UWC ISAK Japan: Admissions, Fees, and its Global Leadership Program in Karuizawa

"How academically selective is the school?"

"The tuition seems high. Is it accessible for families with an average income?"

Located in Karuizawa, Nagano, UWC ISAK Japan is the country's first fully residential international high school (for Grades 10–12), offering a unique educational approach that sets it apart from conventional schools. Conveniently located just 70 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train, its globally diverse student body makes it a highly attractive option for families in Japan and around the world.

In this article, our experts at ELT, with extensive experience in supporting students for IB and boarding school admissions, will provide a comprehensive breakdown of ISAK's true admissions difficulty, the reality of its financial aid, and the strategies needed to secure a place.

1. What is UWC ISAK Japan? A Community of "Changemakers" in Karuizawa

ISAK's core mission is to nurture "changemakers"—individuals who create positive change in society. The school defines leadership not as a title, but as a practice that anyone can develop through training, and integrates it into daily life.

• Design Thinking & Project-Based Learning: The curriculum is built around tackling real-world challenges through a cycle of research, testing, planning, action, and reflection.
• A Living Curriculum: Leadership practice is integrated into every aspect of student life, extending beyond the classroom to include residential living and extracurricular activities.
• Deliberate Diversity: The student body of 199 students represents 89 different countries. Approximately 30% of Grade 10 students are Japanese nationals or residents of Japan, while the other 70% come from across the globe. The school values diversity that extends beyond nationality to include different perspectives and socioeconomic backgrounds.

2. Admissions Difficulty Beyond Standardized Scores and Two Application Routes

ISAK's admissions process does not use standardized deviation scores like the Japanese "hensachi" system. The school intentionally avoids ranking students and does not calculate GPAs. Instead, it rigorously assesses qualities such as intellectual curiosity, commitment to one's values, resilience, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse individuals.

There are two main application routes, depending on the entry grade level.

3. Tuition and the Generous Need-Based Financial Aid System

While ISAK's fees are reviewed annually, the most recently published costs are as follows:

• Total Annual Fees for 2026–27: The combined cost of tuition, room and board, and facility fees is JPY 7,225,000.
• Other Expenses: Additional costs such as a personal laptop, travel during school breaks, and university application fees are not included in the annual fees.

While these figures may seem geared towards very high-income families, one of ISAK's greatest strengths is its extensive Financial Assistance program.

• Over 70% of Students Receive Aid: According to the annual report, 71.8% of students receive some form of financial assistance.
• Exclusively Need-Based: All financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated family need. The school does not offer merit-based scholarships for academic or extracurricular achievements. This policy ensures that talented students can attend regardless of their financial background, preserving the school's commitment to true diversity.

4. The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Pathways to Top Global Universities

At ISAK, students complete a Pre-IB curriculum in Grade 10 focused on leadership and project-based learning, followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11–12. The academic standards are exceptionally high; in 2024, the school achieved a 96.5% IB Diploma pass rate with an average score of 35 points, well above the global average of 30.

While students are limited to applying to a maximum of 10 universities worldwide, graduates consistently matriculate to top-tier institutions.

• Top International Universities: Graduates have been accepted to Ivy League universities such as Princeton, Brown, Columbia, and Yale.
• Top Japanese Universities: Students also gain admission to leading Japanese universities, including the University of Tokyo, Keio University, Waseda University, and ICU. The school also supports and respects diverse post-graduation paths, such as taking a gap year, engaging in volunteer work, or launching entrepreneurial projects.

5. Three Key Preparation Tips from ELT for ISAK Applicants

To succeed in ISAK's holistic admissions process, which looks beyond test scores, preparation must be integrated into your daily life.

1. Cultivate a "Think → Act → Reflect" Mindset: The admissions committee is less interested in a long list of prestigious activities and more in how you identify a problem, take action, and learn from the outcome—including your failures.
2. Demonstrate Collaboration with Diverse Peers: Show evidence of working effectively with people from different backgrounds, rather than focusing only on individual accomplishments.
3. Articulate Your Resilience and Self-Management Skills: To thrive in a residential setting, it's crucial to be able to articulate how you manage stress and when you know to ask for help. Be prepared to discuss this in your own words during the interview.

Conclusion: A School That Asks How You Can Act and Grow

UWC ISAK Japan is a school that evaluates students not on "what they will become," but on "how they learn and how they can grow into people of action." By avoiding GPA-based rankings, designing a curriculum around leadership and diversity, and backing it with a robust financial aid system, the school stays true to its mission.

"I'd like an assessment of my child's chances at ISAK based on their current English proficiency and extracurricular profile."

"I'm looking for professional help with the unique essay and interview requirements for IB schools."

If these questions resonate with you, we invite you to explore ELT's boarding school admissions counseling services.