2024 Summer Program @ Hokkaido International School - Sapporo Campus

Welcome to Our Summer Program!

Hokkaido International School is pleased to announce the return of the Summer Program at HIS beginning in June 2024. This summer, we have an exciting menu of learning activities which are based upon the framework of place-based education. Our summer program is sure to engage and educate your child in a fun, supportive environment. 

Place-based education (PBE) immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, using these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum. Each week, students will enhance their learning with outdoor learning excursions connected to their theme. 

In our school song, we reference HIS as the star of the northern sky in Hokkaido. Connecting with that, our guiding theme for this year’s summer program is: 

Explore Hokkaido’s Northern Beauty. 

Let’s take a look at each week’s theme and dates…

Click here to register for the 2024 Summer Program

Click Here to Download the 2024 Summer Program Orientation Guide.

Weekly Themes

Week 1 - Monday June 17th ~ Friday June 21st, 2024 

Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s History 

Known for its rich agriculture and plentiful aquatic resources, Hokkaido has a rich and interesting history as Japan’s star in the Northern Sky. From the times of the early indigenous Ainu people to Hokkaido being recognized as an official prefecture in Japan in 1947 to hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1972, Hokkaido has seen many changes over the decades. Students will explore different milestones in Hokkaido’s history and will leave this week knowing that they are living in a truly unique location! 

Week 2 - Monday June 24th ~ Friday June 28th, 2024

Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s Geography

Hokkaido is home to magnificent mountains, extensive wetlands, forests, and boasts some of the best farmland in all of Japan. The land and soil of Hokkaido produces a variety of agricultural, dairy, and livestock products. In addition, Hokkaido contains volcanic zones, which contain active and dormant volcanoes, and those contribute to the rich onsen culture on the island. Students will explore the different landforms and terrain that make our northern island such an intriguing location in terms of its geography.   

Week 3 - Monday July 1st ~ Friday July 5th, 2024

Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s Wildlife 

From impressive and imposing brown bears to giant sea eagles to small flying squirrels to sea otters, Hokkaido boasts a wide range of wildlife which inhabit the terrestrial and aquatic environments on the island. This week, students will explore how these different species interact with their environment and how we can ensure the survival of these creatures for future generations. This is sure to be a fun, exciting week to cap off this year’s place based education of Hokkaido’s splendor!

Outdoor/Cultural Learning Activities

In addition to the core academic programming each week, all students will take part in ice skating, tree trekking, and other outdoor activities. Middle School enrollees will have the opportunity to hike and canoe around the Lake Shikotsu park area, which is a spectacular experience. 

 

Students will also take part in Japanese language lessons (tailored to the student's level), Contemporary Dance lessons, and other exciting special subjects. 

 

Sample Timetable

 

Admissions Information 

Class Groupings

• Lower Elementary Group
  Ages 5-8
  Students enrolled in Early Years 4 -Grade 1 during 2023/24.
   

• Upper Elementary Group
  Ages 8-10
  Students enrolled in Grades 2 - 4 during 2023/24.
   

• Middle School Group
  Ages 10-13
  Students enrolled in Grades 5 - 7 during 2023/24.

Unfortunately, we do not accept students who are younger than 5 years old at the time of the program. 

Tuition Fees

Payment can be made via bank transfer, details will be provided upon successful admission to the program. 

Our refund policy is as follows: 

• Up until May 1st, we will offer 100% tuition reimbursement for those who are unable to attend. 
• After May 1st, we will offer either a 50% reimbursement, or we will defer the tuition to the following year's program. 
• After June 1st, we will offer either a 25% reimbursement, or we will defer the tuition to the following year's program.

Any fees required to process the refund transaction will be absorbed by the party cancelling the enrollment. 

 Additional Information

Please plan ahead to ensure that your child has suitable transportation to arrive between 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. and to be picked up at 3:00 p.m. dismissal time. There is no additional supervision for attendees beyond 3:00 p.m. 

Families will be responsible for ensuring that their child has a reusable water bottle, a nutritious snack for the morning, and a packed lunch. There will be no catering/cafeteria service provided during the summer program. 

As part of the off-campus outdoor learning days, there may be lunch included in the day’s plan, and this will be communicated by the group’s lead teacher well in advance. Students will not be permitted to leave campus at lunch to visit a convenience store or other food venue. 

Accident insurance for all foreign attendees is included in the tuition price. Students do not require any special visa to attend the program. 

Registration Details 

Registration for the 2024 Summer Program will open on Friday February 2nd, 2024. Please revisit this page to access the registration link. 

We prioritize small class sizes to enhance our students’ experience. Enrollment to the program is highly competitive and final decisions on admissions will be made by the Summer & Special Programs Principal. 

Contact Information

For all inquiries related to the 2024 Summer Program, please contact:

Click here to register for the 2024 Summer Program

 

Mr. Justin Rankin
Summer & Special Programs Principal
summer_school@his.ac.jp
(81) 11-816-5000