MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADE 6 TO GRADE 9)

In Nishimachi middle school, students are able to achieve their potential in student-centered classes of up to twenty students. Our central Tokyo location means that students are part of a community that extends beyond school hours.

ADVISORY PROGRAM

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Each grade level is subdivided into “advisory groups” of five to nine students. These are the basic units for day-to-day school business such as recording attendance and co-ordinating student information and communication. In advisory groups, students develop awareness of personal and social skills pertaining to life in general and school-related issues. The advisory program is an essential component of the middle school educational program and supports the aims and objectives of the health and wellness curriculum. Students from advisory groups are elected to our student council, StuCo. This provides leadership opportunities and encourages responsibility within our community.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

In each grade, two advisory groups are combined as “core” teaching groups. There are three core groups in grade 6, two in grades 7 and 8, and one in grade 9.

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The middle school schedule is divided into teaching periods of 60 minutes on a 10-day cycle. All students take the following courses from grades 6–9:
1.English (8 hours per cycle)
2.Mathematics (8 hours per cycle)
3.Science (7 hours per cycle)
4.Social studies (7 hours per cycle)
5.Japanese language (8 hours per cycle)
6.Japanese social studies (4 hours per cycle)
7.Art (3 hours per cycle)
8.Music (3 hours per cycle)
9.Drama (3 hours per cycle)
10.Physical education (3 hours per cycle)
11.Health and wellness (1 hour per cycle)
12.Exploratory classes (4 hours per cycle)
For all subjects, other than Japanese and mathematics in grades 8 and 9, the core groups are mixed ability groups. Levels in the Japanese program are determined according to the language background and proficiency of the student. Mathematics is taught at honors or standard levels in grades 8 and 9. Within all classes, differentiation allows for optimal student learning.

While all classes have excellent access to information technology, students in grade 9 are involved in a one-to-one laptop program. Students are provided with their own Apple computer for the duration of the course. They follow an integrated arts syllabus involving film and media studies. They also work on the ‘’Grade 9 Challenge,” in which they explore a topic of their own choice. At the end of the year, they graduate in a formal ceremony.

HOMEWORK

Homework is considered a necessary part of the overall middle school educational program. The amount of time spent on homework varies for each student, but, in general, the total time spent ranges from 90 minutes per day for grades 6 and 7, to up to 3 hours for grades 8 and 9.

EXPLORATORY AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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Another important component of the middle school experience is the exploratory program, which students take for four periods per cycle. Exploratory courses provide hands-on, less academic minicourses offered by the faculty. In exploratory courses, students have opportunities to expand and develop their personal interests. Exploratory courses have included instrumental ensembles, Spanish, international cooking, drama, digital photography, circus, second-language learning, DVD movie making, Japanese calligraphy, and African drumming. Support in curricular subjects is also available at this time.

COCURRICULAR PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

Students have a number of opportunities to visit Kazuno, the school’s lodge and outdoor education facility in Gunma Prefecture. Visits to Kazuno meet a number of cultural, personal, and social learning objectives. Students:
・complete the “rice cycle” that is first encountered in grade 5;
・collaborate with students at our sister school in Kurohone; and
・participate in a variety of valuable outdoor educational activities and team-building
opportunities that enhance the middle school learning experience.

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Students have regular opportunities for extramural activities such as climbing Mount Fuji or cycling in Chiba, and the curriculum is enhanced by visits to local sites and the historical cities of Japan, such as Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.
All middle school teachers and students experience a week-long ski trip each February. While the trip is part of the physical education program, giving students the opportunity to become more proficient in skiing, there are other equally important personal and social benefits that students and teachers gain from this very special activity.
Clubs and ensembles, supervised by faculty, provide students with opportunities to develop skills and interests beyond the normal, prescribed curriculum. These include:
・sports teams that play competitively with other international schools in the Tokyo area;
・music ensembles that perform both in school and at regional school festivals; and
・opportunities for participation in community service projects.

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At Nishimachi, we have a "no-cut" policy for our teams and ensembles, which means any student, regardless of level of expertise, can be included on the team and get to play during the season. Sports offered include soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country running, and badminton. Ensembles that travel to Tokyo festivals include bands and choirs. With guidance from the counselor, students organize social functions and have their say in decisions affecting middle school through the student council (StuCo.)

MS APPROACHES TO LEARNING, ASSESSMENT, AND REPORTING

Students are exposed to a wide range of learning strategies and assessment practices. Teachers use a combination of presentation, class discussion, collaborative group work, individual work, long- and short-term projects, and closely monitored units. All classes have access to sets of Apple computers.

Information and communication technology plays a major role in twenty-first century student learning. Teachers use a variety of resources in designing their lessons including, but not limited to, subject textbooks, the media center (general reference and periodicals sources), the Internet, and audio/video tools (cassettes, video, DVD, and CD-ROMs). Parents and students access subject content through our interactive portal “Studywiz,” which also serves as the primary communication tool for the school. Students are encouraged to reflect upon their learning. There is no formal examination period at the end of semester, but many of the core-subject teachers administer cumulative classroom tests at appropriate times in units of work.

MOVING ON FROM NISHIMACHI

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Nishimachi middle school students are well prepared for the academic and social challenges that await them in their next school setting. Whether their choice is an international high school in Tokyo or a school in another country, graduates of our program routinely report that they are well prepared for all that awaits them beyond the Nishimachi learning experience.

Please click here to learn what our alumni have to say about Nishimachi education they received.