KIS has been providing international education in Kyoto city since 1957. We are continuing the tradition of excellence that for many years has been the hallmark of the values-based education we offer.
Where it all began
Late in 1957, when the American school located on the Botanical Gardens Army Base closed, missionary families were forced to consider alternative options to educate their children. Doug Muir, the son of missionaries living in Kyoto city, became one of the first students of what is now called Kyoto International School. Doug’s mother decided to home school him, his best friend, along with one other student. Classes were held in a vacant bedroom in their family home. The following year, their large 2 story house on Ichijodori was turned into a day school (Kyoto Christian Day School) and a full time teacher was hired. By the 1958/59 school year 28 students were enrolled between grades 1-8. The student body consisted of children from missionary homes as well as families visiting Kyoto for special studies.
The name changed in Kyoto International School in 1966
(Staff/students in 1969)
Timeline
1957 ”Kyoto School for English Speaking Children” founded.
1958 Name changed to “Kyoto Christian Day School”
1966 Name changed to Kyoto International School, at Muromachi-nishiiru, Ichijo-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto. (Leased from a Missionary group.)
1980 Moved to Kyoto Church, Nijo-sagaru, Tominokoji, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto (Leased from Japan Christian Organization)
1983 Moved to 11-1 Ushinomiya-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (Leased by Nishi Honganji Temple)
1985 Kyoto International Academy Foundation established to support KIS.
1987 Moved to Kyoto International Juvenile Exchange Center, 29 Kamimiyanomae-cho, Shishigatani, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (Leased from Kyoto International Juvenile Exchange Foundation, formerly the Kyoto International Academy Foundation)
1992 Six years of accreditation granted from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission For Schools (First Self Study)
1995 Campaign to secure vacant city school started
1997 Permission to lease Juraku Elementary School granted (leased from Kyoto City)
1998 Six years of accreditation granted from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges AccreditingCommission For Schools (Second Self Study)
2004 Six years of accreditation granted from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission For Schools (Third Self Study)
2005 Gained NPO status from Kyoto Prefecture
2006 Authorized as an IB World School with the International Baccalaureate Organization
2007 Registered with Kyoto Prefecture as ‘Gakkou Houjin’ ([legally] incorporated educational institution) Kyoto International School.
2007 50th year anniversary of the Kyoto International School
2008 Opening of the Kyoto International School-Aomori Campus
2010 Six years of accreditation granted from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission For Schools (Fourth Self Study) and evaluation visit from International Baccalaureate Organization
While we celebrate our history, we also realize we must evolve with the changing trends in education to prepare our students for the increasingly competitive global community insuring our students are able to thrive and take responsibility anywhere in the world.
