What are "Almost-International Schools"? A Guide to Japan's Article 1 International Courses for University Abroad at a Quarter of the Cost

"I'd love to send my child to an international school, but the tuition of over 3 million yen per year is just too high."

"I want my child to aim for a university abroad, but I'm worried they might lose their proficiency in Japanese."

For parents seeking a global education, a "third option" that solves both of these dilemmas is rapidly gaining popularity. Recently featured in media outlets like the Nikkei, these "almost-international schools" are seeing a surge in applicants for their middle school entrance exams.

Led by schools like Hiroo Gakuen and Mita International School of Science, these institutions, while officially Japanese schools, are creating environments where students can aim for "Harvard over the University of Tokyo."

In this article, ELT, experts in international school admissions and overseas university placement, will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the true potential of "almost-international schools," the significant cost difference compared to traditional international schools, and the crucial, real-world considerations you should know before enrolling.

1. What Exactly Are "Almost-International Schools"? (Definition and Background)

The term "almost-international school" is not an official classification but rather a colloquialism used by parents and the education industry. Officially, they are "private middle and high schools recognized as official Japanese schools under Article 1 of the School Education Act (known as 'Ichijo-ko'), which offer an 'International Course' or 'International Class' where core subjects are taught in English."

How can these be official Japanese schools yet teach subjects other than Japanese language and history in English? It's because they leverage a system from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) called "Special Curriculum Schools" (Kyoiku Katei Tokurei-ko). This special designation allows them to implement immersion education by flexibly altering the language of instruction and curriculum for core subjects, all while ensuring students receive an official Japanese high school diploma. Schools such as Hiroo Gakuen, Mita International School of Science, and Salesian International School utilize this system to provide their English-based programs.

2. The Key Difference from Traditional International Schools: Cost and Tuition Subsidies

The most significant difference between a traditional international school and an "almost-international school" is the financial impact on the family (i.e., the tuition fees). The institutional benefits of being an official "Article 1" school create a crucial advantage here.

The following table compares the estimated total cost for six years of middle and high school between a traditional international school, The American School in Japan (ASIJ), and an "almost-international school" (represented by Hiroo Gakuen's International AG course), based on publicly available information.

The Impact of Tokyo's High School Tuition Subsidy Program

Furthermore, because "almost-international schools" are classified as private Article 1 high schools, they are eligible for educational support grants and tuition subsidies offered by local governments. For instance, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offers a program that subsidizes tuition up to the average amount for private high schools (a maximum of 490,000 JPY). Since Hiroo Gakuen's annual tuition is listed at 480,000 JPY (40,000 JPY per month), families who meet the eligibility criteria could realistically have their three years of high school tuition effectively covered, significantly reducing the financial burden.

In contrast, many traditional international schools have annual tuition fees around 3.5 million JPY. Even if they were eligible for government aid, the subsidy amount would be insufficient to cover the high cost, creating a significant financial barrier. This combination of subsidy eligibility and inherently lower tuition fees is a major driver behind the popularity of "almost-international schools."

3. How Can Students Aim for Harvard Over the University of Tokyo?

Concerns that lower tuition might mean a compromise on educational quality or university placements are unfounded. These schools implement globally recognized curricula valued by top international universities and have a proven track record of success.

Adoption of AP and Dual Diploma (WACE) Programs

• Hiroo Gakuen: As a Special Curriculum School, Hiroo Gakuen not only teaches math and science in English but also offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses—a U.S. university-level curriculum—starting from the 11th grade. The campus is also an official test center for the SAT and AP exams.

• Mita International School of Science: Students in the Dual Diploma Program (DDP) have the opportunity to earn a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) concurrently with their Japanese high school diploma.

University Counseling Focused on Securing Scholarships

The biggest hurdle for studying at an overseas university is the high cost of tuition (7 to 10 million JPY per year), but top "almost-international schools" excel in this area as well. In an interview, a faculty member from Hiroo Gakuen explained that their university counseling includes guidance on securing scholarships and even provides advice on negotiating financial aid packages with universities after admission. The school's institutional knowledge extends beyond just teaching English to encompass "overseas application strategy" and "financial planning," which underpins their successful track record of placements at top universities like Yale, UPenn, and UCL.

4. The Reality of Middle School Admissions: The Highly Competitive "English Exam"

As the popularity of "almost-international schools" has skyrocketed, their middle school entrance exams have become fiercely competitive. It is no longer an environment where simply being a returnee student or a fluent English speaker guarantees admission.

1. Solving Math Problems in English: The entrance exam for Hiroo Gakuen's International AG course includes not just an English language test, but also a Mathematics test conducted entirely in English. This assesses both academic English proficiency and logical reasoning skills.
2. High Threshold for English Test Waivers: At Mita International School of Science's International Science class, students can be exempted from the written English exam if they have qualifications such as "Eiken Grade Pre-1 or above."
3. Intensified Competition from Specialized Prep Schools: Specialized prep schools (juku) like KA (Kikokushijo Academy) and SAPIX English offer intensive training for these exams, which demand near-native English proficiency, creating a highly competitive environment among applicants.

5. Potential Downsides: What to Know Before Enrolling

While "almost-international schools" appear to offer the best of both worlds, they have structural weaknesses and potential risks when compared to traditional international schools. To avoid any surprises after enrollment, consider the following points.

① Teacher Retention and Stability

To run their English immersion programs, these schools employ dozens of international teachers. However, it is common practice in Japanese private schools to use fixed-term contracts (e.g., one-year agreements). As a result, the industry tends to see a higher rate of teacher turnover as contracts expire. Compared to traditional international schools, this can create a less stable environment, with a higher risk of teachers changing mid-year.

② The "Playground Language" May Revert to Japanese

Even if instruction is in English, the majority of the student body is Japanese. Consequently, depending on the ratio of returnee students and the integration between different courses, it's common for conversations during breaks and between friends to naturally switch back to Japanese. This is a distinct difference from the environment at a traditional international school, where English is often the dominant social language.

③ Potential Decline in Academic Japanese Proficiency

Being fully immersed in an English-speaking academic environment can lead to a relative decline in a student's academic Japanese skills, including kanji literacy, vocabulary, and formal writing. While schools like Hiroo Gakuen and Mita International offer Japanese language classes and support for different proficiency levels, supplemental support at home is often essential to maintain a high level of Japanese.

Conclusion: Traditional International School or "Almost-International School"?

"Almost-international schools" represent a highly practical option for families who want to aim for top overseas universities while keeping costs down and maintaining a connection to the Japanese educational framework. However, for those seeking a completely immersive English environment and a truly multinational student community, a traditional international school still holds the advantage.

"I want to know if my child has what it takes to pass the English entrance exams for schools like Hiroo Gakuen or Mita International."

"I'd like a professional assessment of whether a traditional international school or an international course at an Article 1 school is a better fit for our family's educational goals."

If you have questions like these, we encourage you to schedule an individual counseling session or a trial lesson with ELT. Our expert consultants, who specialize in admissions for international schools and returnee students, will provide a personalized academic plan for your child based on the latest admissions trends.