AT THE FRENCH-JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL OF TOKYO

Middle school of excellence where all students have equal chances of success, for a successful entrance in high school

The International Franco-Japanese School of Tokyo offers two middle school programs:

• Our Bilingual French-English program follows the French Ministry of Education's national school calendar, ensuring close alignment with French curricula and diploma requirements. Students benefit from a balanced curriculum with 13 hours of instruction in French and 13 hours in English weekly (50% French, 50% English), plus two hours of Japanese (subject to change). These 28 hours of weekly instruction can be complemented by a variety of extracurricular activities in Japanese, English, French, art, science, and more, available from 15:45 onwards.

• Our English program utilizes a Project and Inquiry-Based approach, designed to prepare students for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). EIFJ is aiming at becoming in the future a candidate school for the IB MYP. Students receive 23 hours of instruction in English and 3 hours in Japanese weekly (88% English, 12% Japanese), with an additional two hours of French offered (subject to change). Extracurricular activities in Japanese, English, French, art, science, and more are available from 15:45 onwards, complementing the 28 hours of weekly instruction.

Middle school education is structured into four grade levels organized into pedagogical cycles. These cycles allow for the assessment of students' skills and knowledge over extended periods, enabling more effective academic support. All middle school students receive 26 hours of instruction per week, with optional additional instruction available.

Timetables in Grades 6 to 9 (cycle 3 & 4)

The purpose of the sixth grade is to consolidate the fundamental knowledge acquired in elementary school and to introduce students to the disciplines and methods specific to secondary education. A school report, containing the periodic assessments of cycle 3 and the end of cycle 2, is sent by the schools to the middle school teams in order to facilitate the implementation of pedagogical support in the context of the teaching provided in sixième (common and complementary teaching).

The number of hours of compulsory courses applicable to students in Grades 6 to 9 (26 hours):

Our curriculum includes: Physical Education (4 hours), Arts (Visual and Musical, 2 hours), French/Other Language (4.5 hours), History-Geography & Moral and Civic Education (3 hours), Modern Language (4 hours), Mathematics (4.5 hours), and Science, Technology, Physics-Chemistry (4 hours).

EIFJ promotes international understanding through bilingual education, cultural exchange, and innovative teaching. We foster essential social skills such as respect, multilingual and multicultural communication, and collaboration, preparing students for balanced and fulfilling lives. Our dedicated team of French, Japanese, and English-speaking teachers delivers our programs.

• 8:30 : first round of classes
• noon: lunch (meal provided by the family or EIFJ cafeteria)
• 13:00 : second round of classes
• 16:00 : beginning of the after-school activities, homework sessions, clubs

EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

• International Correspondence
• Tournaments (chess, Math Kangaroo, sports, public speaking, etc.)
• School outings and trips
• Artistic and musical projects
• European Sustainable Development Week in Cycles 2 and 3 (Grades 1 to 5)
• Sep 28 World Maritime Day in Cycle 4 (Middle School)
• Oct 14 National Air Quality Day in Cycle 4 (Middle School)
• Oct 16 World Food Day in all cycles (Preschool Elementary & Middle School)
• Oct 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Cycle 4 (Middle School)
• Oct 2 to Oct 18 Climate Week in Cycles 3 and 4 (Grades 4 to 7)
• Nov 11 to Nov 26 European Week for Waste Reduction in Cycle 4 (Middle School)
• Nov 29 International Children's Rights Day in all cycles (Preschool Elementary & Middle School)
• Dec 20 International Human Solidarity Day in Cycles 2, 3 and 4 (Grades 1 to 7)

2024-2025 CLASSES AND OTHER LANGUAGES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Bilingual French-English or English 6th & 7th Grade (11~12 & 12~13 year olds)
• Bilingual French-English or English 8th & 9th Grade (13~14 & 14~15 year olds)
• German language from 6th Grade
• Spanish language from 6th Grade

Depending on the increase in the students' headcount, single-grade classes will be created, and additional teachers recruited.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS

• Reading Club: Club members meet to present books they have read during the month, based on current themes or free choice. Their presentations lead to discussions, helping students better understand and affirm their literary tastes. Once a month, club members vote for their favorite book of the month, then write a short text in French, English, and Japanese explaining their choice. This text is displayed in the library under the section "Reading Club Favorite" for other students.

• Cinema Club: this club explores the world of film. Activities include watching and discussing a variety of films (classic, contemporary, international, etc.), learning about film techniques (directing, cinematography, editing, etc.), potentially creating short films or analyzing film scripts, developing critical thinking skills related to visual media.

• Press Club: students interested in journalism and media can participate in this club. Activities involve creating a school newspaper or online publication, writing articles, conducting interviews, taking photographs, learning about journalistic ethics and responsible reporting, developing writing, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Dance Club (K-Pop, Hip-hop, etc.): this energetic club provides an opportunity for students to express themselves through dance. Activities focus on learning various dance styles, such as K-Pop, Hip-hop, and others, developing coordination, rhythm, and physical fitness, choreographing routines and performing at school events, promoting teamwork and creativity.

• Multi-Sports Club: this club offers students a chance to participate in a variety of sports and physical activities. Activities include playing team sports, trying individual sports and fitness exercises, developing sportsmanship, teamwork, and physical skills, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

• Rubik’s Cube, Chess & Board Games Club: students who enjoy problem-solving and board games can join this club. Activities involve learning different methods for solving Rubik's Cubes, other similar games, and playing board games, improving speedcubing skills, participating in friendly competitions and challenges.

• Dodgeball Club: this fun and active club focuses on the game of dodgeball. Activities include playing organized games of dodgeball, developing agility, throwing, and dodging skills, promoting teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship in a playful environment.

CALENDAR

The annual program is based on the French academic calendar. From Monday to Friday, EIFJ opens at 7:30 am and closes at 8:00 pm (depending on demand and staff availability). EIFJ is closed on Japanese public holidays. Classes are not held during French school holidays, but students can come to EIFJ free of charge and be supervised by te staff. You can view the tuition fees by clicking here.

FACILITIES

• Equipped classrooms
• Meeting room
• Cafeteria
• Science laboratory
• Computer lab
• Middle school library
• Municipal sports gymnasium located a 10-minute walk away
• Rooftop terrace for all activities
• Indoor gymnasium
• Art room
• Music room

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

During school holidays (All Saints' Day, Christmas, Winter, Easter, Summer), EIFJ Middle School is open to students in grades 7, 8, and 9 (ages 12 to 15). Supervision is free for regular EIFJ students. Students from other schools are charged 1,000 yen per day. EIFJ provides a quiet, studious, and comfortable environment where students have access to computers, the library, gym, a cafeteria, educational games, etc., all under the supervision of EIFJ staff. The school becomes a meeting place for friends to work together.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION RELATING TO THE EDUCATION PATH OF JAPANESE AND MIXED JAPANESE STUDENTS

Students’ transfers from EIFJ Tokyo to elementary, middle and high school in Japan are possible for those who wish. The double enrollment of Japanese or binational elementary students in a Japanese school and EIFJ Tokyo is recommended to comply with the education law, and equivalency is allowed through a close and permanent contact between the Japanese school and EIFJ Tokyo.