Differences between International Schools and Japanese Schools

There are some fundamental differences between International Schools and regular Japanese school that are often overlooked. At OYIS, we believe that it is vital for the parents to fully understand how different these two types of schools are, and it is essential for them to do so before they make the decision to send their child to OYIS. In choosing to educate your child, regardless of their nationality or cultural background, in a western institution such as OYIS, you as parents are making a serious decision for your child that will affect the rest of his/her life. The following is intended to guide you to a better understanding of OYIS and the role it plays in child education, and we hope that this will avoid any future misunderstandings or complications between you and the School.

Osaka YMCA International School aims to foster the utmost development in our students' capabilities by providing them with a high quality education in the English language. In principle, we only accept those children who we believe will benefit from the unique education that we have to offer here at OYIS. To make sure that no unnecessary pressure or stress is put on our students, we expect all our students to be competent in classroom English and familiar with the western educational systems. OYIS is not an English language school, but a school where English is the primary language of instructions in all classes and activities.

The curriculum at OYIS is based on the Western system. Our students are required to think and respond, in both verbal and written forms of English, to questions requiring analysis, synthesis and evaluation. We prepare them for higher educational achievements, leading them to study at English-language universities outside Japan. However, as our classes are not constructed to follow the Japanese Curriculum, students graduating from OYIS may find it difficult, if not almost impossible, to continue their studies at Japanese universities. Parents must be reminded that, if a child with Japanese nationality enters the School, it means that the child would be abandoning the OrdinaryEJapanese Education set by the Japanese Government. If the child is a Japanese citizen, he/she is required by Japanese Law to obtain an official permit from the Japanese Board of Education, allowing him/her to be released from Gimukyoiku, and this must be completed before they can be accepted into OYIS. Parents whose child is a member of OYIS must note that it is solely their responsibility for all the actions they take toward the Government.

OYIS welcomes students of all nationalities and religious backgrounds, as long as they meet all the School requirements. At OYIS, we encourage our students to learn across the disciplinary spectrum, so that they cultivate a broad and deep knowledge of the world and its manifold relationships.

It must be noted that, at OYIS, attitudes and atmosphere in general are also Western in style. Over the course of their studies here, our students will acquire western habits and ways of thinking, and will inevitably be accustomed to what may not be considered as the norm in a non-Western society.

In the best interest of our individual students and the School as a whole, if a student is found to be having difficulties with the work set by the School, the student is usually requested to repeat a grade, or in more serious cases, the School will request the student to be transferred to another educational institution, where he/she may be more successful.

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