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Opened in 1913, Canadian Academy has long been recognized as a leading international school in Japan.
Our school opened its doors on September 13th, 1913 as Canadian Methodist Academy. The initial thirteen students were the children of missionary parents, but as the student demographic broadened, our name was changed in 1917 to Canadian Academy.
As the student population grew, the school purchased land on Nagamine-yama, a hill in the north of Kobe. Our boarding program, one of Asia’s oldest, was started in May of 1929 when the first dormitory, Gloucester House, was dedicated by the Duke of Gloucester.
By the 1980s, the school had outgrown its original campus, and it became clear that a new home was needed. In September 1990, CA moved to its current location on Rokko Island. Since then, our programs and facilities have continued to evolve to meet the needs of a dynamic international community.
In 2013, we celebrated our centennial, marking 100 years of learning, growth, and global impact. Today, Canadian Academy continues to look ahead. We are actively investing in modern, flexible learning environments, expanding co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities, and planning for the future with purposeful campus improvements and a renewed commitment to innovative, student-centered education. After more than a century, our purpose - inspiring minds and nurturing compassion - remains unchanged: to inspire and empower students from around the world, and we are excited for all that lies ahead.
1913 - Canadian Academy Opens
Canadian Academy began as the Canadian Methodist Academy, opened on 13th September 1913. With just thirteen students from Grade 1 through high school, it originally served the children of Methodist Church missionaries. Having grown from these humble beginnings, CA is recognized over a century later as one of the oldest international schools in Japan.
1917-22 - Our Identity Takes Shape
Our school adopted its current name, Canadian Academy, in 1917. In 1922, the yearbook was renamed Red & Grey, establishing our school colors and joining the first motto - Scientia Clavis Successus (“Knowledge is the key to success”) - and the school song introduced the previous year as defining elements of our emerging identity.
1928 - Expansion
In 1928, as the school faced a growing need for additional space and expanded boarding facilities, CA purchased land in Nagamine Heights. A new dormitory building known as Gloucester Hall was dedicated in May 1929 by The Duke of Gloucester himself, who unveiled a stone cairn that still stands at CA today. The opening of Gloucester Boarding House in 1933 strengthened our position as one of the oldest international boarding programs in Asia - a legacy that continues today.
1942-52 - WWII Closure
In 1942, CA held its last formal graduation before closing during WWII. A decade later, CA reopened with just six teachers, 110 students, and only Gloucester House and the principal’s residence left standing after the bombings of Kobe. Under the leadership of alumnus Herbert Norman (Class of 1922), our community rebuilt and renewed the school, carrying its spirit forward into a new chapter.
1980 - IB Accreditation
In 1980, Canadian Academy became an official International Baccalaureate school with the launch of the IB Diploma Programme - a milestone that positioned CA at the forefront of international education in Japan. This later expanded with the introduction of the Middle Years Programme and Primary Years Programme in 2011, completing our full IB continuum.
1990 - Move to Rokko Island
After years of growth, CA reached a defining moment in 1990: we moved from our beloved Nagamine Heights campus to a new, purpose-designed home on Rokko Island. The new facilities opened in September and marked a major investment in CA’s future. On transition day, the entire school community walked together from Nagamine Heights to Rokko Island, symbolically carrying our history into a new era.
1995 - Great Hanshin Earthquake
On January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck Kobe. Canadian Academy opened its undamaged facilities for evacuees from the disaster-stricken area, providing 3500 people with shelter on our campus. Classes resumed before month’s end, underscoring the resilience of our community. Hear from community members who experienced the earthquake in a special video interview capturing their stories and reflections 30 years on.
2008 - Early Learning Activities Center Opens
In January 2008, CA took an important step forward with the opening of the Early Learning Activities Center. With purpose-built spaces for early learners, a second gym, and the P&G Black Box Theatre, the expansion allowed us to better support the full spectrum of our students - from our youngest explorers to our emerging performers and athletes - as our community continued to grow.
2013 - Centennial Celebration
In 2013, we proudly celebrated our centennial anniversary. Students, teachers, staff, alumni, and friends of CA past and present gathered on the Rokko Island campus to mark the momentous occasion. The festivities allowed our school community to reflect on a century of inspiration and achievement as we looked forward to a bright future together.
2022 - Boarding Expansion
In 2022, our boarding community entered an exciting new chapter. By doubling our capacity and opening two additional houses, CA strengthened its role as a home away from home for students from around the world. While we still refer to our boarding facilities as Gloucester House, the community has grown to include four distinct houses within it: Maya, Kiku, Take, and Rokko.
2020 til today - Renovation Projects
Starting in 2020, CA began one of the most significant campus transformations in our history to better support the needs of today’s students. Early upgrades refreshed our library, science labs, atrium, and cafeteria, followed by a revitalized Elementary wing in 2023 and renewed Secondary classrooms, hallways, and a tea ceremony room in 2024. In 2025, we refreshed our first-floor arts spaces and sports hallway, continuing our commitment to creating future-ready environments for our students.
Learn more about Canadian Academy's rich history of inspiration: