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PreK-Grade 12 International Day and Boarding School in Kobe, Japan | Since 1913

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exceptional Opportunities

Canadian Academy inspires every student to choose to compassionately impact the world throughout their lives– whether through our multiple service opportunities or discovering their passion.

National opportunities pop up

MS Week Without Walls Canoe
  • National Posts
Week Without Walls

We celebrate that not all learning takes place on our campus! Whether it is just across the street or across an ocean, our students are exposed to exceptional opportunities that challenge and enrich their learning. Our Week Without Walls program stimulates proactive engagement, confidence, teamwork and respect for others. By providing an environment for challenging but safe risk-taking, students are enabled to discover hidden strengths and develop leadership skills and capabilities to approach unfamiliar situations.

And Japan offers ample opportunity to climb, hike, and kayak.  Our grade 5 through 12 students dive into a range of activities-- from setting sail in Shikoku, to building a raft in Fukui.  And how about cycling across a chain of islands while immersing oneself in Japanese culture.  And for our grade 12 students, hiking the ancient Kumano Kodo trail like others have for more than a thousand years.  Adding to personal growth, a sense of responsibility, and a greater social awareness are some of the key goals while taking in the beauty of Japan.

Experience Japan
  • National Posts
Experience Japan

Japan, with its rich history and vibrant culture, never fails to amaze.  And our location in Kobe places us in the heart of it all, providing multiple opportunities to experience and explore.

Trips to Kyoto and Nara connect our students to ancient Japan.  Sitting in temples hundreds of years old meditating, walking the same streets as the daimyo and samurai once did, bringing history to life. 

And when seeing the Atomic Dome and walking through Peace Park in Hiroshima, our students are confronted with difficult questions and thoughts-- bringing the lessons of our classrooms into sharp focus.

Experiencing Japan, connecting curriculum with location, our students make memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Supporting Tohoku
  • National Posts
Supporting Tohoku

Since the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, our students have established a supportive relationship with three schools from that area.  During summer, a group of our students visit the Tohoku region, offering encouragement, working and playing with the children, as well as gaining a better understanding of what service means and the impact it can have.

"Going on this trip gave me the opportunity to connect with kids my age that had lost their homes, families, and friends. While interacting with the children, I felt that we made them feel that Canadian Academy remembers and is always willing to support them throughout their recovery. Having kids coming up to us and saying ‘thank you’ for what we have done over these past years makes us feel that we are now a part of their life."

We are proud of the ongoing support we offer Tohoku.  Although we have been recognized for this commitment, we do it knowing that we can positively impact the lives of others.

International opportunities pop up

High School Boys Volleyball
  • International Posts
Asian Pacific Activities Conference

Canadian Academy proudly is the only school in Japan that is a member of the Asian Pacific Activities Conference (APAC), a group of twelve international schools spread throughout Asia.  APAC events provide the opportunity for our students to not only compete in sporting events and participate in fine arts workshops and performances, but also to engage with students from other cultures.

Whether it's volleyball or soccer, dance or orchestra--- just to name a few-- our students are given the opportunity to perform on a much larger stage with students from all over the world.

With its focus on camaraderie and fair play as well as participating to the best of one's abilities, our students develop a strong sense of what it means to be on a team-- developing friendships and connections that last a lifetime.

Freddy and student welcome
  • International Posts
Our Alumni- Forever a Falcon

With more than 3,000 students having graduated since the school was founded in 1913, our alumni are spread throughout the world.  And many of our alumni-- whether they attended a semester or much longer-- consider their CA education and experiences as some of "the best times" of their lives.

As our alumni are fond of saying, step foot in any major city in the world and you'll find a fellow Falcon.  It is this network of shared experiences and friends who are ready to offer a helping hand, provide some timely advice.

Whether it is to find out more about a college or university, a career path, or to establish a more formal business partnership-- and especially an opportunity to reminisce-- our alumni network is extensive and welcoming.

We look forward to you becoming a part of it.

Secondary Art
Our Artist in Residence Program

Imagine working with a published author, an accomplished DJ, a graphic artist, a museum curator...embedded in your classroom, ready to share their expertise and experiences.  Working with you, supporting you, offering advice and a friendly smile.

Unique to Canadian Academy, our Artist in Residence program brings together the expert and you-- taking your understanding and skills to the next level.  Funded in part by our PTA, we draw artists and professionals from around the world to come and spend time with us.  The experience generally lasts more than a week, allowing a deeper understanding to emerge.

Not only do our students and faculty benefit-- so does our parent community.  Sharing their expertise in a workshop or performing on stage, our Artist in Residence gives back to our community.

Learning comes from doing-- and what better way to learn than with an accomplished artist?

Local opportunities pop up

KB Japanese
  • Elementary School
Japanese lessons at Canadian Academy Elementary School

‘I really enjoy teaching the PYP Japanese, as it can potentially teach children how to be independent learners, as well as teach the language itself.' 

What does it mean to acquire skills to become an independent learner through Japanese lessons, as quoted by Ms. Yonekura, one of our Japanese teachers?  What is notable about Japanese classes at Canadian Academy is that the lessons are inquiry-based, the same way as all other subjects in the Primary Years Program (PYP). Our Japanese teachers are experienced in incorporating an inquiry process while teaching the language. It helps develop our students' thinking, research, and presentation skills, in addition to language skills.

Being aware that learning Japanese is not only about the language, Canadian Academy offers various types of cultural experiences through our Japanese language classes as well. This month, we will celebrate Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day, a Japanese holiday when people show respect and gratitude to their elders. While learning about this holiday, students from kindergarten classes made cards to send to their grandparents. We also celebrate Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year, and Hinamatsuri, the Japanese Girls' Day festival, to name a few others.      

Since we have native and non-native Japanese speakers, our Japanese lessons cater to both groups in our elementary school. The students have 8 Japanese lessons in a 9-day cycle, and a lesson is 45 minutes. For native speakers, lessons are designed to provide opportunities to build and express their ideas. For instance, grade 4 students are currently learning about descriptive words. They are given an object, then they explore a range of descriptive words that could be used to describe the particular object accurately. As there are no 'correct answers,' students are keen to share their ideas and enjoy listening to each other's presentations. In this way, students practice reasoning and expressions.

Regarding Japanese lessons for non-native speakers, our teachers aim to nurture students' open-mindedness while teaching the language. They often collaborate with class teachers and integrate topics from the Unit of Inquiry into Japanese lessons. For example, suppose the Unit is about identity. In that case, students learn Japanese vocabulary to talk about family members, and the students learn to describe their family in Japanese. This is how Japanese classes enable students to explore a specific topic from multiple perspectives. 

In this way, students at Canadian Academy are learning not only the Japanese language and culture but also how to be well-balanced learners through Japanese language classes.


 

Outstanding Opportunities
  • Local Posts
Outstanding Opportunities

Being a Canadian Academy student is all about taking advantage of the exceptional opportunities it affords. These opportunities come in many forms, whether it is through our alumni network, supportive and welcoming community, our world-class facilities, or breaking away and heading out to the mountains of Kobe.

Our elementary students recently discovered that learning doesn't stop at the door. Our grade one through five students recently found themselves high in the treetops making their way through a course that challenged their physical prowess.

When asked if it was scary, a first grader responded with, 'Yep! And it was also fun!', proving that our students can overcome challenges with grit, determination, and a positive outlook.

Whether it is a walk in the treetops, a week without walls, or a ski trip in the mountains, the exceptional opportunities offered challenge our students to challenge, overcome, and celebrate their accomplishments.

Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence

Our Middle Years Program (MYP) Design Grade 8 course aims to provide the means and the context to help students become skillful problem solvers, who can appreciate the role of tools and technology in everyday life and society so they are able to respond critically and resourcefully to real‑life challenges.

Recently, the students began to use our materials lab to gain an understanding of the tools and techniques for working with wood and other materials. The students were asked to create a simple, practical item using the hand tools of the lab. Additionally, their product should have a collective measurement of less than 120 cm and constructed out of easily available and affordable materials. 

While following a plan to exact specifications, the students gained an understanding of the safety and precautions required in using the lab. Additionally they also gained an understanding of the basic tools and techniques required to successfully create a product, such as measuring and marking, cutting, gluing, fastening, and sanding.

Through learning to use the tools safely and effectively, students were able to demonstrate perseverance and persistence, and create a practical item in which they can be proud. The products are on display in our atrium.

Step into a new world

A unique Japanese Boarding Experience

Cornell University
Waseda University
Cornell University
Waseda University
100%

College Acceptance

100%

Successfully completed the IB Diploma Programme

12

Countries where CA graduates are attending university

93%

of the Class of 2021 chose to enroll in the full IB Diploma