International School Admissions in Tokyo: Please Don’t Hurt Your Child’s Chances.
Updated: 6 days ago
I often tell families applying to international schools in Tokyo that probably the biggest part of the admissions process is simply not hurting your child's chances.
When I was a teacher, I was involved in student screenings. I saw parents do things that made me wonder whether they understood that they were also being evaluated.
I have had parents ask me about the race, nationality, gender, religion, and political views of other students and families at the school.
I have heard parents make inappropriate jokes or comments during interviews.
I have seen parents smoking outside the school after an interview.
I have seen parents become rude to reception staff because they assumed those staff members had nothing to do with the admissions process.
I have seen parents answer questions for their child, interrupt them, or talk over them during the interview.
And I have seen parents go around the corner after an interview, still within earshot of the school, and yell at their child for not giving the “correct” answer.
The parent may think the interview is over.
It isn't.
From the moment you arrive at the school, you are interacting with people who are part of the school community.
The top international schools in Tokyo are building communities, not simply trying to fill places in classrooms. The best schools are thinking about whether a family will be a positive part of that community.
They are looking at how parents communicate, how they treat other people, and how they respond when things do not go their way.
So ask questions.
Be curious.
Take the opportunity to learn about the school.
Be positive and kind to everyone you meet. Kinota Braithwaite - Learning & Assessment Specialist
More Than Just Tutoring Tokyo
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