UIA International School
Reviewer
Anonymous reviewer
Comments
Overall, I enjoyed my time at the school and appreciate the positive changes that have taken place under the current leadership. The school has become more academically focused and organized than it was in previous years. At the same time, I believe there is still room for improvement in how the school values and supports its staff. Retaining experienced teachers should be a priority, and providing competitive compensation and housing benefits would help achieve that goal. I hope the school continues building on its recent progress while investing more in the people who contribute directly to students' success.
Questionnaire Responses
How effectively does leadership/board member(s) communicate important information (e.g., policies, events, updates) to the school community?
How well does leadership/board member(s) foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive school culture for students and staff?
How effectively does leadership/board member(s) ensure that school-wide goals and initiatives are successfully implemented?
How well does leadership/board member(s) allocate resources (e.g., funding, staff, materials) to support the school’s needs and priorities?
How transparent is leadership/board member(s) in making decisions that impact the school community?
How effectively does leadership/board member(s) respond to challenges or crises that arise within the school?
How effectively does leadership/board member(s) prioritize and support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of both students and staff?
Overall, how satisfied are you with the leadership/board member"(s) impact on the school?
What do you appreciate most about leadership/board member'(s) approach to creating a positive and effective school environment?
When Michael Taylor became the new principal, I noticed a significant improvement in the school's overall direction. The school developed a stronger academic focus, meetings became more purposeful and organized, and communication improved. He worked hard to address issues that had accumulated over time. While it took time to implement meaningful changes, his leadership helped create a more structured and positive environment for both staff and students.
What areas of improvement, if any, do you believe leadership/board member'(s) should focus on to strengthen the school’s success?
The biggest area for improvement is staff compensation and benefits, particularly housing support. The school does not provide a housing allowance like many other international schools in Tokyo, making it difficult to recruit and retain experienced educators. Even Michael Taylor has reportedly explored opportunities outside the school that offer better housing benefits and salary. Investing more in competitive salaries and housing support would improve staff retention, increase morale, and ultimately provide greater stability for students.
Can you share an example of how leadership/board member'(s) has positively impacted the school community or contributed to the school’s overall development?
In my opinion, Mr. Kazumasa Sugita manages the school more like a business than an educational institution. His focus on minimizing costs has come at the expense of investing in teachers and school leaders. The school has lost many talented educators because it is unwilling to provide competitive salaries and housing allowances that are standard at many international schools in Tokyo. Financial stability is important, but repeatedly choosing not to invest in staff has made it difficult to retain experienced educators and build a stable school community.
Details
- Reviewee
- UIA International School
- School
- UIA International School
- Country
- Japan
- State / Region
- Tokyo, Tokyo
- Reporting Period
- 2017-2026
- Submitted
- August 4, 2026
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