Nagoya International School (NIS) is celebrating its 60th Anniversary largely due to the vision, resilience, and adaptability of the many people who brought a dream of a school to life in the early 1960s. Our forward-thinking community leaders, administrators, board members, staff, and families have consistently come together to face the numerous challenges and celebrate the successes that have made up our past six decades.
From a modest beginning in 1964, borrowing classrooms at Nanzan Junior High School in Showa-ku, to our vibrant, world-class campus in Moriyama-ku, the school’s history has been shaped by major world events, economic shifts, and even a global pandemic. This year, as we celebrate 60 years of growth and transformation, it’s clear that NIS’s journey has been marked by moments of challenge, change, and growth creating the school and community it is today.
Humble Beginnings and Early Growth
NIS began with a mission to provide an English-language, non-secular education for a growing population of expatriates in post-war Japan. Initially serving just 84 students in borrowed facilities, the school quickly set its sights on a more permanent home. In 1968, NIS firmly established its campus home in Moriyama-ku, with the now-iconic circular main building designed by Antonin Raymond. Over the next decade, the campus expanded, reflecting the steady growth of both the school and Japan’s economy.
However, the 1970s brought economic uncertainties, including global oil embargoes, which impacted enrollment and put NIS in a challenging financial position. Yet, the school persevered and countered the challenge successfully by achieving a major milestone in 1975, securing its first accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This accreditation reassured families of the school’s quality and helped to attract quality staff to come to Japan.
Adapting to Changing Times
By the 1980s, Japan’s bubble economy presented new challenges. While foreign investment flourished, the strengthening yen led to declining enrollment, once again threatening the school’s financial stability. In a strategic move, NIS broadened its enrollment to include more local Japanese families. This decision ensured survival but also brought a cultural shift that the school would have to navigate in the coming years.
The early 1990s saw renewed optimism, with projections for growth prompting further campus development. The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 spurred discussions to replace the school gym with the new Wing Building, as part of the Project 2000 initiative. Under the leadership of Charles Barton, school leaders embarked on a strategic rethink, mapping out a vision for the next decade and solidifying the planning process that continues to guide NIS today. Overcoming the challenges to organizational and community change proved key to successfully steering the school towards institutional growth and improvement.
Entering the 21st Century with Big Aspirations
As the school celebrated the opening of the Wing Building and the new century, NIS entered a period of steady growth and big aspirations. But the world’s events soon put the school to the test again. Global economic fluctuations including the crises of 9/11 and the Lehman Shock in 2008 had profound impacts on enrollment. Yet, these challenges strengthened the resolve of the school’s administration and board to adapt and persevere.
During this period of global financial uncertainty, NIS made significant transitions in its curriculum development, transitioning to the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. The school introduced the Diploma Program (DP) first, followed by the Primary Years Program (PYP), and then eventually became a fully authorized Middle Years Program (MYP) school. The shift to the IB positioned NIS as a leader in international education in Chubu, aligning with its mission to provide a holistic, inquiry-based learning experience for students from around the world.
A Rebound and New Horizons
By the mid-2010s, NIS experienced a resurgence in enrollment, thanks in part to growth in the automotive and aerospace industries. The school’s student body swelled close to 500, and with this increase came the opportunity to expand the Student Services Department. This period marked the fruition of a long-time vision of the board and administration—becoming a more inclusive school and being able to support students with more diverse needs and abilities.
But with growth came new challenges. Physical resources were stretched, and the need for more classroom space became urgent. This led to the launch of Vision 2020, an ambitious fundraising and building plan to further expand the school’s footprint and prepare for future growth. The excitement was palpable as the school buzzed with activity, and students and teachers alike felt the energy of a school at the forefront of international education in Japan.
Facing the Global Pandemic
Ground was broken for the new East Building, a symbol of the school’s dedicated and unwavering commitment to its future. The mood in the community was upbeat, and the school could feel the support of the community and belief in the importance of a strong international school in the Chubu region.
As enrollment reached a record high of 547, and with students representing nearly 40 nationalities, also the most in the school’s history, the global pandemic hit. Enrollment began to fall as borders closed and corporate projects were canceled or put on hold. Like many schools around the world, NIS had to adapt quickly, transitioning to remote learning and finding new ways to support students and families during an unprecedented crisis.
Despite these setbacks, NIS forged ahead. Construction on the new East Building continued and on the 19th of August 2020, an opening ceremony was held with masked VIP guests which included the Governor of Aichi and Mayor of Nagoya. Even in the face of uncertainty, NIS continued to pursue its vision of creating a world-class international school for Nagoya.
Looking to the Future
What will the future hold? As NIS celebrates 60 years, it is hard not to look both to the future and also to our past, and to reflect on the many pivotal moments and important decisions made by visionary people that have ensured the survival of the school, when at several junctions, that wasn’t always guaranteed. This perseverance brought the school’s journey from borrowed classrooms to a state-of-the-art campus and still serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience, adaptability, and long-term vision. Today, NIS is more than just a school—it’s a thriving community that embraces diversity, inquiry-based learning, and a globally recognized curriculum.
The newest students on campus today, the ELC preschool class, are members of the graduating Class of 2039. In many ways, the questions today are similar to 60 years ago – needing to find ways to fund program development, how to better recruit and provide for dedicated staff, how to fund facility enhancements, how to deliver our mission to all students, and how to be ready for the next economic growth or decline.
With dedicated staff from around the world, a forward-thinking administration, and a mission to provide inclusive, high-quality education, NIS is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and face the challenges ahead. From its humble beginnings to its future as a leader in international education, NIS is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and community.
