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Musashi Koyama International School: Bringing out the best in every child

By on June 1, 2008

Update   ——-This school has closed down. ——- 

When American dad Embrey Williams was looking for an international pre-school for his young son a few years ago, he was very pleased to find one conveniently located just minutes from Meguro. His son was duly enrolled in Tokyo Musashikoyama International School.

An experienced martial arts teacher and English instructor, Embrey soon found opportunities to put his professional skills to use there. He started by teaching a Saturday elementary ESL class; this led to an offer of a job as Head Teacher. “Soon after I started teaching here, I knew that I wanted to run the school one day. So I made the former owner an offer, he told me he was ready to sell and I jumped at the chance,” he recalls with a smile.

15 months on, Musashikoyama International has blossomed under Embrey’s leadership and he has implemented a number of new programs and policies. “Listening to parents is one of the keys to a successful pre-school,” Embrey notes. “For example, when I took over, students had to be two years old to attend. However, a number of parents wanted to send their younger children, too, so we lowered the age to 18 months.”

 

The program is divided into three multi-age classes, and while the oldest children attend every day, students in the younger classes may attend full-time or part-time, depending on the family’s needs. There are two opportunities a year for children to move up to the next class, based on their development. Two teachers, including at least one native English speaker, work with each class.

Musashikoyama’s all-English curriculum is based closely on a standard American preschool/kindergarten program. Each class has an age-appropriate curriculum that includes Language, Arts, Math, Science, P.E., Arts and Crafts and Cultural Studies. Moreover, every student gets their own set of workbooks and paperback readers to keep! “The whole school comes together twice a day, allowing plenty of time for multiage interaction. The children particularly enjoy their daily playtime at a nearby park,” Embrey says.

Another example of how the school strives to address parents’ needs is reflected in the hours. Although the core day runs from 9 to 2, parents may drop off as early as 8:30 and children may stay in the extended care program until 6:00. This makes Musashikoyama perfect for working moms. Although most students bring lunch from home, busy parents can order a daily hot lunch through the school.

Embrey is understandably proud of the school’s myriad after-school and Saturday programs, which range from kids’ salsa and kung-fu, to an ESL program for elementary and junior high students. “After a very successful summer school program last year, we have since added winter and spring vacation programs by popular demand,” he explains. “We also feature an extended school year, which runs from September to July.”

Parents of children at Musashikoyama can relax, knowing that their children are safe at all times thanks to a sophisticated security system. “Obviously, we hope we never have to use it! But it is very reassuring for parents to know we have this system,” Embrey says.

 

Tokyo Musashikoyama 

International School in Japan

Toll Free: 0120-47-4444

(03) 3786-9674 

www.tmisij.com

info@tmisij.com 

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