Mission, Values & Beliefs

NIS serves internationally-minded students and their families, providing an inquiry-based, whole-child educational approach for students in preschool through grade 12.

In order to serve our students, our expectation is that all community members embrace our mission and value diversity and inclusion. 

As a non-profit, inclusive school, NIS makes the best use of our community resources to support our learners, reflecting the complex dimensions of diversity, including language, nationality, race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability, socioeconomic background and neurodivergence. NIS accepts those students who we have the capacity to support to ensure that each student has the ability to achieve our Mission.

International mindedness at NIS is developed through a shared set of skills, behaviors, and values that guide how we learn, interact, and engage with the world.

Our diverse community provides authentic opportunities for students to explore identity, build understanding, and develop a sense of belonging. We recognize that international mindedness is not automatic; it is learned through experience, reflection, and meaningful interaction with others.

At NIS, students are encouraged to consider different perspectives with empathy, respect, and openness. Through this, they develop the ability to think critically, act thoughtfully, and contribute positively within a diverse and changing world.

Language is central to each individual’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. It is how we make meaning, express ourselves, and connect with others.

At NIS, students learn language, learn about language, and learn through language. English is our common language of instruction, and we value the continued development of all languages within our multilingual community.

We recognize that language learning is a complex and personal process, and each learner engages with it in different ways. We are committed to using language inclusively, fostering understanding, and creating opportunities for all members of our community to communicate with confidence. In doing so, we build a language-rich environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute and belong.

At NIS, well-being is fundamental to learning. When students feel safe, supported, and connected, they are able to grow, engage, and thrive.

We view well-being as a shared responsibility across our community. It includes the emotional, physical, mental, social, and environmental health of every student and adult. Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the principles of the IB, we are committed to creating an environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and able to fully participate.

Through strong relationships and a sense of belonging, we create a community where students feel known and supported. Well-being is not a separate initiative at NIS, it is embedded in how we teach, how we lead, and how we make decisions. It shapes our policies, our programs, and our daily interactions, ensuring that every member of our community has the opportunity to learn, develop, and flourish.
 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WELL-BEING AT NIS

Nagoya International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of every student. Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and aligned with the standards of CIS, WASC, and the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS), we recognize our responsibility to ensure that all children are safe, supported, and protected.

Safeguarding at NIS extends across all aspects of school life, including on campus, at home, and during all school-related activities. Every member of staff has a professional and contractual responsibility to uphold this commitment and to act in the best interests of each child.

Our safeguarding policy is designed to protect students from harm and to guide staff in maintaining safe, respectful, and developmentally appropriate relationships. It provides clear procedures for identifying concerns and responding appropriately when a student may be at risk.

When concerns arise, we take them seriously and act with care and responsibility. We work in partnership with families and, when appropriate, with external professionals and agencies to ensure that each child’s emotional and physical well-being remains the priority.

READ OUR SAFEGUARDING POLICY

At NIS, belonging is intentionally built into every aspect of school life. Our Belonging Framework guides how we design our systems, shape learning, and engage as a community to ensure every individual feels respected, included, and able to contribute.