Fukuoka International School (FIS) is a private, co-educational day school offering the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma to all students in grades 11 and 12, as well as providing students with the FIS high school diploma. FIS offers classes from early years (three-years-old) to grade 12. The school was founded in 1972 with a high school program added in 1990. The school year is divided into two semesters extending approximately from the 3rd week in August to the 3rd week in June. There are 180 “teaching and learning days” in the school year.
Organization: The school is governed by a board of directors and a board of trustees (both comprised of business leaders, multiple consulate representatives, and parents of students), who work in compliance with Japanese law. FIS is accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education as a School Juridical Body, “Gakko Hojin.” It is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). FIS is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP), Middle Years Program (IBMYP), and the Diploma Program (IBDP). The school is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), Japanese Council of International Schools (JCIS), International Baccalaureate Association of Japan (IBAJ), and the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS).
Curriculum: The IBPYP offers an inquiring approach to the elementary school (early years to grade 5). The secondary school (grade 6 to grade 12) is split into the IBMYP for grades 6 to grade 10 and the IBDP for grades 11 and 12. IBDP is offered as the core college-preparatory curriculum for grades 11 and 12 with the FIS high school diploma (FIS HSDP) following the IBDP standard level courses’ benchmarks and standards. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits for the FIS HS DP for a four-year period. The following are compulsory requirements: four credits of English; three credits each of math, science, humanities and world language other than English; one and a half credits each for physical education/health and arts; half a credit for Theory of Knowledge (two-year course), and an additional three credits from the above-listed subject areas. C.A.S. (Creativity, Activity and Service) is a Pass/Fail activity with no credits awarded; however, it is a graduation requirement. FIS has an extensive Well-Being team consisting of language and learning support, social and emotional support, college application support, health, and wellbeing support. FIS has the staffing to support minor learning differences.
Support: FIS has a developed wellbeing team that includes student support, English language support, social and emotional support, college application support, health, and wellbeing support. FIS has the staffing to support minor learning differences.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, FIS has 80 total staff including 56 teachers, 10 of whom are U.S. citizens, 6 host-country nationals, and 40 third-country nationals from 18 different countries. All teaching faculty have a teaching certificate or master’s degree in education.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 347 (elementary school:162, secondary school:185). Of the total, 46 were U.S. citizens. 91 were host-country nationals, and 210 were third-country nationals. Top 5 nationalities: Japanese 27%, Korean 18%, US 13%, Chinese 8%, and British 3%.
Facilities: FIS has two campuses located in the western part of Fukuoka City, known as Momochi, overlooking the Muromi River. The current facilities include classrooms equipped with age-appropriate equipment to support the different learners, three science labs, two music rooms, a gymnasium, two art rooms, a dispensary, multiple large learning spaces, and a 12,000-volume library. In 2019, FIS redesigned its playground to better support the wide age range of its students. The second campus (Annex) is located about a four-minute walk from the main campus and houses the FIS Art Center, Design lab, and a few other classrooms. The FIS campus is easily accessible by public transportation.
Finances: For the 2022-2023 school year, FIS’s income derives from tuition and registration fees. Annual tuition rates are paid in yen, the approximate fees in U.S. dollars are as follows: PK: $10,200; K-grade 5: $10,500; grades 6-8: $11.300; grades 9-10: $12,100 and grades 11-12: $12,600. An annual facility fee of $908 is also charged annually.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Japan, Fukuoka) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information regarding curriculum, special programs, and the like. Information and statistics provided by the school.