"Is it true there's a prestigious British boarding school accessible from central Tokyo?" "I want to know about the annual fees, academic standards, and admissions difficulty."
Opened in 2023 in Chiba's Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, Rugby School Japan (RSJ) has captured the intense interest of education-focused families. As a branch of one of the UK's 'Original Nine' public schools, its prime location just 30 minutes from central Tokyo makes it highly attractive.
However, many families have questions like, "What are its academic standards?" or "Which is better: being a day student or a boarder?" In this article, ELT, with extensive experience in supporting successful applications to British boarding schools, will provide a thorough analysis of RSJ's 'true value' and the 'admissions strategy to secure a place,' based on official data and our unique expertise.
1. The DNA of a Prestigious British School: 'The Whole Person' and an Unparalleled Learning Environment
The most defining feature of RSJ is its philosophy of 'The Whole Person, The Whole Point,' which is not just a slogan but fully integrated into the daily life of the school.
While a typical day school in Japan offers around 1,000 hours of learning time per year, RSJ integrates 'intellectual and co-curricular activities' from 7:00 to 22:00, Monday to Friday, plus Saturday mornings. This results in a total annual activity time of approximately 3,000 hours. The school's philosophy is consistently applied to foster not only academic achievement but also physical, creative, and emotional growth, developing resilient individuals through lessons, sports, music, art, community action, and supervised self-study.
2. Fee Breakdown and the Unique 'Three Flexible Styles'
In contrast to Harrow Appi, which is a full boarding school in a natural setting, RSJ's urban location offers the appeal of choosing from three day and boarding styles to suit your family's educational philosophy.
- Day Pupil: Pay tuition only and commute from home (meals are billed separately).
- Weekly Boarder: Spend an intensive week in the boarding house from Monday to Friday and return to family for the weekend. This is a very popular option among affluent families in Japan.
- Full Boarder: Fully immerse in the school community and participate in activities, including weekends.
Crucially, all students, regardless of their status, belong to a House. Each House has dedicated staff, providing a framework for students to develop decision-making and interpersonal skills within a supportive community.
Estimated Annual Costs (Tuition + Boarding) for 2025/26
The following are the officially published annual fees for 'Tuition + Boarding'.
Year Group | Day | Weekly | Full |
Year 7 | ¥4,500,000 | ¥7,400,000 | ¥7,700,000 |
Year 8–9 | ¥4,750,000 | ¥7,650,000 | ¥7,950,000 |
Year 10–11 | ¥5,300,000 | ¥8,200,000 | ¥8,500,000 |
Year 12–13 | ¥5,500,000 | ¥8,400,000 | ¥8,700,000 |
Actual Costs Could Approach ¥10 Million Annually
In addition to the amounts above, the following fees are also required at RSJ:
- One-time Entrance Fees: Application Fee ¥40,000, Admission Fee ¥500,000, School Development Fee ¥500,000.
- Annual Fees: A Facilities Maintenance Fee of ¥500,000 is charged annually.
- Meal Costs: Billed separately, with estimated annual costs of approximately ¥230,000 for Day Pupils, ¥620,000 for Weekly Boarders, and ¥830,000 for Full Boarders.
When all these costs are combined, the actual annual expense, particularly for a Full Boarder in the upper years, can be in the range of ¥10 million.
3. Does Rugby School Japan Have a 'Hensachi' Score? (Academics and University Destinations)
International schools that follow a British curriculum do not use the concept of 'hensachi' (academic deviation scores). RSJ uses the IGCSE curriculum for ages 14-16 and A-Levels for ages 16-18 (assessed by external examinations), managing academic achievement against clear attainment standards.
The British Curriculum (A-Level / IGCSE) Explained: The Power of Specialization for University Pathways
Exceptional University Placements
Despite being a new school, its university placement record is already world-class. According to an official release from RSJ, its first leavers have gone on to study at universities such as UCL, King's College London, the University of Edinburgh, McGill University, Peking University, and Waseda University. Furthermore, it has been announced that three students from the graduating class of 2026 have received early offers from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge (Oxbridge).
4. RSJ's Admissions Process and Expert Preparation Tips
This is not a school you can get into simply by paying the fees. Places in each year group are strictly limited, and applications are processed on a rolling basis, closing once capacity is reached.
The admissions process involves a preliminary meeting, followed by the CAT4 test, the Oxford English Placement Test, and an interview with senior faculty.
① The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) Hurdle
The most critical component of the entrance assessment is the CAT4, which measures cognitive abilities. This test does not assess 'memorized knowledge' but rather 'core reasoning abilities' (the foundation for learning and growth) across four areas: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial. Preparation methods common for Japanese entrance exams are often insufficient, and specialized training can directly impact scores.
A Complete Guide to the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test): Key to British International & Boarding School Admissions
② Required English Proficiency
While RSJ states there is 'no fixed score requirement for English proficiency,' the entire curriculum is delivered in English, so students must be able to communicate fluently at a native or near-native level. Additionally, as all practical communication with the school is conducted in English, it is essential that at least one parent can correspond in English.
③ The Most Important Component: The Interview
The interview assesses academic curiosity, motivation, and enthusiasm for co-curricular activities. RSJ is looking for individuals who are inquisitive, unafraid of failure, and motivated to contribute to society—in other words, those who embody the 'Whole Person' philosophy. The school rigorously evaluates not just academic ability but also whether a candidate is a good fit for the school's culture and values.
5. ELT's Analysis: Characteristics of Families Who Succeed at RSJ
Based on ELT's experience in guiding successful applicants, families who tend to succeed in the RSJ admissions process are those who can articulate their 'learning aptitude (CAT4 score),' 'academic curiosity,' and 'community fit (adaptability to house life)' in their own words.
It is essential to carefully prepare how to specifically discuss 'Why RSJ?', 'What have you been passionate about?', and 'How would you behave in a communal living environment?' during the interview. Furthermore, the parents' own deep commitment to RSJ's 'whole person' education—which balances sports, arts, service, and academics—is a major key to success.
'Can We Succeed with Our Current Abilities?' Get a Professional Assessment
The RSJ admissions process is unique and does not align with the know-how from Japan's cram-style exam preparation system. If you want to know if your current English level and academic record meet the admission standards, or if you'd like to entrust your CAT4 and interview preparation to professionals, we invite you to use ELT's boarding school admissions counseling service.
Our professionals, with a proven track record of numerous successful placements, will assess your child's potential (CAT4) and propose the optimal roadmap to a successful admission.
