International Christian Academy of Nagoya

2021 UPDATE: ICAN closed its doors in June 2021 and no longer exists. COVID-19 resulted in the loss of many students, forcing the closure. My review below is from 2015 and remains valid insofar as my children's education is concerned. It was a great school. It even offered SAT testing too. We were very sad to see it go.

International Christian Academy of Nagoya (ICAN) has been educating my children here in Japan since 2008. Prior to choosing ICAN, my wife and I compared with other international schools in the Nagoya area and we also considered regular Japanese public school. After visiting ICAN and speaking with the director, I was pleased to find it is an accredited institution (by ACSI & WASC) just like the Christian schools I myself attended in California back in the 1970's and 1980's. The quality of education is excellent. (I speak as a US Citizen who holds a BS in electrical engineering, with 20+ years residing in Japan. My wife is Japanese. We are both Christians.) There is no tolerance for bullying. All instructors are Christians, fully qualified to teach, and all are very loving and friendly. The director and teachers are always open to dialog from parents or those simply visiting the school. My wife and I liked the school so much we moved residence from Chita Hanto to Nissin to be closer to it. As you may expect, I highly recommend this school in the Nagoya Japan area. Don't hesitate to visit the school and ask to see classes in progress and even ask for a time to talk to teachers. ICAN is worth your time.

ICAN has been a tremendous blessing to our family since moving to Japan 3 years ago. The education our 3 children are receiving is first rate (accredited by two different agencies), and the faculty obviously cares about their students. We would recommend ICAN to any family interested in an international school in the greater Nagoya area!

ICAN is a WONDERFUL school with warm-hearted teachers. All of the teachers are Christians, but many of the students come from other backgrounds. The diversity of the students is a blessed dynamic. My wife and I are both graduates of Ivy League universities (U. of Penn, Harvard) and are so thankful to have been able to send all five of our children to ICAN.

This is a review of the International Christian Academy of Nagoya (ICAN) in response to a review given by Alexei Kornakov. At the end of it, I will provide some insights and suggestions to present a more accurate picture of ICAN.
Alexi Kornakov's review is flawed in many ways. Let's take his criticisms one by one:

1) "…This school is a joke. The school is small and run out of an apartment building."
- It is a small school. Not sure how this makes it a joke. It is not an apartment building. His conclusion is without substance or merit.

2) "Appeared to me the staff isn't qualified to teach opening a ketchup bottle ..."
- Apparently, Alexei can tell, by looking, what a person's education, certifications, and ketchup bottle opening qualifications are.
He then goes on about a disagreement on directions. The most logical thing to expect is that Alexei got lost and then took it out on the school staff (Occam’s razor). His next point supports this theory.

3) “If you can't set a good first impression then everything else is down hill.”
- His “Christian” attitude toward a Christian school mission is lacking.

4) “Class rooms are super small and the books in the library look donated from garage sale left overs.”
- More of Alexei’s gracious attitude showing. ICAN will have to work on their materialism to attract his ilk. However, you can judge for yourself. There are links on the Internet with pictures of the classrooms, their furnishings, and books.

5) “Refused to provide teacher qualifications so I could verify independently. Some bs about privacy laws in Japan. Funny, my lawyer friend who is a native Japanese told me to this (sic). What are they hiding about their "teachers".(sic) Avoid this "school".”
- Again, I have to doubt his veracity. A little research on the Internet produces just this information. ALL the teachers hold degrees from accredited universities and/or colleges. They are fully accredited and certified to teach the subjects they teach. All have multiple certifications. The International Christian Academy of Nagoya (ICAN) uses North American curriculum and is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The ICAN is monitored by the accrediting organizations in order to maintain accreditation. Testing of student progress is part of that process. The ICAN would not be accredited if it were not maintaining excellence in education.

6) “After the meeting at my church I learned their reputation in Nagoya is not all that stellar. “
- Again. No evidence to support his assertions. He slanders the school with alleged hearsay from his “church.”

I will speak plainly about Mr. Kornakov’s review. He has no evidence to back any of his assertions. He seems to be a bitter man with a propensity toward emotional hyperbole. He jumps to baseless conclusions and blames others for his shortcomings (can’t follow directions). He mentions his “church” later in his diatribe. It is hard to imagine him as a Christian with his attitude and language (bs?). Probably attends church under duress from his wife. She must be a saint.

My suggestion to anyone that is curious about the education provided by the ICAN is to use the Internet. There is plenty of good information about the school. Call the administrator. Go to the WASC and ACSI websites and read their requirements for accreditation. Visit the school. Talk with the educators there. Talk with the students. Talk with alumni. These are the best sources for evaluation. Kornakov apparently elevated a disagreement about directions to a slanderous review of a fine educational institution.

Truth in advertising: My daughter is considering teaching at the ICAN for the next two years. She holds an education degree from a prestigious private U.S. college, two teaching certifications, and two endorsements. I am a fair-minded man that despises unfair, emotional, and baseless reviews.

This school is a small gem. Its international student body and teaching staff make it a great place to learn. Its foundation is on teaching the Bible alongside teaching foundational academics in English to all K-12. It is a great place to learn.

IM IN LOVE WITH THIS SCHOOL. AWESOME TEACHERS, BRILLIANT STUDENT PRESIDENT, AND EVERY SUPPLIES ARE GOOD GARAGE SALE QUALITY.

This school is a joke. Went with my wife to check this school out. The school is small and run out of an apartment building. Had to park in a restaurant lot next door. Appeared to me the staff isn't qualified to teach opening a ketchup bottle much less mathematics, language, science, and history.

You really need to question a school that the office gave wrong directions to their school and then calls you on your phone berating your tardiness and then when you show on arrival it was their crappy directions they look pissed and change the subject.

If you can't set a good first impression then everything else is down hill. Class rooms are super small and the books in the library look donated from garage sale left overs. Furnishings in the classes look like garage sale rejects. Their new "expansion" is another floor of small classes and garage sale equipment.

Refused to provide teacher qualifications so I could verify independently. Some bs about privacy laws in Japan. Funny, my lawyer friend who is a native Japanese told me to this. What are they hiding about their "teachers". Avoid this "school".

After the meeting at my church I learned their reputation in Nagoya is not all that stellar. Their grades are at the bottom of real international schools here. You're better off checking out the Nanzan system. $9,000 a year and they refuse to disclose teacher credentials and backgrounds.