Our history
Founded in the wake of the Great Kanto Earthquake, Yokohama International School opened on October 27, 1924, with six students and one teacher in a rented YMCA classroom.
A SCHOOL TAKES ROOT (1924–1939)
Just weeks after the founding of the International School of Geneva, YIS became the second school in the modern era to include “International” in its name. As student enrollment grew, YIS added facilities including a boarding house in 1936.
By 1939, the school had over 100 students representing 21 different nationalities. The Yokohama Country and Athletic Club partnered with YIS that year to support student athletics.
WORLD WAR II (1941–1945)
Due to government restrictions, YIS closed in 1941. Its buildings were repurposed as a refugee center and later as a military training site. The original YIS campus was destroyed by fire during the 1945 air raids on Yokohama.
POST-WAR REBIRTH (1955–1970)
With community support and a government indemnity, YIS was rebuilt in Yamate and reopened on September 15, 1955, on its original site. New buildings were added through the 1950s and ’60s, with enrollment surpassing 300 by 1967.
YIS became officially registered as a School Juridical Person (Gakko Hojin) in 1969.
EXPANSION & FIRST GRADUATES (1970–1986)
The first Grade 9 cohort began in 1969, and the Class of 1973 became the first to graduate from YIS. The school phased out British “A” Levels and introduced the IB Diploma Programme in 1986.
ACCREDITATION & ACADEMIC GROWTH (1990-1999)
YIS earned dual accreditation from ECIS and NEASC in 1991. The IGCSE replaced the GCE for Grades 9–10. In 1999, YIS celebrated its 75th anniversary and launched the Schools Building Schools (SBS) service initiative.
PROGRAM INNOVATION (2000–2010)
YIS became the first school in Japan to offer the Reggio Emilia approach in early learning and gained authorization to offer the IB Primary Years Programme in 2001. By 2003, the school included ELC, Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions.
JCP & SERVICE (2011–2021)
Building on the legacy of the International Center for Japanese Culture, the Japanese Culture Program expanded, offering deep connections to local culture and community partnerships through the arts, service, and inquiry.
A NEW CAMPUS, A NEW CENTURY (2022–PRESENT)
In January 2022, YIS moved to a purpose-built campus in Honmoku designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates. The new campus features modern facilities, sustainable design, and expansive learning spaces to serve a diverse international community. On October 27th, 2024 YIS officially celebrated the schools centenary.
THE YIS LEGACY
With over 49 student nationalities and more than 21 staff cultures represented, YIS continues to Live, Learn, and Lead. From six students in a YMCA room to a globally recognized IB World School, our history is defined by resilience, community, and innovation in international education.
YIS has grown alongside Yokohama itself – bridging cultures, generations, and ideas. Our centenary is a moment to reaffirm our values and look ahead. With a purpose-built campus, a dynamic learning community, and an unwavering belief in the power of education, YIS enters its second century focused not on what we’ve been, but on what we can become.