Nagoya International School

Yesterday, the Gr. 6 completed 11.5km on foot as part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Walk, visiting Temples 1–5 along the route. Along the way, students embraced the challenge with perseverance, and (mostly!) smiles, taking in the beautiful scenery and experiencing a unique aspect of Japanese culture and tradition.

We are incredibly proud of the resilience, positive attitude, and teamwork shown throughout the day. Whether tackling hills, supporting one another, or simply putting one foot in front of the other, everyone rose to the challenge. We are ready as we continue our journey today!

What does learning to read look like in Grade 1 Japanese?

Recently, students participated in paired reading, taking turns reading sentences from their textbook and supporting one another when they encountered unfamiliar words or kanji.

While the activity may appear simple, students were developing several important skills at once. They were building fluency in hiragana, katakana, and kanji, strengthening reading comprehension, and learning how to use collaboration as a tool for learning.

Just as importantly, they were practicing the habits that help learning happen. When students feel safe to make mistakes, ask for help, and support their peers, they are more willing to take risks and tackle new challenges.

By the end of Grade 1, students have made significant progress in their Japanese literacy development. Their growing ability to read independently reflects not only academic growth, but also the confidence, responsibility, and sense of belonging that help every learner thrive.

At NIS, we believe that making learning visible means helping families understand both what students are learning and the conditions that make that learning possible.

The Class of 2026 is heading in many directions, and that is exactly the point.

This year’s graduating class received 86 university offers across 10 countries (with more still coming in), reflecting a wide range of interests, ambitions, and future goals.

From Japan, North America, and the United Kingdom to the Netherlands and beyond, our students explored pathways that matched their individual strengths and aspirations.

At NIS, university preparation is not about guiding every student toward the same destination. It’s about helping each learner discover the path that is right for them, then providing the academic challenge, support, and guidance to help them get there.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement. We look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead.

Today, we welcomed representatives from 32 universities from Japan and around the world for our 5th Annual NIS College Fair. Open to NIS families, the fair provided students and parents with valuable opportunities to learn about university programs, admissions requirements, campus life, and future pathways directly from the representatives of these outstanding universities from Japan, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

At the same time, students across the school participated in our Student-Led Conferences, our final key learning event of the academic year. Through these conferences, students reflected on their learning journey, shared evidence of growth, and celebrated the goals they have achieved throughout the year. Families also had the opportunity to engage in a variety of other events taking place across campus, including an Online Safety Seminar and our Secondary Visual Art Exhibition.

Days like today showcase the vibrant learning community at NIS, where students are encouraged to reflect on their growth, explore future possibilities, and share their achievements with those who support them.

Thank you to all of our visiting university representatives, students, families, faculty, and staff who made today such a meaningful and memorable day!

Today was our 59th Commencement Exercises 🎓Congratulations to the NIS Class of 2026! We are so proud of every one of you!! 💚🩷

🌍 NEW UNIT ALERT! 🌍

Our young researchers have officially launched their next Unit of Inquiry under the transdisciplinary theme: Sharing the Planet! 🌱✨

🗺️ Central Idea: Earth’s diverse biomes play a vital role for the wellbeing of living things.We are only at the beginning, but our students have already dived in headfirst!

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

🕵️‍♂️ The Provocation: We started with a mystery! Seeing species placed in completely wrong habitats sparked incredible curiosity and a flood of brilliant questions.

📝 Chalk Talk & Classification: We used a “Chalk Talk” thinking routine to silently collaborate and map out our ideas on animal classification. It was amazing to see students connecting animal traits to the unique biomes they belong to!

🌾 Wetland Field Trip: We took our learning into the wild! The team braved a hot day to conduct a hands-on river study at a local wetland, exploring biodiversity and seeing firsthand how vital these ecosystems are.

We are SO excited to see where this inquiry journey takes us next! 🚀

Submitted by: Ms. Medina

35 Years of Fun, Food, and Fundraising! The NIS community gathered again to support the Chubu Walkathon on Sunday! Organized by the ACCJ and NIS, the event brings together alumni, families, students, and friends to join in support for the community for one of the most cherished events on the NIS calendar.

Held at Meijo Park again this year, the day featured live music and dance performances, fabulous food trucks, children's activities, great weather, and, of course, the opportunity to walk in support of a good cause. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, and supported this year's Walkathon. Together, you helped make the event a wonderful celebration of community, generosity, and shared purpose.