The Classroom is Where Our Mission Comes Alive

At NIS, students don’t just learn what to think; they learn how to think and how to use that thinking with purpose in every aspect of life.

At Nagoya International School, learning is intentionally designed to challenge, support, and inspire every student. We believe academic excellence is not defined by how much a student can memorize, but by how well they can think, question, and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

We offer an international, English-medium education for children from Preschool to Grade 12, guided by the International Baccalaureate (IB), a rigorous, inquiry-based framework. Our program develops deep understanding, not surface-level knowledge. Students are challenged to analyze, connect ideas across disciplines, and apply their learning in new and unfamiliar contexts. This approach builds the confidence and capability needed for success in high school, university, and beyond.

Learning is a continuous journey. From the early years, where curiosity is nurtured through exploration and play, to the primary years, where ideas are structured and developed, to the middle and high school years, where students grow in independence and take on increasing academic challenge, each stage builds purposefully toward the next.

Welcome from our Curriculum Coordinator

What does learning look like at NIS?

Hear from Curriculum Coordinator Pete Goodman as he shares how academic challenge, inquiry, belonging, and personal growth come together to create meaningful learning experiences for students from the Early Learning Center through High School.

Discover how we inspire students to think deeply, embrace challenges, and develop the confidence to make a positive impact in the world.

Our Definition of Learning

We believe learning is more than the acquisition of knowledge, and research proves that it occurs through both formal and informal experiences and is shaped by inquiry, reflection, practice, feedback, and application.

Learning is a dynamic process that results in the sustained acquisition, consolidation, and evolution of knowledge, concepts, skills, and dispositions, leading to understanding.

As learners develop understanding, they are increasingly able to transfer and apply their learning in new and meaningful contexts.

Students build knowledge and understanding through inquiry, reflection, practice, and application. As they grow, they learn to make connections, transfer their learning to new situations, and apply what they know in meaningful ways. This approach helps students become thoughtful problem-solvers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners who are prepared to thrive in a changing world.

Learning at NIS Develops:

Knowledge: Building understanding through the acquisition and application of information, facts, and ideas.

Concepts: Exploring big ideas, patterns, and relationships that help students make connections across disciplines and contexts.

Skills: Developing the abilities needed to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and solve problems.

Dispositions: Cultivating the attitudes, habits, and mindsets that support resilience, curiosity, responsibility, and personal growth.

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Curriculum & Pathways

Our academic program is designed as a connected journey, with each stage building purposefully toward the next.

From early childhood through to graduation, students develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to succeed in increasingly complex learning environments. As they progress, they move from curiosity and exploration to structured understanding, and then to independence, critical thinking, and advanced academic application.

At every stage, learning is guided by the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) framework, ensuring consistency, depth, and a clear progression in how students think, learn, and apply their knowledge.

Early Learning Center
Preschool & Kindergarten

Where Curiosity Begins

In the Early Learning Centre, children learn through play, exploration, and meaningful interaction. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and guided by the IB Primary Years Programme, learning is designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, and independence.

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Elementary School
Grades 1-5

Building Understanding Through Inquiry

In the Primary Years Programme, students begin to structure their thinking through inquiry-based learning. They ask questions, investigate ideas, and make connections across subjects through transdisciplinary units of inquiry. This approach develops conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and a growing sense of responsibility for their own learning and the world around them.

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Middle School
Grades 6-9

Developing Independence and Academic Depth

In the Middle Years Programme, students deepen their understanding across a broad and balanced range of subjects while developing the ability to think critically and apply their learning in new contexts. As they grow in independence, they are supported in navigating increasing academic challenge, building the skills and confidence needed for success in high school and beyond.

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High School
Grades 9-12

Pathways to University and Beyond

In high school, students are offered flexible academic pathways aligned with their goals. Through a rigorous, concept-based curriculum and the option to pursue the IB Diploma Programme, students develop advanced academic skills, independence, and the ability to apply their learning in complex, real-world contexts. With structured guidance and support, they are prepared for university.

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Explore Learning Beyond the Classroom

Some of the most important learning at NIS happens beyond the classroom.

Meaningful learning at NIS is experiential, rooted in real-world contexts, and strengthened through relationships. Through extended learning experiences and retreats, students apply what they learn in authentic settings, building independence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Explore Extended Learning Retreats & Trips

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Supported at Every Stage

At NIS, academic challenge is matched with the support each student needs to succeed.

Our student support services ensure that every learner is known, supported, and able to make meaningful progress. These services are integrated into the learning experience, working in partnership with teachers to provide guidance, structure, and care at every stage of a student’s journey.

College Guidance

Guiding students and families through every step of the university journey, from early planning to final applications, with pathways to institutions around the world.

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Learning Support

Providing individualized strategies and support to help students access the curriculum, develop confidence, and achieve their full academic potential.

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English Language Support

Supporting multilingual learners in developing the language skills needed to fully engage with an English-medium academic program.

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Social & Emotional Counselling

Supporting student well-being, resilience, and personal development to ensure students are ready to learn and thrive.

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Accredited by Global Standards

NIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), and is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) across all grade levels

These affiliations reflect our commitment to high standards, continuous improvement, and a globally recognized education.