Application Start June 15: LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School Offers English Immersion and Well-being Education in North Kitakaru's Nature

LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School (operated by Educure LCA Inc., headquartered in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture), which opened in the Global Education Special Zone of Naganohara Town, Gunma Prefecture, will begin accepting first-round applications for the 2027 academic year on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The school is an advanced institution that combines English immersion education led by foreign homeroom teachers with well-being education that supports each child's happiness and growth.

To coincide with the start of applications, the school will hold 'School Tours and Information Sessions,' 'Online Information Sessions,' and 'Trial Lesson Events' to allow prospective families to experience its unique educational vision and appeal.

■ A School That Cultivates the 'Ability to Live Happily,' Not Just Academic Ability

LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School aims for the 'lifelong happiness (well-being)' of its children.

It places at the center of its education the development of qualities that cannot be measured by deviation scores or test scores:

● The ability to connect with the world and others (learning well)

● The ability to pursue interests and take on challenges (playing well)

● The ability to face oneself and make choices (resting well)

■ Four Attractions and Educational Features of the School

LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School is a standard school (ichijōkō) under Japan's School Education Law. As a Special Curriculum School, it practices a new form of education that breaks away from conventional frameworks.

① A rare, high-quality educational environment nationwide with 3 teachers assigned to classes of just 15 students

Rather than seeking uniform, straight-line growth, the school provides a supportive environment where each child can grow with their own individuality, like the diverse trees of nature.

② English proficiency to succeed on the global stage

Foreign teachers serve as homeroom teachers, implementing immersion education where English is used daily not just as a subject for study but as a 'tool' for learning about life and other subjects. Leveraging over 20 years of proven expertise at LCA International School (Sagamihara campus, etc.), the school fosters genuine communication skills that enable fluent use of both Japanese and English.

③ Unique new subjects: 'Life Design' and 'Hometown Studies'

These are the school's original classes designed to break free from the frameworks of common sense and fixed ideas, encouraging students to think for themselves and explore their own way of living.

'Hometown Studies': Students connect deeply with the rich nature of the 1,000m-high Asama Highlands and the warm local community, using the entire town as a textbook to explore the real world.

'Life Design': Students cultivate the ability to design their own proactive way of living by calming their mind and body in a relaxed atmosphere, contemplating their present and future.

④ Comprehensive support for relocating families; plans for a combined middle and high school

The school building is surrounded by lush forests, allowing students to learn while feeling the changing seasons up close.

To reduce the burden on parents, the school provides:

● School bus service from Karuizawa Station and Naka-Karuizawa Station

● Free after-school care until 5:30 PM

● Relocation consultation support

Furthermore, the establishment of a 'combined middle and high school' is planned to provide a long-term educational perspective after graduation.

1. 2027 Academic Year New Student Recruitment Guidelines (First Exam Schedule)

【Number of Students】: 15 elementary school students

【Application Period】: Monday, June 15, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026

【Parent Interview】: Monday, July 6, 2026 – Friday, July 10, 2026 (approx. 30 minutes within the period)

【Child Exam】: Monday, July 20, 2026 (National Holiday) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

【Eligibility】: Children born between April 2, 2020 and April 1, 2021

2. Upcoming School Information Sessions and Trial Lesson Schedule

These are opportunities to experience the warmth of the forest school building and the atmosphere of actual classes.

【Trial Lesson (for older kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders)】

While children experience classes such as English activities, parents will receive a school explanation and tour.

Dates: Friday, June 26, and Friday, July 8, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM each day

Capacity: Maximum 2 participants per session (advance reservation required)

https://kitakaru-ele.lca.ed.jp/blog/event/1290/

【School Tour and Information Session (on-site)】

Visitors can view the facilities surrounded by the rich nature of North Kitakaru while learning about the school's educational features, exam information, and relocation matters.

Dates: Thursday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 24, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM each day

https://kitakaru-ele.lca.ed.jp/blog/news/1175/

【Online School Information Session】

A Zoom session for those living far away who are considering relocation and enrollment.

Date: Thursday, July 2, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

https://kitakaru-ele.lca.ed.jp/blog/news/1175/

■ Application and Inquiry Methods

Those wishing to participate in school information sessions, trial lessons, or individual consultations are welcome to inquire via the website below. For those unable to attend the scheduled information sessions for the first round of applications, individual arrangements can be made.

LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School Official Website

https://kitakaru-ele.lca.ed.jp

【Contact for this matter】

School Name: LCA Kitakaru Mori no Inter Elementary School

Address: 1924-44 Kitakaru, Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture 377-1412

Phone: 050-3515-7831

Email: k.contact@lca.ed.jp