St Michaels International School

St Michael's International School (SMIS) was founded in 1946 by Bishop Yashiro of Kobe and the Missionary Leonora Lea. There has been a school on the present site since the late 19th century.

The school was founded as an independent, church-run, co-educational school to meet the needs of non-Japanese families living within Kobe. The school now offers an education based on the English National Curriculum for over 150 children from Nursery up to year 6.

Classes throughout St Michael's are organized in single age groupings and the standard number for each class is 20. Each class has a teacher and assistant. The Pre-School programme focuses on developing social skills, fine motor skills, the ability to work independently, in group and whole class situations and also introduces children to number and the alphabet. The English National Curriculum begins from Reception age.

Generally children with little English ability are not accepted at St Michael's - however if they are, it is with the proviso that support can be offered through the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Coordinator and/or Class Teachers/Assistants. Japanese is studied from Year 1 and there is provision for French speakers to take part in French classes at the school. The French curriculum focuses on reading and writing. The staff at St Michael's are qualified, highly skilled and motivated and there is a high ratio of teaching staff to children. Parents are an integral part of the school and an open dialogue exists between the parents and staff.

The school uses specialist teachers for French, music, art, physical education, religious education and ICT to ensure that the best education is being offered to the children. A library, computer room, art room and gymnasium are available.

There is an English language school on the site, catering for local adults and children learning English, either during the day or evening.

Admission forms and school brochures are available from the school or via the web site, explaining the admissions process in detail. Prospective parents and children are welcome to visit and tour the school.