"It's a wonderful environment, but I'm worried about my child's path after graduating in Grade 8." "If both parents are Japanese nationals, will we be ineligible for English support (EAL) and get rejected?"
Located in the prime central Tokyo area of Minami-Azabu, Minato Ward, Tokyo International School (TIS) is immensely popular among expatriate and affluent families from around the world. While it is a prestigious school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), the long-standing absence of a high school program and its highly selective admissions for Japanese nationals have often been major deterrents for potential applicants.
However, TIS is currently undergoing a major transformation that is set to change the school's history. In this article, ELT, experts in international school admissions and overseas university placement, will provide a thorough analysis of the topics parents are most concerned about: the latest developments in the high school program, post-graduation pathways, and the admissions barrier of "parental English proficiency" faced by families with Japanese nationality, along with strategies to overcome it.
1. The Biggest Question: Does It Really End at G8? The Latest on Becoming a Through-School and Future Pathways
One of the biggest concerns for families from non-English speaking backgrounds considering TIS is that the school ends at Grade 8. However, this premise is now changing significantly.
The Long-Awaited Transition to a K–12 Through-School and New Campus Relocation
According to the latest official information and Tokyo's international education portal, it is explicitly stated that TIS will begin Grade 11 in the 2025-2026 academic year and add Grade 12 in 2026-2027 to become a "K–12 through-school." Furthermore, education media have reported a campus relocation towards the Takanawa Gateway area for this new academic year (2026-2027). The school has also established a system where a dedicated counselor begins career and university guidance from Grade 9, significantly reducing the risk of having to transfer out at the end of Grade 8.
Strengths as a "Prep School" for Those Who Still Choose to Transfer
Nevertheless, transfers may still occur due to international family relocations or the desire for a larger high school environment. The school has previously officially stated that some students leave in Grade 10. Thanks to its robust implementation of the International Baccalaureate (MYP), TIS also functions as a top-tier "prep school" that provides a smooth transition to the following pathways:
- To Top Domestic International Schools: Advancing to large schools in and around Tokyo with high school programs, such as ASIJ or BST (The British School in Tokyo), which cater to students aged 3–18.
- To Prestigious Overseas Boarding Schools: Building a foundation for admission to the world's top boarding schools, such as the Ten Schools in the United States (e.g., Andover, Exeter), Eton College in the UK, or Aiglon College and Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland.
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2. The Biggest Hurdle for Japanese Families: Strict Nationality Quotas and the Reality of "EAL"
For families holding only Japanese nationality, gaining admission to TIS is an extremely challenging endeavor. The reason lies in the school's strict policies designed to maintain its multinational character.
Nationality Balance and a "Non-First-Come, First-Served" Waiting List
TIS officially states that it "limits the number of students from any one nationality to maintain diversity," meaning the enrollment of Japanese nationals is limited. The waiting list is not first-come, first-served; when a spot opens up, the applicant who best improves the "class balance (language, gender, academic ability, etc.)" is selected.
It's Crucial to Understand: EAL (English Support) is Not Available to Japanese Applicants
While TIS does have an EAL program, offering support within regular classes or through additional lessons in the Primary school, the conditions for Japanese applicants are extremely strict, in line with the policy of "accepting Japanese nationals on a limited basis." The official policy states the following:
- Japanese students often have prior international school or overseas living experience and are therefore "expected to have the English proficiency to compete with their peers" upon admission.
- The decisive point is that "Japanese nationals who require EAL support will not be accepted."
In other words, for families with Japanese nationality aiming for TIS, the optimistic expectation of receiving English support after enrollment is not viable. Achieving a high level of English proficiency before applying is an absolute prerequisite.
3. TIS Tuition Fees: A First-Year Total Cost Simulation Including "Hidden Facility Fees"
As a long-established, purely international school in central Tokyo, TIS requires a budget that is among the highest in the country.
Estimated Total Mandatory First-Year Cost (Approx. for K–G9)
Based on the fees listed on the official website, we have simulated the mandatory costs (tuition + facility-related fees) for the first year of enrollment.
Grade Level (Approx.) | Annual Tuition (3 terms combined) | Building Fee (Annual) | Application, Registration, Development Fees, etc. (One-time, first year only) | Total Mandatory First-Year Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
K–G2 | ¥3,100,000 | ¥200,000 | ¥1,430,000 | ¥4,730,000 |
G3–G5 | ¥3,200,000 | ¥200,000 | ¥1,430,000 | ¥4,830,000 |
G6–G9 | ¥3,300,000 | ¥200,000 | ¥1,430,000 | ¥4,930,000 |
※The one-time first-year fees consist of: Application Fee ¥30,000 + Registration Fee ¥400,000 + Development Fee ¥1,000,000 (Total ¥1,430,000). These are explicitly stated as non-refundable.
Additional Costs to Keep in Mind
The figures of "approx. ¥4.7 to ¥4.9 million" above represent only the core costs. The school officially states that uniforms, lunch, IT devices (families must provide a laptop from G6 onwards), and private instrument lessons are not included in the tuition. For those wishing to use the school bus, the annual fee for round-trip service is listed as ¥380,000.
4. Preparing for the TIS "Family Interview" and Screening for Admission
In the TIS admissions process, the most critical areas for families from non-English speaking backgrounds to prepare for are parental English proficiency and suitability for the community.
The Reality of Screening (Behavioral Observation)
Kindergarten applicants are invited to an informal screening around January or February that is "similar to a playdate." The focus here is on social skills and how the child interacts within a peer group, rather than academic ability. For Grades 1–11, a student interview and screening test may be conducted at the school's discretion, but only if application documents are complete and a vacancy is anticipated.
Essentially a "Parent's Entrance Exam": What's Expected in the Family Interview
TIS strongly emphasizes the "partnership between the school and the family," making the family interview the most significant hurdle in determining admission. Thorough preparation is required to meet the following conditions:
- English Communication Skills Without an Interpreter: It is a mandatory requirement that at least one parent can converse fluently in English and is also proficient in reading and writing. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's portal also specifies the need for "parents who can communicate in English without an interpreter."
- Understanding of and Contribution to the Multicultural Community: In the interview, factors such as Cultural Diversity are listed as influencing the admission decision. You must be able to powerfully articulate in English your proactive interest in the TIS Family Community (a parent organization that supports new families and fundraising) and your alignment with the school's values.
- Clearly Articulating "Why TIS?": It is crucial to go beyond simply stating a desire for your child "to learn English" and to demonstrate a deep understanding of the IB's inquiry-based learning and the multicultural environment.
Conclusion: Overcoming the "Major Hurdle" of TIS
Tokyo International School (TIS) is evolving significantly as it transitions into a K-12 through-school, and the risk of having to transfer after Grade 8 is diminishing. However, for families with Japanese nationality, the extremely strict hurdles of being "ineligible for EAL support" and requiring "fluent English proficiency from parents" remain.
Simply registering on the waiting list and hoping for the best will not secure admission.
"How can we showcase our family's unique qualities to align with TIS's emphasis on 'diversity'? We need help refining our English application essays." "We need intensive mock interview practice for parents with a native English-speaking instructor."
If you require this kind of specific preparation, we highly recommend utilizing ELT's private counseling and trial lessons. Our professionals, who possess extensive knowledge of international school admissions, will provide powerful support for your family to navigate the highly competitive path to TIS admission. We can also offer advice on interview preparation and assess your child's English proficiency, so why not strategize together on where to begin your preparations?
