Acronym and Term Directory

From Info

ACs

CAJ's Athletic Coordinators (ACs) run our extensive sports program.

ACSI

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is an organization that CAJ is affiliated with that provides training, curriculum materials, sponsors conferences, and provides information about best practices in Christian education. ACSI Website

ACT

American College Testing (though now they are officially just ACT) is a test similar the far more common SAT. ACT website.

AED/CPR

Many of our staff are trained in first aid including Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training. There are several AED units on campus.

Annex

The Annex refers to offices and meeting areas located in the former hostel building towards the back of campus. Please check with the business office if you need help finding a particular office or staff person.

AOCR

The Academic Office Conference Room (AOCR) is a room in the academic office that is often used for meetings.

AP Classes

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are available for students to in the high school. More information is available in the high school handbook here.

Artscape

Artscape is a once a year opportunity for international school students to have their art displayed downtown: typically at the Children's Castle. It is not a competition and the artwork is selected and hung by the art teachers from each school.

ASIJ

American School in Japan (ASIJ) is an international school in Tokyo that is part of the KPASS (Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools) group that CAJ also belongs to.

A-13

Is the large music classroom in the lower level of the auditorium building.

Back-to-School Day

A day, usually several weeks after school starts, where parents have an opportunity to learn more about their children's CAJ experience.

BOCR

The Business Office Conference Room (BOCR) is a room near the main entrance of the school where meetings are scheduled.

CHAT

Community groups, Homeroom and Assembly Time in the high school.

Co-curricular

Activities outside of, but connected to, CAJ's curriculum (extra-curricular) for which students do not receive academic credit (or a grade on their report card) such as sports, parts of our music program, academic KPASS events such as Brain Bowl and Math Field Day, theater, etc.

Community Group

These are mixed age (grades 9-12 combined) groups of high school students that meet throughout the year.

CSI

Christian Schools International (CSI) is an organization that CAJ is affiliated with that provides training, curriculum materials, sponsors conferences, and provides information about best practices in Christian education. CSI Website

EAL

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is one of a number of terms to identify students who are learning English as an additional language. We transitioned from the term ESL (English as a Second Language) in the Fall of 2012.

DoDD

Department of Defense Dependent (DoDD) schools are US military sponsored schools around the world. CAJ regularly competes with DoDD schools in the Asian region. Attending events at DoDD schools usually involves getting clearance to attend in advance. Contact the Athletic Coordinators or the office if you have questions.

EARCOS

East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is an organization that CAJ is affiliated with that provides training, curriculum materials, sponsors conferences, and provides information about best practices in international education. The host major Asian region conferences for teachers and administrators. EARCOS Website

Freshman

Ninth grader (student in first year of high school).

ES

Elementary School (ES) division: Grades K-5 at CAJ.

ESL

English as a Second Language (ESL) is one of a number of terms to identify students who are learning English as an additional language. We prefer the term EAL: English as an Additional Language.

E3

Eighth Grade Encapsulating Extravaganza is a culminating event for 8th graders that occurs near the end of the school year.

GPA

Grade Point Average (GPA): see high school handbook entry on Grading for more information.

GT

Gospel Team (GT) is a summer outreach program run by hi-b.a. that many of our students participate in.

Harvest Hall

Harvest Hall is a meeting room in Matsukawa Place, a building adjacent to our campus, that is used for many school events. It can be booked through the Japan Baptist Fellowship office located in room #106 on the first floor of Matsukawa Place. The phone number is 042 458 8106.

HiBA (hi-B.A.)

High School Born Againers (hi-b.a.) is a very active youth group that many of our high school students participate in. It is not directly affiliated with CAJ but we support them by allowing advertising and access to our resources and students.

HS

High School (HS) division: Grades 9-12 at CAJ. Grade 9 = freshman | Grade 10 = sophomore | Grade 11 = junior | Grade 12 = senior

iCal

The name of the calendar program CAJ uses to publicize events and post assignments. Access to calendars can be found on the website.

IEP/OAP

Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Official Accommodation Plans (OAP) are for students with identifiable special needs. These plans are monitored by the Support Team. Contact the Guidance Office if you have questions.

ISSH

International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) an international school in Tokyo that is part of the KPASS (Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools) group that CAJ belongs to.

ITBS

CAJ currently uses the standardized Iowa Test of Basic Skills at various grade levels to assess student progress and our program.

JAM

Jesus and Me (JAM) is a middle school program run by KBF (Kurume Bible Fellowship - a church that rents our campus). It is not directly affiliated with CAJ but we support it by allowing advertising and access to our resources and students. KBF Website

JCAA

Japan Christian Academy Association (JCAA) is an organization that allows American citizens to donate to CAJ and receive a tax deduction receipt. To Donate

JCIS

Japan Council of International schools (JCIS) is an education and advocacy group of English language international schools in Japan that CAJ is a member of.

Junior

Eleventh grader (student in their 3rd year of high school).

KBF

Kurume Bible Fellowship (KBF) is an international church that rents CAJ's campus and holds services there each Sunday. KBF is not directly affiliated with CAJ. KBF Website

Knight's Castle

The play structure near the tracks and tennis courts (on the back side of the soccer/play field).

Knight Sounds

Is the publication of CAJ's PTA.

KPASSP

The Kanto Plain Association of Secondary School Principals (KPASSP) is a group of international and local DoDD schools that have joined together to form a league for competition and collaboration in sports, fine and performing arts, and other activities.

LRC

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) works with students of all abilities to help them achieve academic success. LRC page

LT

The Leadership Team (LT) is the administration group which includes the headmaster, the three divisional principals, the director of the SSS division, and the business manager.

Matsukawa Place

Is the housing, office and meeting complex next to the auditorium and dining hall, but it is not officially part of our campus.

Mini Gym

Is the small gym area located in an upper floor of the gym building accessible from the lobby.

MK

Missionary Kid (MK) - an internationally recognized term which identifies the children of missionaries.

Moodle

Moodle is the software we use for an interactive online presence to supplement many classes. It is also an important part of our contingency plan in case we have to close for an extended period of time for an emergency such as a natural disaster or disease outbreak.

MPR

The Multi Purpose Room (MPR) is an area off the academic building atrium and across from the library that is often used for public meetings and other gatherings.

MS

Middle School (MS) division. At CAJ middle school includes grades 6, 7 and 8.

NHS

The National Honor Society (NHS) is an internationally recognized group that high school students can seek to become members of. CAJ has an official chapter, and information is available from the Guidance Office

NIV

CAJ students use New International Version (NIV) Bibles for schoolwork.

PIP (Parents in Prayer)

Parents in Prayer is a PTA sponsored activity open to all parents. PTA page

PSAT

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is administered in high school to help students prepare for the SAT.

PTA

CAJ has a very active Parent Teacher Association (PTA). PTA page

Rubicon

Rubicon is the name of the online service we use to write and maintain our curriculum in a style called "curriculum mapping."

Rubric

A rubric is a scoring tool that indicates what criteria an assignment or examination will be assessed on.

SAT

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a test that is widely required for admission to western colleges and universities. CAJ is a registered SAT testing center as a convenience for our students and families. SAT Website CAJ's Guidance Office has information about preparing for the SAT test. The registrar can answer questions about registering for the test.

Senior

Twelfth grader (student in final year of high school).

Senior Comprehensives (Comps)

The Senior Comps (comprehensives) are a year long culminating assessment involving research, writing, a hands on project, and a public presentation on a day in May. Comps Webpage

Sophomore

Tenth grader (student in second year of high school).

SSS

School Support Services (SSS) is the division of CAJ that works with homeschool families and affiliated schools. SSS page

Stories Plus

Is a program for SSS (School Support Services) preschoolers usually meeting twice a month. More info

Support Team

Our Support Team works with students with identified special needs as well as operates our Learning Resource Center (LRC). LRC page

SWOW

The School With Out Walls (SWOW) program in the HS is a week in October during which regular high school classes are suspended and each grade embarks on leadership training activities or field trips.

TAP

CAJ's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) funds are available by application from the business office.

TCK

Third Culture Kid (TCK) is an internationally recognized term that identifies someone who as a child spent a significant period of time in one or more culture(s) other than his or her own, thus integrating elements of those cultures and their own birth culture, into a third culture. TCKs tend to have more in common with one another, regardless of nationality, than they do with non-TCKs from their own country.

TELL

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is a non-profit counseling center. The Guidance Office can provide more information.

Thrift Shop

Is a twice yearly rummage sale and community event sponsored by the PTA. PTA page

TOEFL

Test Of English as a Foreign Language. Some western universities require this for international students.

Transcript

Is the official record of classes, grades and other key information provided to other schools when students transfer, and to colleges upon request.

WASC

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is the organization that accredits us. Accreditation serves as an indication that our program is in line with recognized standards. WASC Website

Wilderness Camp

Is a multi day hiking trip undertaken by the junior class (11th grade) during SWOW (School With Out Walls) week in the fall.