--- title: "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: 60 Years of NIS" description: NIS celebrates 60 years of community, vision, and growth—honoring the dream that built the school and carrying the mission forward for future generations. image: https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/2024-25%20Blog%20Photos/NIS_60_year_history.jpg --- [Contact US](https://www.nis.ac.jp/contact-us-utility/contact-us) [Apply](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/apply) [Support](https://www.nis.ac.jp/support/support-nis) [Support NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/support/support-nis) Search ![logo2](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/logo1.svg) GO × [ABOUT](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about) [About Us](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about) [Our Governance](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-governance) [Our connections:CIS,WASC,IB and JCIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/the-accreditation-process) [Our Staff](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-staff) [Our Campus](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/campus-map) [Our History](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-history) [Our Alumni](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-alumni) [Class of 2023](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-alumni/class-of-2023) [Class of 2016-2022](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/about-us/our-alumni/college-acceptances-past) [Our Guiding Statements](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements) [Our Mission](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/mission) [Inquire, Inspire, Impact](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/3is) [Definition Of Learning](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/definition-of-learning) [Who We Serve](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/who-we-serve) [International Mindedness](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/international-mindedness) [Well Being](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/well-being) [Our Belief About Language](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/belief-about-language) [Safeguarding Policy](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/safeguarding-policy) [School Development Plan(SDP)](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/school-development-plan) [Strategic Planning 2022](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/our-guiding-statements/strategic-planning) [COVID-19](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/covid19/nis-covid-level-responses) [NIS COVID Level Responses](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/covid19/nis-covid-level-responses) [NIS at a Glance](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/nis-at-a-glance) [Welcome from the Head](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/welcome-from-the-head) [Head of School Weekley Notes](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/welcome-from-the-head/latest) [Head of School Weekley Notes(Archives)](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/welcome-from-the-head/archives) [School Calendar](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/school-calendar) [NIS Full Online Calendar](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/school-calendar/full-calendar) [NIS Stories](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/en) [NIS News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/nis-news-posts) [Photo Galleries](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/photo-gallery) [2022-23](https://nagoyais.smugmug.com/2022-23-Events-Activities) [2021-22](https://nagoyais.smugmug.com/2021-22-Events-Activities) [2020-21](https://nagoyais.smugmug.com/2020-21-Events-and-Activities) [2019-20](https://nagoyais.smugmug.com/2019-20-Events-and-Activities) [NIS Live Streaming](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/nis-live) [ADMISSION](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions) [Greetings](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions) [Why Choose NIS?](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/why-choose-nis) [Admissions Policy & Process](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/guidelines) [Learning Challenges & Language Expectations](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/learning-challenges-language-expectations) [Tuition, Fees & Registration](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/tuition-fees) [Scholorship At NIS?](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/scholarships) [Scholorship Application Process(New Families)](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/scholarships/applicationprocessnewfamilies) [Scholorship Application Process(Current Families)](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/scholarships/applicationprocesscurrentfamilies) [Transitions Support: Admissions & Withdrawal](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/transitions-support) [Admissions FAQs](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/transitions-support/withdrawal-form) [Open Houses](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/open-houses) [Apply](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/apply) [Request For Information](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/en/request-for-information) [Admissions Tour](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/en/admissions-tour) [Our Location](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/visiting-our-campus) [City Bus Options](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/visiting-our-campus/city-bus-options) [LEARNING](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/learning-at-nis) [Learning at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/the-ib-at-nis) [The IB at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/the-ib-at-nis) [Preschool & Kindergarten](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten) [Reggio Emilia](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/reggio-emilia) [A Day in the Life of the ELC](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/a-day) [ELC Facilities](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/facilities) [Preparing Your Child For the ELC](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/preparing) [ELC Admissions](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/elc-admissions) [ELC FAQs](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/elc-faqs) [ELC News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/elc-news) [ELC Books](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/preschool-kindergarten/books) [Elementary School](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/elementary-school) [The PYP Programme at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/elementary-school/the-pyp-programme) [Elementary Curriculum](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/elementary-school/elementary-curriculum) [Assesment in the PYP](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/elementary-school/assessment-in-the-pyp) [After School Activities](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/elementary-school/after-school-activities) [Middle School](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/middle-school) [The MYP Programme](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/middle-school/the-myp-programme) [Middle School Curriculum Overview](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/middle-school/middle-school-curriculum-overview) [Middle School News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/middle-school/middle-school-news) [High School](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/high-school) [High School Curriculum Overview](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/high-school/high-school-curriculum-overview) [IB Diploma Programme Details](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/high-school/ib-diploma-programme-details) [High School News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/high-school/high-school-news) [Student Services: Personalized Learning, EAL, Counseling & Health](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/student-services) [Level of Provision](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/student-services/levels-of-provision) [Language Learners at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/student-services/language-learners-at-nis) [Personalized Learning](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/student-services/personalized-learning) [Counselling and Health](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/student-services/health-and-counselling) [Our Inquiry Questions](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/our-inquiry-questions) [Inquiring in the ELC](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/our-inquiry-questions) [Inquiring in the Elementary](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/our-inquiry-questions/elc-inquiry) [Inquiring in the Secondary](https://www.nis.ac.jp/learning/our-inquiry-questions/inquiring-in-secondary) [STUDENT LIFE](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/student-life) [Student Life at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/student-life) [Academic & Service Activities](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/academic-service-activities) [Service Activities News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/academic-service-activities/news) [Dolphin Sports](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/dolphin-athletics) [Dolphin Sports Calendar](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/dolphin-athletics/dolphin-sports-calendar) [Visual & Performing Arts](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/visual-performing-arts) [Food Service](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/food-service) [Cezars Kitchen Menu](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/food-service/cezars-kitchen-menu) [Bus Service](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/bus-service) [NIS Bus Route Information](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/bus-service/maps) [Technology & BYOD](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/technology-byod) [Safeguarding Policy (Child Protection)](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/safeguarding-policy-child-protection) [Emergency Preparedness](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/emergency-preparedness) [Typhoon Information](https://www.nis.ac.jp/student-life/emergency-preparedness/typhoon-information) [Campus Access During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/covid19/nis-covid-level-responses) [COMMUNITY](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community) [Our Community](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community) [Parent Partners: Outreach, Transition & PTA Volunteers](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/parent-partners) [Parent Partner News](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/parent-partners/parent-partner-news) [Parent Partner Events Calendar](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/parent-partners/parent-partner-events-calendar) [Parent Partner/PTA FAQs](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/parent-partners/pppta-faqs) [Request Transition Partner Match-Up](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/nis-transitions-partner-match-up-form) [Life Dolphins After School Childcare Program](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/little-dolphins-after-school-program) [Summer Program](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram) [Activities/Schedule](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/activitiesschedule) [Fees](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/fees) [Application](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/application) [Lunch Service](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/lunch-service) [Summer FAQs](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/summer-faqs) [Partner Preschools](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/our-partner-preschools) [ACCJ/NIS Walkathon](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/accjnis-walkathon) [2022 Walkathon Organizations](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/accjnis-walkathon/2022-walkathon-organizations) [Walkathon History](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/accjnis-walkathon/walkathon-history) [SAT Testing](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/sat-testing) [Chubu Perspectives Discussion Series II](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/chubu-perspectives) [ALUMNI](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni) [Alumni Home](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni) [Alumni Spotlight](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/alumni-spotlight) [Alumni Pathways](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/alumni-pathways) [Dolphin Tales](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/dolphin-tales) [Reflections](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/reflections) [Connections](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/connections) [Yearbook Archives](https://www.nis.ac.jp/alumni/yearbook-archives) [EMPLOYMENT](https://www.nis.ac.jp/employment) [Working at NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/employment) [Is NIS the Right Fit?](https://www.nis.ac.jp/employment/is-nis-the-right-fit) [Attributes of an NIS Teacher](https://www.nis.ac.jp/employment/attributes-of-an-nis-teacher) [Vacancies](https://www.nis.ac.jp/employment/vacancies) [日本語ページ](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/welcome) [日本語](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/welcome) [お知らせ](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/news) [NIS Stories](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/ja) [NISについて](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/2) [歴史・沿革](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/2/history) [理念・NISの使命](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/2/nismission) [認可](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/2/accreditation) [アクセス](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/2/access) [フォトギャラリー](https://www.nis.ac.jp/about/photo-gallery) [NISの教育プログラム](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3) [IBプログラム](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/ib) [ELC(幼児教育部）](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/elc) [小学部（１−５年生）](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/es) [中等部（６−８年生）](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/ms) [高等部（９−１２年生）](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/hs) [卒業後の進路](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/postnis) [大学合格実績](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/postnis/college/2021) [入学案内](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions) [学校説明会 (Open House)](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/ja/open-houses) [学校見学](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/ja/admissions-tour) [学校見学 clone](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/ja/admissions-tour) [ELC（幼児教育部）入学情報](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/elc) [ELCプログラム](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/elc/elcprogram) [ELC入学申請](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/apply/elc) [帰国生入学情報](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/returnee) [入学審査要項](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/application) [入学申請](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/apply) [授業料・納付金](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/admissions/tuition) [よくあるご質問](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/7/admissions) [お問い合わせフォーム](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/ja/request-for-information?__hstc=104580127.0b96d6261d8df35a8dc7c4f4184963c7.1684824478121.1684907182641.1684910572346.7&__hssc=104580127.169169.1684910572346&__hsfp=50455644) [学校生活](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5) [進路指導](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5/postnis) [課外活動](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5/activities) [スポーツ／クラブ活動](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5/clubs) [ランチサービス](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5/lumch) [スクールバス](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/5/bus) [ある生徒の１日](https://welcome.nis.ac.jp/ja/a-day-in-the-life-at-nis) [卒業後の進路](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/3/postnis) [よくあるご質問](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/7) [お問い合わせ](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/contactus) [サマープログラム](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram) [新型コロナウィルス感染予防対策](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/covid19) [参加資格](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/eligibility) [スケジュール](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/summerprogramschedule) [お申し込み](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/apply) [参加費](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/summerprogramfee) [ランチサービス](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/summerprogramlunch) [よくあるご質問](https://www.nis.ac.jp/japanese/summerprogram/summerporgramfaq) [フォトギャラリー](https://www.nis.ac.jp/community/summerprogram/photogallery) [Contact US](https://www.nis.ac.jp/contact-us-utility/contact-us) [Apply](https://www.nis.ac.jp/admissions/apply) [Support](https://www.nis.ac.jp/support/support-nis) [Support NIS](https://www.nis.ac.jp/support/support-nis) ☰ --> - [Home](https://www.nisjapan.net/) > - [NIS Stories](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/en) > - Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: 60 Years of NIS ## NIS Stories # Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: 60 Years of NIS [Matthew Parr, Head of School](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/en/author/matthew-parr-head-of-school) Apr 29, 2025, 9:01:44 AM ![NIS_first_day_of_school](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/2024-25%20Blog%20Photos/NIS_first_day_of_school.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=NIS_first_day_of_school.jpg) This month, the NIS community gathered at the Hilton Nagoya, bringing together generations of students, alumni, staff, and families to celebrate a true milestone — the 60th anniversary of our special school. It was a humbling moment, standing in that ballroom, looking out over the incredible community that has built the NIS story, and reflecting on how it all began.  It’s easy to think about a school's history by looking at the concrete realities that surround us. We can trace the journey from the earliest days — borrowing buildings from a local Japanese school — to the move to Moriyama and the building of the original Raymond and ELC buildings, and then over the years, the new projects: the gym, the Wing Building, the Annex, the Design Lab, and, most recently, the wonderful East Building, completed in the midst of Covid in 2020. But the buildings, impressive as they are, are not the real story. NIS has always been a human story. It started as a dream — families sitting around a kitchen table, imagining an education that could meet the needs of their children. It was a story of families coming together, gaining the support of local business leaders, the mayor, the governor, the US State Department, and the broader community of advocates for international education in Japan — all simply trying to make something good happen, at that moment, for the children who needed it.     That DNA — a community coming together to create a school to serve the children who need it most — has sustained our mission right up to today. Even in the early days, families were thinking carefully about how to best serve their children's needs. They created the Raymond Building with its circular design — because, just like learning, the corridors on a circle never end. And also, if you want kids to think outside the box, why would you put them in a box!?   ![NIS_60_year_history](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/2024-25%20Blog%20Photos/NIS_60_year_history.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=NIS_60_year_history.jpg) Of course, the school has changed so much in 60 years. And just as surgeons today don't operate using 1960s technology and ideas, so too our teachers today bring brain-based learning theory to their classrooms, creating irresistible learning and engagement. In many ways, a classroom at NIS today would be unrecognizable to the students and teachers of 60 years ago. Yet in the ways that matter most—it is still NIS. It is still a community driven by the people it serves. We are still a school that strives to include, and that remains here for the families who need us. We happen to be the generation that is holding the vision on the 60th birthday — but we know that we are simply custodians of a dream that predates us. Our job is to ensure that the mission stays strong and alive for the generations yet to come. So that, even 60-years from now, there will still be a place where NIS dolphins come to learn to Inquire, Inspire, Impact – and Include. [Community](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/en/tag/community) [Back to Top](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/en/60-years-of-nis#top) [![NIS Japan](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/footer-logo.svg "NIS Japan")](https://www.nis.ac.jp/) Nagoya International School 2686 Minamihara, Nakashidami, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, Japan 463-0002 T: +81-52-736-2025 admissions@nis.ac.jp    info@nis.ac.jp [NIS Portals](https://nis.openapply.com/) [Apply Now](https://nis.openapply.com/) - [Calendar](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/403) - [Visit](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/329) - [SAT Testing](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/430) - [Portals](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/699) - [Summer Program](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/699) - [Site Map](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/4) - ![CIS](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/cis-logo.svg) - ![WASC](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/wasc-logo.svg) - ![IB World School](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/ib-world-school-logo.svg) - ![jcios](https://blog.nis.ac.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Nagoya_Iternational_School_June2020/images/jcios.png?width=68&name=jcios.png) - Ⓒ Nagoya International School 2026 - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nisjapan.net/fs/pages/7)