The Hokkaido International School (HIS) is a private, coeducational day and boarding school that offers a U.S.-style education from preschool through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1958. The School year comprises 3 trimesters extending from late-August to mid-June.
The School is governed by a 30-member Board of Councilors and an 8-member Executive Board (similar to an American School Board). Along with 6 nominated members, a representative from the U.S. Consulate and the School’s Headmaster sit on the Executive Board. The School has a Headmaster, who also serves as secondary coordinator, and an elementary coordinator. The School is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon, as the Hokkaido International School Corporation.
The curriculum is U.S.-based, and English is the language of instruction. AP classes are offered to students in grades 11 and 12. The School is a member of the Japan Council of International Schools and the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Japanese Ministry of Education has registered HIS under Gakko Hojin (legal holding body) status.
The School was constructed between June 1994 and August 1995 as a joint venture of Japanese and U.S. companies. The school building occupies 4 floors. Fourteen classrooms, a 10,000-volume library, science and computer labs, and rooms for art and music occupy the 2nd and 3rd floors. The gymnasium/stage and training room are located on the top floor. The ground floor contains classrooms for preschool and kindergarten and features the multipurpose area, a conference room, a kitchen, a staff room, and administrative offices. Next to the school building, there is a dormitory to accommodate 20 students from outside Sapporo.
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