School Profile
KIU Academy
School Overview
Mission
The mission of KIU Academy, an international bilingual Christian school, is to provide, from a Biblical perspective,
1. a safe, nurturing environment where students can develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and
2. an academically challenging environment where students can potentially become people of academic excellence.
Vision
To be the leader in quality bilingual education based on Christian principles.
School History
KIU Academy originally started in 1999 as a church-operated school with six children, and it has since transformed into an organization existing to meet the needs of missionary children, children from Christian households, Japanese returnees and the children of other internationally-minded people. Presently, we have 230 students from elementary to high school.
Present - day Japan is a country that challenges the Christian worker in many ways very similar to the days recorded in the book of Acts. Although Japan is still considered a wealthy and powerful country in the world, the effects of globalization have been taking a heavy toll on its citizens. With the bursting of the economic bubble in the 1990’s, people have been searching for different ways to attach some sense of meaning and purpose to their lives. While some still see view being wealthy as the answer to their dreams, others seek comfort in pop psychology and different new religions. Others simply live their lives in quiet desperation. Over the last decade, an average of thirty thousand people have committed suicide every year. Traditional social structures have been deteriorating in spite of the noble efforts made by the country’s leaders. Of course, the breaking down of the home has had its impact on the social situation in Japan. With the number of divorces on the rise, the number of single-parent households is also increasing. In the midst of dealing with these vast changes and numerous challenges in Japanese society, KIU Academy, as an education organization, has many opportunities to serve and meet the needs of Christian and non-Christian families.
Our experience has been that when the teachers, staff workers, and Christian students exemplify Christ, other students are drawn to Jesus. When an individual establishes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that individual serves as a light in their own household. The home then has a positive influence upon the local community and society as a whole. We are in the business of drawing out an individual’s potential so that person can better serve society. The desired end result of our work is that ultimately all the glory and praise goes to God Almighty.
Benefits
A. What we can offer to faculty at KIU in terms of experience
- 40/60 ratio: Christian /Non-Christian households
While teachers will be able to teach students who come from Christian homes, they will also have many opportunities to reach out to the non-Christian student/family community. We continue to see a number of students come to Christ during their time with us at KIU. Upon observing the positive development in their children’s lives, a number of parents show up at worship services held at different churches.
- Bilingual/ Bi-cultural Environment
The two main languages used in this school are English and Japanese. Classes are taught in both languages. Working at KIU Academy would allow a teacher to function in English, and at the time acquire a level of proficiency in Japanese. KIU is become more and more involved with the local community which of course gives the international Christian worker a better understanding and appreciation for the Japanese people and their culture. The teacher would also be able to learn much about the Japanese culture by working side by side with Japanese colleagues. The reverse is true as well. Japanese teachers will reap the benefits of associating with colleagues who come from other countries. We have teachers who also have ties with the Korean community (Korean students represent about 20% of our student body). Teachers who leave our organization, after working with us for several years, do so having acquired a number of transferable skills in terms of cross-cultural work.
- Friendly atmosphere in Asia
Japan serves as a place for people to “experience Asia” while at the same time having certain conveniences that are the norm in western countries. The location of the country also affords opportunities to visit other Asian countries and cultures within a reasonable amount of travel time.
Convenient location in Japan
Located in the western part of Japan (the Kansai area) in south Kyoto, we are at a relatively convenient spot on the map. Our school is about a 10-to 15-minute walk from the Kintestu Railway Shin-tanabe Station. A 25-minute express-train ride north will find you in the Kyoto city area, and you can be in Nara after just a 20-minute express train ride south. The Japan Railway (JR) station (Kyotanabe Stn.) is a 5-minute walk west from Shin-tanabe Station. A 35-minute express train ride from Kyotanabe station will get you to Osaka.
- Growing organization
Our school is nearing its tenth year of operations. As we continue to develop as an organization there is much to be done. We are looking for more KIU team members who can see themselves as motivators, renovators and innovators at the same time.
- Bible centered & Evangelical
Reading our “Statement of Faith” clearly shows that we are a Bible-centered, evangelical organization.
B. What we can offer to faculty at KIU in terms of support
Spiritual
- Morning devotions/prayer time before the start of each working day
- Wednesday evening Bible study for those who are able to participate
- In spite of the busyness of our operations, many of our faculty members find that they have the time to still be very active in their local churches
- Your colleagues always have time to pray for you – just let your requests be known.
- Although we all come from varying theological positions, we all “agree to disagree in an agreeable fashion” on some points of doctrine. The basic points that we should agree upon are found in our “Statement of Faith”.
Mental/Physical
- Holidays/Vacation
> Japanese national holidays are recognized.
> Summer vacation is approximately eight weeks
> Winter vacation is approximately three and a half weeks
> Early spring vacation is approximately two weeks
> During school trimesters, teachers usually do not take time off except for emergencies or special reasons. In both cases, cooperation among the teachers allows people to take necessary time off.
> Maybe once or twice a school year we have a school event planned on a Saturday. Most other Saturdays (unless you are coaching a seasonal sports club) are off.
Logistical
- Working visa: If necessary, we can act as visa-sponsor for international teachers who plan to work at KIU Academy. Depending on the situation, this process could take six to eight weeks.
- Monthly salary: Salaries are based on the following several factors: (1) educational qualifications; (2) years of teaching experience prior to KIU that are recognized as being similar in level to our expectations; (3) amount of weekly working assignments (teaching/administrative/coaching/etc.) that the teacher agrees to undertake; (4) stipends for special projects outside of the normal work week; (5) and, if married with a dependent spouse and school-age children, monthly allowances (based on the number of child dependents).
- Housing: Although we do not have a faculty dormitory, we can help you find a place to live. If you wish to have a roommate, we can try to find one for you as well.
- Transportation: While we would prefer to have staff live close to the school, depending on the distance, the school will consider transportation cost when calculating compensation.
Professional
- Training/ Meetings: On-going training sessions and meetings are held throughout the school year (outside of vacation/holidays times) to assist teachers with professional development.
- Possible further academic studies on-site: For those who are interested in pursuing their studies at a master’s degree level, we periodically have professors from USA-based Christian universities visit and teach courses during the summer vacation. Depending on the level of interest of our staff and faculty, we can schedule a number of courses.