doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
O

Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin

Japan, Osaka

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥2,187,000 - 2,723,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 285
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1991
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Korean, Mandarin
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is an English-instruction K–12 school in Minoh, an Osaka suburb near Minoh National Park, around 30 minutes from Umeda. The school offers the IB continuum. This includes Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). OIS states that the school has approximately 270 students represents 34 nationalities. A distinctive feature is its shared-campus model with sister school Senri International School, including shared PE, arts/music, sports teams and student government. The school highlights a renowned music program and competitive sports opportunities, plus student involvement in service projects. Boarding is also noted through its Global Futures Program.

4 Chome-4-16 Onoharanishi, Minoh, Osaka 562-0032, Japan

The Essentials

Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin has 285 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
The Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is located in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, in the foothills near Minoh National Park. The area offers parks and green spaces, plus a mix of Western and traditional Japanese culture with nearby shops, cafes and amenities. Train stations are a short bus ride or walk away, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Umeda. Itami Airport is a roughly 20‑minute drive or monorail ride away, with Shin-Osaka offering convenient Shinkansen access to Kyoto, Kobe and Tokyo.

Stages
OIS is a K‑12 school that offers IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in elementary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in middle school, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in high school. The school's IB framework supports progression from early years through to pre-university level.

Type
The school is co‑educational. It operates as a day school with no boarding facilities.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 270 students are enrolled with 34 different nationalities represented. Public materials do not specify which nationality is most represented or the local versus international ratio.

Additional learning support
The Learning & Language Support provision includes Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Social‑Emotional Counseling. The Learning & Language Support team comprises staff across elementary to high school, including Cary Mecklem, Melissa Lamug, Jessica Richards and Maricar Ronidel.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation stated for OIS. The school is administered by the Kwansei Gakuin Educational Foundation in Japan.

Religious affiliation
No explicit religious affiliation is stated for Osaka International School.

School day structure
The OIS academic year runs from late August to late June and is divided into three trimesters (Fall, Winter, Spring) of approximately 60 days each.

Bus service
The school offers a bus option via Hankyu Bus 78. From Senri Chuo Station, the bus ride to the school takes about 25 minutes; from Kita Senri Station it takes about 15 minutes. Hankyu Bus timetable updates are available, and directions explain how to access the service from Senri Chuo and Kita Senri.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
There is a campus cafeteria shared by Osaka International School (OIS) and Senri International School (SIS). The schools operate on a single shared campus with library, gym, sports facilities, science labs, art rooms and music rooms where students learn and socialize together daily. No detailed information on menus or dietary options is published.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit K-12 school administered by the Kwansei Gakuin Educational Foundation (KG). KG is ranked among the top private, non-profit educational foundations in Japan and serves over 29,000 students, including a prestigious university.
Fees

Annual tuition at Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin ranges from JPY 2,187,000 to JPY 2,723,000 for 2026/27.

Application & one-time administration fees
- Application Fee (payable once): JPY 40,000. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid on the day of application.
- Registration Fee (payable once, on acceptance): JPY 330,000. This fee is one-time and non-refundable.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term breakdown)
- KA to Grade 5
- Annual tuition: JPY 2,182,000.
- PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000.
- Total (annual): JPY 2,187,000.
- Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 728,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 733,000); Winter term JPY 727,000; Spring term JPY 727,000.

- Grade 6 to Grade 10
- Annual tuition: JPY 2,603,000.
- PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000.
- Total (annual): JPY 2,608,000.
- Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 868,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 873,000); Winter term JPY 868,000; Spring term JPY 867,000.

- Grade 11 to Grade 12
- Annual tuition: JPY 2,718,000.
- PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000.
- Total (annual): JPY 2,723,000.
- Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 906,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 911,000); Winter term JPY 906,000; Spring term JPY 906,000.

Supplementary recurring fees and one-off extras
- School bus fees (per trimester): Ashiya / Nishinomiya JPY 89,630; Minoh JPY 62,750; Senri Chuo JPY 30,250; Kitasenri JPY 28,010.
- Cafeteria (per trimester): KA/KB–G5 JPY 31,360 (trimester).
- PTA levy: JPY 5,000 per student per year, collected with the first term payment.
- Any additional charges for activities, trips, textbooks, uniforms, or optional services are not itemised in the published termly fee schedule and may be billed separately; school forms and handbooks provide details for specific services.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoicing: School fees are invoiced termly. All amounts are in Japanese yen (JPY).
- Payment in principle: Payments are made by direct bank transfer / direct debit from accounts registered with the school. Annual company-payment arrangements are accepted if requested separately. Forms for bus and cafeteria payments require bank transfer.
- Payment deadlines for currently enrolled students (deadlines shown for the current academic cycle): Fall term payment due Friday, 19 September 2025; Winter term due Friday, 12 December 2025; Spring term due Monday, 27 April 2026. Annual tuition (company payment) due dates are set separately: Monday, 29 September 2025 for enrolled students and Thursday, 31 July 2025 for new students.
- New students: Registration and tuition fees must be paid prior to the enrolment date. If payment prior to the enrolment date is extremely difficult, the due date will, in principle, be within 10 days of the enrolment date (next business day if the 10th is a weekend/holiday). Failure to pay tuition by the due date may result in cancellation of enrolment.
- Late payment and overdue accounts: The school may withhold grades, transcripts and reports until full payment is received and may dismiss a student for unpaid fees. Students will not be allowed to start the next term if full payment for the previous term has not been made. Notification to the business manager is required if payment delay is expected.
- Late-enrolment billing: Tuition and fees are charged on a pro-rata basis starting from the student's first day of school.

Refund policy
- Tuition refunds: If a student withdraws or is dismissed, tuition fees are refunded for any complete academic terms not attended. Partial attendance in any academic term results in fees charged for the whole term (exception: December withdrawal in the winter term). School bus and cafeteria fees are refundable on a straight pro-rata basis from the date of withdrawal.

Boarding fees / boarding provision
- Boarding provision is not listed among the school's published fees. No boarding fees are included in the published fee schedule and the listed supplementary fees cover bus and cafeteria services only; therefore no boarding fee schedule applies.

Other notes on payment and administration
- Application and registration fees are treated as administration fees and are payable once. The application fee is required before the student is assessed; the registration fee is due upon acceptance. Both application and registration fees are non-refundable.
- For bus and cafeteria services, application forms must be completed and payment processed by bank transfer as instructed by the school.

(End of fee summary.)
Academics

Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin offers a full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP in Elementary, MYP in Middle, and DP in High School) across a K-12 program on a shared campus with its sister school, Senri International School. Elementary School uses the IB Primary Years Programme for ages 4–11, with Early Years KA/KB and Grades 1–5, organized around six transdisciplinary themes, and includes a mandatory second language; Grade 5 culminates in a PYP Exhibition. Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) follows the MYP with eight subject groups, includes Approaches to Learning, and culminates in a personal project, with progression to the Diploma Programme in high school. Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) core comprises Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS; six DP subject groups offer courses such as English A, Japanese A, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Language Acquisition options (English B, Japanese B, Japanese ab initio, Spanish ab initio, Mandarin ab initio via Pamoja); students typically take five of the six groups and 3–4 HL subjects, with DP results showing strong outcomes and a notable proportion earning bilingual diplomas. The academic year runs from August to late June with three approximately 60-day trimesters.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Osaka International School provides Social Emotional Learning Counseling as part of its Learning & Language Support (L&LS) program to support students' social and emotional development. The L&LS team includes Maricar Ronidel as the K-12 Social Emotional Learning Counselor, supported by Learning Support and Inclusion staff. The program emphasizes valuing student diversity and creating inclusive learning environments to meet varied learning needs. The Counselling Center operates year‑round to facilitate social and emotional well‑being and academic achievement, with students able to book appointments or drop in for conversations, and parents can contact the Counselling Centre for consultations. Together, these provisions support student well‑being, resilience, and success.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school lists Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Social Emotional Counseling as SEN‑related services integrated within the Learning & Language Support program. The Learning & Language Support Team includes Melissa Lamug (MS/HS Learning Support & Inclusion), Jessica Richards (Learning Support & Inclusion) and Cary Mecklem (EAL), among others. The public pages describe Learning Support, EAL and SEL as the core services for students with learning needs, but do not itemize specific clinical SEN categories. The school does not describe itself as a dedicated specialist SEN institution; SEN provision is integrated within the L&LS framework. The emphasis is on inclusive learning environments and equitable access to education.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided through the Learning & Language Support Team as part of the school's inclusive education framework. Cary Mecklem is listed as EAL (ES English as an Additional Language). The Learning & Language Support page places EAL among the services for students with learning needs, alongside Learning Support and Social Emotional Counseling. The EAL provision is integrated with other LS services to support multilingual learners.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing support is delivered through the Counselling Center, which is dedicated to caring for students' physical and mental health year‑round. The center facilitates social and emotional well‑being and the achievement of academic potential for all Osaka International School students, with appointments available and counselling available as needed. Maricar Ronidel serves as the K‑12 Social Emotional Learning Counselor, strengthening the school's SEL provision. Parents can contact the Counselling Center for consultations, and students can seek confidential support as required.

Safeguarding
Osaka International School and Senri International School share a Child Protection Policy and a Faculty Code of Conduct, which applicants can review prior to or during the enrollment process. The admissions page lists the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct as safeguarding materials accessible during the application process. This demonstrates a formal safeguarding framework across the two schools. The policy and conduct are intended to guide staff and protect students throughout their experience with SOIS and SIS.
Parent Experience

History
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) was established in 1991. It and its sister school, Senri International School (SIS), share a campus in north Osaka and operate under the Kwansei Gakuin Educational Foundation. OIS was the first school in Japan to offer all three International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP, and DP), and it has accumulated more than 25 years of IB World School experience. The Two Schools Together framework unites OIS and SIS in vision, curricula, and campus life, with shared facilities and joint programs. The Kwansei Gakuin Foundation oversees OIS and SIS as part of a broader group of KG campuses that includes Kwansei Gakuin University and other KG schools.

Community
OIS hosts a diverse international community with more than 35 nationalities represented on campus. The shared campus with SIS fosters intercultural exchange through daily interactions in facilities such as the library, cafeteria, gym, science labs, art rooms and music rooms, and through joint events and activities. Students and teachers lead a calendar of events that bring both schools together, including the School Festival in spring, Sports Day in fall, and the All School Production in winter, while the International Fair in November is led by parents. The schools' shared mission is to develop informed, caring, creative individuals contributing to a global community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
All parents and teachers with children at OIS are automatically members of the OIS Parent-Teacher Association. Parents take turns serving as class representatives. The PTA's objectives are to promote the welfare of children in home, school and community; provide education and orientation for the parent community; foster communication among faculty, parents and other associates; and fund special projects not normally provided through the school budget. The OIS PTA meets monthly throughout the school year, and cooperates with the Senri International School Parent Association. The 2025-2026 Executive Committee includes Luca Baiotti (president) and the listed officers. Minutes and information about PTA events are available on the OIS Parent Portal (SOISmail access required), and the By-laws are published as a PDF.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) shares a campus in Minoh with Senri International School of Kwansei Gakuin, serving a diverse international community. OIS delivers the International Baccalaureate programs for kindergarten through grade 12, including the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The campus provides on-site learning resources, including a library and other academic facilities, and supports a broad range of sports and after-school activities. A calendar of school events includes the School Festival, Sports Day, All School Production, and the International Fair, reflecting a busy and collaborative student life. A Counseling Center offers social-emotional and academic support to students throughout the year.

Sports Facilities
OIS offers a full sports programme with a season-based schedule, enabling participation across multiple sports each term. SOIS athletes compete in tournaments with over 30 international and domestic schools across Japan and South Korea.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities on campus include a library and learning-support services, including English as an Additional Language (EAL) and K–12 Learning Support, to accommodate diverse learners. The IB programme framework is used across the school, with Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. Learning Support and inclusion services are provided by dedicated staff to support student achievement and wellbeing.

Extra Curricular Facilities
SOIS provides a wide range of after-school clubs in addition to its athletics program, and the school hosts annual events such as the School Festival and All School Production.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SOIS offers after-school clubs that promote academic and intellectual growth. Examples include Scholars, Math Competition, and Team Science. There is also an eSports club that provides competitive digital gaming opportunities. These activities complement regular coursework by encouraging analytical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.

Arts & Creative
SOIS supports arts and creativity through clubs such as Tango, Japanese Drama, and Team Science. These activities provide opportunities for performance, collaboration, and creative expression beyond the classroom. They foster experimentation with different art forms and teamwork in creative projects.

Cultural & Language
Cultural and language clubs include Japanese Tea Ceremony, Competitive Japanese Card Game, and Cooking/Sweets. These activities offer practical engagement with Japanese culture and language through hands-on practice. They help students develop intercultural awareness and language skills in informal settings.

Social & Hobbies
Social and hobby-focused activities include eSports, Sabers Cheerleading, and Cooking/Sweets clubs. These clubs provide peer connection and opportunities to pursue personal interests outside academics. They also foster teamwork, leadership, and social engagement.

Community & Service
SOIS supports service learning and community engagement through CAS and service-focused activities. Students participate in service trips (for example Bali and Kamagasaki) and fundraising campaigns (Nepal, typhoon relief). The OIS CARE CLUB provides babysitting and after-school activities for younger students, and EJAAD runs international humanitarian projects.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is developed through formal structures including a HS Student Council and a MS Student Council. Councils are elected by students and coordinate activities and represent student interests across both schools. Many school events, such as the School Festival, are planned and run with student leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
SOIS runs a season-based athletics program with multiple sports across the year. The calendar features annual events such as the School Festival, Sports Day, and All School Production, along with Spring Camps that promote physical activity and community building. These activities support physical health, teamwork, and overall wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction across the IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP). A second language, Japanese, is required, with Japanese language instruction provided at multiple levels, including in the Early Years. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and learning-support services are available for non-native speakers. Additional languages—Chinese, French, German, Korean, and Spanish—are offered as electives, often via extracurricular options with potential fees.

Bilingual Teaching
Osaka International School operates within a bilingual framework through its Shared Programmes. English is the language of instruction in the shared classes, with native and beginner learners learning side-by-side. First-language classes for English speakers can be taken at the sister school (SIS) and first-language classes for Japanese speakers can be taken at Osaka International School (OIS); second-language courses are available across both curricula to support language development. Students are required to study a second language beyond the language of instruction, with Japanese taught at various levels.

Immersion Programs
There is no formal language-immersion programme described. Shared Programmes provide immersion-like exposure by combining English-language instruction with Japanese-language study across SIS and OIS. The English and Japanese Programmes cater for learners at all levels, from complete beginner to native speaker, and language classes are available across both campuses. Additional languages—Chinese, French, German, Korean, and Spanish—are offered as electives, providing broader language exposure.
Reputation

Accreditations
The Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a regional accrediting organization recognised by the US Department of Education. It is also authorized to offer all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the Diploma Programme (DP) since 1994, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) since 2004, and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) since 2004. The current WASC accreditation certificate confirms continued accreditation through June 30, 2028.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Academic year and entry timing. The Osaka International School (OIS) academic year runs from late August to late June, and the main intake of new students begins at the start of the year, though admissions are accepted throughout the year to accommodate the international community. This means that families relocating at different times can still be considered, subject to space and program needs. Space availability and grade-level balance are key factors in deciding admissions.

2. Initial inquiry and response. To begin, families should use the Enquiry Form #1 for enrolment enquiries, which helps tailor the school's response. A member of the admissions staff responds after the form is submitted, setting expectations and outlining next steps. If you have a general enquiry, Enquiry Form #2 can be used, but you should use Form #1 when you are considering enrolment.

3. Forms and the invitation to apply. After the admissions office replies, you may submit the main application forms. The forms are downloadable as part of the Admissions Booklets at the bottom of the page, and there are separate booklets for KA–G5 and G6–G12. Do not submit these forms until asked to do so by the Admissions Office.

4. Documentation to accompany the application. In addition to the Student Application Form, families must provide two letters of recommendation (one from the principal and one from the Student's current teacher) sent directly from the school, a health record, a student physical examination report, and official records including standardized test results (e.g., IOWA, ITBS, ERB, MAP, ISA, TOEFL, etc.). A 40,000 yen application fee must be paid on the day of the interview and evaluation. Other information that may help in assessing the student's needs should also be provided. The health and recommendation forms are downloadable with the appropriate application booklets.

5. Scheduling and conducting interviews. All applicants must be interviewed and complete an evaluation before a final admission decision is made. Interviews involve the student and a parent, and for overseas applicants, the school can schedule interviews to accommodate travel plans; parents residing outside Japan may meet with a staff member to discuss their child's educational needs. Overseas families should inform the Admissions Office of their arrival date so interviews and testing can be scheduled.

6. Admissions assessment. The admissions process includes language, mathematics, and cognitive testing for all applicants. The school may place non-English speakers in limited roles by grade level to maintain a strong English language environment; ESL information is available in the Language Support section.

7. Notification of acceptance. After interviews and testing are completed, the Admissions Committee makes the decision and families are notified whether they are accepted or not. The notification of acceptance occurs shortly after the assessments; this is when families learn their admission outcome.

8. Deferred acceptance. For applicants residing outside Japan, or when testing is required, acceptance may be deferred. In such cases, space is held for the family until after the interviews or required testing is completed. This mechanism helps accommodate families relocating at different times while ensuring program fit.

9. Post-acceptance steps and health documentation. If accepted, the health record and physical examination report should be submitted after successful completion of the admissions process. The 40,000 yen application fee is paid on the interview day, and the registration fee is due after acceptance; further details on fee policy follow the admissions process. Booking and submission of the required documents continue to be coordinated with the Admissions Office.

10. Application booklets, forms, and where to obtain them. The KA to Grade 5 application booklet and the Grade 6 to G12 application booklet are available for download, including the Recommendation and Health Forms. These documents are intended to support families through the submission process and to standardize information requested by the school. Applications and related forms are distributed through the Admissions section and are meant to be completed as directed by the Admissions Office.

Scholarships
3) Scholarships. Osaka International School offers financial aid, with an application process and forms available in the school's admissions materials. The regular OIS financial aid application form is accessible in the forms section, and applications should be submitted by the end of June. New students in Grade 10–12 may also be eligible to apply for government tuition support (“Tuition Support for High School Students”); additional documentation may be required to verify household income for this program. In principle, the school assumes families have resources to meet fee payments, but limited financial aid can be granted if circumstances change, with an annual application required. Forms for financial aid are available in the downloads section. The school also notes it can provide further financial support for families affected by COVID-19.

Waitlist
2) Waitlist/Pool. Osaka International School does not publish a formal waitlist or admissions pool. Admissions decisions are described as being based on space availability, grade-level balance, past achievement, motivation, and language support at home, and they may also use a Deferred Acceptance option for applicants outside Japan or those requiring testing. Overseas applicants may have a deferred acceptance arrangement if spaces are held while tests or interviews are completed. In short, there is no publicly described waitlist or pool; decisions are made as space allows and via the stated procedures.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin with
vs Senri International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin
Search for more schools
Search schools in Japan View all schools in Osaka View all schools in Japan IB curriculum schools in Japan Open days & tours in Osaka What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools