Why KCI Is Pursuing ACSI Accreditation in Kumamoto: The Educational Foundation We Value

When people hear the phrase “international accreditation,” many immediately think of the IB (International Baccalaureate). So why is KCI choosing to pursue ACSI accreditation instead of becoming an IB World School?

The reason is simple.

ACSI aligns best with the educational foundation KCI wants to build, and with the way we want to grow as a school.

1. IB strengthens a “curriculum framework,” while ACSI strengthens the “overall quality of the school”

IB is a powerful framework that introduces internationally structured programs (such as PYP/MYP/DP) and systematizes lesson design and learning approaches across the school. In contrast, ACSI is not about applying one specific curriculum to every school. Instead, it focuses on improving the overall quality of the school by reviewing and strengthening areas such as school operations, the learning environment, safety, staffing, and educational continuity.

Kumamoto Christian International (KCI) believes ACSI is a better fit because it allows us to build on the learning foundations we already use (our curriculum and teaching practices) while raising the total strength of the school as an organization.

2. Protecting the “core” of Christian education while improving through global standards

At KCI, we value not only academic growth, but also the growth of a child’s heart—kindness, integrity, gratitude, and responsibility—placing Christian education at the center of our school.

ACSI respects a Christian school’s mission and values, and then supports the school in strengthening educational quality, healthy governance, child safety, and teacher professionalism from an international perspective. For KCI, ACSI is an excellent match because it helps us hold together both “faith-based education” and “world-class learning.”

 

3. A realistic path for sustainable growth, even as a small school

KCI will begin small and carefully grow year by year, adding grades step by step. IB can require large-scale changes in school-wide design, and it often demands significant systems, training, and operational capacity.

KCI does not want to rush to “look complete” on the outside. We want to prioritize the quality of learning, safety, and solid foundations, and then move forward with steady, meaningful progress. In that sense, ACSI’s emphasis on continuous improvement fits KCI’s growth model very well.

 

4. ACSI strengthens schools through partnership, not just inspection

One of the strengths of ACSI is that it is not simply an evaluation that ends with a pass or fail. It provides schools with perspectives and support to become better. When the cycle of setting goals, documenting, reflecting, and improving becomes part of the school culture, teachers’ instructional skills and teamwork grow stronger year after year.

KCI wants to be a school that becomes “a little better every year” even after opening. We believe pursuing ACSI accreditation is a valuable system that helps make that possible.

5. More than “English ability”: building a strong foundation of character

English is important. But even more important is what children learn through English—and what kind of people they become.

At KCI, we aim to develop not only academic ability and English proficiency, but also character, attitude, consideration for others, and integrity, so that our students can become people who are trusted and able to contribute anywhere in the world.

ACSI also values whether a school’s mission matches its daily educational practice. For KCI, ACSI is a major support in refining our education without losing our focus.

In closing,

KCI will steadily build learning that connects Kumamoto to the world—on a foundation you can trust.

Accreditation is not the goal. It is a guide that helps us keep growing into a better school, year after year.

For your child’s future, we will continue to value both the “content” of education and the “foundation” that supports it.

That is why Kumamoto needs Kumamoto Christian International (KCI), a school committed to pursuing ACSI accreditation.

A brand-new international elementary school is coming to Kumamoto!

 

提到「國際認證」，很多人第一時間會想到 IB（國際文憑）。那麼，為什麼 KCI 不選擇成為 IB 認證學校，而是選擇走向 ACSI 認證（以取得為目標）呢？

理由很簡單。

因為 ACSI 最符合 KCI 想建立的教育根基，也最符合我們希望學校成長的方式。

IB 強化的是「課程框架」，ACSI 強化的是「學校整體品質」

IB 是一套強而有力的國際課程框架（如 PYP/MYP/DP），能把課程設計與學習方式系統化、結構化。相對地，ACSI 並不是把某一套特定課程套用到所有學校，而是從學校經營、學習環境、安全、師資體制、教育延續性等面向，檢視並提升「學校整體的品質」，並且透過持續改善來強化學校。

Kumamoto Christian International (KCI) 認為，ACSI 更適合我們，因為我們可以在既有的學習基礎（課程與教學法）上，進一步提升學校作為一個整體的綜合力。

守住基督教教育的「核心」，同時以國際標準持續精進

KCI 不只重視學力，也重視孩子心靈與品格的成長，例如體貼、誠實、感恩與責任感，並將基督教教育作為學校的中心。

ACSI 尊重基督教學校的使命與價值觀，同時從國際視角協助學校提升教育品質、健全治理、孩子安全以及教師專業性。對 KCI 而言，ACSI 能幫助我們同時兼顧「信仰扎根的教育」與「與世界接軌的學習」，非常契合我們的方向。

即使是小規模學校，也更容易規劃「可持續的成長」

KCI 將從小規模開始，並逐年增加年級，細緻地培育學校。IB 在導入與運作上往往需要較大幅度的全校體制調整，對組織、培訓與運營負擔也需要更審慎的準備。

KCI 不希望為了外表的形式而勉強整齊，更想優先把孩子的學習品質與安全、以及學校的根基打穩，再一步一步踏實前進。在這一點上，ACSI 所強調的「持續改善（改進循環）」非常符合 KCI 的成長方式。

ACSI 的價值不只是「審查」，而是「陪伴式」讓學校更強

ACSI 的優點不在於單純給出合格或不合格，而在於提供能讓學校變得更好的視角與支持。當「設定目標、紀錄、回顧、改善」這樣的流程成為學校文化時，教師教學力與團隊協作也會一年比一年更強。

KCI 希望在開校之後，也能成為一所「每年都能更進步一點的學校」。因此，我們認為以 ACSI 認證為目標，是一套非常有價值的成長機制。

不只是「會英文」：培養作為人的扎實根基

在未來，英文很重要。但更重要的是：孩子透過英文學到什麼，以及會成為怎樣的人。

KCI 除了培養學力與英語力，也重視人格、態度、對他人的體貼與誠實正直等根基，盼望孩子將來無論到哪裡，都能成為被信任、能貢獻的人。

ACSI 也重視「學校使命是否與日常教育一致」的觀點。對 KCI 而言，ACSI 是幫助我們不偏離方向、持續精煉教育的一大支持。

最後，

KCI 將以值得信賴的方式，踏實累積連結「熊本到世界」的學習。

認證不是終點，而是引導我們持續成長、成為更好學校的指標與方向。

為了孩子的未來，我們將重視教育的「內容」與支撐它的「根基」。

因此，熊本需要 Kumamoto Christian International（KCI）——以 ACSI 認證為目標、致力於打造更高品質教育的學校。

熊本即將誕生一所全新的國際小學！