Laurus International School of Science Tokyo
Laurus International School of Science is a co-ed pre-school, kindergarten, and international school based in Tokyo. Laurus International School enrolls students from Japan and the international community in the Tokyo area. The headquarters are based in Shirokanedai. Laurus follows the Cambridge International curriculum with science, art, music, and physical education (PE).
History
Laurus International School is owned by opened its first school in 2002 (as Bilinga) to provide instruction in English Kindergarten (K3). The school was initially created to offer a more global choice of education than is currently available through the national education system in Japan, which is often seen as lecture-based, while the Laurus approach places emphasis on science as a means to encourage students to inquire about the world around them.[1]
Bilinga then changed its name to Laurus International School of Science and as of August 2017 was Tokyo's largest Pre-School / Kindergarten group with eight schools in the Tokyo area.
Mr. and Ms. Hioki opened the elementary school (now Laurus International School of Science ) in 2015.
Pre-school through to kindergarten
Laurus follows the model of a Japanese kindergarten, which are referred to as a Yochien in Japan. They provide education for students who are aged 3–6. Students go through 3 years of instruction as K1 (ages 3-4) K2 (ages 4-5) and K3 (ages 5-6). Japanese kindergartens follow educational aims, while preschools are predominantly daycare facilities, concerned with providing care for infants and toddlers.
In 2016, Laurus became a member of TAIP (Tokyo Association of Preschools).[2]
Elementary school
Laurus International School of Science is Tokyo's first STEM school.
Laurus International School of Science accepts students from its own K–3 classes as well as other schools both in Japan and abroad. It offers a robust interdisciplinary STEM program, where lessons include programming and frequent hands-on activities.[3] The school is currentlyseeking accreditation with Cambridge International Examinations, which accredits over 10,000 schools in 160 countries.[4] The school includes programming and ICT classes that complement the core Cambridge curriculum, including computer and keyboard skills.
The school hosts an annual science fair.
Locations
Laurus International School has six primary educational centers in its Shirokanedai, Den-en-chofu, Takanawa, Aoyama, Musashikosugi, and Musashishinjo locations – mostly in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. It also has two smaller schools in Nishimagome and Kugahara.
Curriculum
Laurus International School uses a combination of the Cambridge International Examinations curriculum, established English language textbooks, which are supplemented by curriculum that has been developed by in-house experts.[5]
The primary area of focus are literacy and numeracy, both of which form an indispensable educational foundation.[6]
References
- "【STEM教育イベント開催】9/2 武蔵新城校開校記念ローラス インターナショナルスクール オブ サイエンス武蔵新城校で開催!".
- "Tokyo Association of International Preschools – Preschools for Preschoolers!". tokyopreschools.org.
- "Laurus International School of Science Summer School". International School Times. International School Times. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- "Why Cambridge?". www.cie.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- "Cambridge Primary curriculum". www.cie.org.uk.
- Council, National Research; Education, Division of Behavioral Social Sciences and; Education, Center for; Committee, Mathematics Learning Study (2001). 10 developing proficiency in teaching mathematics – Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics – The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/9822. ISBN 978-0-309-21895-5.