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Marie International School Shukugawa

Japan, Kobe

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥1,072,500 - 1,677,550
Ages 1 - 12 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2021
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Taught languages Japanese
Typical class size 8
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Marie International School Shukugawa is an English-medium international school located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, in Japan’s Kansai region. The school offers nursery, kindergarten and primary education for children from approximately one year old through the primary years. Instruction is delivered in English and the school emphasizes small class sizes, maintaining a low teacher-to-student ratio to support close interaction between teachers and students. Marie International School operates as an “All in One School,” providing full-day care from morning to early evening, as well as seasonal programs such as summer, winter and spring schools. The campus is situated in the residential Shukugawa area, known for its local parks and convenient access to public transportation.

302, 6-7 Minamikoshikiiwachou, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, 662-0075, Japan

The Essentials

Marie International School Shukugawa has typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
Marie International School Shukugawa is located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The Shukugawa campus sits in a riverside area and is about a five-minute walk from Kurakuenguchi Station. The Primary School address is 302, 6-7 Minamikoshikiiwachou, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 662-0075, and the Kindergarten is at 2F, 3-8 Hinoikechou, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 662-0084. The school operates alongside other MIS campuses in the region, including Ashiya and Matsuyama.

Stages
Marie International School Shukugawa offers three levels: Kindergarten (ages 3-6), Primary School (ages 6-12), and Secondary School (ages 12-15).

Type
The school is a private, all-in-one international school offering programs from Kindergarten through Secondary. It operates as a day school and does not list boarding facilities.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The school has around 60 students representing about six nationalities. The most common nationality is Japanese, and the local to international student ratio is approximately 9:1.

Additional learning support
The school provides small classes with a 1:8 student-to-teacher ratio and offers English language support for students not fluent in English, with additional language classes available at the primary level. After-school and seasonal programs are available for outside students as well.

Country affiliation
Japan. The school is located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and does not have a formal country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated.

School day structure
Core instruction typically runs from 9:00 to 15:00, with after-school care extending to 18:00 for MIS students. The overall MIS program emphasizes a day across multiple campuses from morning until late afternoon, with extended care available.

Bus service
MIS Shukugawa operates a school bus service. A school-provided bus was referenced during a 2023 moving day when the school relocated within Shukugawa; further route details are not published.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Marie International School does not offer boarding. It operates as a day school with an All in One School model running from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm to accommodate working families. After-school and seasonal programs extend care beyond the regular day, and external students may join these after-school offerings.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are worn daily for safety. Primary School uniforms include navy or beige blazers with matching navy or beige pants/skirts, polo shirts in black/gray/white, a black zip-up hoodie, a navy pea coat, and backpacks in black or camel. Sweatshirts and uniform tops (black/gray/white) are available for all levels.

Food Options
Marie International School provides homemade lunch via Itadakimasu, a lunch box service operated by MIS staff. Lunch boxes come in three sizes (S, M, L) with portion guidance tailored to age, using domestically grown vegetables and balanced calories. Sample dishes include grilled chicken with miso sauce, onigiri, penne with mushroom cream sauce, and chicken chaap.
Fees

Annual tuition at Marie International School Shukugawa ranges from JPY 1,072,500 to JPY 1,677,550 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Application fee (Primary): ¥10,000 (incl. tax ¥11,000). Payment is due by the invoice due date.
- MIS registration / one-time school registration: ¥50,000 (incl. tax ¥55,000). This is payable at the time of enrollment for Kindergarten and Preschool; it is also used as the general MIS registration for other programs.
- Seasonal-program / first-time seasonal registration (applies to some Summer/Winter/Spring programs): ¥50,000 (noted as a one-time registration for first-time seasonal program participants).

Tuition fees — Shukugawa / Primary (Primary 1–6)

- Term 1 (payable at enrollment): ¥396,000 (incl. tax ¥435,600).
- Term 2: ¥452,000 (incl. tax ¥497,200).
- Term 3: ¥408,000 (incl. tax ¥448,800).
- Annual additional/one-time at enrollment (Primary-specific): Primary Registration Fee ¥150,000 (incl. tax ¥165,000).
- Facility Fee (annual): ¥110,000 (incl. tax ¥121,000).
- Maintenance Fee (annual): ¥38,500 (incl. tax ¥42,350).
- Learning bundles / learning resources: charged as actual expense (itemised / billed separately).
- Accident insurance (annual): ¥5,000 (incl. tax ¥5,500).

Tuition fees — Shukugawa Kindergarten & Pre-K (day schedule options)

- Kindergarten (9:00–15:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥105,000 (incl. tax ¥115,500); semi-annual tuition ¥570,000 (incl. tax ¥627,000).
- Kindergarten (9:00–18:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥118,000 (incl. tax ¥129,800); semi-annual tuition ¥636,000 (incl. tax ¥699,600).
- Pre-K (9:00–15:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥126,000 (incl. tax ¥138,600); semi-annual tuition ¥678,000 (incl. tax ¥745,800).
- Pre-K (9:00–18:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥142,000 (incl. tax ¥156,200); semi-annual tuition ¥768,000 (incl. tax ¥844,800).
- MIS Registration Fee at time of enrollment (Kindergarten / Pre-K): ¥50,000 (incl. tax ¥55,000).
- Learning bundle (Kindergarten / Pre-K): annual payment ¥20,000 (incl. tax ¥22,000).
- School hat (one-off item): ¥1,500 (incl. tax ¥1,650).

Afterschool, seasonal program and related short programs (Shukugawa)

- Afterschool session fees (Shukugawa Primary): ¥1,920 per session (other campus/session rates shown elsewhere). Fees for classes taken are billed or debited the following month. Accident-insurance for afterschool noted at ¥490 / month (applicable from SY2026). Dinner prepared by the school kitchen: M size ¥450, L size ¥500.
- Seasonal program pricing (examples): primary seasonal-day programs commonly shown at ¥39,000 (9:00–15:00) and ¥52,500 (9:00–18:00) for MIS students; external student rates differ; separate lunch / insurance / materials fees apply for seasonal programs. Seasonal-program reservations may carry a first-time registration fee of ¥50,000.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school issues an invoice; payment must be received by the invoice due date. Admission is confirmed only after payment is confirmed. For Kindergarten/Pre-K the office sends an invoice and enrolment is granted after payment confirmation. For Primary, Term 1 is paid at enrollment; Term 2 and Term 3 follow the school's term/semester billing schedule. Specific invoicing dates and deadlines are sent on the invoice.
- Afterschool class fees are billed the following month for classes taken or debited the following month. Some Shukugawa Kindergarten arrangements are contracted on a monthly basis.
- Several items are noted as annual or one-time payments (Facility Fee annual, Maintenance Fee annual, Primary Registration Fee one-time at enrollment, MIS Registration one-time at enrollment).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not provided as part of the school's programs; the school operates as a day school with usual hours and afterschool programs (day care/extended care up to evening hours). There are no boarding or dormitory fees listed.

Other costs and regular extras

- Uniform items (blazer, polo shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, backpacks, socks, etc.) are required for various sections; individual prices for most uniform pieces are not listed in the general guidebook but a school hat price is specified at ¥1,500 (incl. tax ¥1,650) in Kindergarten material charges.
- Learning resources / materials (learning bundles) are charged either as a fixed annual amount for Kindergarten/Pre-K (¥20,000 incl. tax ¥22,000) or as actual expense for Primary (itemised separately).
- Lunch / dinner / catering and incidental program fees: lunch and dinner are charged separately (examples: dinner M ¥450, L ¥500; seasonal-program lunch and materials charges noted in seasonal program pages).
- Accident insurance: noted as ¥5,000 annual (Primary) and separate monthly insurance or seasonal-program insurance charges appear (e.g., ¥490 / month for afterschool or small amounts for seasonal programs).

Refund information

- Application fees, registration fees and several enrollment payments are explicitly non-refundable. The application/admission sections state "*Non-refundable" for applicable fees. Seasonal programs and short programs also state no refunds after published registration deadlines.

Fee payment options and invoicing

- The school issues an invoice for required payments. Admission or enrollment is granted only after the invoice payment is confirmed. Specific payment methods (bank transfer, card, etc.) are provided with the invoice or by the school office in the invoice/payment instructions. Afterschool class fees may be debited or billed monthly for taken classes.

Notes and important points for records

- Where amounts are shown, taxes are sometimes listed separately; many fee lines show both pre-tax and "incl. tax" figures — use the "incl. tax" number if you require the total payable amount. The school lists some charges as "actual expense" (learning bundles) which will be invoiced separately and vary by student and programme.
Academics

Marie International School Shukugawa teaches IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum) for students aged 1 to 12.

Curriculum
Marie International School Shukugawa offers Kindergarten (ages 3-6), Primary (ages 6-12), and Secondary (ages 12-15) across its campuses, with small class sizes of about 10 students. The Kindergarten uses a Creative Curriculum with daily English instruction and a timetable that includes math, science, and arts alongside language development. Primary School uses a nine-subject framework divided into Core and Expressive Subjects, with differentiated teaching and a milestone-based assessment approach plus performance tasks. English language assessment is embedded in Primary via EIKEN, while Secondary also uses a nine-subject structure and includes EIKEN in its timetable. Secondary's daily program includes wellbeing, global studies, art, languages (Spanish and English) and Japanese, with a focus on experiential learning. MIS provides an all-English environment across its campuses (including Ashiya and Matsuyama openings) and runs seasonal English-language programs based on TOEFL materials, including a 2025 Spring English Language Acceleration Program with TOEFL Primary Step 1/2 and TOEFL Junior groupings.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Marie International School's SEL approach centers on its guiding statement 'Confidence to Be.' It defines this around three traits: Knowing Me (self-awareness), Knowing You (empathy and effective communication), and Expanding Us (courage, resilience, open-mindedness). Teachers act as facilitators who model responses to student experiences and provide a supportive net to help students cope with challenges. The school emphasises social and emotional skills through its values, notably empathy, respect, and strong communication. Small class sizes (a 1:8 teacher–students ratio) support close relationships and timely, individualized social-emotional development. The Extended Learning offering, including Saturday Academy, reinforces SEL by providing language support and structured personal-growth activities such as the Mind Growth Program and beginner-to-advanced English options.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The MIS public materials do not list a dedicated SEN department or specialist SEN provisions. The school notes small class sizes and close teacher–student engagement as a general support mechanism (1:8 ratio), which can aid learners with diverse needs. After-school and Saturday Academy programs offer differentiated English and mathematics instruction (Beginner and Advanced levels) and a Mind Growth Program, illustrating a range of supports beyond standard classroom teaching. There is no explicit mention of the kinds of Special Educational Needs MIS can support or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution. Therefore, MIS's publicly available information does not specify formal SEN staffing or targeted SEN services.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
MIS provides explicit English-language support through its Saturday Academy, which is open to current MIS students and external learners. English and Math classes in Saturday Academy are divided into Beginner and Advanced levels, ensuring instruction matches each learner's proficiency. The program includes an EIKEN®/TOEFL class as part of its English-support offerings, along with a Mind Growth Program. The school emphasises English-language development in its extended programs, including a Summer Program that promotes an All-English environment in practice (no-Japanese policy in that context). For families where home use of English is limited, MIS notes a focus on English language growth within its after-school and Saturday offerings.

Mental Wellbeing
MIS articulates a pastoral-oriented philosophy through its guiding statement, which highlights teachers as facilitators who support students in navigating emotional events and developing resilience. The school highlights small class sizes (1:8) to enable close relationships and attentive care from staff. School events are designed to promote a sense of community and mutual respect among students, supporting social belonging and wellbeing. The All in One School model extends supervision from 9:00 to 18:00, helping families with long days and potentially reducing stress related to care arrangements. Extended Learning and after-school options provide structured, supervised environments beyond core hours, contributing to a sense of safety and routine for students.
Parent Experience

History
Marie International School was founded in 2020 as a private all-English international school in Japan. It began with Omotesando in Tokyo and Shukugawa in Hyogo, offering small classes. In 2025, the Matsuyama Campus opened in Ehime to extend MIS's English-language education to a new city. An Ashiya Campus opened in December 2025, and the Shukugawa campus is relocating to the Ashiya School from December 2025, reflecting campus consolidation in Hyogo. Marie International School remains a private school focused on personalized education.

Community
Marie International School builds a sense of community through School Events and extended learning programs. The School Events page describes events that promote a shared sense of community and respect among students. Public events include Christmas Festivities and Halloween Party, which involve families. Afterschool programs and Saturday Academy provide ongoing opportunities for student engagement beyond classroom hours.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent involvement appears to occur through channels other than a formally named PTA. School events provide opportunities for family engagement as part of the MIS community. The afterschool program offers a range of classes, and families can participate with MIS students. Saturday Academy offers trials and enrichment programs that involve families. MIS hosts seasonal programming such as Spring Program 2026, and Christmas or Halloween events. The organization operates across multiple campuses (Omotesando, Ashiya, Shukugawa, Matsuyama), providing community access across regions.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Marie International School operates across four campuses in Japan: Omotesando in Tokyo, Shukugawa in Nishinomiya, Ashiya (opening December 2025), and Matsuyama (opening in 2025). The Omotesando campus hosts Secondary School (ages 12–15), Primary School (ages 6–12), and Kindergarten (ages 3–5) on site, and is located about a six-minute walk from the nearest station. Shukugawa is set in a riverside neighbourhood and is about a five-minute walk from Kurakuenguchi Station, with spaces for Kindergarten and primary education; Ashiya will provide an integrated environment from Kindergarten through Primary near JR Ashiya Station. Matsuyama will host Kindergarten on a campus opening in 2025. The All in One School model provides supervision from 9:00 to 18:00 and includes afterschool programs within the same campus network, supported by an on-site dining service.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Afterschool programs are offered at the Omotesando and Shukugawa campuses, with sessions after the school day (Omotesando 15:15–16:00 and 16:00–16:45; Shukugawa 15:30–16:15 and 16:15–17:00). Examples of Primary Afterschool activities include Collaborative Art, Creative Writing, EIKEN, and Dance, among other classes such as ESL, Reading, Science, Math, Art, Japanese, Gym, Cooking, and Music. The program policy emphasizes learning completed at school with no graded homework assigned at home. On-site dining is available through a lunch service offering three Bento Box sizes (S, M, L) and an Itadakimasu lunch box option prepared by MIS staff using domestically grown vegetables.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Marie International School offers afterschool and seasonal programs that extend learning beyond the classroom, with both MIS and external students welcome. In primary afterschool, activities include Collaborative Art, Creative Writing, EIKEN, and Dance. Regular classes cover ESL (Speaking and Active Listening), Reading, Presentation & Debate, Science/Experiment, Japanese, Portuguese, Music Appreciation, Arts and Crafts, Math, and English. The Saturday Academy provides English and Math coaching, plus EIKEN/TOEFL and Mind Growth Program, open to MIS and non-MIS students.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities include Collaborative Art and Creative Writing in the afterschool program, guided by monthly themes. Dance is offered as an afterschool option, and there are classes in Music Appreciation and Arts and Crafts. Cooking and Gym appear as class options within the broader arts/creative curriculum, along with general Arts projects. School Events such as the Christmas Concert provide opportunities for performances and showcases of student creativity.

Cultural & Language
Language offerings include ESL (Speaking and Active Listening), Reading, Japanese, and Portuguese in core classes. EIKEN and TOEFL preparation are available through the Saturday Academy and related programs. Global Discovery is part of the curriculum to promote cross-cultural understanding. The Christmas Concert provides an English-language performance context that reinforces language use in a cultural setting.

Social & Hobbies
Afterschool activities provide social and hobby outlets, including Collaborative Art, Creative Writing, and Dance. In addition, classes cover Gym, Music, Cooking, and Arts projects as part of the broader afterschool offerings. The Saturday Academy features Mind Growth Program alongside English and Math, creating structured opportunities for collaboration and skill-building. School Events such as Halloween and the Christmas Concert foster cross-age social experiences.

Leadership & Professional
Presentation & Debate is offered as part of MIS's classes, supporting communication and leadership skills. The guiding statement emphasizes Confidence to Be, with Knowing Me, Knowing You, and Expanding Us, which underpins leadership and personal development. Small class sizes (1:8) enable targeted mentorship and leadership opportunities within group work. MIS maintains small classes (1:8) to support individualized guidance and leadership development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are a focus, evidenced by the Sports Festival that brings students from Preschool to Secondary to compete in mixed-age teams. Afterschool provides Gym and Dance options, supporting physical activity, and the School Camp offers overnight outdoor experiences that build independence. The Mind Growth Program, offered through Saturday Academy, supports cognitive development alongside English and Math learning. School events and wellness-oriented activities contribute to a balanced, active school life.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the core language of instruction across MIS Shukugawa, with ESL support for non-native speakers. Japanese is taught as a language subject across Primary and Secondary, and Kindergarten includes Japanese L2 alongside English instruction. In Secondary School, additional languages are offered, including Spanish, with ESL available for non-native English speakers.

Bilingual Teaching
Marie International School Shukugawa uses a bilingual approach with English as the primary language of instruction and integrated Japanese language support. In Kindergarten (ages 3-6), daily English instruction is paired with Japanese L2 as part of the timetable, and English L2 is also available within the schedule. In Primary and Secondary, English remains the main language of instruction, with ESL support for non-native English speakers and Japanese taught as a language within the regular curriculum. The bilingual elements span from Kindergarten through Secondary (ages 3–15).

Immersion Programs
Immersion opportunities include seasonal English-language programs designed to maximize use of English. The English Language Acceleration Program is conducted in English with no-Japanese policy and uses TOEFL Junior materials, offered in three levels. Shukugawa Primary School participates in this program with groups such as Group A for Grade 1-2, and MIS also operates a Saturday Academy to support English proficiency across levels.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Process (Shukugawa Campus)
1. Step 1 – Application for School Tour (Secondary & Primary). Parents should submit the Contact Form on the MIS site to request a tour. After submission, MIS contacts the family by email to confirm the date and time of the school tour. The information session during the tour covers MIS's curriculum, academic programs, and events, giving families a comprehensive overview before proceeding. This step helps families determine fit and plan subsequent steps.

2. Step 2 – School Tour (Secondary & Primary). The school tour includes an information session and an opportunity to view classrooms and facilities. Families meet teachers and staff, and MIS explains its curriculum, assessment approach, and student life in detail. You can ask questions about language support, class size, and the school day structure during this visit.

3. Step 3 – Submission of the Application Form (Secondary & Primary). After the tour, families submit the official Application Form. MIS will notify the applicant of the result within 1 week of receiving the form. This step marks the transition from inquiry to formal consideration for the coming enrollment period.

4. Step 4 – Payment of Application Fee (Secondary & Primary). An invoice for the Application Fee will be issued, and the fee is charged regardless of the outcome of the Interview and Entrance Exam. There are no refunds for this fee. This ensures the school can allocate resources to process applications efficiently.

5. Step 5 – Submission of Recommendation (Secondary & Primary). Families should provide a Letter of Recommendation and Report Card from the current school. If a template is needed for the Letter of Recommendation, MIS can provide one. The sending school should forward these directly to MIS.

6. Step 6 – Interview and Entrance Exam (Secondary & Primary). After the Application Fee is confirmed as paid, MIS will schedule the Student Entrance Exam, Student Interview, and Parent Interview. The assessment considers recommendations, academic records, and English-language proficiency. This step determines readiness for MIS's program and placement.

7. Step 7 – Acceptance Letter (Secondary & Primary). An Acceptance Letter is sent by email, and families are asked to make the payment via bank transfer. This formalizes enrollment and confirms the student's place.

8. Step 8 – Admission Documents Form (Secondary & Primary). Families receive the Admission Documents and are expected to complete and submit them. Completing these documents is required before enrollment can proceed.

9. Step 9 – Parent-Teacher Meeting and Orientation (Secondary & Primary). MIS will arrange a meeting to discuss collaboration for the child's development and success. Families should submit the completed Admission Documents on this day to finalize enrollment plans.

10. Step 10 – Enrollment (Secondary & Primary). Ensure the child has everything needed before the first day. All fees must be paid by the specified deadline prior to Enrollment. This step completes the admissions process for MIS Shukugawa.

11. Kindergarten & Preschool (Students interested). Step 1 – Application for School Tour: Submit the Contact Form to request a tour and receive an email with the time and date. Step 2 – School Tour: Attend an information session and tour, with an explanation of MIS's programs and events. Step 3 – Submission of Application Form: Submit the Application Form and await notification of the result within 1 week.

12. Kindergarten & Preschool (Students who have decided to enroll). Step 1 – Payment for Application: The invoice for the registration fee will be sent by the MIS office, and admission is accepted once payment is confirmed. Step 2 – Admission Documents: The required documents are provided and must be submitted to MIS. Step 3 – Enrollment: Ensure all requirements are satisfied before the first day.

Notes relevant to language and placement: English is the language used for MIS communications and instruction. Parents who do not use English as their home language should support English-language communication with teachers and their child's education. Letters of recommendation in English are preferred but can be submitted in other languages. The admission process includes an English-language assessment as part of the screening.

Waitlist
Waitlist / pool: Marie International School uses a rolling admissions approach. Applications are accepted all year round and are reviewed on a rolling basis provided spaces are available. There is no published, separate waitlist system; admission decisions for April enrollment typically occur between February and early March, while September enrollment decisions occur between July and August. For applicants transferring from MIS, the admission process runs October–January for April enrollment and February–June for October enrollment, with dates announced separately. In short, admissions depend on space availability at the time of review.
School Events
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