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St. Mary's International School

Japan, Tokyo

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥2,850,000 - 3,000,000
Ages 5 - 19 years
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Boys School
Opened 1954
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum
Taught languages French, Japanese
Typical class size 21
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

St. Mary’s International School is an all-boys school in Tokyo that educates students from kindergarten through Grade 12 and was founded in 1954. The campus is in Setagaya ward and the school describes itself as located in the heart of Tokyo. English is the language of instruction. In high school, students can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), a programme designed for ages 16–19. The school profile also notes class sizes are capped at 24, with many classes under 20. Beyond academics, the school highlights activities such as the fall play and clubs like Brain Bowl, debate and speech. Transportation support is available through a school bus service.

1 Chome-6-19 Seta, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-8668, Japan

The Essentials

St. Mary's International School has 1,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 21, instruction in English.

Location
St. Mary's International School is located at 1-6-19 Seta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8668, Japan. Setagaya is a western Tokyo ward with residential neighborhoods and good rail connections to central Tokyo. The campus is accessible by multiple train lines and the school operates its own bus network to support travel around Tokyo.

Stages
The school provides a K–12 program, comprising an elementary school, a middle school (junior high), and a high school, all on the Setagaya campus.

Type
St. Mary's International School is a single-sex, all-boys international school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students come from around 45–50 countries, reflecting a strong international mix. The most common nationality is not publicly published, and there is a mix of international and Japanese students.

Additional learning support
Student Support Services include Learning Support, Academic Support, English Language Support, a School Nurse, and a Campus Minister. The school aims to accommodate a range of learning differences but notes that it may not be able to support all needs; full disclosure during admissions is requested.

Country affiliation
The school is Catholic in affiliation.

Religious affiliation
Catholic.

School day structure
Elementary hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. with buses leaving at 3:20 p.m.; Middle School runs 8:25 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. with a 3:20 p.m. bus and campus-off time by 5:00 p.m.; High School operates 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. with lunch 11:00–11:55 a.m.

Bus service
The school operates its own bus network with a fleet of buses serving Tokyo; typical routes include Futako-Tamagawa Station on the Den-en-toshi Line and other connections. After-school buses are used to transport students, with the middle school bus schedule noted as leaving promptly at 3:20 p.m. (the fleet is owned by the school).
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
St. Mary's International School operates as a day school with no on-site boarding provision. The school is listed as having boarding facilities: DAY, which indicates there is no boarding accommodation for students. Transportation to and from campus is provided via the school bus network, with options for morning-only, afternoon-only, or round-trip service. For the 2025–26 academic year, bus fees are ¥310,000 for one-way service and ¥420,000 for both ways.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required and are supplied by Top of the Class, a domestic vendor. Ordering is done through Top of the Class and is available in English, with sizing and delivery details provided by the vendor. For Elementary, students wear a blue polo shirt with the school logo (plus other items such as black socks and black shoes); for Middle School, students wear a long-sleeved white shirt with the logo and a navy tie, with accompanying items including black socks, a black belt, and black shoes. Shoes must be all black with solid black soles and no secondary colors or logos.

Food Options
The school operates an on-site cafeteria with lunch service during the school day; lunch hours vary by level and students may eat in the cafeteria. A light snack is available during the day at certain grade levels. The Kindergarten site describes a canteen that offers Western and Asian lunch options, a full salad bar, and an online canteen system for ordering meals, indicating on-site meal options and a digital ordering process.

House System
In St. Mary's Kindergarten, a Grizzly House System is in place. Houses are represented by trees—Pine, Birch, Cedar, and Oak—and students participate in monthly house challenges; points are awarded to encourage teamwork, school spirit, and positive behavior.

Governance and Ownership
St. Mary's International School is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational institution (gakkō hōjin) incorporated under Japan's Private School Law and supervised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The governance structure comprises a Board of Directors, a Board of Trustees, and Statutory Auditors, which provide strategic direction and financial stewardship for the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Mary's International School ranges from JPY 2,850,000 to JPY 3,000,000 for 2026/27.

Application and Admission Fees

- Application fee: ¥50,000 (non‑refundable).
- Registration fee (new students): ¥400,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable).
- Development Fund (new students): ¥1,000,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable).

Annual and Per‑Year Tuition (School Year 2025–2026)

- Elementary School tuition: ¥2,700,000 per year.
- Middle School tuition: ¥2,800,000 per year.
- High School tuition: ¥2,850,000 per year.

Per‑term / Billing schedule

- The school publishes a full, school‑year Tuition & Fees schedule (School Year 2025–26) that contains the detailed billing schedule and installment information for the year; that document is the school's official tuition & fees schedule. For specifics of term‑by‑term billing and exact installment due dates you should use the school's published 2025–26 Tuition & Fees schedule.

Fees for Returning Students

- Re‑Enrollment Seat Deposit: ¥300,000 (non‑refundable; credited toward tuition).
- Building Maintenance (annual): ¥150,000 (returning students).
- Tuition for returning students is the same annual amount by level as above (Elementary ¥2,700,000; Middle ¥2,800,000; High ¥2,850,000).

Transportation (School Bus)

- One way (morning or afternoon): ¥310,000 per year.
- Both ways: ¥420,000 per year.

Device / Level‑specific mandatory costs and other academic charges

- Elementary (Grades 3–5): iPad and cover are provided and the mandatory one‑time cost is charged on the student invoice; the device cost is included in the school fees invoice and is non‑refundable.
- Middle School (Grade 6 and incoming Grades 7–8): MacBook Air fee is included on the invoice (one‑time mandatory cost for these cohorts).
- High School IB exam fees: billed in December for students who register for IB exams; ¥20,000 per subject.
- Graduation fee for Grade 12 students: ¥30,000 (cap and gown, reception and related ceremony expenses).
- Additional items charged or available through the school: cafeteria/food service, school accident insurance, and any Corporate Contribution Program charges as applicable.

School Accident Insurance

- Students are enrolled in a school personal accident insurance policy upon payment of school fees with coverage commencing September 1: medical reimbursements up to ¥1,000,000 and loss of life/physical impediment benefits up to ¥3,000,000.

Uniforms and Uniform Costs

- Uniforms are purchased through the school's authorized vendor (Top of the Class). Ordering and payment are handled through the vendor; payment options offered by the vendor include PayPal and credit card. Specific uniform prices are set by the vendor and are purchased separately via that vendor.

Non‑refund and Refund Information (explicitly stated items)

- Non‑refundable charges explicitly stated: application fee (¥50,000); registration fee (¥400,000 for new students); development fund (¥1,000,000 one‑time); building maintenance fee (¥150,000 annual where indicated); device costs charged on invoice for required iPad/MacBook (one‑time, non‑refundable); re‑enrollment seat deposit (¥300,000) is non‑refundable but will be credited toward tuition. These items are described as non‑refundable in the school's published fees information.

Boarding (if applicable)

- Boarding is not listed as a program or fee category for this school; there are no boarding fees published for St. Mary's International School for the 2025–26 school year. Transportation is offered via school bus instead.

Billing and Payment Terms (what is stated publicly)

- Credit card payments are accepted for application fees only; credit cards are not accepted for other fees and tuition payments.
- The school encourages payment of tuition and fees by bank transfer. Any bank transfer fees or lifting fees (particularly for payments from abroad) must be covered by the payer. The school provides bank transfer details (MUFG Bank, Jiyugaoka Branch) including the account number and SWIFT code for international remittance. Payments should be made in the student's name and include the student's school ID where requested.
- The Re‑Enrollment Seat Deposit for returning students is credited toward tuition.

Other costs parents should anticipate (examples shown on published schedule)

- Field trips, retreats, ski trip charges (elementary/middle/high as described for specific grades) and optional cafeteria payments are additional to tuition and will be invoiced or charged as appropriate.

Where detailed term‑by‑term instalment dates and full billing schedule are published

- The school's official two‑page School Year 2025–26 Tuition & Fees document contains the complete billing schedule, instalment/due‑date information and the full fee table for the year. That published school document is the official source of the term‑by‑term billing schedule and any fine‑print payment terms for 2025–26.

Summary of primary sources used: St. Mary's International School official Tuition & Fees page and the school's published School Year 2025–26 Tuition & Fees document; the school's uniform ordering page for vendor/payment details.
Academics

St. Mary's International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum for students aged 5 to 19.

Curriculum
St. Mary's International School in Tokyo delivers a holistic, standards-based curriculum across elementary, middle, and high school, rooted in a Catholic values framework and a focus on the whole child.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
St. Mary's International School supports Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) through age-appropriate Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) across all grades, and a comprehensive Elementary SEL curriculum (K-5) that includes Child Protection and Bullying Prevention Units, all taught within the school's safeguarding framework.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Student Support Services are listed as Learning Support, Academic Support, English Language Support, a School Nurse, and a Campus Minister; the Admissions Policy mentions a Learning Differences section, but the school does not publicly state that it operates as a specialist SEN institution beyond these shared services.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Support aims to enable students whose first language is not English to overcome language-related difficulties and integrate into mainstream classes; language support is offered for students from RP through Grade 8, with no English language support for Grade 11 and limited support for Grades 9–10.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the SEL/PSHE programs described above, plus pastoral care elements such as the Campus Minister and health support from the School Nurse.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and Child Protection are led by a dedicated Safeguarding and Child Protection Team; there is a secure CPOMS-based reporting system, age-appropriate PSHE health and safety instruction, annual safeguarding training for faculty, staff, and parents, and a designated Safeguarding Coordinator (Hiromi Sawamura) with an anonymous reporting option.
Parent Experience

History
St. Mary's International School was founded in 1954. It moved to its current Setagaya campus in 1971. The school operates as an all-boys international school. The student body includes nearly 50 countries, and English is the language of instruction.

Community
The school has students from nearly 50 countries. The school offers extensive extracurricular programs in athletics, fine arts, the performing arts, and other areas. The campus is safe and modern and supports a comprehensive student life. The school participates in intercultural programs and events, including UNESCO exchange activities with Japanese partner schools.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The St. Mary's Parent Association (SMPA) is a volunteer body that engages families in school life. The SMPA runs the annual Carnival, a long-standing community tradition and the school's largest fundraising event. Carnival features food, games, live entertainment, and booths, with all funds supporting student trips, projects, campaigns, uniforms, clubs, and sustainability initiatives. Volunteering opportunities are organized through signups for Carnival day, including booth responsibilities and coordinating donations. Donations to St. Mary's support a broad range of programs through the school's development office, and the U.S. Friends of St. Mary's International School foundation assists fundraising in the United States.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
St. Mary's International School sits on a single campus in Setagaya with facilities to support academics, the arts, and athletics. The campus includes a library and Learning Commons with extensive digital resources for research, and there is an on-site cafeteria for meals and lunch breaks. Elementary, middle, and high school sections each have library or learning commons spaces and dedicated computer rooms for student use. Fine arts and performing arts are supported by music groups, choirs, instrumental lessons, visual arts, and drama opportunities, including a tri-school Spring Musical. The campus is described as safe and modern with first-rate athletic facilities.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a library and Learning Commons across grade levels. The Elementary Library provides Destiny Discover, BrainPOP, PebbleGo, and TumbleBooks for research and literacy support. The Middle School and High School Learning Commons offer Destiny Discover, EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Classroom Video on Demand, and Sora, with access to a range of digital databases and media. Elementary students have a Computer Room for dedicated technology use.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities center on fine arts and athletics. There are 14 music groups, including choirs, and an Instrumental Music program with concert band and jazz ensemble. The Visual Arts program offers exhibitions and studio work, and there are drama opportunities including a tri-school Spring Musical. The program also includes clubs and service activities that complement athletics and the arts.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
St. Mary's offers after-school programs that emphasize academic enrichment. The program includes speech and debate, Brain Bowl, and math contests to foster critical thinking and time management. Robotics is offered as a STEM-focused activity, giving students hands-on opportunities to code and work with robots. These activities extend learning beyond the classroom and support analytical thinking, collaboration, and resilience.

Arts & Creative
St. Mary's has a robust Fine Arts & Activities program. The school operates 14 music groups, including choirs, a concert band, and a jazz ensemble, with regular concerts and ensemble events. The Visual Arts program offers painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking, and drama opportunities exist from Elementary through High School, including a tri-school Spring Musical with sister schools. The arts program also includes trips, competitions, exhibitions, and involves service clubs connected to the arts.

Cultural & Language
St. Mary's supports cultural and language activities through events and clubs. The school participates in Model United Nations conferences, and hosts intercultural events such as the International Interkultur Choir Competition Kobe. Debating appears in KPASS events and debate meets, providing opportunities to engage in competitive discussions. The Summer Adventure program offers language-rich experiences to support international students and cross-cultural learning.

Social & Hobbies
Beyond academics, students can pursue informal interest-based activities and clubs. After-school options include board games and other social clubs that help students socialize and develop teamwork skills. These activities are designed to complement classroom learning and foster peer connections.

Community & Service
Community service and service clubs are part of student life at St. Mary's. The Fine Arts & Activities program notes that the school supports numerous organizations and service clubs, offering opportunities to give back and engage with the local and global community. Students may participate in service projects coordinated by clubs or through advisory programs. These activities foster social responsibility and lay the groundwork for ongoing community involvement.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and professional development are supported through advisory programs and university counseling. The High School Advisory helps students reflect on values and goals. The University Counseling program runs from Grade 10 with an introduction to standardized testing and ongoing guidance through Grade 12, including PSAT practice and families' conferences for planning. Career Day invites industry professionals and supports resume building and interview skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
St. Mary's emphasizes physical wellbeing through athletics. Major sports include swimming, baseball, and basketball, with inter-scholastic competitions in the middle and high school and weekend fixtures such as ball hockey, soccer, and tennis. An annual ski trip is part of the Elementary program, contributing to fitness, teamwork, and outdoor activity.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. In the IB Diploma Programme, language offerings include English A Language and Literature HL/SL; Japanese A Language and Literature HL/SL; Japanese B HL/SL; Japanese Ab Initio; French B HL/SL; French Ab Initio; and Spanish Ab Initio. English language support is available for non-native speakers from Readiness Program through Grade 8, with limited support for Grades 9 and 10 and none for Grade 11 due to IB DP requirements.

Immersion Programs
Summer Adventure 2025 is a language-rich summer program for Grades 1–6 designed for non-English-speaking children, but all students are welcome to join, learn, and make new friends. The program uses hands-on activities and language-focused experiences to provide immersion in an international school setting. There are two sessions: Session A from July 28 to August 1 and Session B from August 4 to August 8, 9:00–15:00, with registration via ClubsBuddy. The program aims to support language development and social integration in a multilingual context.
Reputation

Awards
There is no publicly posted list of school-wide awards for St. Mary's International School on the site for the past five years.

Accreditations
St. Mary's International School is fully accredited by two agencies: the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). WASC is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges and universities in the United States and East Asia. CIS is a membership organization of international schools around the world. The school also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in its High School, authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions Process
Step 1 — Inquire and arrange a campus visit. Prospective families should start by making an inquiry or signing up for a campus tour. Applications are welcome at any time, and visiting the campus is encouraged to understand the school's environment. Note that there is no parking available for school tours. The school can be contacted via the Admissions team for questions or to schedule a visit.

Step 2 — Prepare and submit the application with supporting documents and fees. Begin by completing the online application and paying the non-refundable application fee of ¥50,000 for each application. The application requires an Application Form, Confidential Information Form, Record Release Form, a copy of the applicant's birth certificate or passport page, a recent family photo, and the applicant's school records for the past two years plus the current year's progress report. For Readiness Program (kindergarten) and Grade 1, a Kindergarten Teacher's Recommendation is also needed; for older grades there are grade-specific recommendations. The application fee can be paid by credit card or wired to the school's account.

Step 3 — The admissions evaluation includes academic records, testing, and interviews. Students are admitted on the basis of transcripts from previous schools, standardized test results, a screening test, and a personal interview with both the prospective student and the parents. The school reviews documentation and test results to determine fit with the English-based curriculum. Some grades also require teacher recommendations and counselor/principal references as part of the evaluation.

Step 4 — Grade-specific screening steps and timelines. For Readiness Program (RP) and Grade 1, there are on-campus activities such as a group observation (RP) and an on-campus screening (Grade 1) followed by on-campus family interviews. For RP, the process includes a teacher recommendation deadline and a family interview window, with admission decisions communicated after the interview period. For Grade 1, the on-campus screening occurs in early November, followed by observations and a family interview in November–December, with admission decisions typically issued in late January.

Step 5 — Admission decision, offer, and enrollment. Admission decision letters are issued on set dates (e.g., February 28, 2026 for RP and January 31, 2026 for Grade 1 in the 2026–2027 cycle). If offered a seat, enrollment requires payment of the Registration fee within two weeks of the offer. The Re-Enrollment Deposit for returning students is non-refundable but credited toward tuition, and a School Bus or other transportation option may be selected with its own fee.

Step 6 — Post-acceptance steps and forms. After acceptance, families must complete and submit Health Record forms, the Student ID Card Application Form, the School Bus Application Form (if applying for transport), and provide the Final School Report for the current school year. These steps complete enrollment and help the school finalize records.

Notes on fees and payments (embedded in the process): The school lists the following for new entrants: Application Fee ¥50,000; Registration ¥400,000; Development Fund ¥1,000,000; Building Maintenance ¥150,000 per year; Tuition by level: Elementary ¥2,700,000; Middle ¥2,800,000; High ¥2,850,000. Returning students pay a Re-Enrollment Seat Deposit of ¥300,000 and Building Maintenance ¥150,000 plus tuition at the applicable level. Transportation by school bus is available at ¥310,000 one-way or ¥420,000 for both ways. Payments can be made by credit card (for the application fee only) or by bank transfer for the other items; remittances should be made in the student's name with the English spelling of the name and the school ID number. The Re-Enrollment Deposit is credited toward tuition. Cafeteria, accident insurance, and the Corporate Contribution Program are listed as separate items or programs. For full details, view the current Tuition & Fees schedule.

Language of instruction and curriculum: The school operates with an English-based curriculum, and families are expected to support their child's success within that framework. The school does not discriminate in admissions on race, creed, or national origin.

References: Admissions overview, RP / Grade 1 admissions timeline for 2026–2027, application requirements, and the general admissions policy are publicly posted. Fees for new entrants and returning students, as well as transportation and payment methods, are listed in the Tuition & Fees page. The Admissions section notes that inquiries and campus tours are available and that applications are welcome at any time. The language of instruction is described as English-based in the admissions policy. Waitlisted applicants are governed by a separate policy (see the Waitlist section). Faculty and staff contact information is included in the Admissions and Contact pages. Citations: Admissions overview and steps (turn1view0), RP / Grade 1 admissions timeline (turn2view0, turn4search5), Application Requirements (turn4search6), Tuition & Fees (turn5view0).

Waitlist/Pool
2. Waitlist Policy and Process
If a grade level is full, students may be placed on a waitlist. Waitlisted students are expected to continue their education while on the waitlist rather than remaining at home; the waitlisted status is valid only until a designated date set by Admissions. Importantly, waitlist placement is not based on a first-come, first-served basis but rather on the individual screening results. Students on the waitlist will be considered for enrollment as soon as a seat opens at their grade level. The waitlist policy applies to each grade-level as appropriate. References: Admissions Policy (turn4search0).

Waitlist/Pool details (additional context): The policy specifies that the waitlist is used when a grade is full and that the process is driven by screening results rather than order of application. The policy indicates the waitlist is grade-specific and has an expiration date determined by Admissions. References: Admissions Policy (turn4search0).

Scholarships
3. Scholarships
There is no publicly posted scholarship program listed for St. Mary's International School in Tokyo. The site describes the school as a not-for-profit institution and notes a Corporate Contribution Program and fundraising activities, but it does not publish formal need-based or merit-based scholarships in the admissions or fees sections. Families may inquire with Admissions about any possible financial aid or external funding opportunities, but no scholarship details are published on the site. References: Support Us page (turn7view0) and Tuition & Fees page (turn5view0) which reference the Corporate Contribution Program and general fundraising, but no scholarship offerings are listed.

Additional notes for context
- The school teaches in English and uses an English-based curriculum. This is stated in the admissions policy. References: Admissions Policy (turn0search5).
- The school is actively international in focus and emphasizes partnerships with families; inquiries and campus tours are encouraged, with admissions open to both local and overseas applicants per RP/G1 timelines. References: Admissions page (turn1view0) and RP / Grade 1 Admissions (turn2view0, turn4search5).
- The latest published fee structure for new entrants is for School Year 2025-2026, with annual tuition by level and one-time and annual ancillary fees; the 2026-2027 timelines are available for RP and Grade 1 admissions, indicating the school publishes updated timelines for future cohorts. References: Tuition & Fees (turn5view0), RP / Grade 1 Admissions (turn4search5).

If you'd like, I can format this into a printable guide or tailor a calendar with key deadlines based on the grade you're considering.

Scholarships
3) Scholarships
- St. Mary's International School does not publish scholarships on its site. The school operates as a not-for-profit institution and relies on donations and fundraising; there is a Corporate Contribution Program, but no formal scholarship program is listed. Families interested in financial aid or scholarships should consult Admissions for any possible options or external funding, though no SMIS-based scholarship offerings are published. References: Support Us (turn7view0) and Fees page (turn5view0).

Waitlist
2) Waitlist / Pool
- When a given grade level is full, applicants may be waitlisted. Waitlisted students are expected to continue their education while on the waitlist and not simply wait at home. Waitlisted students will be considered for enrollment when a seat opens at their specific grade level. The waitlisted status is valid only until the designated date as set forth by Admissions. Importantly, waitlisted students are not admitted based on a first-come, first-served basis but rather on their individual screening results. Reference: Admissions Policy (turn4search0).
School Events
The school has not added events
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