Canadian Academy

Our History: 

Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit international school located in Kobe. We are home to 675 students between 4 and 18 years of age from over 40 countries around the world.  

Despite the name, we are not a ‘Canadian’ school, and do not offer a Canadian curriculum: the name is the legacy of our founding in 1913 by missionaries from Canada. We are proud to be regarded as one of Japan’s leading international schools.

In addition to a strong academic program, CA offers students many opportunities for exploration in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, service, and more.

Our Location:

Kobe was one of the first cities in Japan to open to foreign trade in the late 19th Century, and has continued to be one of the most internationally-minded, foreigner-friendly, cosmopolitan cities in the country.  

CA’s spacious and newly renovated campus is located in a leafy, convenient, and family-friendly neighborhood on Rokko Island, a man-made island about 20 minutes by public transport from downtown Kobe. 

Rokko Island has a large international community, with excellent supermarkets and shops that cater to foreign residents, a wide range of restaurants, a 5-km greenbelt for exercise and leisure, and a pleasant waterfront promenade. 

Our People:

Students at CA come from around the world and represent many different cultures and backgrounds. Several large international companies and diplomatic missions are based on Kobe or Osaka, and children from their families attend our school; in addition, many of our students are either from Japanese families with international ties, or international families with long-term roots in Kansai. Unusually for an international school, many of our students are the children and even grandchildren of CA alumni.

We are fortunate that our families are exceptionally supportive of the school, and our students are motivated and engaged and come to school eager to learn.

The teaching staff reflects the diversity of our student body, with over 20 nationalities represented. The majority of our non-teaching staff are Japanese, as are many of our teachers, particularly in our extensive Japanese language department.

Our Culture:

The greatest benefit of working at CA is the opportunity to develop your professional skills and further your career in a supportive and collaborative environment. People work together because they believe in the work they are doing and they understand the importance of their role in supporting the school and its objectives.

The working culture and environment is one which is friendly and welcoming, and reflects the general feeling one has when walking around the school campus and observing the interaction between teachers and students.

Thank you for taking the time to consider Canadian Academy as the next stage in your professional journey!