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New Life International School
Academics
American Curriculum
New Life International offers an American curriculum that blends strong academics with enriching co-curricular experiences.
American Curriculum
Guided by Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, our program emphasizes personalized, hands-on learning that helps students grow into confident, well-rounded learners.
Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), New Life International provides a globally recognized education trusted by universities in Japan and around the world.
Language and Literacy
Elementary
Grades 1–2: Students read and write simple stories and summaries with daily phonics instruction. Second graders also learn cursive writing.
Grades 3–6: Students read a wide range of literature and build strong comprehension, analysis, and writing skills. They write essays to inform, entertain, describe, and persuade, and study grammar, vocabulary, and multiple novels each year.
Secondary
Junior High Grades 7–8: Students strengthen writing and critical thinking through focused study of vocabulary, grammar, and literary terms. They practice editing and revision while reading widely across genres, including short stories, novels, poetry, and drama. Representative texts include Much Ado About Nothing, The Giver, The Hiding Place, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
High School, grades 9-12, take British, American, and World Literature, and Literary Criticism. Students read and write throughout their years of study. These are college-preparation classes that prepare our students for advanced learning.
Bible
All students at NLIS study the Bible together for 20 minutes, four days a week.
Grades 1–6 learn Bible stories and verses and apply lessons about forgiveness, love, respect, and character.
Junior High students survey all 66 books of the Bible.
High School students study the Gospel of John, Proverbs, and Romans in depth.
All grades gather for chapel every Friday, where students memorize Scripture, sing, and participate in interactive activities.
Science
Science learning at NLIS emphasizes hands-on STEM projects, research, and experiments across all grade levels.
Grades 1–3 explore science through discovery, experimentation, and guided research.
Grades 4–6 and high school Biology use BJU Science textbooks, which include labs and investigations.
Grades 7–8 use Kesler Science, developed by Chris Kesler, featuring the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and co-created with Steve Spangler.
High school (grades 9-12) options include Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics. All classes include labs. Students must complete at least two science courses.
Science Fair: Grades 4–12 participate annually.
Physical Education & Recess
Recess:
Grades 1–2 enjoy 30 minutes of free play each morning in the park or gym.
Grades 3–6 have 30 minutes of daily recess in the park, gym, or outdoor play areas.
Physical Education:
Grades 1–6 have teacher-led Physical Education twice a week for 30 minutes, including fitness, gymnastics, ball skills, jump rope, and group games.
Physical Education is an elective for Grades 7–12, meeting two to three times per week for one hour and offering fitness testing and a variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, and table tennis.
Lunch & Recreation:
Grades 7–12 have a one-hour lunch with daily recreation time. With parental permission, Grades 9–12 may leave campus during lunch.
Art, Music, and Drama
Art and Music in Grades 1–6:
Art is taught weekly, with students using a variety of media to express creativity, explore the works of famous artists, and recognize major works of art.
Annual National Art Competition for grades 1-9
Music is taught twice a week and includes music history, singing a wide range of songs, basic music reading, rhythm, and ukulele performance in Grades 4–6.
Students perform dramas and in concerts throughout the year.
Electives (Grades 7–12):
Students may choose from art, choir, drama, photography, home economics, introductory psychology, and sculpture.
Community Performance:
All students participate in a singing performance at the Asahi Fall Festival, featuring gospel songs and Christmas carols.
Electives in Secondary School
NLIS Electives for the year 2025-2026 are as follows:
Physical Education
Introduction to Photography
Drama
Technology Skills
Home Economics
Introduction to Psychology
Art: Drawing & Painting
Technology
Every student in Grades 3–8 has access to a school computer, while Grades 9–12 bring their own devices daily.
Grades 1–2 use technology for online assessments, listening to reading, creating presentations, and learning basic computer parts and digital rules.
Grades 3–6 build keyboarding skills (targeting 30 wpm with 85% accuracy), practice through typing tests, complete research projects, and receive an introduction to coding.
Technology Skills is an elective for Grades 7–12 that meets two to three times a week. Students learn keyboarding, Google Drive tools, document management, presentations, spreadsheets, surveys, and basic coding.
Robotics Club for JH & HS
Computer Standardized Testing
Standardized Testing:
All students in Grades 1–8 take three annual standardized tests online.
Grade 9 students complete SAT practice tests throughout the year.
Grade 10 students take the PSAT.
Grade 11 students take the SAT, which is required by many universities.
Online Courses:
High school students may enroll in online courses through Sevenstar Academy, an accredited U.S.-based school. These courses earn NLIS credit and include Advanced Placement, honors, and specialized subjects not otherwise available on campus, such as world languages, physics, and calculus.
Math
Grades 1–8 use Singapore Math, a mastery-based program that emphasizes problem-solving, mental math, and conceptual understanding.
High School (Grades 9–12):
Students may take Algebra I & 11, Geometry I and II, Statistics, Precalculus, and Trigonometry. Honors and AP options are available in most math classes.
Speed Math Competition every June in all grades.
More math competitions are coming for the JH & HS!
Japanese Literacy
Native Japanese teachers instruct all NLIS students in all grades four days a week.
Track One is for students who use Japanese at home. From Grade 1 through high school, students use the national Kokugo textbook and kanji workbooks, with weekly kanji assessments.
Students write Japanese haiku for a national contest, and one of our students won!
Track Two is for students who do not use Japanese at home. From Grade 3 through high school, students follow a specialized curriculum designed to prepare them for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), starting with N5. Many students advance to N4, N3, and even N1.
After-School Support:
After-school Japanese classes are available for non-native speakers. Students may also receive after-school tutoring to prepare for the EIKEN English proficiency exams, with many students successfully passing advanced levels.
Social Studies and History
Grades 1–6 study social studies through teacher-designed units, hands-on projects, and research, with Japanese history and culture integrated at every grade level. Grade 3 uses the local studies text Yamanashi.
Junior High students explore Asian and ancient history, geography, and the Eastern Hemisphere, including landforms, environmental issues, resources, economics, and Japanese history.
High School students study Humanities, including World History, World Geography, Global Issues, and Government.
Wellness & Leadership:
All students receive annual instruction in child protection. Puberty education is provided to students in Grades 4–12 in age- and gender-appropriate settings.
Student Council members lead assemblies, manage projects, and develop leadership skills.
High school students complete 50 hours of community service before graduation.
Advanced Placement Courses
NLIS encourages high school students to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses—college-level classes developed by the College Board. Strong AP exam scores can help students earn college credit or advanced placement, saving time and tuition once they enter university.
AP courses are widely accepted by universities in the United States, Canada, Japan, and over 100 countries worldwide. At NLIS, all AP courses are offered online through Sevenstar Academy, an accredited U.S. school, giving students access to advanced classes that may not be available at smaller schools.
Library
Every other Friday, each class walks to the prefectural library near Kofu Station. Students check out two English books and one Japanese book, encouraging a love of reading in both languages.
In addition, every classroom has a lending library for in-class reading and borrowing. NLIS gratefully welcomes book donations from families and the community.
Special Activities
New Life International School offers a wide variety of special activities that help students build strong relationships, enjoy school, and grow beyond the classroom. We believe in working hard—and having fun together.
Elementary students enjoy class parties, a schoolwide party, field trips, Sports Day, and special events such as Camp Literacy Day, where students read in tents, write letters, sing camp songs, play themed games, and enjoy treats.
Secondary students participate in class parties, a schoolwide party, Sports Day, multiple field trips, and School Spirit Week, featuring daily activities. They are also invited each year to attend the Kanto College Fair.
Throughout the year, NLIS welcomes special guest speakers and performers, including musicians, artists, educators, and community professionals. Additional highlights include an Art & Science Fair, Math Race, Christmas program, Asahi Festival performance, and special field trips for younger students and graduating classes.
NLIS is an active, joyful school community.
Accreditation & Associations
New Life International School is proud to be fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)—a globally recognized U.S. accrediting agency. NLIS is currently the only school in Yamanashi Prefecture to hold this accreditation.
WASC accreditation confirms that NLIS provides high-quality education, strong student support, and a culture of continuous improvement. The accreditation process is rigorous and ongoing, involving regular self-study, external review by experienced educators, and active participation from teachers, parents, students, and the school board.
Key strengths identified by the WASC Visiting Committee include:
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Strong leadership and an engaged school board
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Open communication with students and parents in both English and Japanese
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Highly qualified, effective teachers and staff
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A supportive, faith-based school climate where students feel safe and valued
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Strong Japanese and English language programs, supported by external assessments
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Effective use of assessment data to guide teaching and student growth
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Motivated students who enjoy learning and feel socially and emotionally supported
Why this matters for families:
Graduates of WASC-accredited schools are recognized for university admission in Japan and worldwide. Completion of 12 years at a WASC-accredited school qualifies students for admission to Japanese universities and professional training colleges.
NLIS is also affiliated with the Christian Academy of Japan (CAJ) in Tokyo, an accredited international school with over 60 years of experience.
