"Is it true there's a school where you can earn both a Japanese and an international high school diploma at the same time?"
"I'm confused about the difference between the IC and ISC streams, and can you really get in with an Eiken Pre-1?"
Among the highly popular 'near-international' schools (Article 1 schools with international courses) in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Mita International School (formerly Mita International Science and Technology Academy) stands out for its immense popularity and unique system.
The school's greatest strength is its "DDP (Dual Diploma Program)," which allows students to obtain the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). However, many parents find the system complex and worry whether it's the right fit for their child.
In this article, ELT, experts in returnee admissions and international university placement, will provide a thorough breakdown of the most confusing points for parents: the clear differences between the IC and ISC streams, the true value of the DDP and WACE, how to succeed in the admissions process where Eiken Pre-1 plays a key role, and a look at the school fees.
1. Demystifying the Class Structure: The Difference Between 'IC' and 'ISC'
At the middle school level, Mita International offers two international streams: the IC (International Class) and the ISC (International Science Class). While the school officially accepts students with no prior English learning experience for both streams, their educational approaches are significantly different.
The Definitive Differences Between IC and ISC
Aspect | IC (International Class) | ISC (International Science Class) |
|---|---|---|
Class Environment | Designed for general and international students to collaborate in the same classrooms and events. | A diverse environment where general and international students learn in the same homeroom. |
Homeroom Teacher System | The main homeroom teacher is an International Teacher, with a Japanese teacher as the assistant. Homeroom is conducted primarily in English from day one. | The International Teacher serves as the assistant homeroom teacher. |
English Class Structure | Students are divided into two groups based on English proficiency (Academy for international students and Immersion for general students). | While homerooms are mixed, English classes are streamed into three proficiency levels (Standard / Intermediate / Advanced). |
Subjects Taught in English | Officially states that English, Math, Science, and Social Studies are taught entirely in English. | Focuses on proficiency-based English classes. Emphasizes inquiry-based learning, such as the 'Basic Seminar' from the second year of middle school. |
[Expert Advice on Choosing the Right Stream]
- Suited for IC: Families who are considering international universities for the future and want their child to be fully immersed in English as both a daily and academic language while in Japan.
- Suited for ISC: Families who want to develop their child's English skills but prefer a more familiar, mixed Japanese-style homeroom environment, wish to focus on science and inquiry-based projects, and want to maintain a high level of Japanese thinking and expression skills.
2. Mita International's Greatest Strength: The 'DDP' and the 'WACE' Qualification
At the high school level, students have the option to enter the school's flagship DDP (Dual Diploma Program). This program allows them to earn the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) in addition to their Japanese high school diploma from an Article 1 school.
Requirements for Obtaining the WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education)
To obtain the WACE, students must do more than just take English classes; they need to meet the strict requirements set by the state of Western Australia, such as completing 20 units and meeting specific literacy and numeracy standards.
Accessing Global Universities with an ATAR Score
Upon completing the WACE curriculum and specific subjects, students are awarded an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) score. The ATAR is a percentile rank (from 0 to 99.95) that indicates a student's academic position relative to their peers.
- Australian Universities: The ATAR is a primary metric used in the university selection process and serves as a direct evaluation standard.
- UK and US Universities: According to Mita International's materials, the WACE and ATAR are widely recognized, often allowing students to bypass the foundation courses typically required for international university admission.
- Japanese Universities: There are cases where students have successfully used their DDP and ATAR results for returnee admissions (or comprehensive selection admissions) at domestic universities.
In essence, the DDP is an extremely powerful passport that allows students to build a solid foundation with the Japanese curriculum while using an official international academic credential (the ATAR) to apply to universities worldwide.
3. Mita International (IC/ISC) Admissions Difficulty and the Reality of the 'English Exemption'
Mita International's English entrance exams have different formats and special considerations depending on the stream. Misunderstanding these details can significantly disrupt your application strategy.
Entrance Exam Subjects by Stream
- IC Applicants: 4 subjects (Japanese, Math, Science, Social Studies) OR English + Interview
- ISC Applicants: 4 subjects (Japanese, Math, Science, Social Studies) OR English + Japanese + Math + Interview
[Important] Eiken-based Exemptions Are Only for 'ISC' Applicants!
In the official materials for the 2026 entrance exams, special measures (exemptions) based on external English test scores are explicitly limited to ISC applicants.
- ISC Exemption Criteria: Applicants with Eiken Pre-1 or higher (CBT accepted), a TOEFL iBT score of 72 or higher, or an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher will be exempt from the written English exam (including listening).
- Note for IC Applicants: For the IC entrance exam, there is no mention of a score conversion chart or a clear written exam exemption system based on Eiken grades in the publicly available materials.
Therefore, the greatest advantage of having Eiken Pre-1 is that it can completely eliminate the burden of the written English exam for ISC admissions. However, even exempt applicants must undergo a 10-minute interview in both English and Japanese, making speaking practice essential.
※Note: While Eiken Grade 2 does not qualify for an exemption, the official FAQ states it is a benchmark for the Intermediate level English class after enrollment, making it an important foundation for a smooth transition.
4. Tuition Simulation: Earn an International Qualification for a Quarter of the Cost of a Pure International School
As an Article 1 school, Mita International's tuition is significantly lower than that of pure international schools, which can cost over 3 million JPY per year. Based on official documents, the estimated basic cost for six years of middle and high school (excluding overseas trips, etc.) is as follows:
- Standard Middle School Tuition: Approx. 930,000 JPY/year (includes tuition, facility fees, etc.)
- Standard High School Tuition: Approx. 734,000 JPY/year
- Additional DDP Fees: The school states that an additional program fee is required for the DDP in high school (initial release information suggested it was around 230,000 JPY for the three years of high school).
- Estimated 6-Year Total (Middle & High School): Including the entrance fee, the total is estimated to be in the range of approx. 7.04 to 7.57 million JPY.
The ability to earn an international qualification like the WACE for about one-third to one-quarter of the basic cost of a pure international school (approx. 24 million JPY over six years) is a testament to Mita International's outstanding value and undeniable appeal.
5. ELT's Top 3 Tips for Mita International Admissions Success
To succeed in the increasingly competitive Mita International entrance exams, here are three key preparation steps your family can take.
- If Aiming for ISC, Prioritize Obtaining Eiken Pre-1 by the Autumn of 6th Grade:
To take full advantage of the exemption system, the winning strategy is to secure an IELTS 5.5 or Eiken Pre-1 score before intensive preparation for math and Japanese begins.
- Train Your Thinking Skills in Both Japanese and English for the Interview: The interview is about 10 minutes long and conducted in both English and Japanese. It's not enough to be fluent in English; you need specific practice in logically expressing your opinions on topics like "Why do you want to join the DDP?" and "What do you think about global news issues?"
- Don't Neglect Basic Japanese and Math Skills: For the ISC English-track admission, even if you are exempt from the English test, you still have to take the Japanese and Math exams. Returnee students who focus solely on English often lose points here. Ensure you don't neglect preparation for foundational to standard-level domestic math and Japanese.
Conclusion: Let Our Experts Propose the Optimal Path and Strategy for You
Mita International School's IC and DDP offer one of the most powerful platforms for securing a place at a top international university while keeping costs down. However, choosing the right stream and navigating the admissions strategy using Eiken scores can be very complex.
"Which stream, IC or ISC, is a better fit for my child's personality and English level?"
"I need help with speaking and writing preparation for the Eiken Pre-1 exam."
"I'd like to get professional coaching for the native-speaker interview at Mita International."
If you have these or similar concerns, we invite you to book a one-on-one counseling session or a trial lesson with ELT. Our expert consultants, who specialize in international school and returnee admissions, will create a tailored strategy and preparation plan for your child based on the latest admissions trends.
