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Ascot International School Japan

Japan, Kobe

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Japanese
Fees ¥1,151,000 - 1,871,000
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 70
Type Co-educational
Opened 2018
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Japanese Curriculum
Taught languages French, Japanese, Latin
Typical class size 8
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Ascot International School Japan is a Cambridge International School in Kita-ku, Kobe City (Hyogo), serving students from Early Years through Upper Secondary. The school opened its Early Years section in January 2018 and joined the Cambridge International network in May 2022. Students follow Cambridge pathways leading to IGCSE and A-levels, with the curriculum noted as aligned to the English National Curriculum, and Japanese learning offered alongside the English-language program. The campus includes a gymnasium and a full artificial turf soccer pitch, and the school highlights woodland areas used for nature-based learning. After school, students can join activities such as AFA Soccer, basketball, badminton, gaming and homework club.

1 Chome-11-2 Kanokodai Minamimachi, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1514, Japan

The Essentials

Ascot International School Japan has 70 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English, Japanese.

Location
Ascot International School Japan is in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, with the campus at 1-11-2 Kanokodai Minamimachi, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 651-1514, Japan. The nearest rail access is Dojo-Minamiguchi Station, about a 15-minute walk from the campus. The site sits on Kanokodai in a green, semi-rural area and includes woodland on campus, offering a natural learning environment. Bus services connect key areas such as Sannomiya, Rokko Island, Sumiyoshi, Hankyu Mikage, Takurazuka, and Sanda.

Stages
Ascot International School Japan offers Early Years, Primary (Key Stage 1 & 2), Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3) and Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5) within a Cambridge International framework. The curriculum provides a clear pathway through IGCSE and A-levels, with transition planning from Early Years through to Upper Secondary. The Cambridge alignment has been in place since May 2022.

Type
AISJ operates as a private international school on a day-cum-boarding model, with on-site boarding options available for secondary students in separate Boys' and Girls' dormitories located within walking distance of the school. The day school follows a Cambridge/English-national framework for its curriculum and assessment. Boarding facilities are offered specifically for certain year groups in the secondary program.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body represents more than 15 cultures; the school notes a diverse, intercultural community supported by staff from six continents. Specific counts of nationalities or the local-to-international student ratio are not published.

Additional learning support
No formal SEN policy is published on the AISJ site. The school integrates Japanese language learning alongside its Cambridge English-language curriculum, and staff are described as bilingual, which supports language learners and bilingual students. Specific SEN provisions or facilities are not publicly detailed.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is published; AISJ presents itself as an international Cambridge International School serving families in Kobe.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is published or stated by the school.

School day structure
The school opens at 8:30 a.m. Monday–Friday. Teaching runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with extended care available from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. School lunch options are available, with students bringing lunch or choosing a school-provided option.

Bus service
AISJ operates bus services serving areas including Sannomiya, Rokko Island, Sumiyoshi, Hankyu Mikage, Takurazuka, and Sanda, providing transport for students as part of its campus services. The bus network is a stated part of the school's offering to support families.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is provided for secondary students through separate boys' and girls' dormitories, located within walking distance of the school. The dormitories indicate on-site housing for boarders. The exact boarding model (full, weekly, or flexi) and specifics on meals or dormitory supervision are not published. This arrangement supports students who live on campus during term time.

Uniform Requirement
Nursery students do not wear a school uniform. From Kindergarten onwards, students wear the school uniform daily. The uniform is described as comfortable, attractive, and easy to maintain.

Food Options
School lunch is available from the school kitchen, and students may either bring lunch or order the daily lunch. Lunch is supervised by staff while on campus. Dietary options are not specified on the page.

Governance and Ownership
The Kobe campus operates within the Ascot International School network, with a sister campus in Bangkok. The school is Cambridge International School and WASC accredited. Ownership or formal governance details are not published.
Fees

Annual tuition at Ascot International School Japan ranges from JPY 1,151,000 to JPY 1,871,000 for 2026/27.

Initial (one-time) fees
- Application Fee: JPY 22,000. (Payable once only; non-refundable.)
- Enrollment Fee: JPY 165,000. (Payable once only; non-refundable.)
- Enrollment Fee – sibling discount (for Ascot student's sibling): JPY 110,000. (Payable once only; non-refundable.)
- Assessment Fee (where applicable; after Year 1): JPY 11,000.

Tuition fees by year group (Annual and half-term amounts)
- Nursery Full (9:00–16:00), age 2–3 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,030,000; Half-term amount shown: JPY 515,000.
- Nursery Half (9:00–12:30), age 2–3 — Annual Tuition: JPY 530,000; Half-term amount: JPY 265,000.
- Kindergarten, age 3–4 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,090,000; Half-term amount: JPY 545,000.
- Reception, age 4–5 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,090,000; Half-term amount: JPY 545,000.
- Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2), age 5–7 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,160,000; Half-term amount: JPY 580,000.
- Key Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4), age 7–9 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,210,000; Half-term amount: JPY 605,000.
- Key Stage 2 (Year 5 and 6), age 9–11 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,320,000; Half-term amount: JPY 660,000.
- Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 and 9), age 11–14 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,470,000; Half-term amount: JPY 735,000.
- Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11), age 14–16 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,600,000; Half-term amount: JPY 800,000.
- Key Stage 5 (Year 12 and 13), age 16–18 — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,750,000; Half-term amount: JPY 875,000.
- In-school Instructor (16–18) — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,750,000; Half-term amount: JPY 875,000.
- Online Learning (16–18) — Annual Tuition: JPY 1,750,000; Half-term amount: JPY 875,000.

Other mandatory and exam-related fees
- Building & Development Fee: JPY 110,000.
- Technology Fee: JPY 11,000.
- Cambridge assessment/test fees (by year group, payable as applicable):
- Cambridge (O) / IGCSE tests for Years 1–5: JPY 15,000 (per indicated test item).
- Cambridge (O) / IGCSE tests for Year 6: JPY 23,000.
- Cambridge MidYIS tests for Years 7–8: JPY 20,000.
- Cambridge MidYIS tests for Year 9: JPY 26,000.
- Cambridge Yellis tests for Year 10: JPY 26,000.

School bus fees
- Sanda Area — Round-trip: JPY 25,000; One-way: JPY 20,000.
- Takarazuka Area — Round-trip: JPY 40,000; One-way: JPY 32,000.
- Rokko Area — Round-trip: JPY 40,000; One-way: JPY 32,000.
- Sannomiya Area — Round-trip: JPY 50,000; One-way: JPY 40,000.
- Notes on bus billing: the bus fee is charged monthly; priority is given to round-trip users; semi-annual (longer-term) bus users are charged the applicable rate even if the service is used once in a month; one-way single-trip use is charged at the stated one-way rate divided by 20 days; refunds are not offered after use.

After-school care and tutoring fees
- After School Care (16:00–17:30): JPY 3,300 (per session/period as shown).
- After School Tutoring (16:00–17:00): JPY 5,100 (per session/period as shown).

Dormitory / boarding fees (where applicable)
- Dormitory initial (one-off) fee: JPY 22,000. (Non-refundable after the academic year starts.)
- Dormitory Monthly Fee (weekday, Monday to Friday): JPY 30,000.
- Per non-school day (Saturday, Sunday and holiday): JPY 4,000.

Cash-handling, issuance and small administrative fees
- Cash Handling Fee (payable upon receipt of cash or before certificate is issued): JPY 550.
- Reissue of Student ID Card: JPY 500.
- Issuance of Transcript (per copy; issued up to 3 years): JPY 1,000.
- Issuance of Certificate of Graduation: JPY 1,000.
- Issuance of Certificate of Expected Graduation: JPY 1,000.
- Issuance of Report Card (per year; issued up to 3 years): JPY 1,000.
- Translation of documents specified by the school: JPY 500 per page.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Initial fees (application, enrollment and similar initial charges) are payable once and are non-refundable.
- Tuition figures are presented as annual amounts and as a half-term figure (labelled on the schedule as “Half Term x2”); tuition and other ongoing fees are non-refundable once the academic year has started where stated.
- School bus fees are charged monthly; one-way single-trip usage is calculated using the one-way rate divided by 20 days. Refunds for bus usage are not provided once the service has been used.
- Specific invoicing cycles (dates of invoice issue and exact due dates) are issued by the school at enrolment; administrative handling fees apply for cash payments or re-issued documents.

Refund information
- Initial fees (application, enrollment) and certain charges are explicitly non-refundable.
- Tuition and ancillary fees are described as non-refundable after the academic year starts where indicated.
- Bus fees and individual ride charges are not refundable after use; refunds are not offered under the circumstances described for bus service.

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods listed: bank transfer, cash, and PayPal.
- Small cash-handling and issuance fees apply when paying by cash or when certificates/documents are issued.

Notes and caveats
- Cambridge exam fees (IGCSE / AS / A-level) are charged separately and are not included in the listed tuition amounts.
- All prices are subject to change and specific dates, invoicing cycles and any additional optional charges (for example, extra-curricular or international shipping for documents) are handled and confirmed by the school at enrolment or on invoices.
Academics

Ascot International School Japan teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Japanese Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Ascot International School Japan follows the Cambridge International Curriculum, aligned with the English National Curriculum, and is a Cambridge International School and testing center. Early Years (nursery through Year 1) use the Cambridge Early Years Foundation Stage, with child-centered, play-based learning that develops social-emotional skills and early literacy through unit-based activities. Primary (Key Stage 1 and 2) provides a broad subject-based curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education, ICT, and a second language, building on Early Years and linked to the English National Curriculum. Upper Secondary, or Key Stage 4, offers IGCSE with core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science and elective options such as Psychology, Business Studies and Art and Design, with examinations typically at the end of Year 11. Key Stage 5 offers A level courses and the Cambridge AICE Diploma to support progression to higher education. In addition to Cambridge study, Ascot runs a Nature and SDG focused supplemental curriculum on a campus of about 5 acres with 4 acres of woodland and is accredited by WASC, with small class sizes.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
AISJ emphasizes student wellbeing as a core consideration, though a formal SEL program is not named in public materials. The staff page states that administration and support staff place the wellbeing and education of students at the center of their efforts. There are social development opportunities through after-school clubs such as AFA Soccer, Badminton, Basketball, Gaming Club, and Homework Club. AISJ maintains small class sizes (no more than 15 students per classroom), which supports individual attention and peer interaction.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A named SEN provision exists, with Claire Pontvienne listed as Special Needs on AISJ's Our Staff page. An EAL provision exists, with Wakako Tameoka listed as Secondary Japanese EAL. The curriculum includes a bilingual approach, with Japanese language integrated alongside English to foster dual language learners. The site does not publicly disclose the kinds of SEN it can support or whether AISJ is a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
There is EAL provision with Wakako Tameoka (Secondary Japanese EAL) listed on the Our Staff page. All staff are native English speakers and many are bilingual, according to AISJ's staff description. The Japanese language program is integrated with the international English curriculum to foster dual language learners. The school offers Japanese Early Years, Primary and Secondary curriculum in tandem with English, supporting dual language learning.

Mental Wellbeing
AISJ states that the wellbeing of students is central to the efforts of staff. There is an on-site Nurse Station in the Early Years building, reflecting health support on campus. Social and extracurricular activities, including after-school clubs, provide social engagement that can support emotional wellbeing. Public materials do not describe a separate mental health programme or counsellor role.

Safeguarding
The Safety and Security page documents campus safety measures including controlled access, fencing, CCTV with facial recognition, and 24/7 Secom security. Visitors sign in and wear badges; end-of-day dismissal is by Class Teachers to parents or designated caretakers. The campus is described as earthquake-safe and well-ventilated. Public information on safeguarding and child protection policies is not publicly disclosed on AISJ's site.
Parent Experience

History
Ascot International School Japan opened in January 2018 as the Kobe campus of the Ascot network, a sister school to Ascot International School Bangkok, established in 1995. It is the only K–13 Cambridge International School and testing center west of the Kansai region. The Middle and Secondary School building was completed in September 2020, featuring facilities such as a science laboratory, an art room and other facilities built with natural materials. In May 2022 AISJ joined the Cambridge International network, aligning its curriculum with the English National Curriculum, while maintaining Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation.

Community
Ascot International School Japan has an intercultural ethos with staff from six continents and students representing more than 15 cultures. The campus spans more than four acres of woodland and offers outdoor learning experiences as part of its nature-focused program. The school provides a range of clubs and after-school activities, including Saturday School English Lessons, AFA Soccer, badminton and basketball, Gaming Club and Homework Club. Family and community events are documented through the Recent Events Gallery, including celebrations of Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day) and Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) as well as Wellness Day.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A formal PTA is not publicly described on AISJ's pages; family involvement is reflected through events and programs. The Recent Events Gallery lists Open House, Trial Days and International Kids Day as Promotional Events, and Community Events such as Hinamatsuri, Kodomo no Hi and Wellness Day. A Holiday Concert is held annually, inviting families to attend. After-school clubs and Saturday English Lessons provide opportunities for parent participation and volunteering, with activities such as Soccer, Badminton, Basketball, Gaming Club and Homework Club. These programs and events offer informal avenues for parent-school collaboration alongside Open House visits.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus spans over 5 acres, including 4 acres of woodland used for nature-based learning. The Early Years block includes six classrooms, a nurse station, a canteen, a library, offices, a conference room, a playground and on-site car parking. The Middle and Secondary facilities (Phase 2, completed in 2020) include four classrooms, a science lab, an art room, a kitchen and accessible facilities, with high ceilings and wooden beams and natural building features such as straw bale walls and clay interior walls. The school has a gymnasium for indoor sports and a full-sized artificial turf soccer pitch on site. Separate Boys' and Girls' dormitories for secondary students are located within walking distance of the school.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and badminton, providing a safe, well-ventilated space for indoor PE. On-site is a full-sized, JFA-approved artificial turf soccer pitch for football training and matches. Outdoor spaces include 4 acres of woodland used for outdoor education and activities.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a library in the Early Years building, and a dedicated science laboratory and art room in the secondary complex. A kitchen supports culinary and food-technology learning. The facilities are designed with high ceilings, wooden beams and excellent natural light and ventilation.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school activities include Ascot Football Academy Kobe on site, with AFA Soccer, Badminton and Basketball clubs (Mondays and Wednesdays), a Gaming Club, and Homework Club. Activities typically run from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, providing opportunities for enrichment beyond the core curriculum.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Ascot International School Japan offers after-school programs including Ascot Football Academy (AFA), Badminton, Basketball, Gaming Club, and Homework Club, running from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The school runs After School Lessons with an integrated English focus on Mondays (4:30–5:30 PM) and Thursdays (4:00–5:00 PM). Saturday English sessions provide additional language practice outside regular hours. The Cambridge International Curriculum underpins learning, aligning with the English National Curriculum and providing a pathway to IGCSE and A-levels, with differentiated instruction and opportunities to learn outdoors.

Cultural & Language
Ascot offers Japanese Early Years, Primary, and Secondary curricula in tandem with its international English-language curriculum. The school emphasizes intercultural learning, with staff from six continents and students representing more than 15 cultures. This intercultural ethos aims to foster respect across the school community.

Social & Hobbies
After-school clubs include Ascot Football Academy (AFA) Soccer, Badminton, Basketball, Gaming Club, and Homework Club. These activities run from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. There are English-focused after-school options, including After School Lessons on Mondays (Beginner) and Thursdays (Intermediate to Advanced). Saturday English provides additional language practice outside regular hours.

Community & Service
Ascot Environment and Community focuses on empowering students to contribute to a sustainable and equitable future through education, innovation, and community action. On campus, the school has recycled more than 8 tons of coffee grounds and over 3 tons of discarded fruit and vegetables, and it has planted over 150 trees to create a food forest. The school is developing methods to collect and purify rainwater for drinking. These SDGs projects aim to educate and empower students and staff while supporting the local community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus includes a full-sized, professional-grade soccer pitch and a gymnasium for sports. The school spans over five acres, including 4 acres of woodland used for nature studies and outdoor learning. SDG-focused programs include gardening for food self-sufficiency, tree planting, and rainwater collection, promoting environmental stewardship and wellbeing. These features support physical activity and mental wellbeing through active, outdoor experiences.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction, with the Cambridge International Curriculum aligned to the English National Curriculum. Japanese is taught as a language across Early Years, Primary and Secondary as part of Ascot's bilingual program. In Primary, a second language is listed as part of the curriculum.

Bilingual Teaching
English and Japanese are taught in Ascot's bilingual program. Japanese Early Years, Primary and Secondary curricula run in tandem with the international English language curriculum. Ascot aims to foster students to become proficient and confident dual language learners.
Reputation

Accreditations
- Cambridge International School and testing center west of the Kansai region: Ascot is a Cambridge International School and testing center, and is the only K–13 Cambridge International School and testing center west of the Kansai region. This signals that the school follows the Cambridge International curriculum and can administer Cambridge exams. The Cambridge curriculum is aligned with the English National Curriculum and supports pathways through IGCSE and A-levels.
- WASC accreditation: Ascot is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an external U.S. accreditation body that provides quality assurance for international schools.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Inquiry. An admission inquiry can be made at any time. You can reach out by email or phone to request admission information, and the school will provide the relevant details for your family. You may be asked for basic information about your child to help tailor the information you'll receive.

2. Admission Period. Admissions are possible throughout the year, space permitting. The most popular entry times are late August (predominantly international students) and early April (predominantly Japanese students). Space availability can vary by grade and year, so early contact is advised.

3. Book a tour or Open House. You may attend an Open House or arrange a school visit by email or phone. The visit typically includes a Head of School meeting, a guided tour, and opportunities to interact with teaching staff. During this visit, you can ask questions about curriculum, facilities, and student life, and you may also arrange a Trial Day for your child.

4. Application. Applications are submitted in person after completing the necessary forms and paying the application fee. The school will then arrange an interview with the Headmaster, which can be conducted in person or online. The one-time application fee is ¥22,000 and the one-time enrollment fee is ¥165,000. There are annual charges including Building and Development ¥110,000 and Technology ¥11,000, and the annual tuition starts at ¥1,030,000, with the first-year total at ¥1,338,000.

5. Interview with the Headmaster. The interview helps clarify how well the child's needs align with the school's offerings, and it can involve both the family and the child. Interviews can be conducted on site or online if needed. Staff may participate to discuss English proficiency, learning support needs, and overall fit with Ascot's program.

6. Acceptance. Admission decisions are communicated in a timely manner, along with additional forms for acceptance. Once the offer is accepted, families receive further instructions about enrollment steps and timelines.

7. First Day of School. The school will welcome the child on the agreed start date and place them in the appropriate class. Families will receive information about uniforms and other materials, which can be purchased at the school if desired. A smooth transition plan is provided to help new students settle in.

Waitlist
The school does not publish a formal waitlist or pool system. Admissions are offered on a rolling basis, space permitting. If a grade is temporarily full, spaces may open later depending on availability, but there is no published waitlist policy or capacity for a formal waitlist pool on Ascot's pages.
School Events
The school has not added events
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