From the Head of School

Kevin Yoshihara Ed.D.

Head of School

Dear KIST Community, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the start of the 2025–26 school year at K. International School Tokyo. The beginning of a new year always brings with it a sense of excitement, fresh opportunities, and renewed commitment to our mission of developing academic excellence and nurturing high moral character in every student.

Over the past few weeks, it has been wonderful to meet so many families at our three Parent Welcome Nights. Your engagement, encouragement, and partnership with us are essential to the success of our students, and I am grateful for the time you have taken to connect with teachers and our administration team as we begin this new journey together.

As we look ahead, let’s also take a minute to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students. The IB Diploma Programme results for the Class of 2025 were among the very best in the world, with an extraordinary school average of 42.0 points. Seven students achieved a perfect score of 45, and 89% of the cohort scored above 40 points. These outcomes not only reflect the diligence and resilience of our students but also the dedication of our teachers and the support of our families. Together, they show the power of a community working towards a shared vision of excellence.

In addition to celebrating these successes, we are also moving forward with several exciting developments across the school this year. Our new timetables, with 45-minute periods in the Elementary School and 55-minute periods in the Secondary School, have been designed to provide a more balanced and effective learning experience for students. With this change, our students begin the day earlier, which has also meant that almost all of our students now arrive at the school gate around the same time. Your cooperation in making this adjustment smooth and successful is greatly appreciated.

We have also welcomed new members to our leadership team, including our Elementary School Principal, Vice Head of School, Elementary School Vice Principal (ECE), and Assistant DP Coordinator. Each of these members of our team will play an important role in strengthening instruction, supporting our staff, and enhancing the overall student experience.

These changes reflect our continued efforts to refine our practices and create an environment where every student can thrive both academically and socially.

As a community, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of teaching and learning, while ensuring that our students develop the character, compassion, and global viewpoint needed to succeed in today’s world. I look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences for all members of our community. Thank you once again for your ongoing trust and support as we work together to make this a successful year for every KIST student.

Warm regards,

Kevin Yoshihara Ed.D.

Head of School