St. Mary’s International School: Tokyo’s Leading All-Boys International School
- egcisjp
- 1月19日
- 読了時間: 4分
About St. Mary’s International School
St. Mary’s International School, founded in 1954, is a Catholic all-boys institution located in Setagaya ward of Tokyo, Japan. It offers education from kindergarten to Grade 12 and serves around 1,000 students from nearly 60 countries. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), St. Mary’s combines rigorous academic standards with a strong emphasis on moral and spiritual growth. The primary language of instruction is English, and the school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
Curriculum Overview
Elementary School
The elementary curriculum focuses on building a strong academic foundation while fostering creativity and personal growth. Their elementary school curriculum includes subjects such as:
Language Arts and Mathematics: Aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Science: Uses the Full Option Science System (FOSS) from UC Berkeley, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Social Studies: Based on the AERO Standards framework.
Japanese Language: Classes from Grades 2-5 are divided into Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
Specialist-Taught Classes: Music, Art, Physical Education, and Library Studies encourage creativity and physical well-being.
Middle School
The middle school program builds on the foundation of the elementary curriculum and prepares students for the challenges of high school:
Subjects: Core subjects include Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Religion/Ethics, World Languages, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Design & Technology.
Curriculum Design: Developed using the Understanding by Design approach and regularly updated to maintain consistency across grades.
High School
The high school curriculum at St. Mary’s is rigorous, offering both a High School Diploma with a credit-based system and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
Graduation Requirements: A minimum of 27 credits, with year-long courses earning 1 credit and semester-long courses earning 0.5 credits.
IB Diploma Programme: All high school students are enrolled in IB classes, and over 85% of Grade 11 and 12 students pursue the full IB Diploma (2022). The IB Diploma program includes six subject groups and core components like Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
Non-IB Options: Students not pursuing the full IB Diploma can take individual IB courses or other academic options.
For more details, refer to the Program of Studies PDF.
Academic Achievements
St. Mary’s students consistently achieve high academic standards, preparing them for top universities worldwide:
IB Results (2022): An average score of 37, significantly above the global average of 32, with all 42 candidates earning their diplomas.
SAT Results (August 2022): Students demonstrated strong results with a mean total score of 1320, compared to the world average SAT score of approximately 1050. The middle 50% ranges for St. Mary’s students were:
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 570–670
Mathematics: 650–760
College Matriculation (2018–2022): Graduates have attended prestigious institutions, including:
United States: UC Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, NYU.
United Kingdom: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, LSE.
Canada: University of Toronto, UBC, McGill.
Japan: University of Tokyo, Keio, Waseda.
These achievements highlight St. Mary’s dedication to academic excellence and global college preparation.
Beyond the Classroom
Support Services
St. Mary’s offers several support programs to help students succeed:
Learning Support: For students who face academic challenges, support includes screenings, strategy planning, and high school tutors for younger students.
Academic Support: Reinforces the curriculum for Grades 6-12 and includes elective writing classes and English language support for students struggling with academic English. This includes academic personal counseling in Grade 9 and academic university counseling in Grades 10-12.
ESL Support: Available for non-native English speakers from RP to Grade 8 to help them integrate into mainstream classes.
Extracurricular Activities
Students can choose from a variety of activities, fostering skills and interests outside the classroom:
Clubs: Debate, robotics, STEM, Brain Bowl, origami, and student council.
Sports: Soccer, basketball, swimming, rugby, and more.
Arts: Choir, band, drama, art, and film.
Community Service
The school encourages students to participate in service clubs like the Fukushima Benefactors, which supports survivors of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Other clubs focus on environmental and humanitarian efforts.
Liturgy
Daily Holy Mass and other spiritual programs help students develop their moral and spiritual values.
Admissions Process
The application process for St. Mary’s International School is open to all applicants, regardless of religion, nationality, or ethnicity. Here’s how to apply:
Submit Application: Complete the application form via the school’s page
Pay Application Fee
Upload Required Documents
Once all requirements are met, the admissions committee reviews the application. Approved applicants are invited for an interview and screening test. Note that invitations may not be extended if the applicant is deemed unsuitable or if the grade level is full.
Screening Test Details:
Oral Interview
English Language Exam: Assesses grade-level reading, vocabulary, and usage.
Mathematics Check
Writing Sample
After the screening and interview, the admissions committee makes a holistic decision, with results emailed within one week.
For more information, check their website: https://smis.openapply.com/
Why Choose St. Mary’s?
All-Boys Environment: Tailored to the educational and developmental needs of boys.
Diverse Student Body: Welcomes students from nearly 60 countries.
Values-Based Education: Emphasizes respect, responsibility, and Christian values.
Academic Excellence: Strong IB program and consistent placement in top universities.
Extracurricular Opportunities: A wide range of sports, arts, and service programs.
Modern Campus: Safe and well-equipped facilities.
Conclusion
St. Mary’s International School provides a robust education that supports boys’ academic, personal, and spiritual development. With its rigorous IB program, diverse extracurricular activities, and focus on values, the school prepares students to succeed in both higher education and life. For more information, visit the official website.
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