We spoke with the Principal of Chuo International School, Kimberly Gatti.
Transcript
ISTimes Global (00:01): Hello, I’m here at the International Education Expo 2026 with Chuo International School. Kim, it’s great to see you.
Chuo International School (Kim) (00:08): It’s great to see you, too.
School Background & Growth
ISTimes Global (00:10): Could you tell us a little bit about your school’s background and history?
Chuo International School (Kim) (00:14): Yes. Chuo International School is a school that has grown from a school called Sunshine Kids Academy, which is still running on the same campus. The director and founder founded Sunshine Kids Academy over 10 years ago and found that there was a need to go from the kindergarten into the elementary and primary years. And so she decided to fill that need by starting Chuo International School. So Chuo International School is now covering ages three and above and it allows the students that join us in Sunshine Kids Academy nursery as well as the students that are interested in joining us for the primary years to join a community that’s in Chuo-ku and will be able to grow with us through the primary years and into the upper primary years in the future.
Learning & Curriculum
ISTimes Global (01:02): Sounds great. Can you tell me a little bit about learning at your school? What’s it like to study there?
Chuo International School (Kim) (01:07): Yes, so our curriculum originally was founded in the style of Montessori. We offer what we call Montessori Plus, which allows us to incorporate in the early years uh the idea of uh teaching also academics of Cambridge International program. So we are a Cambridge school. As the students progress through the primary years, they get more of a Cambridge, Cambridge education that’s directing what we’re teaching. Um so I’d like to say that the style that we teach in is in the Montessori style, but the what we’re teaching is uh directed by the Cambridge. Yes.
What Students Take Away
ISTimes Global (01:43): That sounds great. Yeah. Last question. As students graduate from your school, what’s something that you want them to take away from their time at your school?
Chuo International School (Kim) (01:52): So, I believe that our students have uh an an opportunity to form relationships with their peers and their teachers because of how our classrooms are smaller in size and we focus on the connection there. Also, the idea that they’re independent and uh focused on creativity and uh innovation with our education, the benefit of the Montessori uh style is that we do offer the curiosity and the opportunity to explore in that direction. And so I, I hope that our learners are leaving us with a curiosity but also friends and connection.
ISTimes Global (02:36): Sounds great. Uh thank you so much for your time, Kim.
Chuo International School (Kim) (02:38): Thank you. Thank you.
About Chuo International School
- Montessori+ education with a Cambridge-certified curriculum
- English-immersive international learning environment
- Ages 3–12; Kindergarten through Grade 6
- Tokyo (Chuo-ku) and Shin-Urayasu campuses
- Strong foundations in literacy, maths, science, and global perspectives
- Hands-on, inquiry-led learning that builds independence and confidence
- Arts, STEM, practical life skills, and presentation opportunities
- SDG-linked learning that develops empathy and global responsibility
- Inclusive community blending international education with Japanese values
- After-school enrichment in academics, arts, and sports
