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Axis International School

Japan, Tokyo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥1,947,330 - 3,001,350
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 30
Type Co-educational
Opened 2003
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Taught languages Japanese
Typical class size 8
Strengths Sport, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Axis International School in Kichijoji started in 2003 and serves students from ages 1 to 18. The international school offers an English-language academic program based on Griggs International Academy (U.S.) and students graduating from the high school program earn a U.S. high school diploma. Classes are kept small, with a maximum of 8 students per class and students take required coursework including Bible, English Language, Mathematics, Reading, Science and Social Studies. For eligible high school students (GPA 3.0+), the school describes a dual credit option that can provide college credit while still in high school. The school is about an 8-minute walk from JR Kichijoji Station and also lists paid bus service options.

S-1, 1 Chome-35-14 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan

The Essentials

Axis International School has 30 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
Axis International School is located in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan. The main campus address is Kichijoji Nanai Building, 1-35-14 Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-0004. The preschool operates in Mitaka, with directions available from Mitaka Station; the main campus is reachable from Kichijoji Station, with walking directions provided for visitors.

Stages
Axis International School provides elementary, junior high, and high school. A separate Axis Preschool serves younger children, establishing an age range from preschool through high school.

Type
Axis International School is a private international program delivering a complete American-style curriculum in English through Griggs International Academy; a preschool program is offered as well. The school emphasizes a full academic pathway from elementary to high school, with a dedicated ESL option for language support.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Foreign-national students represent about 52% of the student body. Nationalities include 48% Japanese, 10% American, 12% Chinese, 4% Ghana, 2% German, 4% Indian, 12% Korean, 2% Lithuanian, 2% Malaysian, 2% Filipino, 2% Singaporean, 2% British, and 2% Ukrainian.

Additional learning support
Language support is provided through an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. ESL is designed for non-native English speakers and is limited to about 10% of the student body; applicants are assessed to determine English readiness before placement.

Country affiliation
The curriculum is based on the Griggs International Academy program and aligned with U.S. standards (Maryland State Education Department) through Griggs; official grades come from Griggs, USA. This establishes a U.S.-aligned framework for Axis's diplomas and coursework.

Religious affiliation
Axis has no formal religious affiliation; Bible study is included as part of the program, with younger students covering Bible stories and older students engaging in Bible-related discussions.

School day structure
The school day begins at 9:00 AM, with 9:30 AM as the main instructional start. There is a short break around 10:50–11:00 AM, lunch from 12:00–1:00 PM, and dismissal at 2:50 PM. Preschool daily routines start earlier (opening at 8:30 AM, with a typical end-of-day around 6:00 PM for those on the bus).

Bus service
Axis offers a school bus service with a monthly fee for morning and afternoon transportation (JPY 32,400). The preschool program notes that some students are picked up by the bus, with a final pick-up around 5:30 PM.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch is brought from home; the school has a kitchen for heating meals.

Governance and Ownership
Axis International School is operated by Yugen Kaisha Mahr Corporation (Y.K. Mahr). It began in 2003 as a joint venture with a Japanese partner; the partnership was dissolved in 2007, after which Y.K. Mahr Corporation operated the school on its own.
Fees

Annual tuition at Axis International School ranges from JPY 1,947,330 to JPY 3,001,350 for 2026/27.

Application / Entrance Fees
- Preschool entrance fee: JPY 330,000.
- Grade 1–12 entrance fee: JPY 550,000.

Annual tuition (with per-semester and per-month breakdowns)
- Preschool annual tuition: JPY 1,956,000 (12‑month year).
- Per semester (two semesters per academic year): JPY 978,000.
- Per month: JPY 163,000.
- Grade 1–12 annual tuition: JPY 2,102,100 (10‑month academic year).
- Per semester (two semesters per academic year): JPY 1,051,050.
- Per month (10‑month academic year basis): JPY 210,210.

Other compulsory fees and academic materials
- Annual building fee: JPY 200,000 (Preschool and Grade 1–12).
- Textbook / material fees:
- Preschool: JPY 61,080.
- Grade 1–5: JPY 196,350.
- Grade 6–8: JPY 244,650.
- Grade 9–12: JPY 501,417.

Bus service, holiday school and optional fees
- Bus service (monthly rates):
- Morning only: JPY 21,400.
- Afternoon only: JPY 21,400.
- Morning and afternoon: JPY 42,800.
- Spring / Summer school (per day):
- Axis students: JPY 10,815 per day.
- Non-Axis students: JPY 12,600 per day.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school operates two semesters per academic year: 1st Semester 01 Sept – 19 Dec and 2nd Semester 05 Jan – 30 Jun. All fees must be paid, or a payment plan put in place, 30 days before each semester begins. Fees are therefore billed on a per‑semester basis unless an approved payment plan is agreed.

Family and other discounts
- Family tuition discount: 10% discount for the second enrolled child.
- Third child discount: 50% tuition discount for a third enrolled child where there is no company assistance and all other fees JPY 0 (conditions apply).
- Diplomat discount: consumption tax is waived for eligible diplomats.

Boarding
- Boarding is not listed; no boarding fees are published for Axis International School.

Uniform and other incidental costs
- A specific uniform fee is not published on the school's fee schedule. Textbook/material fees (listed above) are published; other incidental costs such as uniforms, extracurricular clubs, overseas trip participation or special activity charges are not detailed in the published fee table. These items should be treated as potentially additional costs.

Refunds
- A refund policy is not published in the school's fee schedule. No specific refund terms or procedures are listed with the fee information.

Fee payment options
- The published fee information does not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.). For payment method details and to arrange payment plans, contact the school directly by phone or email.
Academics

Axis International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Axis International School offers a full English-language curriculum for elementary through high school based on the Griggs International Academy program, with official grades issued by Griggs, USA. All full-time students study Bible, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, with elementary students also studying Handwriting, Music, and Spelling. High school students may enroll in dual-credit classes if their GPA is at least 3.0, enabling up to one year of college credit; AP is offered but does not grant college credit, and the IB program is not used for college credit. Assessments include annual Stanford standardized tests for Grades 4–12, and the most recent high school class achieved an SAT average of 1340 with a GPA of 3.89. Preschool features a customized age-appropriate curriculum with emphasis on language development, music, art, science, and field trips, with small class sizes. The school operates with a low student-to-teacher ratio (about 1:8) and prepares graduates for American university pathways.

Student Teacher Ratio
Low student-to-teacher ratio; small classes (about 1:8).

Exam Results
Grade 4–12 take Stanford standardized tests; the most recent high school class had an SAT average of 1340 and a GPA of 3.89; 60% of graduates go to the world's top 50 universities.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates typically continue at American universities, with potential dual-credit up to one year of college credit and transfer options to other countries; graduates have pursued programs in the US, Canada, Korea, Japan, Portugal, and Russia.

Gifted and Talented
No separate Gifted and Talented program is described in Axis International School pages.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Axis International School supports social and emotional learning through a holistic, values-based approach that emphasizes character development and the wellbeing of the whole person, including regular outdoor physical education and Bible-based spiritual education.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose any dedicated SEN provision or a specialist SEN unit; ESL is described as the primary support for non-native English speakers.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
An English as a Second Language program is available for non-native speakers; students lacking English are required to start with ESL classes, ESL classes are limited to no more than 10% of the total student body, and all applicants are tested to determine ESL needs.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported via a holistic approach that includes regular physical education and Bible classes as part of a values-based curriculum.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed through emergency procedures for disasters (evacuation, staff supervision, and parent communications) and through related policies such as the Non-Discrimination Policy and privacy protections.
Parent Experience

History
Axis International School was founded in 2003 as a joint venture between Yugen Kaisha Mahr Corporation and a Japanese partner, opening with the Home Study International program from Maryland, USA. The first high school graduate completed the program in 2005 and progressed to an American university. In 2007 the partnership dissolved and Mahr operated the school independently; the Preschool opened in Mitaka and a shuttle bus connected it to the main Kichijoji campus. The main campus expanded with new classrooms in 2010 and 2012, and in 2013 the Home Study International program was purchased by Andrews University and renamed Griggs International Academy. In 2018 the language school was separated as Axis Global Languages, and in 2021 the first Axis students were admitted to Japanese universities such as Sophia University and Temple University; Japanese language classes began in 2025.

Community
Axis International School serves a diverse, multinational student body with a values-based program. Students participate in clubs such as Art Club, Bible Club, Media Club, and Computer Club, which meet on Fridays and Thursdays and support social learning outside the classroom. Bible study is an integral part of the curriculum, with younger students exploring Bible stories and older students taking part in weekly Bible sessions. Annual school trips augment learning with experiences to places such as the Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine, Colonial Williamsburg, and Washington DC (along with other destinations like EPCOT).

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is no dedicated PTA page published for Axis International School; however parent involvement is described as important for student progress and is supported through parent communications. Parent engagement occurs through after-school clubs such as Art Club, Bible Club, Media Club, and Computer Club, which provide opportunities for family involvement and volunteer participation. The school notes that parent participation is facilitated via an email list to share updates about children's activities. Open houses, such as the International School Open House on February 15, 2026, invite families to visit and learn more about the program. Annual family-facing events and trips also offer avenues for parent involvement in the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Axis International School operates from a campus in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino. The daily program includes outdoor time starting from preschool, weather permitting. On Fridays, physical education takes place at local gymnasiums with activities such as swimming, basketball, and badminton. A school kitchen supports heating meals during lunch breaks, which provide time for students to relax and socialise. The school supports the arts with music and visual arts specialists, and after-school clubs include ART CLUB, BUSINESS CLUB, and COMPUTER CLUB.

Sports Facilities
There is no explicit on-site sports facility listed; PE and sports activities take place in local gymnasiums and facilities, including swimming, basketball, badminton, and other activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ART CLUB, BUSINESS CLUB, and COMPUTER CLUB are offered as after-school activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Axis International School follows the Griggs International Academy program, an American curriculum. High school students with a GPA of at least 3.0 may enroll in dual-credit classes, with the AP program available and the Griggs pathway capable of providing up to one year of college credit. There is a Computer Club where students learn programming using Liberty BASIC.

Arts & Creative
Art Club meets every Friday from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Axis supports fine arts development with music and visual arts specialists. Art-related after-school activities are included as part of extended school programs.

Social & Hobbies
Axis runs after-school clubs including Art Club (Fridays 3:15–5:00 p.m.), Bible Club (Fridays 4–5 p.m.), Media Club (Thursdays 3:00–4:00 p.m.), and Computer Club (programming with Liberty BASIC). A Business Club exists as part of the after‑school program (ages 7–17). Special-interest after-school clubs are available as part of the school life.

Leadership & Professional
The Business Club is an after-school program focusing on how business works (current members are aged 7–17). The after-school program includes special-interest clubs. Special-interest clubs are part of Axis's extracurricular offerings.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical education is a core part of wellbeing; preschoolers go outside daily, weather permitting, with regular outdoor activity for older students. Students participate in badminton, basketball, soccer, swimming, and table tennis. Axis offers annual school trips and a Summer Camp to extend learning, including experiences such as Kennedy Space Center and Washington DC sights. The overseas trip is described as part of the FUN CURRICULUM.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction across Axis International School. The Preschool program lists English Language as a subject. Non-native English speakers receive ESL support, with assessments used to determine eligibility. Japanese-speaking staff are available to assist families, and Japanese children may enroll if their English ability is adequate.

Bilingual Teaching
Axis International School delivers instruction in English with native English-speaking teachers. A formal bilingual classroom program is not described. ESL support is provided for non-native English speakers, with placement determined by testing. The school offers bilingual support to parents, and Japanese-speaking staff assist families when possible.

Immersion Programs
No language immersion program is described. All core instruction is conducted in English, and ESL is available for non-native speakers. There is no separate immersion track for other languages.
Reputation

Accreditations
Axis International School lists six accreditations on its International School homepage: Adventist Education; Griggs International Academy; Maryland State Department of Education; Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS); National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA); and University of California, Berkeley. Adventist Education is the Adventist Church's network for K–12 schooling; Griggs International Academy provides the U.S. program and issues official grades through Griggs, USA; Maryland State Department of Education indicates alignment with Maryland standards; MSA-CESS is a U.S. regional accrediting body for precollegiate schools; NCPSA is a private-school accreditor; UC Berkeley is listed as an accrediting entity with the site not detailing the exact nature of the partnership.",
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 – Eligibility: Axis International School serves elementary through high school and begins with an eligibility check to confirm the student fits the program scope. The school emphasizes strong pastoral care and a supportive environment, with the Student Services team guiding families through the application journey. Enrollment includes an assessment to determine the student's ability to complete English coursework and to confirm the appropriate grade level. If a student cannot study entirely in English, intensive private classes and a structured adjustment period are arranged, with bilingual support available to families as needed.

Step 2 – Application: Families submit an application to Axis International School. The admissions materials emphasize delivering high quality education and maintaining ongoing pastoral care and support during the process, with the Student Services team assisting applicants through the application journey. After submission, the school reviews the materials to determine fit and to plan next steps in the process. There are admission forms available to complete as part of this step.

Step 3 – Review Process: The admission review assesses the materials to determine whether the applicant is a good match for the school's program and community. The process is described as rigorous, with the school noting a strong reputation in its statements about the review. The outcome of this step leads to a decision about next steps for enrollment.

Step 4 – Success (Offer and Enrollment): If the review is favorable, the family is welcomed into a thriving student‑led learning environment. Once admitted, families move to enrollment and fee arrangements, with payment due or a payment plan set up 30 days before each semester begins. The school operates with a 12 month year for preschool and a 10 month year for other grade levels, and offers family and diplomat discounts as described in the fee schedule.

Scholarships
Scholarships: Axis International School does not publish a merit‑based scholarship program. They do offer tuition‑related discounts, including a 10% family tuition discount for the second enrolled child and a 50% discount for a third enrolled child when there is no company assistance and all other fees are waived. A Diplomat Discount is also available, defined as a waiver of the current consumption tax. All fees are subject to change, and last update was October 1, 2025. Fees must be paid or arranged via a payment plan 30 days before each semester begins.

Waitlist
There is no published waitlist or pool policy on Axis International School's admissions materials. The available admissions steps are Eligibility, Application, Review Process, and Success, with no mention of a waiting list or waiting pool.
School Events
The school has not added events
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