FAQ

The maximum class size at TCS is 9. We believe it is a number that allows us to care for each individual student and support their learning while also allowing them to experience many different personal relationships. We have get asked whether a small class size would impede on their social development, but children in a class or 30-40 have the option of ignoring those with whom they do not get along and those they do not like. This way of “solving” the issue would impede the growth of their communication skills. On the other hand, a smaller class size means no one can ignore the clashes between their friends. Everyone must be involved in discussing and finding a solution. This leads to students building solid relationships with one another.

Moreover, social skills are not developed in the school alone, but in society. TCS students actively go outside the school to meet people, help people, and receive help from people. We believe that this connection with the community is what truly develops children’s social skills.

Students exercise outside a lot, and we make use several nearby parks which all have their own uniqueness. For instance, Momijiyama Park has a lake and a waterfall with a river running through it as well as abundant greenery, making it an ideal place for learning. Shiroyama Park is suited for children quickly going over to play during their break time. For PE class, we use Yato Athletic Park which has a fenced area that is ideal for sports using balls. It is almost as big as a school playground. We do not have our own playground, but we make use of the whole Nakano area as our playground.

We have regular children from regular families. All our children are “child-like” and in past interactions with students from public elementary schools, they all go along fine with each other. We generally get parents who understand the importance of education. Rather than being “enthusiastic”, most parents want to develop their children’s strengths and are thinking serious about their future.

The “power to keep learning” is necessary for children, teachers, the whole school, as well has each citizen and as a whole society. TCS’s learning style is based on the connection between thoughts and actions, people and people, life and society, and through that, children learn the thrill of making their own learning, empathy toward others, the joy of participating in society, the thinking skills and energy to dive into the unknown, and the richness of human relationships cultivated through communication.

The “power to keep learning” will no wear out when they become adults, but will become to power to create an abundant social life as a citizen in that community.

In order to develop the　“the power to keep learning”, teachers and parents must also have the “power to keep learning”. In the old days, “providing knowledge-based value”, as in communicating existing knowledge, was sufficient. But today, students are required to provide value based on problem-solving as they developed their ability to solve unknown problems. Of course teachers themselves need to learn the process of thought and action related to problem-solving, but they must also be willing to use their past experience and trial-and-error with the students to tacking unfamiliar things.

Yes. Please contact us for a visit and/or observation. We would love to hear from you.

Yes. We encourage students to have stimulating and exciting holidays full of wonder and discovery – and tell us all about it back at school! Dates will be posted on the website once they are confirmed.

Generally we expect students to bring a packed lunch. We understand however that at times it helps to be able to purchase lunch. A cooked lunch (Japanese-style obento) can be delivered to school.

There are numerous facilities around TCS and we make the most of them. The Nakano Ward Central Library is a short walk from the school, and the students call it “the school library”. Nakano ZERO is has meeting rooms, music rooms, and a concert hall with full lighting and sound equipment. Concerts and stage performances are held here regularly, and we are very fortunate to be able to use it for the annual Miracle Hyper Stage performance. For Sports Day, we often use the playground of public or private primary schools and junior high schools. Tokyo Athletics Club has a pool which we can use for swimming lessons every year. We make use of public facilities around us and make the most of the TCS community to more than make up for whatever facilities we lack.

Prior knowledge of English is not required; we will offer plenty of language support so that children will be able to nurture their English language skills from the earliest stages.