Aoba-Japan International School - Hikarigaoka Campus vs Seisen International School

	A Aoba-Japan International School - Hikarigaoka Campus Tokyo, Japan	S Seisen International School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥1,862,500 - 3,074,500	Fees / year ¥2,300,000 - 2,470,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Catholic Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 790	Pupils 700
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1976	Opened 1962
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in Nerima City, northwest of Tokyo's 23 wards. It is about 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo and a 15-minute walk from Hikarigaoka Station on the Oedo Line. Address: 7-5-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0072. The campus features open-plan classrooms, a sports pitch, a pool, and a gymnasium.	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	Stages Multigrade Kindergarten (ages 3-5), Primary (Grades 1-6), Middle School (Grades 7-9).	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.
School type	School type —	School type Seisen is a girls-only international Catholic school. It is sponsored by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	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 Public sources do not publish a precise local versus international enrollment ratio.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	Additional learning support —	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	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Catholic.
School day structure	School day structure —	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 details	Bus service details Bus service for Early Years students throughout Tokyo with multiple pickup locations.	Bus service details 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.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Entrance Fees - Application fee: JPY 25,000, payable at the time of application. - Registration (enrolment) fee: JPY 320,000, payable at the time of registration/acceptance. - Building development (capital) fee (one-time at registration): JPY 320,000, payable at the time of registration/acceptance. Annual tuition (amounts shown as annual total and per semester) - Kindergarten K2: JPY 2,098,000 (per semester: JPY 1,049,000). - Kindergarten K3–K5: JPY 2,332,000 (per semester: JPY 1,166,000). - Grades 1–5: JPY 2,518,000 (per semester: JPY 1,259,000). - Grades 6–12: JPY 2,862,000 (per semester: JPY 1,431,000). - Online IB Diploma Programme (G11–G12): JPY 1,650,000 (per semester: JPY 825,000). Other annual / recurring school fees (charged with the first tuition invoice unless otherwise stated) - Building maintenance fee (annual): JPY 200,000. - Family Community membership fee (annual, per family): JPY 12,500. - Graduation fees: K5 only JPY 54,000; Grade 12 only JPY 152,000. - School lunch (optional, billed per year): Kindergarten (K2–K5) JPY 159,000; Grades 1–9 JPY 182,000. - Bus service (optional, billed per year): one-way JPY 234,000; round-trip JPY 380,000. The bus fee for the full school year is billed with the first tuition invoice. - DP (IB Diploma) external examination fees (where applicable): charged to relevant students at actual cost; example amount shown previously ~ JPY 120,000 (subject to change depending on IB registration fees and exchange rates). - Pamoja / GLD / other specialist programme fees (where applicable): charged at actual cost to participating students and billed when applicable. Discounts - Sibling discounts on tuition for families with more than one child enrolled: second child 10% off that child's annual tuition; third child and subsequent children 15% off each subsequent child's annual tuition (applies to full-year students; adjustments made on final tuition payment). Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency: families may choose one payment or two installments. One-payment due date / or first payment due date: 20 June (new students pay at registration). Two-payment schedule: payments due 20 June and 20 November (new students pay at registration for their first installment). - Bus fees, building maintenance fee and Family Community membership fee are billed in full with the first tuition invoice and are not divided for mid‑year entry. - Mid-year entry: tuition is calculated according to the school's quarter system; attendance for any portion of a quarter requires payment of the entire quarter. - Late payment: arrears are subject to an interest/late charge of 1.20% per month, compounded monthly, on overdue accounts. Continued serious delinquency may result in suspension of attendance or withholding of transcripts/certificates. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable to the Hikarigaoka campus (campus offers day school only). One-off and other optional costs - Re-entry fees if a withdrawn student returns: JPY 100,000 (same school year); JPY 150,000 (next school year); JPY 200,000 (second school year after withdrawal); full charge thereafter. Building Development fee is charged in full on re-entry as applicable. - After-school extensions, extracurricular trips, summer school and some activity fees: charged separately and often non‑refundable; specific amounts depend on the programme and are invoiced when applicable. Refund information (key points) - Application fee, Registration fee and Building Development fee are non‑refundable. - Building Maintenance Fee and Family Community Membership Fee are refundable only if the cancellation/withdrawal notice is received by 31 July; no refund if notice is submitted after that date. - First-semester tuition (and certain support fees) may be refundable only when written cancellation/withdrawal is received by 31 July; after that date refunds are generally not provided. Specific refund calculations and administrative deductions may apply. - Leave of absence: if approved by the Principal and taken by semester, 50% of tuition for the leave period will be waived; other fees are not billed for the leave term but Building Maintenance and Family Community fees are not refunded for leave taken in the second semester. Fee payment instructions and options - Fees are invoiced through the school's billing process and due by the dates shown on the invoice; the school uses a parent portal for registration and administration. Invoices specify the payment instructions and required payment method(s). - The published fee and payment documents do not list a single mandatory public credit‑card or third‑party payment channel; parents should follow the payment instructions on each invoice (payment method and bank details are provided on the invoice or via the parent portal). Notes on incidental/variable charges - Where fees are expressed as “actual cost” (for example, IB DP exam fees, Pamoja fees or certain trip costs), the exact amount is charged to participating students and may vary year to year depending on external provider charges and exchange rates. If any specific line item needs to be displayed in a different currency or formatted differently for your database, the numeric values above are provided in Japanese Yen (JPY).	Fee details 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.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Hikarigaoka Campus serves Kindergarten to Grade 9. The Early Years (K3–K5) are multi‑age; Primary Years Programme (K3–Grade 6) and Middle Years Programme (Grade 7–9) are implemented within the IB framework, and a Diploma Programme is offered across the network. The Global Leadership Diploma (GLD) provides a specialized high school pathway. The curriculum emphasizes transdisciplinary inquiry, collaborative learning, and the use of technology; after‑school extension programs support broader learning. The campus has open‑plan classrooms, a sports pitch, a pool, and a gymnasium, and serves a student body of over 570.	Curriculum details 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	Student teacher ratio —	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	Exam results —	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	Higher education progression Graduates are prepared for admission to top universities worldwide. The school offers university counseling and visits, with alumni gaining admission to leading institutions such as the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia (UBC), UCLA, UC Berkeley, King's College London, University of Warwick, Monash University, Waseda University, and Keio University.	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 Global Leadership Diploma (GLD) provides a flexible, highly customized senior school pathway with leadership coaching and a portfolio-based approach; GLD graduates earn the Aoba High School Diploma, accredited by CIS and NEASC, and are prepared for admission to universities worldwide.	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.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Annual Admissions Cycle. 2026-2027 applications are being accepted for August 2026 entry across all grades and campuses. To be considered in the first round of interviews, the online application should be completed in December 2025, with reviews taking place in January 2026. For 2025-2026, families newly entering or returning to Japan may apply for Semester 2 entry; some grades are already full, and waitlists might be considered. 2. Application Flow. Apply online by completing the form. You will receive an email from Veracross with the link to Aoba's Admissions Portal. If you do not receive the email, contact admissions. Access the Admissions Portal and complete the application checklist, which includes Applicant and Parent Information; Questionnaire; Upload of School Reports (kinder/G1 applicants should also provide if available); Teacher Recommendations (Aoba format); Medical and Childhood Immunization Records; and the Application Fee. 3. Interview and Assessment. Candidates will be invited to an online or on-campus interview. There are sometimes observation sessions or English assessments depending on the grade. The Admissions team reviews all completed applications and contacts families in January. 4. Result. Results are announced in early March. For applications outside of the key application cycle, results usually take about one week after the interview. Upon acceptance, families will be asked to complete Online Enrollment and to pay one-time Registration and Building and Development fees to secure their seat. 5. Eligibility. English is the language of instruction in all grades. Applicants who are proficient in English and who are familiar with international education systems, in particular the International Baccalaureate, stand to gain most from being admitted. Applicants who are not yet fluent in English may benefit from the elementary and middle school education with enrollment in the inclusive in-class support program. Communication with families is in English, so at least one parent/guardian should be able to communicate comfortably with school personnel in English. Visa Support: Aoba does not provide assistance with student visas. Housing Options: Aoba does not offer boarding facilities. 6. Grade Placement. The cutoff date for age placements is September 1. The applicant's birthdate is considered in placements for kindergarten to grade 1. Applicants for G2 and above are placed according to their completed or current grade level and upon consideration of individual circumstances. K2 students (Meguro campus only) may join from 18 months old; K3 students must be three years old and out of diapers before admission.	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 —	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 Some grades are already full, and waitlists might be considered. When openings arise, waitlisted families may be contacted as part of the admissions process.	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.
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