Programs for students of all ages

Early Years - Kindergarten (4 - 6 Years Old) | Little Sharkies

Teacher: Erika Kifuku / Paula Twynham / Katrina Moredo

Assistants: Etsuko Maekawa / Mari Uchida / Maki Adachi

We will work on academic skills and social skills while communicating and interacting with our peers.  Our learning through play will include mindful meditation, yoga, outside play, arts and crafts, story-telling, and singing! All students' fun summer activities are combined in this program. Throughout these engaging activities, students will spend time discovering the wonder of Mathematics and discovering reading & writing through letters & sounds while building their self-confidence. We can't wait for your child to enjoy this fun-filled time of the year with us!

Grades 1 - 3 Explorers 1 (7 - 9 Years Old) | Adventure Awaits: A Journey Through Geography!

Teachers: Corina Badea / Craig Sharratt / Billy Applebaum

Assistants: Ako Horner / Andrei Teodorescu

Pack your bags for a summer of discovery! This summer school session will be a fun-filled exploration of geography through activities, creative arts, and outdoor games from different countries. You’ll uncover amazing places, cultures, and languages while sharpening your math and literacy skills in new and exciting ways - Every day brings a new adventure and knowledge of the world! You’ll even get to research far-off lands, think like an explorer, and bring your ideas to life. Best of all, we’ll spend time outside playing games from around the globe—because learning should be active and fun! Join us for a summer of creativity, curiosity, and adventure as we explore the world together!    

Grades 4 - 5 (10 - 11 Years Old) | Reading Explorations and Science Investigations

Teacher: Duane Black

Students will engage in reading activities and science experiments that allow them to express and present their learning, enjoyment, and insight about their personal interests in various forms. From traditional book reports, dramatic retellings, video creations, and simple experiments with materials brought both from home, students will be free to share their learnings to each other in different ways. Both nonfiction and fiction texts that emphasize science or science fiction will be encouraged both from their own personal book collections and texts that we look at together. Students will be asked to bring materials from home for a few science experiments and will be expected to come willing to participate, read, create, and express their learning to others in an engaging way.

Grades 5 - 10  (11 - 16 Years Old) | Outdoor Education Adventures

Teachers: Brian Freeman / Hiromi Ito

The students will experience the outdoors around Fukuoka. They will get a chance to visit various beaches- surf, snorkel, visit waterfalls, hike through bamboo forests and go on a few other simple adventures. Students will also get a chance to take part in craft ideas that connect with the outdoors. We may visit various farms and take part in activities that will be both educational and fun. Every day will vary depending on the weather and ocean conditions. One note: Students must enjoy water activities, and must be able to swim as they will be in the water often. 

Grades 6 - 10  (12 - 18 Years Old) | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Robotics/Design)

Teachers: Marianne Green / Mariano Zuk

This two-week summer program introduces students to STEM robotics through hands-on experience with various physical computing tools, including Finch robots. Participants will explore coding, engineering, and problem-solving by designing, building, and programming robots to tackle dynamic challenges. The program emphasizes experimentation with sensors, automation, and creative solutions, fostering innovation, teamwork, and practical application of robotics concepts in a collaborative environment.

Early Years - Kindergarten (4 - 6 Years Old) | Little Sharkies II

Teachers: Erika Kifuku / Mari Uchida                     

Teaching Assistants: Etsuko Maekawa / Caitlin Spiers

Join us for the summer fun! The second session of the Little Sharkies Summer Program focuses on learning through STEM (Science, Technology, English, and Math)  activities. We will have fun exploring things around us and creating using our imaginations in our linguistically rich environment. Throughout these enjoyable activities, we will review and learn their literacy and Maths skills, expanding their vocabulary bank together with oral language skills. It will be an excellent and enjoyable way to brush up on children’s skills and prepare them for the new school year!

Grades 1 - 3 (7 - 9 Years Old) | Little Explorers II

Teachers:  Miho Yoshida / Mervin Low / Allison Pook                       

Assistants: Ako Horner / Maki Adachi

Embark on an exciting summer adventure with the Little Explorers program! Designed for young learners in Grades 1 to 3, this hands-on STEM program encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through engaging activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Students will dive into interactive lessons that progress from simple to more challenging experiments and projects each day. From building basic structures to exploring simple coding, conducting fun science experiments, and solving engineering puzzles, every activity is designed to spark a love for learning while reinforcing key STEM concepts.

Grades 4 - 10 (10 - 16 Years Old) | Movement Composition and Reading Explorations

Teachers:  Luke Russell / Henry Cammell

Our summer school session will include a range of fun learning activities. This session will include sports games, team-building skills, creative art activities, and exploration mixed in with some reading, writing, and math. We hope to spend our learning time both in the classroom and outside. Along with this, students will have the opportunity to develop their creativity, enjoy stories, and build their communication, thinking, and social skills.

Early Years - Grade 3  (4 - 9 Years Old) | Creativity, Sports, and Martial Arts Program (CSM)

Teachers: Rafael Ablong  / Mari Uchida

Teaching Assistants: Megumi Nabeshima / Camille Black

This program is a scaffolded mix of creativity, sports and martial arts. This holistic program nurtures young learners' creativity, physical fitness, and character development through a balanced mix of artistic expression, sports activities, and martial arts training. Designed to foster confidence, coordination, and teamwork, the curriculum provides an engaging and dynamic environment where children can explore movement, imagination, and discipline.for self-defense and life skills for the first 30-45 minutes and exciting sports and games to improve the students' specific sports skills for the rest of the two hours.

Grades 4 - 6 (10 - 12 Years Old) | Arts and Crafts and Design  

Teacher: Henry Cammel

Hello, creators! This summer, join us on an exciting artistic adventure as we explore the mysterious Kowloon Walled City and the futuristic Cyberpunk universe. Through a series of hands-on projects, you'll have the opportunity to experiment with various art and craft styles, from crafting dioramas to working with AI digital arts and LED lights. Let's dive into the creative process together, applying the skills you've acquired in art and design to construct a new world. You'll not only enhance your artistic abilities but also cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By the end of the program, you'll have a portfolio of your own creations and a better understanding of the role of art and design in our world.

Grades 7 - 12  (13 - 18 Years Old) | Sports and Athletics Program

Teacher: Taka Hirashima

Every day, your child will work on basic volleyball skills with their peers. Participants will learn all about the different kinds of volleyball basic skills; footwork, jumping, receiving, serving and so on.  As these skills might be transferable to other sports, students are expected to develop their teamwork skills. We have designed the weeks to allow the students to not just appreciate and learn about volleyball basic skills but also to learn and play volleyball games possibly in a simplified format and maybe other team activities. Hopefully, by doing these they can develop basic volleyball skills and learn how to work as a team.

Early Years - Grade 3 (4 - 9 Years Old) | Creativity, Sports and Martial Arts Program (CSM)

Teachers: Rafael Ablong / Mari Uchida

Teaching Assistants: Megumi Nabeshima / Caitlin Spiers

This program is a scaffolded mix of creativity, sports and martial arts. This holistic program nurtures young learners' creativity, physical fitness, and character development through a balanced mix of artistic expression, sports activities, and martial arts training. Designed to foster confidence, coordination, and teamwork, the curriculum provides an engaging and dynamic environment where children can explore movement, imagination, and discipline.for self-defense and life skills for the first 30-45 minutes and exciting sports and games to improve the students' specific sports skills for the rest of the two hours.

Grade 4 - 6 (10 - 12 Years Old) | Arts and Crafts and Design

Teacher: Mervin Low 

This two-week ASA invites students to explore the rich history, culture, and artistry of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival through a hands-on art and design project. Students will create a 1/12 scale Yamakasa float diorama, inspired by traditional festival themes and personal storytelling.

Grades 7 - 12 (13 - 18 Years Old) | Sports and Athletics Program

Teacher: Andrei Teodorescu

The students will learn various games and apply basic skills such as footwork, jumping, dribbling, bouncing, passing, and so on. As these skills might be transferable to other sports, students are expected to develop their teamwork skills. We have designed the weeks to allow the students to not just appreciate and learn about sports skills, but also to learn and appreciate other games, possibly in a simplified format, and other team activities.

Design, Creativity, and AI Tools

Teacher: Mariano Zuk

This two-week workshop introduces parents to essential design skills, combining hands-on experience with 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital creation tools supported with AI online tools. Using a project-based learning approach, participants will receive step-by-step guidance to explore creativity, experiment with emerging technologies, and collaborate in a dynamic and engaging environment.

Japanese Arts, Culture, and Language

Teacher: Junko Nishimoto

This course is designed for parents of all Japanese language levels—whether you're a beginner or already familiar with the language. The program focuses on practical Japanese for daily life while immersing you in the beauty of Japanese arts and culture. Whether you're navigating daily conversations, dining out, shopping, or engaging with your child’s school, this program will boost your confidence through interactive lessons and hands-on activities.

STEM Robotics / Design

Teacher: Marianne Green

This two-week summer program offers students an engaging introduction to STEM robotics through hands-on experience with various physical computing tools, including Finch robots from Birdbrain Technologies. Participants will explore fundamental concepts in coding, engineering, and problem-solving. Through project-based learning, students will design, build, and program robots, including their own Finch robots, to tackle dynamic challenges. The program emphasizes experimentation with sensors, automation, and creative problem-solving, all within a collaborative and stimulating environment designed to foster innovation, teamwork, and the practical application of robotics principles.

Japanese Arts, Culture, and Language

Teacher: Maki Adachi

This course is designed for parents of all Japanese language levels—whether you're a beginner or already familiar with the language. The program focuses on practical Japanese for daily life while immersing you in the beauty of Japanese arts and culture. Whether you're navigating daily conversations, dining out, shopping, or engaging with your child’s school, this program will boost your confidence through interactive lessons and hands-on activities.