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Kyoto International School

Japan, Kyoto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥1,530,000 - 1,916,000
Ages 3 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 130
Type Co-educational
Opened 1957
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Japanese
Typical class size 11
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Kyoto International School (KIS) has served Kyoto since 1957 and describes itself as the city’s only IB Continuum School. KIS offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school currently provides learning from Early Years through Grade 10, with plans to expand to Grade 12 by 2026. KIS lists campus spaces that include classrooms, a library, a playground and a gymnasium. Student life includes a House Team system and after-school options such as Bukatsu (clubs) and activities like calligraphy, gardening, board games, dance, sport and STEM, with additional paid lessons such as coding, drama, basketball and piano.

317 Kitatawaracho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8247, Japan

The Essentials

Kyoto International School has 130 pupils, typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English.

Location
Kyoto International School is located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It operates on two campuses in central Kyoto: Juraku Campus at 317 Kitatawara-cho, Kamigyo-ku 602-8247, and Taiken Campus at 536-1 Waraya-Cho, Kamigyo-ku 602-8144. The school describes itself as being in the heart of Kyoto, reflecting its central city location. The Juraku and Taiken campuses are both in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto.

Stages
KIS provides the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from Early Years through Secondary. It currently serves Early Years through Grade 10 and is expanding to complete Grade 12 by 2026, with Grade 11 planned to open in 2025 and Grade 12 in 2026. This makes KIS Kyoto's Rostered K–12 IB school once the expansion is complete.

Type
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school. It is a not-for-profit institution.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Public information indicates approximately 130 students in the school, representing around 20 countries. The exact distribution of nationalities, the most common nationality, and the local-to-international ratio are not publicly published.

Additional learning support
KIS provides a dedicated student wellbeing and support team to address student needs. The school also maintains a Child Safeguarding Policy. Specific SEN accommodations are not publicly detailed on the main pages.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation stated for Kyoto International School; it is described as an international IB World School.

Religious affiliation
Kyoto International School does not indicate any religious affiliation.

School day structure
The school publishes Saturday session hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The nearest bus stop is 堀川中立売, served by Kyoto City Bus routes 9, 12, and 50. The campus entrances are on the east side during visits. Weekday start and end times are not publicly published on the main pages.

Bus service
The school provides bus-access information for international families. The nearest bus stop is 堀川中立売 (Horikawa Nakadachiuri) and bus routes 9, 12, and 50 stop there. There is nearby coin parking around the campus, and visitors are advised to park in nearby facilities if needed.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
KIS does not offer boarding facilities. It operates as a day school with no on-site boarding options. The admissions notice confirms that the school does not provide boarding or student visa support.

Uniform Requirement
KIS is currently non-uniform. There is a dress code that allows students to wear their own clothing, provided it is clean and weather-appropriate; KIS-logo gear is encouraged for outdoor activities and easy identification. Uniforms are not required, and branded items are sold through the KIS Store.

House System
Upon entering the school, students are placed in a House team. There are four Houses: Black Turtles (Genbu, guardian of the North), Blue Dragons (Seiryu, guardian of the East), Red Phoenix (Suzaku, guardian of the South), and White Tigers (Byakko, guardian of the West). The House system runs weekly point-earning activities and a champion House is announced at the end of each school year.

Governance and Ownership
KIS is a not-for-profit school governed by an Executive Board that provides strategic vision and financial oversight; the Principal sits on the board. There is also a Board of Trustees that offers external advice but does not hold voting authority.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kyoto International School ranges from JPY 1,530,000 to JPY 1,916,000 for 2026/27.

Application and one-time enrolment fees

- Application fee (new students): ¥31,500.
- Registration / Admission (enrolment) fee (one-time, payable on acceptance): ¥220,000.
- Emergency kit (one-time): ¥5,500.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts)

- Early years / Pre‑K and Primary (Pre‑K to Grade 5): annual tuition is reported in the range of approximately ¥1,262,000 to ¥1,287,000 in current public fee listings.
- Middle / Lower secondary (Grades 6 to 10): annual tuition is reported in the range of approximately ¥1,626,000 to ¥1,659,000 in current public fee listings.

(Several publicly available school-fee summaries present these amounts as the annual tuition for the relevant school sections; amounts published by different school-information services are consistent to within a small range.)

Annual / recurring additional fees

- Building & facilities / capital fee (annual): approximately ¥181,000.
- EAL (English as an Additional Language) support fee (annual, where applicable): approximately ¥100,000.
- PTA dues (per family, annual): ¥3,000.
- Other possible recurring charges noted in public fee summaries: technology / program charges, excursion costs, and optional co‑curricular activity fees (amounts vary by activity and year group).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The school does not offer boarding facilities.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Public fee summaries list annual tuition amounts but do not publish a detailed, single, public term-by-term billing schedule in the school-fee summaries that are widely available. The school's admissions information and published fee overviews show annual tuition amounts and the one-time fees above, but explicit term dates, invoice issue dates, and installment due‑date schedules were not present in the publicly accessible fee listings reviewed.

Refunds and non‑refundable items

- Public fee summaries identify application/one‑time fees as one‑off charges; a clear, detailed public refund policy (for application fees, registration fees, and tuition in the event of withdrawal) was not found in the fee summaries reviewed. No explicit, full refund timetable for tuition or one‑time fees was located in the publicly available fee summaries.

Uniforms and other school-supplied items

- Uniforms and branded school items are available through the school shop; uniform and merchandise costs are charged separately (prices vary by item).

Fee payment options and methods

- Application and admissions payments are handled through the school's OpenApply application portal. OpenApply supports multiple payment methods including credit card, PayPal/Flywire integrations, and bank transfer; these payment channels are commonly enabled for admissions and invoicing. This means application and invoice payments may be made by credit card or bank transfer where those methods have been enabled by the school through OpenApply.

Summary of what was found and where public information was limited

- Publicly accessible school-fee listings and independent school‑information services consistently list a ¥31,500 application fee, a ¥220,000 registration/admission fee, an emergency kit charge (¥5,500), building & facilities fees (around ¥181,000), and the recurring tuition bands shown above for Pre‑K/Primary and Middle school.
- The publicly available materials reviewed do not present a detailed, itemised term-by-term invoice schedule, nor a clearly published, line‑by‑line refund timetable for every listed fee. The school's admissions information confirms that boarding is not offered.

If you will include these figures in an external database, use the annual fee amounts and the one‑time fees above. The principal public references used to compile these figures include the school's admissions pages and current independent school‑directory fee summaries.
Academics

Kyoto International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 16.

Curriculum
Kyoto International School is an IB Continuum World School in Kyoto, delivering the IB framework from Early Years through Upper Secondary and planning to complete the full K-12 continuum by 2026, with Grade 11 launched in August 2025 and Grade 12 expected in 2026. Instruction is conducted in English, and the school operates an English-immersion program, including a Saturday English class for ages 3–12. Early Years (ages 4–6) use the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) with a play-based, constructivist approach designed to develop learners' thinking and learning skills. Primary School implements the IB PYP as its curriculum framework, emphasizing inquiry-based, meaningful learning across subjects. Lower Secondary follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with a broad, structured subject set (Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical Health Education) and a well-being and social-emotional learning component. Upper Secondary offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for 16–19 year-olds, including the DP core (Creativity, Action, Service; Extended Essay; Theory of Knowledge) and six subject options typically arranged as three Standard Level and three Higher Level subjects, with the DP hours specified (150 SL, 240 HL).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Kyoto International School emphasizes holistic development within the IB framework, nurturing students cognitively, physically, emotionally, and socially. The school's mission and vision describe fostering a supportive, internationally minded community that develops compassionate global citizens. The Student Life section highlights a strong emphasis on student well-being and a safe, supportive environment designed to guide students through challenges. A dedicated wellbeing support team exists to ensure every student's needs are met. Social-emotional development is reinforced through the House system and a broad range of co-curricular activities that promote belonging, teamwork, and healthy choices.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
KIS describes its safeguarding-oriented approach to supporting at-risk students, including those with health issues, social or academic difficulties. The KIS Child Safeguarding Policy and Handbook sets reporting procedures for suspected abuse and states that any employee who suspects abuse must report, with self-reporting for students. Staff, faculty, and administrators are required to report safeguarding concerns, and reports are handled with confidentiality and prompt action. The policy describes a Child Safeguarding Committee and an action plan to coordinate safeguarding across the school. It also indicates safeguarding education is part of the educational programs, including an Online Safety Guideline. The policy notes that safeguarding standards align with international conventions and central rights of the child. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding any specialist SEN provision or in-house SEN program.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school publicly discloses a strategic partnership with New Horizons Education to support English language development. New Horizons provides English language development opportunities and supports a tri-lingual learning environment for students in Japan. The partnership includes governance and international partnership activities as part of the collaboration. Public information does not detail a stand-alone in-house EAL program or EAL staffing at KIS. The collaboration highlights English language development as a component of KIS's international education approach.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is a core element of Kyoto International School's approach to student welfare within the IB framework. The Student Life section signals a strong emphasis on student well-being and a safe, supportive environment. A dedicated wellbeing support team exists to address student needs. Safeguarding policies provide education and resources to protect mental health and respond to concerns, including a designated counselor and reporting processes. Counseling or pastoral support is part of safeguarding, with procedures for notifying appropriate staff and addressing concerns.

Safeguarding
The KIS Child Safeguarding Policy and Handbook has been adopted and approved by the Executive Board and Board of Trustees. Safeguarding is embedded in school life and aims to prevent abuse, protect health and development, and ensure safe environments. All staff and regular visitors are mandated to report safeguarding concerns, and staff must report to the counselor within 48 hours for immediate response; all reports are confidential. There is a dedicated Child Safeguarding Committee and an Action Plan to coordinate safeguarding across the school. An Online Safety Guideline is part of the safeguarding framework, and safeguarding education is integrated into wellbeing and advisory programs.
Parent Experience

History
Kyoto International School (KIS) was founded in 1957, tracing its origins to Kyoto Christian Day School. It is a not-for-profit institution governed by a volunteer executive board. KIS is the city's first and only IB Continuum School, offering the IB from Early Years through the Diploma Programme. It has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1992 and by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) since 2006. In August 2025, the school planned to open its first Grade 11 class, followed by Grade 12 in 2026, to complete its Upper Secondary programme.

Community
KIS describes itself as a close-knit, diverse community of students, teachers, and parents with small class sizes that enable personalized learning. The school emphasizes inclusivity, student well-being, and international-mindedness as core values of the community. Alumni maintain ties with the school through regular reunions and opportunities to reconnect. The community engages in a range of events and cultural activities throughout the year, organized by the school and external groups and supported by the PTA.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Kyoto International School Parent Teacher Association (KIS PTA) is the formal association of parents and teachers at Kyoto International School. Its purposes include fostering open communication, strengthening relationships within the community, sponsoring programs for students, parents, and teachers, and fundraising for educational equipment. Membership includes all parents with children enrolled at KIS and school staff. The PTA is administered by an elected Committee with a Chairperson, a Vice Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a teacher representative; the current PTA chairs are Hollie Inoue and Austin Moore, and the Head of School is Matt Topliss. PTA finances are raised through annual fees (3,000 yen per family) and are controlled by the PTA Executive Committee, with formal accounting and approval processes for expenditures. The PTA participates in events such as the KIS Festival, a major community festival featuring international food, art displays, and a children's market.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Kyoto International School operates across two campuses in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto: Juraku Campus and Taiken Campus. The school maintains a library with a dedicated KIS Library Portal for student access and research. A robust program of after-school activities and co-curricular opportunities extends learning beyond the classroom, including Bukatsu clubs and paid lessons in areas such as coding, drama, and piano. LEGO Six Bricks resources support hands-on learning and creative inquiry. Saturday School offers additional learning opportunities on Saturdays.

Academic Facilities
The school maintains a library for academic reading and research, with an online KIS Library Portal for student access.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Bukatsu (after-school clubs) cover a range of interests, including calligraphy, gardening, reading, board games, photography, dance, fitness, sports, and STEM. Paid after-school lessons include aikido, dance, coding, drama, basketball, ikebana, and piano. LEGO Six Bricks is used to support hands-on learning and creative inquiry. Saturday School provides additional English-language and inquiry-based learning opportunities on Saturdays.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Kyoto International School offers After School Activities (ASA) that include Bukatsu (clubs) and paid lessons. Bukatsu, offered free by KIS teachers, covers calligraphy, gardening, reading, board games, photography, dance, fitness, sports, and STEM, aligned with the Approaches to Learning of the PYP and MYP. ASA runs from 3:30 to 4:30 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for 12 weeks each semester. Paid lessons are available year-round and include aikido, dance, coding, drama, basketball, ikebana, and piano.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creativity are fostered through KIS's Co-Curricular Activities, including events such as the Summer Concert and the KIS Festival organized by the PTA, which feature art displays, performances, and international food. The KIS Festival is a major community celebration with PTA involvement. LEGO Six Bricks is also offered as a hands-on, creativity-driven learning tool used by teachers to support artistic and design-thinking skills.

Cultural & Language
KIS runs Saturday School, an English-literacy focused program for ages 3–12 that emphasizes international perspective, reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The program follows Fall, Winter, and Spring terms with a defined schedule and per-term tuition. World Studies and inquiry-based themes are core components of the curriculum, supporting global awareness. The school also hosts multicultural events such as the KIS Festival, organized with PTA involvement to celebrate diversity.

Social & Hobbies
In addition to Bukatsu, students participate in social, recreational activities and house-based events. The House Teams provide weekly, friendly competitions that foster teamwork and social leadership. LEGO Six Bricks and other co-curricular offerings support collaborative, interest-based activities beyond academics.

Community & Service
KIS operates as a not-for-profit school, reinvesting resources into the community and student programs. The KIS Community section notes ongoing alumni engagement and regular reunions, reflecting a strong sense of community beyond the classroom. The PTA coordinates major community events such as the KIS Festival, reinforcing family and local involvement in school life.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is supported through the KIS House Teams, where students participate in leadership and teamwork within house activities. The University Counseling program begins in Grade 10 and expands through Grades 11–12, offering visits from universities, group and individual counseling, and guidance on applications, scholarships, and career pathways. The school maintains an active alumni network and a strong PTA, providing leadership opportunities for families and former students to stay engaged.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Co-Curricular Activities balance academics with sports, arts, and leadership, with a focus on student well-being in a safe, supportive environment. ASA includes 3:30–4:30 PM activities for 12 weeks each semester, including fitness, sports, and mindfulness-related activities. Saturday School's Waku-Doki time incorporates physical education, library activities, water play, and kids yoga, contributing to physical and mental health.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction in the IB programmes. An authorisation indicates a bilingual option with English and Japanese as languages of instruction. Non-native English speakers receive language support, including English conversational sessions in Lower Secondary. The Diploma Programme serves students aged 16–19, with Grade 11 planned for 2025 and Grade 12 for 2026.

Bilingual Teaching
Kyoto International School offers bilingual instruction as part of its IB continuum. The language of instruction for IB programmes is English; an additional IB authorisation lists ENGLISH and JAPANESE as languages of instruction, indicating a bilingual option within the IB framework. The Diploma Programme is for upper secondary students aged 16–19. The school plans to complete the IB continuum through Grade 12 by 2026, with Grade 11 beginning in August 2025.

Immersion Programs
The school provides an immersive English language environment across its programmes. A dedicated Saturday School offers an English immersion program for children aged 3 to 12. This immersion complements regular classes and the IB framework to support language development.
Reputation

Accreditations
Kyoto International School is a fully IB World School and is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is the first school in Kyoto to receive COBIS accreditation via its WASC status. This combination confirms alignment with IB standards, recognition by a US-based accreditor, and British international school quality benchmarks.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Step 1 – Student Details: Complete the main application form to be considered for admission. Upload a recent passport‑size profile photo and a copy of identification (passport, birth certificate, or health insurance card) to verify date of birth. Enter the student's legal name in English/Roman characters and select the Campus—Juraku Campus or Taiken Campus—and the Enrollment Year (2025‑2026 or 2026‑2027). The general recommendation is to submit this application at least two months before the intended enrollment date; for an August start, the application should be submitted by May 15 of the starting year. Note that KIS does not offer boarding facilities and cannot support student visa applications.

2. Step 2 – Family & Emergency Details: Provide up‑to‑date family contact information and emergency contacts. Include primary contact details, relationships, and any special instructions in case of an emergency. Ensure that all phone numbers and email addresses are active and accessible to the school, and update information promptly if circumstances change. This step is completed within the OpenApply form, which prompts for Family & Emergency details as part of the application flow.

3. Step 3 – Education History: Enter the applicant's education history, listing prior schools and grade levels completed or currently enrolled. If the student is entering after early years, include transcripts or academic records from previous schools. The Education History section is part of the OpenApply process and helps the admissions team assess prior academic coursework.

4. Step 4 – Submit & Pay Application Fee: Review all entered information and submit the application, then pay the online application fee. The system directs applicants to complete payment as part of the submission flow. This step ensures the application is officially submitted for consideration.

5. Step 5 – Provide Supporting Documents: After submitting the form and payment, upload or provide any required supporting documents as requested by the admissions team. Supporting documents may include transcripts, recommendations, or other school records requested by KIS. The OpenApply form specifies this step as part of the application process.

6. You can also find the campus contact numbers on the admissions pages.

Scholarships
KIS offers an IBDP Scholarship for Diploma Programme entrants. The scholarship opportunity is open to students currently in Grade 10 (the first year of Japanese high school). Successful applicants may enter Grade 11 at Kyoto International School and begin the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in August 2025. Application Deadline: May 12, 2025 at 23:59 JST. Application Process: (1) Submit your application online via kyoto.openapply.com and pay the application fee; (2) the admissions team will schedule an interview on May 16, 2025; (3) if you pass the interview, you will receive detailed information about the scholarship exam; (4) take the scholarship exam on May 31, 2025 (online, 17:00 JST); (5) scholarship results will be announced in early June. Exam format is online and no additional exam fee is required. Scholarship details indicate a potential award of up to 100% tuition discount, based on scholarship exam performance, with conditions applied. Scholarships are limited and awarded on a competitive basis. The DP scholarship information is provided on the KIS IBDP Scholarship page and is reflected in the OpenApply scholarship field during the application process.

Waitlist
Waitlist / pool: Public admissions materials do not publish a formal waitlist or pool policy for Kyoto International School. The application process is conducted through OpenApply with explicit campus (Juraku or Taiken) and enrollment year options, and there is no publicly documented waitlist workflow in the available materials. The OpenApply steps and campus/year options support applicants being considered as spaces allow, but no formal waitlist procedure is described.
School Events
The school has not added events
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