THE growing international community here has long been waiting for it and as of January 23, 2012, Hokkaido International School (HIS) will open a campus in Niseko.
It will be the second international school in Hokkaido after Sapporo and the first to open in a resort area in Japan. “The long-term plan is to turn HIS Niseko into a boarding school, making it a breeding ground for world-class skiers and snowboarders”, says head of school Barry Ratzliff. “For now it will be 8.30am to 3.30pm, but Niseko students will be able to participate in programs on the Sapporo campus, as well as using the dormitories there.”
The school has hired certified teachers from Ireland, the US and Singapore who are experienced with the format of multi-aged classes and children who learn English as a second or third language. HIS accepts children from ages three to 12. The tuition costs range between ¥850,000 to ¥900,000 per year. Ratzliff and school principal Peggy Shibuya are holding frequent orientation courses in the run up to the opening. The school is a 10-minute walk from JR Niseko Station, next to the Niseko Elementary School.
For short-term visitors with children who are planning to visit Niseko in the summer, the school accepts drop-ins for the summer program.
For more information call 0136 55 5252,
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