School Profile
Hokkaido International School is a private, coeducational day/boarding school that offers an American-style education from pre-school through high school for students of all nationalities. English is the language of instruction. The school has an enrollment of 190, with 88 students in the secondary school and 13 in the graduating class of 2010. Students represent 28 different nationalities; approximately 15% are native speakers of English. The school was founded in 1958 and is the only International School on the island of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido International School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS) and the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
1-55, 5 jo 19 chome
Hiragishi, Toyohira-Ku
Sapporo, Japan 062-0935 |
Telephone:
(81) 11-816-5000
Fax:
(81) 11-816-2500 |
Email:
his@his.ac.jp
|
CEEB Code (school code):
680175
|
The Community
Hokkaido International School is located in Sapporo, the prefectural capital of the island of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost populated island. A metropolis with a population of 1.9 million, Sapporo is the biggest city on the island. Surrounded by rugged mountains and vast areas for outdoor recreation, Sapporo also hosts the famousYuki Matsuuri (Snow Festival) each February. HIS is located in the district of Hiragishi, a five minute walk from a subway station linked to the city-wide transit network.
The Faculty
HIS has 21 full time and four part time teachers, Pre-K-12. The upper school has 11 teachers, six who share time in elementary. Teachers on staff come from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, and Japan. Of the secondary staff, 70% have advanced degrees. Student/Teacher ratio in the upper school is approximately 8:1 and class size average is about 14 pupils per class.
The School Year
The HIS school year is 179 days long and since 2008 is divided into semesters, and was previously on trimesters. Report cards are distributed twice yearly. The use of final exams/projects is an option for the teacher but is not required. High School is officially grades 10-12 following the Japanes high school grades, though 9-12 are reported on transcripts.
The Curriculum
HIS offers primarily a US-style, college-preparatory curriculum culminating in AP offerings in Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, European History, US History, Comparative Government, Studio Art, English Language and Literature, and Japanese.
Grading Scale (Due to small class size, HIS does not compute a class rank.)
A = 93.3%-100%
A- = 90%-93.2%
B+ = 86.6%-89.9%
B = 83.3%-86.5%
B- = 80%-83.2%
C+ = 76.6%-79.9%
C = 73.3%-76.5%
C- = 70%-73.2%
D+ = 66.6%-69.9%
D = 63.3%-66.5%
D- = 60%-63.2%
F = <60%
(HIS does not give A+)
High School Courses Offered
English: American Literature (10-12), World Literature (10-12), European Literature (10-12), AP English Literature and Composition (10-12), Speech and Drama (elective).
Math: Geometry, Algebra II, Pre Calculus & Trigonometry, Calculus (AP option).
Social Studies: US History, European History, World History (all with AP options); Comparative Government (AP option); Philosophy & Psychology as electives.
Science: Biology (AP option), Chemistry (AP option), Physics (AP option).
Modern Languages: Japanese as a Second Language I, II, III, IV; Japanese for Proficient Speakers (FPS) I, II, III, IV, V, and Spanish I, II, III.
Fine Arts/Humanities: Art (AP studio art option), Choir, and Jazz Band (each can be taken for three years).
Physical Education: General P.E./Health.
Community Service: various opportunities for both on and off campus Community Service.
ExtraCurricular Involvement Requirement
Students are required to earn two EIR ‘credits’ for involvement in activities outside of the classroom. This requirement applies to High School students only, and High School students must accrue six approved credits prior to graduating (two per year.) Participation in HIS sports teams, sports teams outside of HIS, HIS clubs and activities, volunteer work, community service activities, and other not-for-profit activities for students can qualify as EIR credits.
Graduation Requirements (grades 10-12 for a General Diploma)
English: 3 credits
Social Studies: 3 credits
Math: 2 credits
Science: 2 credits
Fine Arts/Music: 1 credit
Modern Lang: 2 credits
Phys Ed: 1 credit
Electives: 6 credits
College Attendance
Approxiamtely 85% of HIS graduates attend university, with 65% of those going to the US for college. Australia and Canada are increasingly attractive options, and some graduates attend universities in England as well as Japan.
Post Graduate Information
College Entrance Test Information
Recent SAT Scores by Graduating Classes with scores of all test takers included:
Year
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
|
% Native English Speakers
17%
20%
15%
21%
15%
8%
20% |
Verbal Average
540
500
489
453
487
535
517
|
Math Average
620
610
618
598
556
650
574 |
Writing Average
505
500
491
457
|
Essay
7.5
|
Recent SAT II Scores by Graduating Classes, in some cases, scores may represent few or one student.
Post Graduate Studies
Recent graduates have enrolled in the following schools:
2009
Depaw University
Franklin & Marshall
International Christian University - Tokyo
Miami University
Pace University
Ritsumeikan University in Japan
Royal Melborne Institute of Technology
San Francisco State University
SUNY - Fredonia
University of California - San Diego
University of Hawaii
University of Richmond |
2008
International Christian University - Tokyo
Oxford Brookes - UK
Santa Barbara City College
School of Visual Arts in Manhattan
Temple University - Japan
University of British Columbia
University of California - Santa Cruz
University of Oregon
University of Rochester - New York
Waseda University in Tokyo
|
2007
American Musical & Dramatic Academy - NY
Chiminade University
Masters College
Purdue University
Sarah Lawrence
SUNY - Plattsburg
University of British Columbia
Union College
University of Australia
University of Minnesota
|
Prior to 2007
Boston University
Brigham Young University
Middlebury
Mt. Royal College - Calgary
Lewis and Clark College
Pomona
Reed College
Regis College
Simmons College
University of Kent
University of Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth
|
