What happens to your child’s English after primary school?
For families who have spent years building strong English skills through SMIS-English, this is an important question. Our goal has always been to help students do more than study English, we want them to use it confidently, communicate effectively and continue developing their skills as they grow.
That is why we are pleased to announce an important development in our partnership with Shoin Junior High School, with new benefits applying from the 2027 entrance examinations.
Continuing English Beyond Primary School
For students entering junior high school, SMIS-English offers a clear continuation pathway through our SJH Saturday School programme.
Designed for students with advanced English skills, SJH Saturday School allows students to continue learning in an English-immersion environment while attending their regular junior high school. Students develop their English through:
- STEM and practical learning
- SDG-based projects
- research and discussion
- reading and writing
- presentations and collaborative tasks
The programme is open to boys and girls, and students do not need to attend Shoin Junior High School to participate.
An Additional Pathway Through Shoin
For families considering Shoin Junior High School, our partnership now provides additional advantages for eligible St. Michael’s and SMIS-English students.
From the 2027 entrance examinations, eligible students may benefit from the following:
Full Admission Fee Waiver
The Shoin Junior High School admission fee will be fully waived for students who meet one of the following conditions:
- graduates of the St. Michael’s International School full-time programme
- students who have attended SMIS-English Saturday School for a total of at least one year from Grade 4 onward
- Grade 6 students who have attended Saturday School for at least one term
SMIS-English Reference Letters Recognised for Admission
An official St. Michael’s International School Reference Letter may now be accepted as evidence of English proficiency.
Students who demonstrate the required English level may therefore be able to apply for Shoin Junior High School’s self-recommendation entrance examination without holding an external qualification such as EIKEN.
CEFR Recognition and Entrance Examination Bonus Points
For both junior high and senior high school entrance examinations, English proficiency levels recorded in an SMIS reference letter may be recognised by Shoin as equivalent to the required English qualifications.
Where approved by Shoin, eligible students may receive the corresponding English proficiency bonus points toward their entrance examination.
Recognizing the English Journey Our Students Have Already Made
These renewed benefits recognise something that is very important to us at SMIS-English: sustained English learning should have value beyond the classroom.
Students who have spent years developing their English through St. Michael’s or SMIS-English have already built experience in communication, literacy, presentation, collaboration and learning through English.
The renewed partnership creates a clearer way for that experience to be recognised as students move into the next stage of their education.
More Choices, More Opportunities
Continue attending SMIS-English SJH Saturday School while studying at another junior high school
Another Pathway: Shoin Global Stream
Families can continue with SMIS-English through SJH Saturday School while attending another junior high school, or explore Shoin’s Global Stream pathway as part of their full-time education.
Either way, our aim remains the same: to help students continue using, developing and benefiting from the English skills they have worked so hard to build.
Interested in the Next Step?
Families who would like to learn more about SJH Saturday School, the Shoin pathway, Reference Letters, or the new 2027 partnership benefits are encouraged to contact SMIS-English. We would be happy to discuss the available options and help you plan the next stage of your child’s English journey.
Contact us at english@smis-mail.org