Welcome to ISAK
Roderick Jemison
Head of School
International School of Asia, Karuizawa
On behalf of the entire ISAK community, I would like to welcome you to our website. We appreciate you taking a moment to learn about our extraordinary school; please take your time as you explore the various facets of our program and learn about life at ISAK.
Who We Are
Building on nearly a decade of development, ISAK opened its doors on August 25, 2014. We are so proud of our inaugural class of 49 remarkable students representing 15 countries who have joined us in our mission to develop transformational leaders who explore new frontiers in service for the greater good of Asia and beyond. We are located in the beautiful town of Karuizawa, Japan, which offers our students a wide array of opportunities to explore the natural environment — wonderful wildlife, winter sports, outdoor excursions, and close proximity to Tokyo (70 minutes by bullet train).
As the Founding Head of School, I am excited to lead the ISAK community in creating a school culture for young people that rewards students who want to practice leadership in every facet of their lives, who enjoy being creative and active learners, and who want to be catalysts for positive change in the world. At ISAK we are building on an environment where young people are encouraged to think beyond themselves and develop a habit of taking action in service to others. We are confident that all students will find ISAK a very welcoming community that will prepare them for a lifetime of personal and professional fulfillment — and success!
Why We Are Different
I am often asked what makes ISAK different from other schools. One of the first answers that comes to mind is our intimate setting and the ability for our students to be authentically involved in the development of their school culture. In addition, our faculty members not only represent the best in their fields, but also are fully committed to helping students understand they have one life to realize their potential and become catalysts for positive change. Faculty members live on campus and are an integral part of residential life, functioning as mentors to students and getting to know them as people and not just students in their class. As one faculty member put it best, “We take the time on a daily basis to ask students what they care about.”
ISAK offers the best of global education and is committed to developing a diverse environment that recognizes that encountering different perspectives and ideas make us stronger individuals who are better equipped to change the world. Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that every student who is admitted to ISAK has the opportunity to attend our school through a well-funded financial assistance program.
We encourage your inquiries about ISAK; please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you on our beautiful campus very soon!
The Need for Positive Change
Charles A. Kite
Senior Advisor
International School of Asia, Karuizawa
I have been an educator for more than 40 years, mostly in international schools and more than half of that time in Japan. International schools are ideal educational environments, not only because they expose students to a wide range of cultures and beliefs, but also because students are backed by supportive parents who care deeply about their children’s learning. I have had a career at one of the best international schools, Canadian Academy in Kobe (Japan), and I have visited many schools around Asia and other areas that are its equal.
So why am I interested in helping to make ISAK a reality? I know what student-centered, academically challenging schools can provide for young adults. So, perhaps like every educator, there has always been a bit of “what if” in my career. What if I were involved in creating a school, literally from the ground up? One that could incorporate and improve on the elements of education that successful schools already embody?
There was another compelling reason to be involved with ISAK: my concerns about education for subsequent generations. Educators talk about the ideal form of schools in an information-rich future, but few actually bring it about. ISAK seeks to build upon the advantages of a highly selective boarding school in one of the most attractive areas of Japan. A coherent curriculum focused on intercultural leadership experiences will allow ISAK graduates the insight and capacity to mine the wealth of information at their fingertips and use it to create a better future.
I originally met Lin Kobayashi through our connection as fellow graduates of Stanford University. Lin’s life story, and how she has turned her enthusiasm and boundless energy into a concrete plan for a new school, demonstrates just what a strong liberal arts education can realize. Lin has brought together a truly amazing collection of people who are working toward a common goal. I believe that ISAK will embody all of the principles that this team stands for, providing an environment in which students from Japan and abroad will learn ways of thinking and acting that can lead to positive change in every corner of the world.
I am honored to have been asked to be part of the ISAK team, and I look forward to opening a new school based on a set of educational ideals that I feel will serve its graduates well in the future.