Elementary School Chofu

ASIJ is split across two campuses. The main one is in Chofu, west of central Tokyo, and is for all years from kindergarten to Grade 12 (elementary is kindergarten to Grade 5, middle school is Grades 6 to 8 and high school is Grades 9 to 12). There is a second campus for the early learning centre (nursery, pre-kindergarten and another kindergarten class) in the Roppongi district. 

In the suburbs, the 14-acre purpose-built Chofu campus sits next to the 200-acre Nogawa Park (handy for elementary pupils studying the local insect population), which means the sound of birdsong can often be heard as pupils move between lessons. 

The campus has very typical Japanese architecture and includes a library for each school division (the elementary library has a makerspace too). There are excellent sports facilities (a trio of gyms, a wrestling room and tennis courts); the Creative Arts Design Centre with its multipurpose performance space; design and technology spaces with outstanding resources such as a robotics lab; and the Japan Cultural Centre. 

Sustainability has been high on the agenda for over a decade. Initiatives include recycling paper, the introduction of earthworms to break down excess waste from the cafeteria for use as compost and solar panels on the roof. The elementary school also has its own garden for growing vegetables. 

Even though it’s in the suburbs, the Chofu campus is well connected. There’s an extensive school-bus network, with around 170 stops across Tokyo. Tama Station is the closest to the Chofu campus; from here it takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach central Tokyo by subway or car. 

Softly spoken and gentle, American Jim Hardin has been at ASIJ since 2017. His teaching career has included stints in Colorado, Scotland and, most recently, Dubai, where he was superintendent of the Dubai American Academy. His wife teaches in the elementary school.

The elementary principal is Marc L’Heureux, who came here from the Singapore American School, where he was deputy principal for 14 years.

Admissions open 12 months before the following academic year. There is no entrance exam but previous reports and test scores are required. Admission is also based on EAL screening and a student support team referral. For kindergarten, families need to note which campus they would like their child to attend. At least one parent must be fluent in English.

AJIS follows a US-style curriculum. In elementary, pupils use the Columbia Writing and Everyday Math programme, alongside units that have been developed by the faculty. There are MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) reading and maths tests from Grade 3. The comprehensive Japanese language and cultural studies programmes start in Grade 1, and all elementary students have a daily lesson. Grades 2 to 5 have a 1:1 iPad programme (parents need to provide it). 

SEN is offered for those with mild learning needs. Pupils in Grades 1 to 8 whose second language is English are offered ELL (English Language Learners) support – English is the language of instruction. A speech and language therapist is also available to work with pupils until Grade 5. 

ASIJ is hot on outdoor learning, whether that be helping out in the school garden or launching rockets from the main field. 

Elementary pupils are taught nihon buyo (classical Japanese dance) by performers. All grades put on shows and musicals each year and there is a fully equipped theatre workshop – ideal for those interested in putting their D&T skills to use creating stage sets – as well as a professional audiovisual system. The Courtyard hosts student performances from jazz concerts to pupil bands on Spirit Day, while main shows happen in the black box or main theatres. 

The middle school is a member of the Kanto Plains league in sports such as basketball, football, cross-country, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. There is also a competitive swim team. Other non-league sports include baseball, flag football, volleyball, karate, wrestling and karate. 

Co-curricular activities include American Sign Language, chess and space club.

There are 57 nationalities in the school, with most pupils holding US passports. After a 1970s sex-abuse scandal that only came to light in the past decade, safeguarding and pastoral care are now a priority, with two nurses on site and three counsellors for elementary school. 

Parents automatically belong to the PTA and can take part in classroom volunteering, as well as helping out in the library and on school trips. A high-school parent tells us: ‘One of the things we love about ASIJ is how easy it is to get involved.’ 

There is no uniform at ASIJ (a rarity in Japan), but pupils must follow the recommended dress-code policy. 

The cafeteria offers hot food and snacks, or lunch can be brought in from home.

Although the main Chofu campus is outside central Tokyo, this is considered one of Japan's most elite international schools.