have certain level of English and basic mathematical skills.
• KIST students moving from G5 to G6 who are recommended by the area principal. A recommendation can only be made in accordance with students’ standardized assessment results such as International School’s Assessment (ISA) and reading tests.
• Current students attending G6-G9 who seem to require high ELS (English language support) support will take an external assessment tests. If the principal, in accordance with the student’s assessment result, makes a recommendation and if the student’s parents approve it, students may transfer to the intensive class if places are available.

Enrollment tests for the intensive class (for new enrolling students):

• English and Mathematics tests
• Student interview
• Parent interview

Intensive class structure：
Intensive classes will be made of up to eight students per grade and with two grades per class (grade 6/7, grade 8/9) with a maximum of 16 students per class. Furthermore, English, mathematics and Japanese classes will be streamed into separate ability classes, and class sizes will be kept small to provide the best possible learning support.

Intensive class lesson content:
In the intensive class, the focus will be placed on the acquisition of English and math abilities although science, humanities, Japanese, PE, and technology classes will also be provided.

*Until June it will be necessary to accommodate the intensive class into the current secondary school timetable and access its facilities, therefore the schedule may have to be adjusted accordingly.

• In English class, each class will be divided and taught in 2 groups according to the students’ English level (4 to 12 students per group). Students will write essays, read and analyze appropriately leveled books allowing them to transition to studying similar books used in the MYP program. The class aims for students to study at least 5 books per semester and 10 books a year. Students are therefore required to read, at school and at home, 1 book every 2 to 4 weeks. By writing numerous essays and receiving individual guidance, students will improve their writing skill. The class aims for students to write a 600 to 1000 word well structured essay by the end of the year with the ability to reference sources used. Students will also practice making presentations further developing language skills.
• In mathematics class, students will be divided and taught in 2 groups according to students’ mathematics level (4 to 12 students per group). In addition to practicing basic calculations, the class will focus on a variety of word problems that students whose English level is not sufficient often find difficult. The class will also provide assignments to students that will enable them to learn and practice using the terms and expressions used in mathematics. The class ultimately aims to follow the KIST MYP Scope & Sequence. Students who require extra support to further improve his or her basic mathematical ability may be asked to attend LEAP as a supplementary class.
• In science class, through Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons, students will learn the language required in MYP science. Students will also perform simple experiments and learn how to write lab reports.
• In humanities class, students will study 2 to 4 units, mainly history, and write essays in order to acquire the language needed in MYP Humanities and the writing skills needed to write cohesive essays.
• In Japanese class, students will be divided into 2 levels. Students will study the basics needed in MYP Japanese.
• In PE class, in order for students to exercise and develop physically, students will mainly play games such as soccer and basketball.
• In technology class, students will learn how to use programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint that are required when making presentations, analyzing data, and writing lab reports and essays and will study other technology-related topics.
• Advisory class will be held once every 2 weeks. Students will have college guidance sessions, do preparation for KISTival, and practice for the School Concert, among other activities.

Regular examinations and reports for the intensive class:

• Students will have mid-semester and end of semester exams in each semester, for a total of 4 exams per year.
• A progress report will be issued at the middle and end of each semester.

Annual events for the intensive class:

• Excursions (about once a semester)
• KISTival (school festival)
• Cross country
• New Year Party
• Parent/Teacher/Student interviews (once a semester)
• Family day
• School Concert

Intensive Class enrolment period:
Students are able to enroll in the intensive class for up to one school year. Extension of this one school year period may be granted to those entering the school in middle of the school year after September or in special circumstances.

Transfer to the KIST secondary school:
To transfer to the KIST secondary class, students must have reached the required English and mathematics level. In addition, they must also satisfy attendance requirements, follow school rules, and meet certain other conditions. If a student fulfills these conditions and passes the regular KIST admissions process by the end of his or her enrolment period, the student will receive a conditional offer to enroll in secondary school. Not meeting these requirements will result in a recommendation that studies be continued at another school. Attendance in this program should not be considered a guarantee for acceptance into the KIST secondary school but rather the increased likelihood if suitable skills are acquired.

Intensive class tuition and other necessary fees:

1 Non-refundable
2 Reduced rate for students re-enrolling at KISt within three years of the previous date of withdrawal
3 Will be reduced for students first enrolling from April

Other fees charged separately:

• Textbook fees for Math, English, Science, Humanities and Japanese
• Excursion fees
• Summer School fees

Mid-semester enrollments and withdrawals
For all mid-semester enrollments and withdrawals, the first or last tuition fee to be paid is discounted depending on when your child starts or leaves the school. This is based on a monthly pro-rata calculation. For new enrollments, tuition is required from the beginning of the month of enrollment regardless of the date of first attendance. For withdrawals, tuition is required until the end of the final month of enrollment regardless of the date of withdrawal. Please note that this applies only to general tuition fees as well as fees for the school bus service. There is no reduction on annual general fees or for any other services offered by the school, with the exception of the Building Maintenance Fee which is reduced to \25,000 for students whose initial enrollment is between April and June only.
 

Computers:
Intensive class students are required to bring their own laptop to school. As students will be using their own laptop during IT class, please make sure that the laptops students bring meet the specifications below. Students are responsible for keeping their laptop in their own locker when it is not being used in class.

Recommended specifications:

Additional information：

• While enrolled in the intensive class, it is not recommended that students attend any after school clubs as sufficient time is needed for homework and supplementary learning. We also recommend that students involved with any sports or art activities do so during the weekends.
• Students enrolled in the intensive class are required to attend the first three-week summer school session held on campus during the summer holidays. Furthermore, upon transfer to the secondary school, students are required to attend a minimum of three supplementary learning LEAP classes per week, as well as summer school (minimum of three weeks) during the first year. A separate charge for summer school and LEAP applies.