Our 14,685-square-meter campus was purposefully designed so every space is a learning space. Flexible environments, communal hubs, and state-of-the-art facilities are thoughtfully arranged for exploration, collaboration, and a shared sense of community. Honoring our host country’s aesthetics and global values, the campus features unique details that blend Japanese design elements with the specific needs of our learning program and while keeping sustainability in mind to ensure students feel welcomed and inspired.
By removing barriers between spaces, we affirm our belief that growth can happen anywhere students gather, reflect, and learn together.
Students gather in the heart of the North Building to read, research, and relax – drawn by louvered ceilings, built-in larch-wood shelving, and a warm, nature-inspired design. Satellite libraries across all school levels further underscore YIS’s commitment to making reading a shared experience.
An offset amphitheater overlooks the busy hub on the first floor. Study rooms, an IT Helpdesk, a dedicated touchscreen, and modular furniture transform the library’s 350m² into a vibrant space for presentations, collaboration, and personal growth.
YIS classroom spaces evolve with student needs – featuring movable furniture, writable table surfaces and three-meter wide glass doors that open onto central hub spaces. We remove boundaries between individual rooms and shared areas, we empower students to pursue inquiry-driven projects, collaborate comfortably, and adapt their environment to suit a range of explorations and learning styles.
Purpose-built for our youngest students, this expansive space encourages play, exploration, and creativity. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors, natural materials, and a fluid layout allows children to move freely and engage with their surroundings and their peers. By seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor learning, the ELC cultivates curiosity, self-discovery, and independent thinking.
Home to six state-of-the-art labs, our science wing encourages students to get hands-on in physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental systems. Adjustable worktables, built-in utilities, and retractable air extractors, and state-of-the-art fume hoods support varied experiments, while large windows and direct access to an outdoor garden support inquiry-based learning. These features facilitate opportunities for students to discover, question, and innovate every day.
YIS students gather in open, naturally lit hubs on every floor of the North Building for group projects, personal study, and collaborative inquiry. Equipped with flexible seating, display areas, and multifunctional setups, each hub hosts everything from spontaneous discussions to exhibitions and casual meet-ups. By emphasizing collaboration, these spaces embody our commitment to community-driven learning.
Students tap into their creativity in these interconnected studios on the top floor of the North Building, exploring painting, sculpture, digital design, ceramics, and more. High ceilings, industrial accents, and designated maker spaces set the tone for inspiration, while state-of-the-art tools like 3D printers, laser cutters and a pottery kiln help learners bring their imaginative ideas to life – pushing the boundaries of inquiry and self-expression.
In the Performing Arts wing in the North Building, students learn about drama, stage presence, create performance showcases and explore their passion for performance. Two adjoining 80m² spaces are separated by a retractable, soundproof wall that merges the space into one black box theater for expanded learning.
A dedicated lighting and sound system and ample props and costumes elevate students’ creative expression. A green screen facility, dance-friendly flooring, and mirrored walls broaden the range of theatrical and production possibilities.
Students gather in our double gymnasium for Physical Education lessons, assemblies, co-curricular activities, sports, and large-scale events. The space benefits from having retractable dividers, practice courts, and a spectator balcony equipped with live streaming technology. This spacious, adaptable setting encourages teamwork, resilience, and active living. Wheelchair accessibility ensures every learner can take part, reflecting our emphasis on inclusion and wellbeing.
Students, staff, and families come together on our 90m x 46m artificial turf field for everything from athletic events to recess, recreation, PE, and community events – like our acclaimed international Food Fair. Outfitted with floodlights, netting, and a digital scoreboard, the field invites students to practice teamwork, leadership, and play. Its welcoming design highlights our focus on inclusive participation and a vibrant campus life.
A lively promenade between the North and South buildings, The Street gives our community a comfortable outdoor area to gather, play, or simply take a break. Outfitted with basketball nets, climbing structures, and garden areas, this welcoming space has a neighborhood feel. The Street Cafe and seating area are the perfect place for conversation, impromptu meet-ups, and nurturing the spirit of a closely knit learning community.
Throughout the campus, students enjoy bright, open spaces designed to blend natural surroundings with learning. The Bridge provides a spacious area for student collaboration and easy movement between North and South Buildings, with cutouts allowing light and trees to pass through. On the third floor, a south-facing deck connects to the Science Wing and hosts an herb and vegetable garden.
The fourth floor offers the tea house–inspired Chowa-an and an ornamental Japanese garden, where students often work on large projects, collaborate, or simply enjoy the view. All outdoor decks, along with the rest of campus, feature Wi-Fi, so learners stay connected wherever they go.
Students immerse in traditional Japanese aesthetics in the Chowa-an teahouse and adjoining garden. Sliding shoji screens, tatami floors, and a serene veranda create a reflective setting for learning in small gatherings or as personal exploration in a tranquil homage to our host culture. Blending history with modern campus life, the Chowa-an underscores our respect for cultural diversity and fosters moments of quiet reflection and purpose.
