Tokyo School Admissions

Tokyo’s perception as a fast paced, uniquely cultured, and technologically advanced city has led to a constant stream of visitors, as well as families locating here due to work commitments. Its educational provision differs slightly from London and New York with a greater number of international schools in order to provide for the students from English speaking countries. This is in addition to the Japanese public and private system.

ISA-TOKYO CAN HELP

We have a lot of experience with schools both in Tokyo and further afield in Japan. We know the admission requirements and have supported students in the short-listing, application, assessment, and interview process. We would love to hear from you and show you how we can support your child through this sometimes-tricky process. Get in touch for an initial chat. 

SCHOOL CHOICE

For those who intend to be in Tokyo for the long-term and especially with young children, where there is a desire to be fully immersed in Japanese language and culture, the Japanese public system is a viable option. Students will study the Japanese national curriculum in Japanese, with only limited and low-level English lessons. This is often the route chosen by many dual nationality families who have decided to make Japan their home, and whose children have entered the Japanese system from early elementary. Students will most likely receive additional support with English (or their other main language) outside of school.

Admission to Tokyo’s private schools is also an option. These have a strong academic program and offer access to a wider range of extra-curricular activities. They also often provide a track to a particular university, for example, Keio Senior High School or Waseda University Junior & Senior High School. The admissions process is rigorous and demanding, with careful preparation needed.

For those families who are intending to be in Tokyo for the short-term, whose child is older when first coming to Japan, or who have a more mobile lifestyle, there is a third option, international school. As Tokyo is not an English-speaking country, there is a good choice of international schools (approximately 50, not including international kindergartens) to cater for non-Japanese speakers. These schools use a range of curriculum frameworks including the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge International, as well as national curriculums such as the National Curriculum for English or the U.S. Common Core.  Entry is done via a formal application system, with most English medium schools requiring basic English proficiency.

For more information on studying and living in Japan, please visit Visas and Immigration.

ENTRY ASSESSMENT

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Public schools carry no formal entry assessments and are open to anyone who has the residence/visa status to apply.

PRIVATE SCHOOL

Private schools in Japan hold entrance exams at specific grade levels. For elementary schools, it is held in the fall of Pre-1st grade; for junior high schools, in the winter of Grade 6; and for high schools, in the winter of Grade 9. The examination is a unique academic test prepared by each school.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Most international schools will set their own admission assessment which can be taken at any time of the year, although some may use a published test such as the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) which assesses reading, language, and mathematics, or the CAT4 test which assesses proficiency in four areas: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial. Assessments can usually be taken remotely if necessary.

OPEN DAYS

We have included only a selection of the open days taking place. Please visit the admissions section of each school’s website for further information.