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A snapshot overview of schools in Tokyo that are considered (although not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expat parents.
If there is no ribbon, pending or otherwise, it means we are aware of the school but have elected not to review it at this time. This could be for a number of reasons, but we continually update information and add or remove reviews as deemed appropriate.
Schools selected for a full GSGI review are indicated below with 
next to their name. "Pending" means that we are planning to review that school.
By full GSGI review, we mean the school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final write-ups take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details descend on the school for an exhaustive visit.
Schools in Tokyo reviewed by The Good Schools Guide International
American School in Japan
American elementary curriculum/American High School Diploma/AP; ages 6-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,500 pupils
Founded in 1902 and now on a sprawling, state of the art campus in Chofu outside central Tokyo which includes a 570 seat theatre and a Japanese culture centre. Students from over 40 nationalities all study Japanese in elementary school. Three quarters of graduates head to America with the remainder to Asia, Canada, UK and Europe with a small percentage remaining in Japan. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Click here to read our full review of the American School in Japan, Chofu Campus
ASIJ Early Learning Centre
Adapted Reggio Emilia; ages 3-5; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 160 pupils
Opened in 2004 in the smart Roppongi Hills complex in downtown Tokyo, concentrating on English language but also introducing a Japanese culture programme. Very central location and beautiful buildings.
Click here to read our full review of the American School in Japan, Early Learning Centre
British School in Tokyo
National Curriculum for England/IGCSEs/A-Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 pupils
Original school opened by Margaret Thatcher in 1989 with a roll call of only 63 pupils. Junior school for 350 on the Shibuya campus and about 620 pupils aged 9-18 study at the purpose-built (2017) Showa campus. Accredited by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and inspected by ISI. Paul Tough, previously head of Hong Kong school Discovery Bay International taking over in August 2019
Click here to read our full review of the British School in Tokyo
International School of the Sacred Heart
IPC/American High School Diploma/AP; ages 4-18; co-ed Kindergarten/girls only 6-18; day; independent; private non-profit; 590 pupils
Founded in 1908 and sited in the a central residential district, popular with expats, and still part of the Roman Catholic network of Sacred Heart schools. Classes taught in English with the curriculum based on the American system with US universities in mind. The percentage of students with AP results of 3+ are consistently in the 90’s and the school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Click here to read our full review of the International School of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo
Nishimachi International School
School adapted curriculum; ages 5-15; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 470 pupils
Founded in central Tokyo 60 years ago as an international bilingual school, offering classes taught in English but with all students studying Japanese from day one. The majority of graduates move on to either the American School in Japan or the Yokohama International School. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for twenty years and by the Council of International Schools (CIS) since 2006.
Click here to read our full review of the Nisimachi International School
Seisen International Girls’ School (pending)
Montessori/PYP/School adapted curriculum/IGCSE art & design, music/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; girls; day; independent; private non-profit; 650 pupils
Catholic girls only school with a co-ed Montessori kindergarten. Japanese language and culture introduced into the curriculum from the start. Students come from roughly 30 per cent Japan/Asia, thirty per cent UK/Europe and 40 per cent US/Canada. IB scores are respectable (32.5 against global average 29.8) and approximately 50 per cent go to university in America. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Tokyo International School (TIS) (pending)
PYP/MYP; ages 4-14; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 370 pupils
Moved its location to Minami-Azabu in central Tokyo in 2013. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), it is also an Apple Distinguished School which means all have iPads or MacBooks. Aiming to expand into new campuses at a nearby location for middle and high schools by 2024 and offer the full IB programme.
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Aoba – Japan International School (Meguro Campus)
School adapted curriculum; ages 18 months-6; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit
Kindergarten in central Tokyo for the main school in Hikarigaoka.
Aoba – Japan International School (Suginami Campus)
PYP/School adapted curriculum/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 330 pupils
90% Japanese pupils, but lessons taught in English. Japanese language taught every day. School bus. Uniform. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Graduates in 2018 were accepted by top universities in the UK.
Canadian International School
Adapted Canadian curriculum/PYP/Canadian High School Diploma/AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 330 pupils
Coming up for its 20th anniversary having grown from 50 to over 300 pupils. Teachers are predominantly Canadian and students Japanese, with the remainder from 25 different nationalities. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), unsurprisingly, the majority of graduates head off to university in Canada or the US with a minority going to Korea and Australia or staying in Japan.
GREGG International School
School adapted curriculum; ages 3-12 ; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit;
Longstanding kindergarten and primary, founded as an English language school 50 years ago with an an international emphasis since 1986. The kindergarten goes under the charming name of the ‘Duckling’ class and the classrooms are cheerful and attractive, let down a little by a somewhat uninspiring exterior.
International Secondary School
Co-ed day school, grades 6 through 12. Affiliated with Laurel Springs School, California.
K. International School
PYP/MYP/IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 650 pupils
Established over 20 years ago with a kindergarten opened in 2014 and following the full IB programme with highly impressive Diploma results (average 38 points in 2018 against the global average of just under 30). Also authorised to deliver the IGCSE curriculum and accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Students from 18 nationalities (high percentage of students with dual nationality) with just over a quarter US passport holders.
Montessori School of Tokyo
Montessori; ages 2-15; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 170 pupils
In its third decade and now expanded from its original kindergarten format into offering education for older children as well and now has Japan’s first Montessori middle school. Instruction is in English and it is a fully accredited Montessori school.
New International School of Japan
School adapted curriculum; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 250 pupils
Small bilingual (Japanese/English) school, now nearly 20 years old. Caters for mainly Japanese speaking students, Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
St. Mary’s International Boys’ School
American High School Diploma/IB Diploma; ages 4-18; boys; day; independent; private non-profit; 900 pupils
International Catholic (students do not have to be Catholic) boys only school founded in 1954, now on an eco, solar powered nine acre site, totally rebuilt in 2010. Boys from over 50 nationalities. Sports much encouraged and known for their sporting prowess, particularly athletics and swimming. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Tokyo YMCA International School
School adapted American curriculum; ages 4-14; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 200 pupils
Small school which is sparing with its information. Added a grade 7 class in 2016 and a grade 8 in 2017. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
