Hiroo Gakuen International Course (2026): Admission Difficulty, Tuition, AG vs. SG, and Prep Strategies

"Are there international courses accessible even if my child isn't a returnee student?"

"What level of English proficiency, like on the Eiken test, is required to pass the entrance exam?"

In the competitive landscape of junior high school admissions in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Hiroo Gakuen has seen a surge in applicants by championing a new mindset: "top global universities over the University of Tokyo." While officially recognized as a Japanese school under Article 1 of the School Education Act (an Ichijo-ko), Hiroo Gakuen is a leading example of a "quasi-international" school, utilizing its status as a "Special Curriculum School" to provide English immersion education.

In this article, ELT, specialists in international school and returnee admissions, provides a comprehensive breakdown of Hiroo Gakuen's greatest strengths: the AG and SG system, the actual difficulty of its entrance exams (English and Math), the story behind its outstanding university placement record, and its tuition fees.

1. The Key Differences Between Hiroo Gakuen's International Course AG and SG

The core of Hiroo Gakuen's International Course is its structure, which divides students into groups based on their English proficiency upon entry into junior high school, with the two groups merging at the senior high school level.

• AG (Advanced Group): Primarily for students with existing high-level English proficiency, such as returnee students. The goal is to reach a level equivalent to Eiken Grade 1, and classes are conducted primarily in English.
• SG (Standard Group): Designed for students who wish to develop their English proficiency. No prior English ability is required for admission. During junior high, a significant portion of classes may be in Japanese, supplemented by intensive English support classes (e.g., EFL) to build language skills.

Crucially, the curriculum is designed with the expectation that "all students will join the Advanced Group in senior high school." Students in the SG stream focus on intensively developing their English skills during junior high to merge with the AG students upon entering senior high.

AG vs. SG: A Comparison at the Junior High Level

*Note: Some subjects like Japanese Language and Social Studies, as well as practical skills classes, club activities, and school events, may be conducted jointly with students from the Main Course (Honka). This creates a hybrid model where academic streams are separate, but school life is integrated.

2. The AG Entrance Exam: A Difficulty Beyond Standardized Scores

The selection process for the Returnee and International Student AG exams primarily consists of Japanese (30 min / 50 points), Mathematics (in English, 50 min / 50 points), English (in English, 50 min / 100 points), and an Interview (in Japanese and English, 10 min).

The Reality of the English Exam: Essay Skills at the CEFR B2 (Eiken Pre-1) Level

The official eligibility requirement is "Eiken Grade 2 or equivalent." However, this is not an exam that can be passed simply by holding an Eiken Grade 2 certificate.

• For the new Grade 7 entrance exam, students with a TOEFL iBT score of 90 or higher may be exempt from the English test.
• According to analysis from specialized courses for returnee students, such as those offered by SAPIX, the exam requires the ability to interpret poetry, as well as vocabulary and reading comprehension skills equivalent to those of a North American middle school student.
• A strong emphasis is placed on essay-writing abilities.

Considering these factors, successful candidates realistically need the reading and writing stamina associated with the CEFR B2 level (the Eiken Pre-1 Grade range).

The Major Hurdle: "Mathematics" in English

The Math exam, conducted entirely in English, is a significant challenge even for students who are fluent in English.

• The curriculum is not entirely based on a Western model. Instead, it strongly emphasizes solving problems from classic Japanese junior high school entrance exam math, such as "special arithmetic" (e.g., crane-and-tortoise problems) and geometry, but presented in English.
• Calculators are not permitted, making accurate manual calculation skills essential.
• The mathematical concepts themselves are not overly complex. The key to success is to avoid losing points due to the language barrier and to ensure all basic and standard questions are answered correctly.

*For context on the SG stream's difficulty, the general four-subject entrance exam for the International SG course is rated with a predicted hensachi (deviation score) of around 60 by SAPIX, indicating a very high level of academic challenge.

3. Outstanding Global University Placements and the AP Program

Hiroo Gakuen's greatest strength lies in its well-established environment and expertise in guiding students to successful admissions at top overseas universities.

Offering the U.S. Advanced Placement (AP) Program within a Japanese School Framework

Hiroo Gakuen offers multiple AP courses starting from the second year of senior high school, and the campus serves as an official testing center for the SAT and AP exams. The 2025 syllabus confirms that the following courses are actively offered:

• AP Calculus AB / BC
• AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics C
• AP World History: Modern, AP Macroeconomics / Microeconomics

Subjects like Biology and Chemistry are officially designated as "certified AP courses" by the College Board, ensuring they meet global academic standards.

University Placements at Ivy League and Oxbridge Institutions

The school's official list of recent overseas university acceptances (including a cumulative total over the past 12 years) features many of the world's most prestigious institutions.

• U.S.: Harvard University, Brown University, Columbia University, Yale University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and more.
• U.K.: Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), King’s College London, and more.

Furthermore, the school has expanded its community support through initiatives like the "Naoyuki Miyashita Scholarship," a significant financial award for students attending overseas universities (providing 10 million JPY per recipient over four years), demonstrating strong financial backing for its graduates.

4. How Much is the Tuition? A Comparison with Traditional International Schools

As an Ichijo-ko (a school recognized by Japanese law), Hiroo Gakuen's tuition fees are significantly lower than those of long-established, traditional international schools (such as ASIJ).

Estimated Total Cost for 6 Years (for students entering the AG)

The following is an estimate based on the 2026 admissions guidelines:

• Admission Fee: 388,000 JPY
• Monthly Tuition & Fees: 74,350 JPY (for AG; 64,350 JPY for SG)
• Monthly Reserve Fund: 16,000 JPY (common to all courses; a deposit settled upon graduation)
• Estimated 6-Year Total (Jr. & Sr. High, including reserve fund): Approximately 7,153,200 JPY

*In contrast, traditional international schools can cost around 3.5 million JPY per year (totaling 24 million JPY over six years), making Hiroo Gakuen's fees roughly one-quarter of the cost. Furthermore, families who meet certain criteria may be eligible for Tokyo's high school tuition subsidy program, making it an extremely cost-effective option.

5. ELT's Top 3 Tips for Passing the Hiroo Gakuen (AG) Entrance Exam

To succeed in the increasingly competitive AG entrance exam, here are three key strategies your family can implement at home.

1. Master a Standard Essay Structure: To complete the essay within the time limit, students should quickly master a standard structure: paragraph organization, and the "claim → evidence → example" format.
2. Build a "Math in English" Vocabulary: For the Mathematics in English section, memorize key vocabulary specific to math, such as "fraction," "perimeter," and "ratio." Once the vocabulary is solid, repeatedly practice solving basic Japanese junior high entrance exam math problems (including special arithmetic and geometry) presented as English word problems.
3. Read a Wide Variety of English Texts (Including Poetry and Literature): The exam may include not only informational texts but also poetry and figurative language. Encourage extensive reading to build a vocabulary comparable to that of a North American middle school student.

Conclusion: Can Your Child Aim for AG? Get a Professional Assessment

Hiroo Gakuen's International Course offers a unique environment where students can cultivate a strong sense of identity while achieving world-class academic excellence. However, admission is extremely competitive, with many applicants preparing at specialized academies for returnee students.

"Is my child's current English level high enough to aim for the AG?"

"I'm worried if my child starts in SG, they won't be able to keep up in the AG in senior high school."

"We need specialized instruction to help my child solve math problems in English."

If you have these or similar concerns, we encourage you to schedule a private counseling session or a trial lesson with ELT. Our expert consultants and native-speaking instructors, who specialize in international school and returnee admissions, will create a personalized preparation plan for your child based on the latest entrance exam trends.