Afterschool Elementary

What is the goal of Afterschool Elementary?
Joy to the World is an international school, and as such teaching academics comes through embracing each child’s individual learning style, interests, and potential. Our Afterschool Elementary program was created more than 20 years ago to give students a space where they could grow in English and learn through a curriculum based on the American educational system.

Although we focus on building academic knowledge, our main goal is the connect concepts and build skills that all children will need for the future, which include:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Competence
• Commitment
• Connection
• Confidence
• Craftsman

In order to build these skills, students engage in crafts, team activities, group games and conversation, and more. By releasing each child’s creativity and linking understanding, students build critical thinking and problem solving all while in an English environment.

How can my child grow in Afterschool Elementary?
Each child starts in Afterschool Elementary at a different stage in their education, English ability, and age. Joy offers 3 levels of classes to meet the very diverse group of elementary learners in our Afterschool Elementary program. Our levels include: Earth, Rockets, and Sky Classes.

Earth Class
Our Earth Class is our beginner level class which teaches students the basics of English reading, writing, and speaking to prepare them for more natural conversation and academic involvement. To build these skills, students enjoy learning flash card vocabulary, phonics activities, sight words practice, reading stories, writing practice, and group speaking repetition all through fun games and activities designed to boost language acquisition.

Rockets Class
Students who have graduated from our Earth Class, or are comfortable conversing at an intermediate English level, attend our Rocket Class. At this stage, students are more able to communicate, share their opinions, and begin learning academic topics through activity-based lessons. Students will continue to build their vocabulary and phonics skills, as well as continue learning sight words as they read simple stories and educational books. In Rockets Class we begin to learn English more by using it, which includes talking about topics such as science, geography, history, and other subjects covered in the American curricular system. As students go through the year, they can enjoy a variety of subjects and lessons in order to provide a rounded experience. Playing games, making crafts, reading stories as a class, and performing simple science experiments are just some of the ways that students enjoy the Rockets class and build their English, all while having fun!

Sky Class
Our Sky Class is reserved for students who are of advanced English ability and are in 2nd Grade or above. In this class, students learn about a variety of topics, as with the Rocket Class, but extend this learning to more in-depth context and understanding achieved through group projects, composition, scientific exploration, and class discussions.

Topics and themes generally last 2 to 4 weeks to provide students with a chance to experience context, contemplation, and acquisition of subject matter. Although learners have advanced language skills at this stage, as with the American education system, students continue to build their core vocabulary and spelling skills, as well as grow critical thinking ability through stories and creative writing.

We have found that students who start from elementary 1st grade, have good home support, and take more than 1 day (a week) of our Afterschool Elementary program often become the top level of Sky Class in terms of English level and academic skill. Through our three-level system, we give students a fun way to advance and grow.

Until what age can my child join Afterschool Elementary?
Students can continue our Afterschool Elementary program until 4th Grade, but through our affiliate company, Mo-T-Vate, students who meet the standards and requirements can move into a Kikokushijo Course. Click the link above to learn more.

Why should I enroll at Joy to the World’s Afterschool Elementary Program?
Joy has always prided itself on its reputation as a top-quality school where students not only learn but feel like they belong. Our welcoming and experienced teachers journey with students each step of the way as we focus on your child and how they can be successful. By making learning fun we provide students, who may be tired from a day at school, with an opportunity to continue developing their academic skills while enjoying a positive and fun space filled with growth and creativity.

Junior English Test
Joy to the World is the only kindergarten in Tokyo licensed to give the Junior English Test (JET). Our staff members are specially trained on how to administer this test.

Our families find that this is a useful tool in tracking their child’s English ability and growth. Over time, students attending our school who take this test report marked improvement, with some Joy students in our Sky Class even passing the highest level of the test.