Our school is the only BC offshore school in the Tokai region to have a pre-certified school, the ＫＡＩＳＥＩ Canadian Double Diploma School.
By adopting the education system of British Columbia, Canada (hereafter referred to as BC)
, students can obtain high school graduation qualifications in both BC and Japan.
Admission Policy
Students take an entrance exam in January each year to gain admission into the grade 10 cohort in April. Students read various fiction and non-fiction texts and write responses, answer multiple choice questions, and they also write a short essay. A basic level of English proficiency is required, approximately pre-level Eiken 2, since there are interviews and students will have to orally respond to questions about themselves, images and texts.
Curriculum Policy
Students learn the highly rated BC curriculum, which is based on personalized, flexible learning that focuses on concepts and competencies, and experiential, hands-on learning. The BC curriculum has a foundation of literacy and numeracy, and our model is made up of three elements: Content, Curricular Competencies, and Big Ideas. Content- Is what students are expected to know. Curricular Competencies- Is what students are expected to do. Big Ideas- Is what students are expected to understand. Central to the BC curriculum are the Core Competencies of thinking, communication, and personal and social responsibility. In addition, Indigenous culture and perspectives are integrated throughout all subjects and content.
Graduation Policy
Students in Japan complete the same courses as those in BC, with a minimum of 80 course credits required to graduate with a BC Dogwood Diploma. In addition, students must complete the following Graduation Assessments by grade 12 in order to graduate: Grade 10 Numeracy and Literacy, and Grade 12 Literacy. Moreover, students must successfully complete a 4-credit Indigenous-focused course to graduate. Classroom-based assessment is the main source of student learning that teachers use to assessment and evaluate learning progress relative to learning standards. The BC Graduation Program mandate is to produce “educated citizens” who demonstrate intellectual, human and social, and career development that prepares them for many post-secondary opportunities.
A message from KCDDS Principal
Meghann Kenkel
British Columbia Principal
M.Ed. (Curriculum and Instruction)
M.Sc. (Environmental Science)
B.A. (Geology)
Message
Hello, my name is Meghann Kenkel. I am honoured to be the principal and look forward to welcoming students to our school. We will provide a high quality education using the British Columbia curriculum which will allow students to be prepared to university while developing their skills and knowledge.
Our school is a 3-year program taught by fully certified British Columbia educators. The school will be inspected and certified annually by the British Columbia ministry of education. Our school and the curriculum focuses on developing Communication and Thinking skills in students, and helps them to better understand themselves and their culture while also looking at their role as global citizens.
Our goal is to support students in developing their English proficiency while preparing them for success in universities in both Japan and abroad. I have had the honour of being a British Columbia educator since 2009 and have been priveledged to celebrate with graduates who have been accepted to prestigious universities all around the world. The program willl be rigorous, but rewarding for students and we look forward to going on this journey with our students.
I invite you to reach out to the school with any questions and look forward to welcoming you in person to our school.
Science and mathematics education in British Columbia
Michael Nightingale
British Columbia Teacher
M.Sc.(Biology) 、
B.Ed.(Intermediate/Secondary)
Message
Dear Students and Parents,
Choosing a school to best suit your needs is a difficult decision that requires careful thought and consideration. Mathematics and science can be challenging subjects for many. We understand that the fact that our program follows the BC curriculum and is taught in English may raise concerns among parents and students considering enrolling in our school. I hope that I can ease some of these concerns by providing some information about our science and math program.
Active Learning
The focus of the math and science program is learning through doing. This begins with the teacher showing students how something is done, then doing it together with the students, then allowing the students to do it themselves. In science, the focus will be on students answering questions using the scientific method, while in math the focus will be on solving problems using mathematical methods. By focusing hands-on instruction over lecture and reading, we make the learning process more approachable for English-language learners.
Language Development
Although active learning helps students to approach the subjects of science and math, it is also important that they learn to communicate effectively through reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. To assist students in this process, the English courses will be strongly integrated with the science and math courses. Here students will learn vocabulary, engage in readings, listening exercises, and presentations related to their science and math courses. Through this integrated approach, we aim to balance the development of practical skills in science and math with the ability to communicate about and understand these subjects in English.
Learning to Answer Questions and Solve Problems
Another key focus of our science and math program is learning to think and act like a scientists and mathematicians. In science class, this means being able to think and act like a scientist: ask good questions and make good predictions, plan and conduct investigations, collect and analyze data, and evaluate the meaning of the data. In math class, this means learning a variety of problem-solving strategies, recognizing when to use which strategy, and reflecting on the relative success of their chosen strategy. Additionally, students will apply their science and math learning to real-world contexts, connecting it to society, technology, and the environment. Through this process students will learn to effectively apply science and math in a variety of contexts both inside and outside of the classroom.
Individualized Learning
Our program is designed with different levels of proficiency in mind, and this is also true of our science and math courses. Learning and assessments are structured in a step-by-step approach to help students build their skills over time. This way, students start where they are comfortable and move forward at their own pace, taking on new challenges when they are ready. In addition, students will be provided with learning experiences and assessments that are designed in a way that gives students the freedom to explore topics that interest them and allow them to express their skills in ways best suited to them. Through this flexible learning environment students can express their unique strengths and interests at a level appropriate to them, giving them the best change for success in academics and life.
Closing Words
We hope you'll join us at our school. Our goal is not only to help you master science and math but also to equip you with skills and ways of thinking that extend beyond the classroom.