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KA International School

Japan, Tokyo

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥2,249,000 - 2,503,333
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2006
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Japanese
Typical class size 10
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

KA International School (KAIS) is an English-based international school in Tokyo serving children from Pre-K through Grade 12. Students study an American standards-aligned program (including references to American Common Core Standards) and KAIS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. The school emphasizes English as its first priority and teaches Japanese as a subject. Facilities highlighted by the school include science labs, libraries, a gym, a music room and an art room. A distinctive feature is KAIS’s “Visible Learning” focus. This is possible as the school has earned Visible Learning Certification through Corwin. High school life also includes an annual “Experience Japan Trip”.

3 Chome-10-60 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan

The Essentials

KA International School has typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English.

Location
KA International School operates across three campuses in Tokyo, Japan. The Early Learning Center is near Sakurashinmachi Station in Setagaya (158-0081). The Elementary and Middle School share the Nakane campus in Meguro (1-6-8 Nakane, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0031), and the High School is located at Kami-Osaki (3-10-60 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021). The campuses are well connected by Tokyo's rail network, providing convenient access from central Tokyo.

Stages
KAIS offers Early Learning for ages 3–5, followed by Elementary and Middle School on one campus, and a separate High School campus for Grades 9–12. The Early Learning Center serves Pre-K and Kindergarten; Elementary & Middle School span the lower and middle years on the same site, with the High School on a different site catering to older students.

Type
KAIS is a private international day school serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. It operates across three campuses to accommodate different age groups and does not list boarding facilities.

Pupil Nationality Mix
KAIS represents a broad mix of nationalities, with approximately 20–25 nationalities represented. The most common nationality is Japanese, and the local to international student ratio is around 1:1.

Additional learning support
KAIS provides a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program to support student wellbeing. Published information on a dedicated SEN (Special Educational Needs) department or learning needs specialist is not listed.

Country affiliation
KAIS has no formal country affiliation listed; it operates as an independent private international school with international accreditation.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is listed or stated for KAIS.

School day structure
The school day timings vary by campus. Elementary & Middle School typically begin around 8:40–9:00 and finish around 15:45 on most days (14:45 on Wednesdays), while High School typically finishes around 16:00 on most days (15:15 on Wednesdays).

Bus service
KAIS does not offer a school bus service.
Diving Deeper

House System
The school has a House system with four houses: Seiryu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Genbu.
Fees

Annual tuition at KA International School ranges from JPY 2,249,000 to JPY 2,503,333 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- The school's application is free; there is no separate application charge to start an enrollment application.

One‑time enrollment / registration and maintenance fees

- Enrollment (registration) fee (one‑time): ¥350,000.
- Building maintenance fee (one‑time): ¥300,000. Grade 8 families matriculating into the high school pay a reduced building maintenance fee of ¥200,000 and are not required to re‑pay the enrollment fee. *Registration and building maintenance fees are charged once upon registration.*

Annual tuition by year group (amounts shown are annual tuition)

- Pre‑K to Grade 2: Annual tuition ¥2,094,358.
- Grades 3–8: Annual tuition ¥2,144,358.
- Grades 9–12: Annual tuition ¥2,260,659.

Materials and trip/event fees (annual / per‑year additions listed separately from tuition)

- Materials fee (Pre‑K to Grade 8): ¥154,642.
- Materials fee (Grades 9–12): ¥242,674.
- Trip & event fee (Pre‑K to Grade 8): ¥40,000.
- Trip & event fee (Grades 9–12): ¥96,800.

Tax and refund policy

- Annual tuition amounts include 10% tax.
- All fees are stated as non‑refundable.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is published as an annual amount. Registration and building maintenance fees are one‑time payments charged on registration. Specific published per‑term billing amounts or a published billing schedule (for example, semester or term invoices) are not provided in the publicly available fee schedule.

Boarding

- Boarding is not listed as part of the school's fee schedule; no boarding fees are published. The school operates as separate Early Learning / Elementary & Middle and High School day campuses.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- The fee schedule lists materials and trip/event fees above; other typical costs (for example: optional extracurriculars, uniforms, instrument hire, extra‑curricular trips beyond the standard trip/event fee, external examination fees, or lunch) are not broken out in the published summary fee page. The published schedule therefore should be taken as the core items explicitly specified: annual tuition, enrollment fee, building maintenance fee, materials fee, and trip/event fee.

Refunds and cancellations

- The published policy states that all fees are non‑refundable. No separate refund schedule for partial terms or mid‑year withdrawals is published in the public fee summary.

Fee payment options and contact for billing

- Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, online payment portals, etc.) are not listed in the public fee summary. For billing queries and to confirm acceptable payment methods and invoicing procedures, use the school's admissions / contact channels (telephone numbers and admissions email provided for each campus).

Summary of findings and missing details

- The published fee information provides: annual tuition by grade band, one‑time enrollment and building maintenance fees, materials fees, and trip/event fees, together with the statements that annual tuition includes 10% tax and that all fees are non‑refundable.
- The published information does not provide per‑term invoice amounts or a detailed public billing schedule (for example, exact term installments, due dates, or explicit payment methods). No boarding fees are published because boarding is not provided. For any required per‑term figures, installment amounts, exact due dates, or accepted payment channels, those specific items are not published in the fee summary and must be confirmed directly with the school's admissions/finance contacts.
Academics

KA International School teaches IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
KA International School (KAIS) in Tokyo serves Pre-K through Grade 12, delivering an English-language curriculum supplemented by a Japanese language program. In Middle School (Grades 5–8), Language Arts follows American Common Core Standards, Mathematics uses Singapore Math (Math in Focus) aligned to CCSS, Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Social Studies emphasizes global themes; a Japanese language track, Physical Education, Differentiated Labs using i-Ready, and a Social Awareness program support holistic development with project-based learning and elective Wednesdays. High School (Grades 9–12) offers Advanced Placement and Honors courses to drive university preparation, with a Mastery and Challenge ethos and opportunities to build a resume and participate in leadership activities. Elementary School (Pre-K to Grade 4) focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy with a personalized approach, supported by Visible Learning and Love & Logic and an emphasis on individualized instruction. KAIS applies Visible Learning and data-driven pedagogy across the school, reinforcing high-quality teaching and ongoing reflective practice.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
KAIS supports social and emotional learning through a culture of connection, community, and reflection, and through regular teacher check-ins that monitor academic progress and social growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a dedicated SEN program or specialist SEN staff; learning support is described as personalized learning with small classes and a Homework Lab to assist with assignments.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
KAIS provides an English-language environment with explicit EAL support for students learning English, including an English-only environment to help EAL students improve speaking skills quickly.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Health & Safety Policy promoting health and safety, a Behavior Management Policy fostering a positive community, and a school culture that reflects on thoughts and feelings and resilience.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed by the Child Safeguarding Policy, which outlines procedures to identify and respond to potential abuse, training requirements for staff, and reporting mechanisms.
Parent Experience

History
KA International School was co-founded in 2006 by Jonathan Yaffe and Charles Knudsen. It began in a small house in Tokyo with a focus on high school education, aiming to provide a nurturing and supportive environment. The school operates under Kikokushijo Academy, the parent company, and in 2014 expanded to include Elementary and Middle School, creating a continuous educational pathway from Pre-K to Grade 12. As KAIS grew, it began serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, building a cohesive, globally oriented learning community. Today, KAIS emphasizes academic excellence, creativity, and a global perspective within a small, international setting.

Community
KA International School fosters a welcoming, curious, and compassionate community. The school uses a House system with four houses—Seiryu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Genbu—to unite students through competition and collaboration. The KAIS community offers diverse co-curriculars, including robotics, filmmaking, broadcasting, Model UN, history bowl, sports, and arts, with Project Week events that pause regular classes for major projects such as Humanities and Science Fair. This environment supports social growth, peer learning, and a sense of belonging among students from many nationalities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
KA International School does not publish a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on its public materials. The school's governance features a Board of Trustees and active school leaders, rather than a named PTA. Parents engage with the school through admissions events and campus visits, such as High School Open House and Elementary/Middle School Open House, as well as online information sessions. Public pages describe family involvement through school communications and events rather than a dedicated PTA structure. Volunteer opportunities or parent groups are not listed on the site; inquiries about parent involvement are handled through the school's contact channels.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
KAIS operates in Tokyo across four schools: the Early Learning Center for ages 3-5 near Sakurashinmachi Station, plus Elementary School (Pre-K to Grade 4), Middle School (Grades 5–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). The Early Learning Center is a brand-new facility located near Sakurashinmachi Station. The school emphasizes personalized learning with small class sizes and regular progress check-ins. A Homework Lab/Study Hall provides time for students to complete assignments at school with teacher support. Co-curricular options include robotics, filmmaking, cooking, soccer, manga drawing, and boxing fitness, along with broader sports, arts, music, broadcasting, Model UN, history bowl, and robotics programs.

Extra Curricular Facilities
KAIS offers diverse co-curriculars including sports, arts, music, broadcasting, Model UN, history bowl, and robotics. Electives expand into robotics, filmmaking, cooking, soccer, manga drawing, and boxing fitness. The program also features Project Weeks with immersive, major projects such as Humanities or Science Fair to build resilience, resourcefulness, and motivation.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
KAIS integrates academic inquiry with hands-on learning beyond the classroom. In Middle School, Wednesdays are dedicated to a full day of electives, offering options such as cooking, robotics, sports, art, engineering, and role-playing games. Project-based learning is embedded in Middle School afternoon classes to foster collaboration, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. High School electives extend this approach with choices including arts and technology, and with trips that connect learning to real-world contexts.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities are provided through KAIS electives and co-curricular programs. Middle School electives include art among options such as cooking, robotics, sports, engineering, and role-playing games. Elementary School electives reference the arts as part of the range, and High School electives explicitly include arts and technology as example topics.

Cultural & Language
KAIS offers cultural and language-oriented experiences beyond class through field trips and excursions. The High School page notes that learning extends beyond the classroom via trips, excursions, electives, and after-school athletics clubs. The school runs the Experience Japan Trip, exposing students to regional cultures, language, history, and landscapes across Japan. These trips are designed to connect with the curriculum and deepen cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
KAIS provides social and hobby opportunities through electives that cover cooking, robotics, sports, art, engineering, and role-playing games. Athletics Clubs offer volleyball, basketball, and futsal with regular practices and competitions. These activities help students develop teamwork, leadership, and personal interests beyond core academics.

Leadership & Professional
KAIS highlights leadership opportunities as part of the High School program. The High School page notes leadership opportunities and a focus on personal growth as part of preparing students for their futures. Co-curricular activities balance academic rigor with leadership development and character building.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
KAIS promotes lifestyle and wellbeing through Athletics Clubs and a range of electives that include outdoor pursuits. Athletics Clubs provide volleyball, basketball, and futsal with regular practices and competitions, supporting physical health and teamwork. Electives also include outdoor pursuits and other topics that contribute to a balanced approach to wellbeing alongside academics. Co-curricular activities are designed to foster wellbeing and a sense of community.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary instruction language at KAIS. Japanese is offered as a language program, primarily in Elementary, with differentiated tracks for non-native and native speakers. Non-native learners receive essential language development, while native speakers work on more advanced reading, writing, and kanji. An English-language support framework is in place to assist non-native speakers in developing English proficiency.

Bilingual Teaching
The primary language of instruction at KAIS is English. The school offers a Japanese language program with two Japanese classes per week to support bilingual learning. An English-only environment supports English as an additional language (EAL) learners to develop speaking skills quickly. The Japanese program is designed to accommodate both non-native and native speakers with differentiated coursework.
Reputation

Accreditations
Internationally Accredited School — KA International School publicly presents itself as internationally accredited, displaying an accreditation badge on its About Us page. The site notes KAIS serves Tokyo's international community and offers programs from Early Learning through High School, indicating alignment with international standards.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Get to know KAIS. Book a school tour or contact the admissions office for more information. Tours help families understand KAIS programs and entry points, and admissions staff can answer questions about grade levels and how to proceed. The initial visit provides insight into whether KAIS aligns with your child's needs and learning style.

2. Create an Alma Account. Start your application by creating an Alma account, KAIS's student information system. This account is used to initiate and track the enrollment process and submit documents. A properly created Alma account is required before you can begin the formal enrollment application.

3. Start Enrollment Application. Once your Alma account is created, begin the application and provide the required documentation listed below. Required documents include the admissions application (through Alma), school transcripts/records from the past two years, two reference letters from the child's current or recent Math and English teachers, and detailed information on any special educational support needs. For Pre-K or Kindergarten (ages 3-6), you must also provide a Pre-Enrollment Medical Examination form and a medical check record by your doctor every six months until entry to Grade 1. Please ensure all learning needs are fully disclosed to avoid issues.

4. Document Screening. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team. Our Admissions Director will track your progress and provide support along the way. This step ensures that KAIS understands the applicant's background and needs and helps coordinate next steps.

5. Trial Day. After reviewing all documents, we invite the student for a trial day. During the visit, the student will take placement tests in Mathematics and Language Arts to assess their level and needs. For overseas applicants, KAIS conducts an online interview instead of an in-person trial.

6. Acceptance Review and Enrollment Fees. After the trial day, KAIS educators review the child's performance to determine if KAIS is a good fit. If accepted, the family is notified by email and begins enrollment. The enrollment process includes paying the Enrollment Fee (one-time) and Building Maintenance Fee (one-time), along with Materials Fee and Trip & Event Fee as applicable to the grade. Tuition is charged on an annual basis.

7. Required Enrollment Documentation (summary). You will need to provide the admissions application (through Alma), school transcripts/records from the past two years, two reference letters from the child's current or recent Math and English teachers, and detailed information on any special educational needs. For Pre-K or Kindergarten (ages 3-6), you must also provide a Pre-Enrollment Medical Examination form and a medical check record from your doctor every six months until entry to Grade 1. Open communication about learning needs is essential to a positive enrollment experience.

Scholarships
KAIS International School does not publish scholarship information on its admissions pages. There is no indication of scholarship awards or an application process on the site. Families should plan on standard tuition and fees as listed.

Waitlist
KAIS International School does not publish a waitlist or pool policy on its admissions pages. There is no publicly posted waitlist process or stated priority system. If you need updated details, contact the admissions office for confirmation.
School Events
The school has not added events
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