User:Amazing japan/sandbox

History
Tokyo West International School was established in April 2010 in the city of Hachioji (Western Tokyo) by Yoshinori Kato. Its creation arose from the need to cater for students graduating from Kunitachi Kids International School, in Kunitachi, Tokyo.

The first campus was in Shibazaki. There was opened the first elementary class with 12 students. The following year, the campus moved to Sunagawa, and added the 2nd and 3rd grades to the shcool's elementary division. Since that time, the school never stopped growing, adding one new grade each year.

In 2013, the Sunagawa campus was moved to Hachioji, the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes were moved there while the new main building was under construction. In 2014, all the elementary school students moved to Hachioji campus. Then this year, all Tokyo West International School students moved to the new Hachioji main campus TWIS has currently 156 students, 60% percent of the student body are Japanese and the remaining 40% percent is comprised of students from 14 other countries. The largest portion of the 40% percent are children of servicemen and servicewomen.

The school is currently composed of a kindergarten, an elementary school and a growing middle school : 12 classes spanning from K-3 to Grade 7. It is goal to also open a Grade 8 next year. The staff is composed of 12 homeroom teachers and 8 specialist teachers (Japanese, Music and Physical Education)

Facilities
The school's facilities currently include an outdoor swimming pool, a table tennis deck, an outdoor playground ( covered with artifical turf ) with Hoops, soccer balls and goals, basketball baskets and balls, jump ropes, a science room, a music room and an indoor gymnasium with hand ball and volley ball as well as hoops, bowling stuff, futsal balls and goals, basketball baskets,...

Accreditation
Tokyo West International School is accredited by the AdvancED and is presently going through the WASC ( Western Association of Schools and Colleges ) accreditation procedure.

International Baccalaureate (MYP)
Tokyo West International school is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.**

Access
By train, from the center of Tokyo, head to Hachioji using the Chuo line, Keiō Line or Yokohama Line. From Hachioji station's North exit, go to the Bus Platform 11 & 12 and wait for bus number ひ01, ひ07, or ひ08. Get off at the 7th bus stop (Michi-no-eki Hachioji Takiyama) next to the school parking lot ( fare is ¥220 from Hachioji station.)

School uniform
Spring and summer uniform

Boys :

- Beige short pants or beige long pants - Light blue short-sleeved shirt ot white short-sleeved shirt - Red vest ( vest is optional in the summer time ) - Navy, black or brown socks ( white socks are not allowed ) - Navy, black or brown belt Girls :

- Red plaid skirt or beige short pants - Light blue short-sleeved shirt or white short-sleeved shirt - red vest ( vest is optional in the summer time ) - Navy or black socks or knee high socks ( white socks are not allowed ) - Navy, black or brown belt

Autumn and winter uniform Boys :

- Beige long pants - Light blue long-sleeved shirt ot white long-sleeved shirt - Red vest and sweater - Navy, black or brown socks ( white socks are not allowed ) - Navy, black or brown belt

Girls :

- Red plaid skirt - Light blue long-sleeved shirt or white long-sleeved shirt - red vest and sweater - Navy or black socks or knee high socks ( white socks are not allowed )

- Navy, black or brown belt

Note
* Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

** Mission Statement from the IB

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.