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Seisen International School

Japan, Tokyo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥2,300,000 - 2,470,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 700
Type Co-educational
Opened 1962
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Catholic Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Taught languages French, Japanese, Spanish
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Seisen International School is a private Catholic school in Tokyo serving the international community, with a total K–12 population of about 700 students representing over 40 nationalities. Teaching is in English, and the school encourages students to speak English within the school. Seisen describes itself as an International Baccalaureate Continuum school, offering Montessori and the IB Primary Years Programme in Kindergarten, IB PYP in Elementary, IB MYP in Grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme in High School. Facilities on the campus include science labs, a design tech room, music rooms, a drama room, library media centers, a chapel, a gymnasium and a field and tennis courts. Seisen also highlights service and leadership opportunities for students as part of school life.

1 Chome-12-15 Yoga, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0097, Japan

The Essentials

Seisen International School has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Seisen International School is located at 1-chōme-12-15 Yōga, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0097, Japan. The campus sits in the Yoga district of Setagaya, a western Tokyo residential area. Yōga Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line provides rail access to central Tokyo, and a bus terminal nearby serves the school routes.

Stages
The school offers Kindergarten through Grade 12. Kindergarten serves ages 2-5; Elementary covers Grades 1-5; Middle School is Grades 6-8; High School is Grades 9-12.

Type
Seisen is a girls-only international Catholic school. It is sponsored by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The Seisen community includes students from more than 60 nationalities. The school describes itself as international with no single nationality dominating the student body. Public sources do not publish a precise local versus international enrollment ratio.

Additional learning support
The Student Support program provides social and emotional, academic, language and health services, with a focus on addressing individual student needs within available resources. University advising is also offered as part of student support.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
Catholic.

School day structure
School start times vary by division. Start times are around 8:15–8:30 for most students and end times around 3:00–3:20, with Kindergarten schedules differing. The exact daily schedule is set by division and calendar.

Bus service
Seisen operates a school bus service with multiple routes. The school lists bus as a service with fees in the Tuition & Fees schedule, and there are documented morning and afternoon bus timings (roughly 7:50–8:20 for the morning and 15:00–15:45 for the afternoon). The bus service has been described as a shared arrangement with partner schools in some sources.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not offer boarding; it operates as a day school. The IB program profile lists boarding facilities as DAY, confirming that students attend on site and return home each day.

Uniform Requirement
A designated school uniform is required for all students, with sports wear as needed. Uniforms are available for purchase from selected vendors. Items commonly used include maroon and blue jumpers, a pleated skirt for some year groups, and a pinafore for Kindergarten to Grade 2.

Food Options
A hot lunch program is available for students in Grades 1–12 provided by the school's meal caterer, with the option to bring a packed lunch. A microwave is available in the cafeteria for reheating.

House System
There are four houses named after Japanese mountains. The House System runs across the whole school (K–12) to foster a sense of belonging and leadership, with opportunities for student-led activities and inter-house events.

Governance and Ownership
The school is sponsored by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reflecting its Catholic international identity. It operates as an independent school within that Catholic sponsorship and holds CIS/NEASC accreditation; it is part of the Handmaids educational network.
Fees

Annual tuition at Seisen International School ranges from JPY 2,300,000 to JPY 2,470,000 for 2026/27.

Application and Initial Fees
- Application Fee: JPY 20,000 (non-refundable).
- Registration Fee (one‑time): JPY 300,000 (non-refundable).
- Land and Building Development Fee (one‑time): JPY 500,000 (non-refundable; attendance of any portion of the school year makes this fee non‑refundable).

Annual Mandatory Fee
- Building Maintenance Fee (annual, non‑refundable): JPY 100,000.

Tuition Fees (annual and per installment where applicable)
- Kindergarten Half Day: Annual JPY 1,300,000. Per installment (if using two installments): JPY 650,000.
- Kindergarten Full Day: Annual JPY 2,200,000. Per installment: JPY 1,100,000.
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): Annual JPY 2,350,000. Per installment: JPY 1,175,000.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): Annual JPY 2,370,000. Per installment: JPY 1,185,000.
- High School (Grades 9–12): Annual JPY 2,370,000. Per installment: JPY 1,185,000.

Additional / Program Fees
- ES iPad: Price varies; required purchases apply for new and returning students entering specified elementary grades (students in certain grades must purchase an iPad through the school).
- Grade 12 Graduation Fee: JPY 30,000.
- IB Examination Fee: JPY 20,000 per exam subject.

School Bus Fees
- One‑way (annual): JPY 310,000. Per installment (if using two installments): JPY 155,000.
- Both ways (annual): JPY 420,000. Per installment: JPY 210,000.
- School bus fees may be prorated on a quarterly basis if needed. Reservations should be made early.

School Trips and Field Studies
- Fees apply for major field studies that are part of the curriculum in Grades 5–12. Typical trip destinations and grade assignments are published for each year and relevant trip costs are charged in addition to tuition. (Examples of destinations by grade are maintained for each academic year.)

School Lunch
- On‑site school lunch is available through the contracted provider; families set up accounts directly with the lunch vendor and pay the lunch provider separately. Cost is charged by the lunch provider.

Accident Insurance
- The school maintains an accident insurance arrangement providing specified medical reimbursement and death/dismemberment limits for school‑insured students during the covered period. Details of coverage limits and effective dates are provided by the school.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
- First payment of tuition is payable by mid‑June. The second payment (when permitted) is due by January. Only the tuition fee and school bus fee may be paid in two installments; other fees are due as invoiced. Attendance for any portion of a quarter will require payment for the entire quarter. Invoices are mailed to families.

Refunds and Non‑Refundable Items
- Application Fee, Registration Fee, Land and Building Development Fee, and Building Maintenance Fee are non‑refundable. Attendance for any portion of a quarter requires payment for the full quarter. Bus fees may be prorated quarterly if appropriate. Parents remain responsible for fees due for any quarter in which the student attends for any portion.

Fee Payment Options and Bank Instructions
- All fees are payable by bank transfer. Cash and credit cards are not accepted for fee payments. Wire transfers should indicate the student's name and assigned invoice/account number to avoid unidentifiable remitters. All bank charges (domestic and international) are the responsibility of the payer and must be paid in addition to the school fees. The school provides its bank details for remittance to individual student account numbers on invoices.

Contact for Fee Questions
- A designated school business office contact is available for fee enquiries; families should use the published school contact channel for billing questions.
Academics

Seisen International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Catholic Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Seisen International School follows an IB continuum from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with Montessori-inspired Kindergarten, IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Grades 1–5, and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10. In Elementary, the PYP uses transdisciplinary inquiry to address personal, local and global themes, supported by specialist subjects such as Art, Music, PE, ICT and Library, plus EAL and Learning Support; Japanese and Spanish are offered as language options. From Grades 6–10, the school delivers the MYP with eight concept-driven courses per year and includes a Grade 10 Personal Project. In Grades 11–12, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP), choosing six subjects across groups at Higher or Standard Level, and completing Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS. The school emphasizes service and leadership within an international Catholic framework and is CIS and NEASC accredited; graduates attend universities worldwide.

Student Teacher Ratio
Grade levels are capped at around 50 students per grade, and total enrollment is about 700 students with around 99 teachers; this yields an approximate student–teacher ratio of 7:1.

Exam Results
IB Diploma Programme results are reported to families as part of the school's academic profile. The DP requires six subjects across groups at Higher or Standard Level, plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS. The Class of 2024 destinations show graduates entering universities in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia, illustrating a global higher-education pathway. Seisen is accredited by CIS and NEASC.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates attend universities worldwide, including institutions in the USA, UK, Canada and Japan. The school provides college counseling and supports IB diploma candidates through the admissions process. DP outcomes and destinations are tracked to inform students and families about university progression. Historically, Seisen graduates have entered universities across North America, Europe and Asia.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and talented students are supported within the IB framework through access to higher-level (HL) IB courses in the Diploma Programme and the Personal Project in the MYP; the school also runs targeted enrichment initiatives such as Women in Science and Technology to promote advanced study and leadership among high-ability students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Seisen International School supports social and emotional learning through three School Counselors (one for Kindergarten/Elementary, one for Middle School, and one for High School) who work with the School Nurse and the Learning Support Specialist to provide one-on-one and small-group support, deliver classroom lessons, and help students develop skills for managing stress, building self-esteem, and coping with challenges.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN support is provided by the Learning Support Specialist with push-in and pull-out services across KG/ES and MS/HS, supported by the Seisen Support Team (principals, counselors, nurse, and learning support specialists), with an action plan developed and periodic assessments; outside evaluations may be recommended when needs exceed internal resources.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language support for multilingual learners is offered by Language Support specialists through push-in sessions and small-group classes during language periods, using the WIDA framework to differentiate instruction and support English language development.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed through social and emotional learning and counseling, with goals including self-esteem building, effective stress management, and development of positive coping strategies, delivered by the school counseling team.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is governed by a formal Student Safeguarding Policy with a designated Child Protection Officer and Assistant, mandatory reporting for suspected abuse by all staff, a safeguarding handbook, and clear reporting lines aligned to international child-protection standards.
Parent Experience

History
Seisen International School was founded in 1949 by Sister María Asunción Lecubarri y de Arri of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in response to requests from United States Air Force families seeking schooling for their children. It began as a kindergarten with four American students and moved to Gotanda in 1962, where it grew to about 70 students and added the first grade. By 1970 the school offered up to Grade 9, and in 1973, after relocating to the Yoga campus, it extended to Grade 12. The school is sponsored by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and has developed into an international Catholic K-12 community with students and staff from dozens of nationalities. In 1985 Seisen became the first all-girls school in Japan to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Community
Seisen's community is international and multi-faith, with students, staff, and families from more than 60 nationalities. The school emphasizes spiritual life and service within its Catholic identity as part of daily life. The Festival of Nations is a key cultural event organized by the Seisen community, bringing together food, performances and activities from around the world. The Seisen Parents Association (SPA) coordinates numerous family-focused activities, including the Welcome New Families Social and staff appreciation events. The community also involves alumni and parent engagement through various programs and events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Seisen Parents Association (SPA) is the formal channel for parent involvement at Seisen. The SPA board and committees meet regularly to plan projects, coordinate volunteers and communicate with the Head of School. A core function is running the Parent Buddy Program to help new families settle in. One of SPA's principal fundraising activities is the Festival of Nations, which, along with BINGO and other events, contributes to improvements in student learning, travel, school events and gifts. SPA events also include Welcome Coffee Mornings, Staff Appreciation Luncheons, MS/HS Ice Cream Bash, SPA Dinner Dance and Spring Luncheon. The SPA has a long history, evolving from a Mothers' Club to SIS Mothers Association before becoming Seisen Parents Association, and it celebrated its 60th anniversary with a dedicated Fiesta.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Seisen International School operates a single campus in Setagaya, Tokyo, serving Kindergarten through Grade 12 as an all‑girls Catholic IB school. The campus includes dedicated spaces for both learning and community life, including separate KG/ES Media Center and MS/HS Library with a catalog and access to digital resources. Academic spaces include science laboratories and a design technology area, along with music rooms, art rooms, and a drama room to support creative learning. The school provides a cafeteria, a multi‑purpose room, and a chapel on campus, alongside a gymnasium and outdoor facilities. Outdoor spaces include a field and tennis courts as well as multiple playgrounds suitable for different age groups. The campus supports a range of after‑school activities and student life programs.

Sports Facilities
The campus features a gymnasium for indoor sports and physical education. There is a field and tennis courts on site for team sports and outdoor activities. The site also includes multiple playgrounds for younger students.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include separate KG/ES Media Center and MS/HS Library with a library catalog and access to online resources. The MS/HS Library provides digital databases and online tools such as Britannica School, JSTOR, BrainPOP, and eBook resources via OverDrive and the Sora app. The campus map identifies dedicated Science Labs and a Design Tech Room, and the Arts spaces include Music Rooms, KG/ES and MS/HS Art Rooms, and a Drama Room to support visual and performing arts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school activities are offered for elementary and secondary students, supported by dedicated spaces such as Music Rooms, Drama Room and Gymnasium. ES After School Activities and MS/HS Activities organize a range of programs and clubs on campus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Seisen offers a variety of academic and intellectual activities beyond the classroom through MS/HS clubs and after-school programs. The MS/HS Activities section notes student-led clubs that emphasize social justice, service, and collaborative learning, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving. Robotics and engineering are active in Seisen' programs, including a First Lego League Bootcamp that trains teams to design, build, and program robots for competition, with some Seisen teams advancing to the FIRST Lego League. Additional STEM offerings include STEM Gr1&2 and Green STEM hydroponics, which give students hands-on experience in engineering and environmental science.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities are extensive through Seisen' after-school offerings. The ES SASA includes the Elementary School Choir, Instrument Ensemble (Orff instruments), and a broad range of arts activities such as Caligraphy, Zentangle, Sewing, Ikebana and Sashiko, Ukulele/Guitar, and Hip Hop. The Elementary School Choir participates in inter-school performances, and the Instrument Ensemble teaches ensemble playing and mallet techniques. Past SASA galleries show a wide array of arts clubs, including drama-related offerings and visual arts projects.

Cultural & Language
Language and cultural activities are offered through SASA and ES programs. Spanish runs for Grades 1-3 on Mondays to build basic language skills and cultural awareness, while Chinese Culture for Grades 2-5 runs on Fridays to explore daily life in Chinese-speaking regions. Ikebana and Sashiko provide Japanese cultural arts experiences, and K-POP Dance introduces students to Korean culture and music. These activities support cross-cultural understanding within Seisen's multinational community.

Social & Hobbies
Social and hobby-oriented activities are well represented in SASA. Board Games (Grades 1-3) foster strategy and social interaction, while Free Play (Grades 1-5) offers unstructured peer time across grade levels. Dance- and music-related clubs such as Hip Hop, K-POP Dance, Rock and Roll, and Instrument Ensemble provide group collaboration and performance opportunities. Other creative outlets include Zentangle, Caligraphy, and various crafting clubs.

Community & Service
Community and service are integrated into Seisen' student life. The MS/HS Activities section describes Social Justice as a core focus with classroom integration, service opportunities, and a school-wide day of service. The school also promotes outreach to sister schools and local communities, including Franciscan Chapel meals for the homeless, Second Harvest Christmas boxes, and Refugees International Japan fundraisers. These initiatives foster community engagement and social responsibility.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and professional development are encouraged through student-led clubs and opportunities to start new clubs. The MS/HS Activities page emphasizes student-led activities and collaboration with staff to develop leadership and problem-solving skills. Seisen also hosts TEDx, a student-organized event that involves planning, collaboration, and presenting ideas to the school community. These experiences provide leadership exposure and practical project management.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lifestyle and wellbeing are supported by a strong athletics program and seasonal sports. The Athletics section describes team-based participation as essential to student development, with fall, winter, and spring seasons across sports such as cross country, basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and more, within leagues like Kanto Plains and DoDDS Far East tournaments. The school maintains an athletics schedule and newsletters to keep families informed, and it highlights the role of Athletics in building discipline, teamwork, and time-management.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction at Seisen International School. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for non-native English speakers. Elementary language offerings include Japanese and Spanish. In the IB Diploma Programme, Japanese, Spanish and French are offered as language courses, with options such as Japanese B, Japanese Ab Initio, Spanish B, Spanish Ab Initio, and French B.

Bilingual Teaching
Seisen International School does not advertise a formal bilingual teaching program. English is the language of communication, instruction and inclusion for the school community. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for non-native speakers, and elementary language learning includes Japanese and Spanish. Within the IB Diploma Programme, language options include Japanese, Spanish and French, providing additional language study alongside English instruction.

Immersion Programs
Immersion programs are not described on Seisen's pages. Language study is offered in Japanese and Spanish at the elementary level, and the IB Diploma Programme provides additional language options (Japanese, Spanish and French) rather than immersion tracks. There is no mention of a dedicated English-plus-another-language immersion program.
Reputation

Awards
Public Seisen pages in the last five years show student-level recognitions at external events (eg. KPASS) rather than a school‑level award to Seisen itself. Examples include: 2025 KPASS Dance Festival – Seisen Dance Team earned a Silver Award; 2025 KPASS Jazz Festival – Seisen Jazz Band students were selected for the inaugural KPASS All‑Star Jazz Band; 2024 KPASS Composition Festival – a Seisen composition earned an All‑Star Award for its composer; 2023 International Comic Competition – a Seisen Elementary student was announced as an International Winner. These recognitions are awarded to students or student groups, not to the school as an institution.

Accreditations
Seisen International School holds two primary accreditation memberships and an IB authorization. It is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); CIS/NEASC accreditation is listed as the school's joint accreditation status, and CIS re-accreditation was awarded on 18 May 2022 with ongoing maintenance noted in 2022. The school's profile explicitly states “Accredited by: Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools & Colleges.” In addition, Seisen is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP); as of July 2020, Seisen is authorized to provide the full IB continuum and is described as the first all‑girls IB continuum school in Japan. CIS status and NEASC accreditation are repeatedly referenced in school communications and external CIS updates.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Process
Step 1 — Inquiry and tour: Submit an inquiry to receive more information and to book a school tour. The Admissions Office will contact you to discuss your child, your family's background, and to coordinate a visit to the campus. English language ability is essential for at least one parent to communicate with the school and to understand written communications. The school uses English as the language of communication, instruction and inclusion.

Step 2 — Application completion: Complete the application as the formal first step in joining Seisen. After the application is submitted, the admissions process moves toward the review and selection stages defined by the school. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with the child's ability to benefit from Seisen's academic programme as the prime criterion. The Head of School reserves the right to accept or reject an application based on space and alignment with the school's mission.

Step 3 — Review: The relevant principal will review the application and the admissions office will contact you with the outcome. This review considers how well the applicant fits the classroom environment, language support needs, and the school's capacity to meet the student's educational requirements. You may be requested to provide additional information or documentation to support the review.

Step 4 — Assessments and interviews: The admissions office will schedule the family interview with the kindergarten principal for applicants advancing to the next stage. For elementary, middle school and high school applicants, the admissions office will schedule assessment tests in mathematics and English. Interviews and tests are used to gauge fit with the curriculum and to verify information provided in the application.

Step 5 — Decision and further interviews: Based on the assessment results, the admissions office will book the family interview with the relevant principal. This step adds a formal discussion about the student's goals, language needs, and support requirements, if any. Final placement decisions are made after reviewing the assessment outcomes and interview notes.

Step 6 — Offer and enrollment package: Applicants eligible for a place will receive an enrollment package. Families should communicate their intent to accept or decline the offer within the package timelines. Space availability and the family's ability to support the School Mission are considered before a place is offered.

Step 7 — Enrollment completion: Enrollment is official upon receipt of the signed letter of endorsement, registration fee payment, parent/guardian commitment agreement, and, if applicable, the summer school agreement. The school will also provide next steps for onboarding and orientation.

Step 8 — Welcome and health information: After enrollment, a welcome email will be sent from the Magnus Health platform requesting student health records and any additional information for new students and parents. You will be guided on submitting health records and other onboarding requirements.

Scholarships
Scholarships
Seisen offers a Corporate Contribution Plan, a corporate scholarship program for foreign-based corporations responsible for expatriate employees' educational expenses. The program is described as a means for eligible corporate sponsors to contribute toward a student's education, and interested families should contact the Seisen Business Office for further information. There is no information indicating individual need-based or merit-based scholarships beyond this corporate program.

Waitlist
Waitlist/Pool
Seisen operates based on space availability. Priority acceptance is given to certain categories (siblings of current students, children of alumni, children of faculty and staff, returning students, and children from Catholic families), but acceptance is not automatic for these groups; the school still assesses fit with the curriculum and the family's support of the Mission. For returning students, acceptance depends on space, and an applicant may need to be placed on a waitlist until space opens up. If space is limited, a waitlist can be used while the school reviews capacity and considers new or returning applicants.
School Events
The school has not added events
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