best international schools in Tokyo
 

Hi all,

I will be enrolling my middle schoolers in an international school in Tokyo beginning next year. Any advice as to which ones are the best?

Thanks,
Al

TravelJapanBlog.com

What is your situation in this case?

Do you live in Japan already or are you moving to there?

If the company you are working for is moving you there, most likely you would receive concession on the tuition.

But if you have your own business or got a job in Japan, you are expected to pay the full amount which is around $12,000 a year.

Anyways, here are some of the schools that I have looked into.

The American School in Japan (AJIS) The American School in Japan - ASIJ - Tokyo

All Boys - St. Mary's International School
St. Mary's International School - Home

All Girls - Seisen International School
Seisen International School

There are many more so just search international school tokyo on Google and you should have plenty of hits.

moving to japan
 

We'll be moving to Japan. My employer won't be paying so cost is an issue. I'd prefer only coed schools as I have a daughter and a son and would like them to be at the same school.

I'm hoping for more than just google search results. I'd really like to hear from those who have tried one or more of them or who know people who have and have heard feedback.

Thanks!

OK, the ones I listed are top international schools in Tokyo both in reputation and in size as well.

Only coed one is ASIJ among these three.

Tuitions are about same everywhere and I think it comes down to your preference.

ASIJ obviously offers American curriculum while other two offer international baccalaureate but they are still influenced by American style education system.

My past research involves my kids but they are still young so I do not have actual insights.

Good luck!!

cost
 

The cost looks closer to $30,000 each than it does to $12,000. Where are you getting the $12k figure from?

Sorry, I meant to say $21,000 just for the tuition.

With all other fees, I'm sure it'll be more.

I think the costs can be minimized if for example, you live within commutable distance using public transportation so you don't need to pay for school bus.

Good luck.

I think it would be cheaper to have them learn Japanese and go to a normal school.

International school in Japan
 

Hi,

I can advise you Horizon Japan International school which has branches in both Tokyo and Yokohama. I have some friends whose children are attending to that international school and I can easily say that all of them are highly pleasant about the school's education. Although this school is new as far as I know they showed a great performance to prove themselves in a very short time as my friends mention. For your reference below is the school's website:

Horizon Japan International School - Tokyo and Yokohama

Caner,

Hi,

If you are looking for international schools in Tokyo, check this list International Schools List | Useful Information | realestate-tokyo.com
I would recommend ASIJ (American School In Japan, Nishimachi or Yokohama purely on their reputation). You need to be a little careful as some schools use ththe name 'international' when they are really not fulfilling all the criteria - i.e. do the exams your children sit meet accreditation requirements in your home country?

Another Coed Option
 

There is actually another coed international school in Tokyo, KAIS International School, with both a junior high and high school program. It's a pretty unique type of school, a LOT smaller than ASIJ and the big ones, but it has a really good reputation for its personal bent on academics and creative programs. My friend's son went there and absolutely loved it.
Website here - KAIS International School in Tokyo

Also, in regards to the tuition discussion, international schools are indeed pretty expensive, although some, such as Kobe international, have reduced rates for families who aren't sponsored by companies. Also, some of the smaller schools like KAIS offer scholarships to some students. It never hurts to ask.

updated info on international schools in tokyo
 

Someone emailed me some questions now that I have some experience with international schools in Tokyo and here is my response:

"Most of the international schools, if not all and including TIS, are more than $20k if you factor in the one time payments, field trip fees, strong yen, etc. We are paying about $60k for my two kids this year.

My wife has actually worked at three international schools this year and we visited another for a sporting event. I've also spoken with teachers from another couple. There isn't that big a difference between them.

Some have nicer facilities (KIS, for instance, seems pretty run down but it is cheaper). Some have a higher proportion of Japanese students or students from just one or two other countries (KIS students are almost all from Japan or India). The quality of the teachers doesn't seem to differ much and the quality isn't as high as we were hoping given the cost. Basically there aren't many teachers willing to agree to teach in Japan for 3+ years so the schools take what they can get. Don't be put off by the "country" schools. Canadian School in Japan isn't mostly Canadians for instance.

All has not been negative however. The facility at TIS is very good. The mix of students at TIS is very good (no more than 20% from any single country). The class sizes are nice and small.

I have been disappointed in the Japanese classes at TIS though. Nearly everything they have covered in class are things my kids already knew. Some students stay in the exact same, beginning Japanese, class every year.

If we had it to do over again I think we'd start our search with the schools closest to our residence and move out from there.

Here are some photos of TIS: http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/tag/tokyo-international-school/"

oshare kei clothing
 

Does anyone know where I can find these clothes? A list of stores? HELP! :rheart:

Interesting. Wonder if you were aware that many public schools in Tokyo are much more "international" than this KIS you mention. The elementary and junior high schools in my part of Tokyo have students from around a dozen countries. It's all free, too. Lots of counseling is available to those students who are new to the country as well.

I understand you don't want your kids surrounded by many Japanese students, but that's the quickest (and most economical) way to have them become bilingual/bicultural. I used to work with non-Japanese kids attending these "international" schools for a couple of summers and I remember getting shocked by how little they knew about Japan and its language and culture. It was like they lived in Japan but they really didn't.

More international school questions
 

Has anyone heard anything about JIES? We have two boys. One is accepted at TIS and we are looking for the other. I am interested by JIES's pairing with the Japanese school, but aside from information from JIES I can find nothing out about the school.