International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) Review: Education, University Placements, and Interview Prep at a Prestigious Girls' School

When considering international schools in central Tokyo, have you ever explored the option of an all-girls' school instead of a co-educational one?

Located on a prime site in Hiroo, the prestigious International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) leverages the strength of the global "Sacred Heart" network to provide a unique environment for cultivating independent female leaders.

However, many prospective parents have questions and concerns, such as, "Is the school heavily religious?" or "Since it offers the AP curriculum instead of the IB Diploma, will that be a disadvantage for university applications?"

In this article, ELT, experts in international school admissions and overseas university placement, will provide a comprehensive guide to the unique educational appeal of an all-girls' international school, its track record of placing students in top universities using the AP program, the admission realities for families with Japanese nationality, and crucial interview strategies aligned with the school's educational philosophy.

1. What is the International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH)?

ISSH is an English-medium international school located in Hiroo, Shibuya. Its most distinctive feature is that while K3–K5 (ages 3–5) are co-educational, Grades 1–12 are for girls only. This design, which allows the entire school-age experience to be optimized for girls' development and leadership training, is a major point of differentiation from other co-educational international schools.

The Core of 'All-Girls x Values-Based Education' and Its Religious Aspect

It's a common misconception that as a Catholic school, ISSH would require compulsory Theology or Bible classes. However, the school does not offer Theology/Bible classes. Instead, it incorporates a 'Values' program that addresses age-appropriate themes such as rights and responsibilities, friendships, and an understanding of multiple religions, including Christianity. This approach to 'character education'—fostering ethics and a spirit of service while respecting different beliefs—is why the school earns strong support from executive-level families.

2. Curriculum and University Placement: Why ISSH Uses AP Instead of IB

Unlike many international schools that have adopted the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in recent years, ISSH uses its own curriculum combined with the Advanced Placement (AP) program.

The Strengths of AP and Outstanding Score Results

AP is a U.S.-based program that allows high school students to take university-level courses, with their scores potentially earning them university credit or placement in advanced courses. ISSH offers 24 AP subjects in Grades 11–12, enabling students to specialize and delve deeply into their areas of strength.

The results are remarkable. In the May 2025 AP exams, the school boasted an extremely high standard, with an average score of 4.27 (out of 5) and 93% of students earning a score of 3 or higher. Even without the IB, this strength in an external standard (AP scores) clearly demonstrates top-tier academic ability to universities worldwide. Furthermore, the school ensures an environment that fosters critical thinking by offering a course in its Grade 12 curriculum similar to the IB's 'Theory of Knowledge' (TOK) core requirement.

Post-Graduation Destinations (From Top Overseas Universities to Domestic and Sacred Heart Universities)

ISSH graduates successfully advance to prestigious universities around the world.

• USA: Harvard, Yale, Brown, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, UCLA, etc.
• UK: University of Cambridge, UCL, King’s College London, Edinburgh, etc.
• Canada: University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, etc.
• Japan: The University of Tokyo, Keio University, Waseda University, Sophia University, ICU, etc.

Additionally, students also matriculate to the University of the Sacred Heart, which shares the campus. The existence of a school-designated recommendation system for admission provides a strong pathway for students wishing to pursue higher education in Japan.

3. A Hurdle for Japanese Families? The Reality of EAL and Parental English Proficiency

While ISSH is a diverse environment with students of many nationalities, families where all members hold only Japanese passports face significant hurdles when considering applying.

【Important】Families with Only Japanese Passports Can Only Apply for Grades 10–12

According to ISSH's admissions policy, if both parents and the student hold only Japanese passports, they are only eligible to apply for Grades 10–12 (high school). To apply for Grade 9 or below, either the applicant or at least one parent must hold a non-Japanese passport.

Limits of English Support (ELA) and Required Proficiency Levels

Support for non-native English speakers, 'ELA (English Language Acquisition),' is available, but the requirements become stricter in higher grades.

• For grades above Grade 10, an intermediate level of English proficiency is required.
• In Grades 11–12, there is no foundational support; only 'Regular ELA' is offered to fine-tune academic English, and enrollment is limited to a maximum of three years. In other words, students cannot expect to learn English from the basics after enrolling; they must have already achieved a high level of English proficiency before admission.

Parental English Proficiency and Community Involvement (PTA Activities)

At ISSH, it is a mandatory requirement that at least one parent can confidently speak and read English. The school has a 'Parents’ Association,' and parent volunteers are central to community operations, such as running game booths and planning parties for the 'Family Festival,' the largest event of the year. Parents must be prepared not only to understand communications from the school but also to engage in collaborative work in English.

4. ISSH Tuition and the Reality of 'Hidden Costs'

The estimated first-year costs for ISSH, a long-established international school in Hiroo, are as follows:

*The figures above represent the total of mandatory tuition and fees (projected for the 2026-2027 school year). Additional costs will be incurred for items such as school uniforms (Grade 1 and up), optional lunch services, and extended-day care programs.

5. The Key to ISSH Admission: Screening and Family Interview Preparation

In the ISSH admissions process, it is not just the child's academic and English abilities that are assessed; extreme importance is placed on whether the family's values align with the 'Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria.'

Simply stating reasons like 'it's close to home' or 'we want a girls' school' in the interview is insufficient. You must prepare to articulate in English how your family's specific actions and educational philosophy connect with the following 'Five Goals':

1. A personal and active faith in God: How does your family foster spiritual growth while respecting diverse beliefs?
2. A deep respect for intellectual values: How do you support a culture of inquiry, reflection, and improvement at home, beyond just academic achievement?
3. A social awareness which impels to action: How do you design experiences that encourage your child to understand social issues and translate that awareness into action, such as community service?
4. The building of community as a Christian value: Show that you understand that school events like the Family Festival depend on parent volunteers and express your willingness to contribute actively.
5. Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom: How do you guide your child in balancing freedom with responsibility at home (e.g., regarding social media, study planning, etc.)?

The key to impressing the interviewers is not to simply recite the memorized goals, but to be able to share them as 'specific family anecdotes.'

Conclusion: Comprehensive Preparation to Overcome Application Hurdles

The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) offers one of Japan's premier educational environments for nurturing young women's intellect, independence, and strong ethical values. It also serves as a powerful passport to top overseas universities through its AP program.

However, the hurdles to admission are significant, including grade-level restrictions for applicants with only Japanese nationality, high English proficiency requirements, and an interview that demands a deep understanding of the school's educational philosophy.

"We need help writing a persuasive English application (essay) that aligns with the Sacred Heart Goals."

"We want to practice for the parent interview (mock interview) with a native-speaking instructor to align our family's principles with the school's philosophy."

If you have such concerns, we encourage you to use ELT's private counseling and trial lessons. Our professionals, who are experts in the intricacies of international school admissions, will provide support to maximize your family's appeal and help you succeed in the highly competitive admissions process for ISSH.