Many people are wondering, “I’ve decided to move to Tokyo and want to send my child to an international school, but I don’t know which school is right for him or her.”
There are a large number of international schools in Tokyo and they offer a wide range of curricula, including education using the latest technology, so choosing the right school for your child can be a time-consuming process.
In this article, we will introduce you to seven international schools in Tokyo and the key to choosing an international school in Tokyo, so please read through to the end of this article.
5 key points for choosing an international school in Tokyo
There are five key factors to consider when choosing an international school in Tokyo
1. The age range of the school
2. What kind of curriculum the school offers
3. Where the school is located
4. How well equipped is the school?
5. How much are the tuition fees?
The above five points are explained here.
Age range of the school
When choosing an international school in Tokyo, check the age range of the school.
Some international schools may not be open to all grades and may restrict the age of entry, e.g. from 18 months to 15 years of age.
If you are likely to be stationed in Tokyo for an extended period of time, it is advisable to choose a school that caters for as wide an age range as possible.
What curriculum.
The curriculum varies from school to school and is one of the items that should be checked in advance.
In particular, if you are considering going on to university or other higher education, it is recommended that you check the curriculum of your junior or senior high school carefully.
If you are wondering what kind of curriculum to choose, choose an ‘International Baccalaureate (IB) school’. Note that IB (International Baccalaureate) is an abbreviation for International Baccalaurete, which is a globally standardised educational curriculum.
IB schools offer an international education programme provided by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (headquartered in Geneva), so children who move frequently can receive a consistent, high-quality education.
Another advantage of choosing a school that offers the IB Diploma Programme, an educational programme for 16-19 year olds, is that you can secure a route to university.
If you have specific questions about higher education, it is a good idea to talk to the international school’s university admission officer.
Where the school is located.
As Tokyo is a large area, it is important to check the location of the international school you are considering in advance.
Depending on the age of your child, it may be better if the school is within walking distance of your home or if you can get there by public transport.
Tokyo has a good public transport system, including trains and buses, so you are unlikely to have any problems, but it is a good idea to check the route to the school as well.
Is the school well equipped?
One of the main things to check is whether the school has good facilities.
Check the school’s facilities, such as the technology used for teaching and the number of books in the library.
International schools in Tokyo often operate in small spaces, so if the grounds are small, limited sports may be available.
What are the tuition fees?
As each international school in Tokyo has different tuition fees, it is important to understand how much they cost.
In addition to the annual tuition fee, it is advisable to list in advance the cost of equipment needed for classes and transport to and from the school.
7 international schools in Tokyo
Here are seven international schools in Tokyo that we recommend.
- Tokyo International School
- The Montessori School of Tokyo
- Laurus International School of Science
- Capital Tokyo International School（CTIS）
- Dandelion Montessori School
- Seisen International School
- St. Mary’s International School
I will discuss the characteristics of each of these, so that you can use them as a reference.
Tokyo International School
Tokyo International School is an international school in Minato-ku, Tokyo, which provides a high quality education, including the introduction of the IB education programme.
The school, which is staffed by IB experts, provides a high-quality, innovative, research-based education.
This international school offers a programme for primary school students and a programme at secondary school level.
| Address | 2-13-6 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 |
| Phone | +81-3-5484-1160 |
| Official website | https://tokyois.com/our-school/ |
The Montessori School of Tokyo
The Montessori School of Tokyo is an international school that values confidence, respect and compassion.
The school has a well-equipped library with approximately 10,000 books and a multi-purpose room.
| Address | 5-13, Minami-Azabu 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 |
| Phone | +81-3-5449-7067 |
| Official website | https://www.montessorijapan.com/ |
Laurus International School of Science
Laurus International School of Science is an international school specialising in science.
The school offers a wide range of education from pre-school to high school level and has as its school mission ‘to create future innovators who will change the world for the better’.
| Address | Shiba International Building, 4-1-30 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014 |
| Phone | +81-3-6665-8261 |
| Official website | https://laurus-school.com/ |
Capital Tokyo International School（CTIS）
Capital Tokyo International School (CTIS) is an international school that has introduced the IB curriculum.
The school offers both elementary and junior high school courses, and also incorporates pedagogies such as Problem Based Learning (PBL), which fosters the ability to discover and solve problems on one’s own, and STEAM, which leads to creative thinking from a variety of fields.
| Address | Minami Azabu Shibuya Building, 4-11-30 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 |
| Phone | +81-3-6427-7133 |
| Official website | https://www.capitaltokyo.com/ |
Dandelion Montessori School
Dandelion Montessori School is an international school that offers a curriculum designed around each child.
The school also has the added attraction of providing education from the students’ perspective, with classroom facilities designed to suit the children, from the height of the chairs to the ceiling.
| Address | 62-3, Azabu Raccooncho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0042 |
| Phone | +81-3-3583-2872 |
| Official website | https://dandelionmontessori.org/ |
Seisen International School
Seisen International School is an international school with an IB education programme.
The school offers education at kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school levels, so it can meet the demands of those who are looking for an international school that they can attend for a long time.
There is also a school counsellor on staff to support your child’s education and development.
| Address | 1-12-15 Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0097 |
| Phone | +81-3-3704-2661 |
| Official website | https://www.seisen.com/ |
St. Mary’s International School
St. Mary’s International School is a boys’ international school that educates in Christian values.
The school is actively involved in sporting activities and offers a wide range of competitions, including football, tennis and basketball.
| Address | 1-6-19 Seta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0095 |
| Phone | +81-3-3709-3411 |
| Official website | https://www.smis.ac.jp/ |
International schools in Tokyo, summary.
If you are planning to be stationed in Tokyo and are looking for an international school for your child to attend, it is recommended that you take into account the key points to help you choose the right one.
By considering the key points in choosing an international school, you will be able to select the best school from the wide variety of international schools in Tokyo.
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