Choosing the Right International School in Tokyo: What You Should Know

1. Curriculum

When it comes to curriculum, it’s crucial to keep your child’s future education in mind. This decision isn’t just about high school—the pathway you choose may begin as early as middle school and determine the range of universities your child can consider after graduation. 

Academic pathways

• American/AP Curriculum
  • The Advanced Placement (AP) program is designed to provide students with university-level academics while giving them a chance to earn college credit in high school. It typically offers more flexibility with course choices and a wider range of subject offerings. Additionally, AP classes are widely recognized by US institutions and easily transferable for credits as well!
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • The IB program is a globally recognized curriculum designed to prepare students for rigorous higher education through emphasis on critical thinking, research, and global awareness. The IB continuum begins with the Primary Years Programme in elementary school, followed by the Middle Years Programme from 6th to 10th grade, and ends with the Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12. IB is academically demanding and requires students to be motivated and organized. When looking at schools, it’s best to keep in mind that smaller schools might not have as many subject offerings and students may not get their first-choice courses.
• British: IGCSE + A-Levels
  • The British curriculum is perfect for students who want to structure their academic pathway and specialize in their chosen subjects. It provides less flexibility and scope, but students, in turn, develop strong subject mastery.
• Other Programs
  • Other curriculums within the international circle include, Canadian, Australian, and bilingual programs. Depending on your child’s goals these may better fit their needs!

2. College/University Outcomes

When evaluating schools, it’s helpful to understand matriculation data to see where graduates go for university. Some schools have a strong record of sending graduates to US universities, whereas others split their results between the US, UK, Canada, and Asia. If your child wants to stay in Japan, then it’s a good idea to look into schools with strong pipelines to Japanese universities.

3. School Size and Culture

When it comes to campus culture and size, think about your child’s personality and learning style. Smaller schools may provide close-knit communities, more support and personalized attention, and foster stronger teacher-student relationships—but there may be fewer electives or clubs. Larger schools may offer more extensive course options, extracurriculars, and a more diverse community, though they can feel more competitive.

4. Extracurricular Activities

While academics are the foundation of your child’s school life, extracurricular activities can define how a student spends their time and discovers their passions outside of the classroom. Whether it’s competitive athletics, the arts, or community service, each school has their own roster of activities. It’s also important to keep in mind that extracurricular activities are where your child will have the chance to experience leadership opportunities.

5. Cost/Commute

No matter how ideal or prestigious a school may be, cost and commute are practical realities that families need to consider. Tuition at international schools in the Tokyo area can start from ¥2,000,000 and that doesn’t include the other fees such as registration, maintenance, and more. Tokyo traffic and transportation can also translate to long commute times which could affect a student’s after school plans and their overall well-being.

6. Admissions

Spaces at top schools are extremely limited and deadlines vary. Most schools start accepting applications in the fall and decision results come in early spring. As for the process, most schools require:

• Past report cards
• Teacher recommendations
• Standardized testing 
• Parent and student essays (varies)
• Interviews for both parents and students (varies)