INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN JAPAN (K-12 Schools)
- Where to send your kids to school in Tokyo from pre-kindergarten to college -
By James Yellowlees, Ph.D.
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As the demand for international education in Japan continues to grow, the need for quality information on international schools has become increasingly important for both students and parents.
In this article, we will look at schools and institutions in three categories: Pre-School, K to 12, and Post Secondary.
The primary focus in this article is on schools in the greater Tokyo area (including Yokohama), but information related to other international schools in Japan is available on the
Weekender Online.
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KINDERGARTEN TO HIGH SCHOOL (K-12)
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St. Mary's International School is a boy's school that was founded by Canadian Catholic missionaries in Tokyo in 1954 and moved to its current location in Setagaya-ku in 1972.
It offers an international baccalaureate diploma and an international curriculum, with an emphasis on American college preparation.
Headmaster Brother Michel Jutras, a long-term Tokyo resident, noted that, "the majority of our 930 students go on to study at U.S. or Canadian universities."
St. Mary's offers good sports facilities, and strong athletic teams, a relatively spacious campus and a green, residential setting. It also offers unique classes such as architectural drawing and places a strong emphasis on music programs.
Tel: 03-3709-3411
Fax: 03-3707-1950
E-mail: BSantos@smis.ac.jp
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Seisen International School is a catholic girl's school that is located in nearby Yoga.
It offers a co-ed kindergarten as well as grades 1 to 12 for girls. Seisen also offers an international baccalaureate diploma, advanced placement for its 700 students and good recreational facilities, including a gym and tennis courts.
Tel: 03-3704-2661
Fax: 03-3701-1033
E-mail: sisinfo@seisen.com
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The American School in Japan (ASIJ) will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the 2002-03 school year.
It offers a very spacious and well-equipped school in Chofu, on the outskirts of Tokyo, for its 1,400 students.
ASIJ is non-sectarian and is very strong in its American College Preparatory and advanced placement programs.
According to school director Peter Cooper, ASIJ places strong emphasis on technology and has 900 PCs available for student use.
ASIJ is also strong in sports, drama, music and volunteer activities.
Recently, students in the primary school made onigiri rice balls and gave them out to homeless people in Tokyo.
Tel: 0422-34-5300
E-mail: info@asij.ac.jp
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Nishimachi International School was established in 1949 and has 420 students in the K-9 grades.
It is very conveniently located in Hiroo and is non-sectarian.
The curriculum is U.S.-based but as headmaster Thomas Walters pointed out, "We try to implement progressive curriculum elements from the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other nations.
While English is the core language of instruction, Japanese classes are offered at various levels.
Sports and other activities form an essential part of school life.
Most of the students go on to boarding schools, mainly in the U.S., following grade nine, while others go on to other international schools in Tokyo."
Tel: 03-3451-5520
Fax: 03-3456-0197
E-mail: info@nishimachi.ac.jp
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The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) is also located in Hiroo and is a catholic school for girls.
ISSH provides its 600 students with American, U.K. and Sacred Heart university preparatory programs.
It has a co-ed kindergarten, in addition to grades 1 to 12 for girls.
Tel: 03-3400-3951/2
Fax: 03-3400-3496
E-mail: info@issh.ac.jp
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The British School in Japan, located in Shibuya, is non-sectarian, and was established in 1989.
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher officially opened it.
According to headmaster Peter Derby-Crook, the school, "follows the British ethos and provides students with a high quality British educational experience."
The 420 students range in age from 3 to 13 and most of the students go on to school in Britain.
The British School works hard to maintain a, cheerful friendly environment and to foster respect between the teachers and students.
Tel: 03-5467-4321
Fax: 03-5467-4322
E-mail: admissions@bst.ac.jp
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Aoba International School was established by the colorful, long-time Japan resident Regina Doi and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2001.
It has campuses in Aobadai, Meguro-ku and Miyamae, Suginami-ku and currently has a total of 548 students at the K-9 levels.
Aoba International places a strong emphasis on math and reading skills and is able to provide intensive English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and academic preparatory support for students whose first language is not English and students who require academic assistance.
Doi and headmaster James Currie, an experienced educator and administrator lead the Aoba "team".
Tel: 03-3335-6620/6720
Fax: 03-3332-6930/6850
E-mail: info@a-jis.com
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A new addition to the international school family is New International School that was established by Director/ Principal, Steve Parr.
It is located in Minami-Ikebukuro and currently has 170 students at the K-9 levels.
The school is multiage and bilingual based in English and Japanese, with Chinese offered as a third language. According to Parr, "The school is especially suitable for international marriage families and long-term or permanent residents of Japan, for whose children both languages are essential."
Tel: 03-3980-1057
Fax: 03-3980-1154
E-mail: info@newinternationalschool.com
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The Tokyo International School (TIS) was established in 1997 by Patrick Newell and has quickly established itself as a progressive international school that covers pre-school to Grade 6 in two locations.
According to Newell, "We began with 12 students, now have 200 and are continuing to grow."
The main TIS school is conveniently located in Mita and has become known for its distinctive yellow building and school buses.
TIS features an international curriculum and is recognized by the European Council of International Schools.
Tel: 03-5484-1160
Fax: 03-5484-1139
E-mail: TIS@TokyoIS.com
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International Secondary School (ISS) provides a supported online education alternative for junior high and high school students in a cozy setting in Meguro.
Director Allan Tsuda noted that the courses are accredited by the North Dakota Division of Independent Study and students are supported by qualified teachers.
Tel: 03-3710-1331
Fax: 03-3710-1319
E-mail: iss@isstokyo.com
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The Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) School is located in Ogikubo and offers religious-based instruction at the K-2 level.
"Our programs are recognized by the U.S. State Department and provide strong preparation for overseas study," assistant director Daniel Mahr noted.
Tel/Fax: 03-3392-0419
E-mail: ogisda@typhoon.co.jp
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K. International School Tokyo (KIST) was founded in 1997 and is conveniently located less than one minute from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station in Koto-ku. KIST offers an affordable international education to families with children from pre-Kindergarten through to Grade 12. Authorized by the International Baccalaureate as an IB World School, KIST is currently the only international school in Tokyo and one of only two schools in Japan to offer all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Tel: 03-3642-9993 (English) 03-3642-9992 (Japanese) Fax: 03-3642-9994 E-mail:
info@kist.ed.jp
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The Christian Academy in Japan is located in Higashi Kurume-shi, just outside of Tokyo, and has 435 students in classes that range from kindergarten to grade 12.
It features a North American curriculum and bible study classes.
Tel: 0424-71-0022
Fax: 0424-76-2200
E-mail: infodesk@caj.or.jp
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St. Maur International School is a Catholic co-ed school that is located in Yokohama and features a Montressori Pre-school.
Students at the K-12 level can graduate with an International Baccalaureate and are able to take advantage of the Advanced Placement system.
Its facilities include a gym, computer labs and a Fine Arts Center.
Tel: 045-641-5751
Fax: 045-641-6688
E-mail: Jthomas@stmaur.ac.jp
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Yokohama International School is a non-sectarian co-ed school that has 650 students at the Pre-school to grade 12 levels and also offers the International Baccalaureate diploma, Advanced Placement and the International General Certificate of Education.
It features a gymnasium, technology center, and recording and arts studios.
Tel: 045-662-0084
Fax: 045-621-0379
E-mail: yis@yis.ac.jp
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Yokohama International Christian Academy is a co-ed school that has 86 students at the Pre-school to Grade 12 levels.
It is located in the Yokohama YMCA Chuo Building and an indoor gym, an indoor swimming pool and a cafeteria.
Tel: 045-226-2071
Fax: 045-226-2072
E-mail: YICA@arkinternational.com
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The Catholic Santa Maria School in Nerima-ku was founded in 1959 by the Sisters Adorers. Today, the school serves about 200 boys and girls from Pre-Primary to Grade 6.
The school has a U.S.-based curriculum and economical tuition rates. School buses shuttle the students between the school and nearby train stations on the Seibu Railways Lines.
Principal Sister Mary Ann heads a faculty staff of sisters and lay teachers.
Tel: 03-3904-0517
Fax: 03-3904-0552
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For German students, and those who wish to study in German, the German School is located in Chigasaki-Minami, Yokohama.
It has 450 students at the K-12 levels, is non-sectarian and features a German Baccalaureate curriculum.
Tel: 045-941-4841/2
Fax: 045-941-4481
E-mail: dsty@dsty.ac.jp
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The international school community in Japan is rich and varied and it is reassuring that the level of commitment by all of these schools to provide quality education for our children is so strong.
James Yellowlees, Ph.D., is President & CEO of Global Daigaku.com, a Tokyo-based education/training consulting firm.
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