Don’t Choose an International School in Tokyo Just Based on Someone Else’s Experience
Updated: Oct 12
Choosing the right international school isn't just about finding a good school.
It's about finding a school where your child has a realistic opportunity to succeed.
That's something I help families look at before they make a school decision.
Having worked at several international schools in Tokyo, I can help you look at the demands of a school alongside your child's current strengths, challenges, independence, and learning needs.
One of the places parents often start when researching schools is by talking to other parents and that's a good idea.
International school parents often know one another, and their children regularly move between schools.
If you know a family whose child attends the school you're considering, talk to them.
It can be especially useful to speak with families who have moved between schools because they've experienced more than one environment.
But don't just ask, "Do you like the school?"
You should ask:
How do teachers communicate with parents?
What happens when your child is struggling? What has been difficult?
What do you wish you had known before enrolling?
Their answers can give you valuable information.
But remember: two families can have completely different experiences at the same school.
A school that works extremely well for one child may be a poor fit for another.
A highly independent child may thrive in an environment where another child struggles because they need more structure, more explicit instruction, or additional learning support.
Use other parents' experiences as information, but don't let someone else's experience make the decision for you.
If you're considering a school and want to think through whether it is actually a good fit for your child, feel free to reach out. Book a free consultation Kinota Braithwaite - Learning & Assessment Specialist
More Than Just Tutoring Tokyo
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