#Japan #Tokyo #Bilingual Education #Sakura International School #IB PYP

Sakura International School Receives IB PYP Accreditation

Sakura International School, located in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo, has recently achieved accreditation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. This milestone is not just about a title; it significantly enhances the educational environment at the school, which operates under the philosophy of Kansai International Academy. Their objective is to cultivate leaders who, through bilingual inquiry-based learning, contribute positively to the global community with creativity and a sense of responsibility.

Since its establishment in 2021, Sakura International School, a group institution of Kansai International Academy, has focused on fostering an environment that encourages qualities such as agency, respect, curiosity, empathy, and integrity. Now, with the PYP accreditation, the school is set to provide even higher quality education aligned with the IB framework.

The school’s commitment to inquiry-based learning plays a crucial role in empowering children to engage with societal and global issues. This approach steers them toward becoming global leaders capable of identifying and actively contributing to solutions for challenges that transcend national borders.

Message from Principal Marwa Elgezeery

Principal Marwa Elgezeery expressed her delight in the accreditation. She highlighted that this achievement reflects the collective effort of not just the staff but also students and parents who have all worked towards realizing the school's mission and vision.

During the evaluation process, the IB team was particularly impressed with the systematic language support structure which ensures that students can excel in both Japanese and English. The dedicated support team for student learning and growth, alongside teachers who work collaboratively across subjects and languages, received commendations from the IB evaluators.

Furthermore, the school environment, where curiosity and inquiry are respected, contributes to a stimulating and warm learning atmosphere. Most importantly, the IB team acknowledged the proactive engagement of students in their learning journeys, appreciating their growth facilitated through self and peer assessments.

This recognition by the IB is a testament to the school's unwavering commitment to face educational challenges meaningfully, coupling their mission with a unified direction among all community members. By joining a network of over 5,000 IB World Schools, Sakura International School is poised to further strengthen its high-quality international education, nurturing curiosity, bilingual proficiency, a sense of global citizenship, and lifelong learning capabilities among its students.

About Sakura International School Elementary Division

With the educational philosophy of nurturing leaders who contribute to the international community through bilingual inquiry-based learning, Sakura International School offers a sophisticated program in both English and Japanese. The focus is not just on finding correct answers to prescribed problems, but on gaining a real understanding of global occurrences and encouraging students to investigate, think critically, and take actionable steps from their interests.

Students also experience cultural and historical education that reinforces their Japanese identity, and as they progress to higher grades, they have the opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand, immersing themselves in a global context. The school emphasizes logical thinking and creativity through ICT and programming education, alongside enriching arts education, including drama, visual arts, and music, ensuring the development of each child's unique qualities.

Fully Bilingual Environment

Despite being an international school, Sakura International School places a high priority on Japanese language education. Effective participation in international society requires not only fluency in English but also a strong grounding in Japanese language skills and cultural identity. Strengthening native Japanese proficiency forms the foundation for learning a second language, enhancing cognitive skills, and nurturing cultural identity. This, in turn, boosts self-esteem, facilitating a confident approach to foreign language acquisition.

To achieve a fully bilingual curriculum, Japanese language classes are taught by native Japanese teachers, while international educators lead English classes, ensuring a comprehensive bilingual educational experience for all students.

Upcoming Experience Classes

In light of becoming an IB PYP accredited school, Sakura International School is hosting trial classes that reflect its bilingual inquiry-based learning approach. This is a great opportunity for interested families to experience firsthand the school's educational environment.

Event Details

• - Date: October 11, 2025 (Saturday), 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM; February 14, 2026 (Saturday), 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
• - Location: Sakura International School, 2-4-2 Minami-Azabu, Tokyo
• - Target: Children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten
• - Session Duration: 45 minutes each for English and Japanese sessions (held by grade level)
• - Capacity: Approximately 20 participants per session (about 10 per group for each grade)
• - Participation Fee (includes lunch): Students – ¥1,000; Parents – ¥800
• - What to Bring: Students – writing materials, water bottle, indoor shoes; Parents – name tag (for internal members only), slippers
• - Access: 6-minute walk from Toei Subway, Tokyo Metro “Azabu-Juban” and 9-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Namboku Line “Shirokane-Takanawa.”
• - Registration: Please fill out the required information at the following URL: Event Registration

Note: Registration will close once capacity is reached, and refunds cannot be provided after sign-up.

Overview

Sakura International School Elementary Division
English Name: Sakura International School Elementary School
Location: 2-4-2 Minami-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo
Access: 6-minute walk from Toei Subway, Tokyo Metro “Azabu-Juban” / 9-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Namboku Line “Shirokane-Takanawa”