Summerhill International School

Age: 15 months - 6 years old
Area: Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku

About

Summerhill International School, previously known as JAC International School, was established in 1962 and has throughout the years continued to offer exceptional early childhood experiences and world-class education. The school has been accepted as a candidate for the Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Summerhill International offers five separate classes for children aged 15 months to 6 years old. All classes are from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., daily, from Monday to Thursday, the school also offers after-school activities and aftercare for the youngest students. Summerhill also has an Extended Day Program designed for children with parents who both work.

At Summerhill, children are seen as competent and capable and the environment sets the stage for exploration and experimentation through play and inquiry. Teachers connect with each child and plan experiences that will enhance and extend the learning opportunities. The school focuses on helping children develop in all areas, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. There is an emphasis on creativity, music and movement, and an appreciation for the environment. Summerhill is a place “where children are really happy.”

Curriculum

Sunrise Class (15 months-2 years old), Sunset Class (2 – 3 years old)

The Sun (rise and set) Program introduces children to a fairly structured day with stimulating activities, group interaction and the chance to be inquisitive as they begin to talk, walk and explore. Curriculum activities, projects and explorations are based on real-world sensory experiences. A big part of the day is spent singing, dancing, laughing, playing and exploring, indoors and out. These activities encourage interaction with other children to develop important social skills.

Half Moon Class (3 – 4 years old), Full Moon Class (4 – 5 years old)

As an IB Primary Years Program (PYP) candidate school, from the Half Moon class Summerhill’s curriculum reflects and recognizes a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect, and the PYP framework generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to nurture those assets and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child. The PYP is a transdisciplinary program, meaning students learn across subject areas while investigating big ideas.

The environment in the Moon classes stimulates a child’s natural interest in literacy and numeracy, science and the real world. Children at this stage experiment with letters and sounds, and begin to make sense of the written, read and spoken word. Through meaningful and authentic projects children make theories, test hypotheses, ask questions and learn through collaboration and exploration. Emphasis continues to be on creative expression through art, music and movement.

Star Class / Kindergarten (5-6 years old)

Star class fully prepares children for their next important stage of learning, while respecting their present developmental needs, with research-based, developmentally appropriate practices. Children learn and are empowered to ask questions, form their own theories, test out their hypotheses, and evaluate their results. They are reflective of their actions and have an excitement and passion for creating their own learning journeys. Summerhill’s students are taught that learning is fun and meaningful.

After School Activities

Summerhill offers an exciting range of after-school activities that open to both full-time students and the public at large. The after-school activities offer children the chance to participate in an activity that they are interested in, such as Sports, Ballet, Piano, Yoga, Science, Painting, Japanese, Japanese Culture, English and more. The after-school activities are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and are open to anyone that can actively participate in the class, whether enrolled at Summerhill or not.