Axis International School vs KA International School

	A Axis International School Tokyo, Japan	K KA International School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥1,947,330 - 3,001,350	Fees / year ¥2,249,000 - 2,503,333
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 30	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 8	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2003	Opened 2006
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Axis International School is located in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, Japan. The main campus address is Kichijoji Nanai Building, 1-35-14 Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-0004. The preschool operates in Mitaka, with directions available from Mitaka Station; the main campus is reachable from Kichijoji Station, with walking directions provided for visitors.	Location KA International School operates across three campuses in Tokyo, Japan. The Early Learning Center is near Sakurashinmachi Station in Setagaya (158-0081). The Elementary and Middle School share the Nakane campus in Meguro (1-6-8 Nakane, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0031), and the High School is located at Kami-Osaki (3-10-60 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021). The campuses are well connected by Tokyo's rail network, providing convenient access from central Tokyo.
Stages	Stages Axis International School provides elementary, junior high, and high school. A separate Axis Preschool serves younger children, establishing an age range from preschool through high school.	Stages KAIS offers Early Learning for ages 3–5, followed by Elementary and Middle School on one campus, and a separate High School campus for Grades 9–12. The Early Learning Center serves Pre-K and Kindergarten; Elementary & Middle School span the lower and middle years on the same site, with the High School on a different site catering to older students.
School type	School type Axis International School is a private international program delivering a complete American-style curriculum in English through Griggs International Academy; a preschool program is offered as well. The school emphasizes a full academic pathway from elementary to high school, with a dedicated ESL option for language support.	School type KAIS is a private international day school serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. It operates across three campuses to accommodate different age groups and does not list boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Foreign-national students represent about 52% of the student body. Nationalities include 48% Japanese, 10% American, 12% Chinese, 4% Ghana, 2% German, 4% Indian, 12% Korean, 2% Lithuanian, 2% Malaysian, 2% Filipino, 2% Singaporean, 2% British, and 2% Ukrainian.	Pupil nationality mix KAIS represents a broad mix of nationalities, with approximately 20–25 nationalities represented. The most common nationality is Japanese, and the local to international student ratio is around 1:1.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Language support is provided through an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. ESL is designed for non-native English speakers and is limited to about 10% of the student body; applicants are assessed to determine English readiness before placement.	Additional learning support KAIS provides a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program to support student wellbeing. Published information on a dedicated SEN (Special Educational Needs) department or learning needs specialist is not listed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The curriculum is based on the Griggs International Academy program and aligned with U.S. standards (Maryland State Education Department) through Griggs; official grades come from Griggs, USA. This establishes a U.S.-aligned framework for Axis's diplomas and coursework.	Country affiliation KAIS has no formal country affiliation listed; it operates as an independent private international school with international accreditation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Axis has no formal religious affiliation; Bible study is included as part of the program, with younger students covering Bible stories and older students engaging in Bible-related discussions.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed or stated for KAIS.
School day structure	School day structure The school day begins at 9:00 AM, with 9:30 AM as the main instructional start. There is a short break around 10:50–11:00 AM, lunch from 12:00–1:00 PM, and dismissal at 2:50 PM. Preschool daily routines start earlier (opening at 8:30 AM, with a typical end-of-day around 6:00 PM for those on the bus).	School day structure The school day timings vary by campus. Elementary & Middle School typically begin around 8:40–9:00 and finish around 15:45 on most days (14:45 on Wednesdays), while High School typically finishes around 16:00 on most days (15:15 on Wednesdays).
Bus service details	Bus service details Axis offers a school bus service with a monthly fee for morning and afternoon transportation (JPY 32,400). The preschool program notes that some students are picked up by the bus, with a final pick-up around 5:30 PM.	Bus service details KAIS does not offer a school bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Entrance Fees - Preschool entrance fee: JPY 330,000. - Grade 1–12 entrance fee: JPY 550,000. Annual tuition (with per-semester and per-month breakdowns) - Preschool annual tuition: JPY 1,956,000 (12‑month year). - Per semester (two semesters per academic year): JPY 978,000. - Per month: JPY 163,000. - Grade 1–12 annual tuition: JPY 2,102,100 (10‑month academic year). - Per semester (two semesters per academic year): JPY 1,051,050. - Per month (10‑month academic year basis): JPY 210,210. Other compulsory fees and academic materials - Annual building fee: JPY 200,000 (Preschool and Grade 1–12). - Textbook / material fees: - Preschool: JPY 61,080. - Grade 1–5: JPY 196,350. - Grade 6–8: JPY 244,650. - Grade 9–12: JPY 501,417. Bus service, holiday school and optional fees - Bus service (monthly rates): - Morning only: JPY 21,400. - Afternoon only: JPY 21,400. - Morning and afternoon: JPY 42,800. - Spring / Summer school (per day): - Axis students: JPY 10,815 per day. - Non-Axis students: JPY 12,600 per day. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school operates two semesters per academic year: 1st Semester 01 Sept – 19 Dec and 2nd Semester 05 Jan – 30 Jun. All fees must be paid, or a payment plan put in place, 30 days before each semester begins. Fees are therefore billed on a per‑semester basis unless an approved payment plan is agreed. Family and other discounts - Family tuition discount: 10% discount for the second enrolled child. - Third child discount: 50% tuition discount for a third enrolled child where there is no company assistance and all other fees JPY 0 (conditions apply). - Diplomat discount: consumption tax is waived for eligible diplomats. Boarding - Boarding is not listed; no boarding fees are published for Axis International School. Uniform and other incidental costs - A specific uniform fee is not published on the school's fee schedule. Textbook/material fees (listed above) are published; other incidental costs such as uniforms, extracurricular clubs, overseas trip participation or special activity charges are not detailed in the published fee table. These items should be treated as potentially additional costs. Refunds - A refund policy is not published in the school's fee schedule. No specific refund terms or procedures are listed with the fee information. Fee payment options - The published fee information does not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.). For payment method details and to arrange payment plans, contact the school directly by phone or email.	Fee details Application fee - The school's application is free; there is no separate application charge to start an enrollment application. One‑time enrollment / registration and maintenance fees - Enrollment (registration) fee (one‑time): ¥350,000. - Building maintenance fee (one‑time): ¥300,000. Grade 8 families matriculating into the high school pay a reduced building maintenance fee of ¥200,000 and are not required to re‑pay the enrollment fee. Registration and building maintenance fees are charged once upon registration. Annual tuition by year group (amounts shown are annual tuition) - Pre‑K to Grade 2: Annual tuition ¥2,094,358. - Grades 3–8: Annual tuition ¥2,144,358. - Grades 9–12: Annual tuition ¥2,260,659. Materials and trip/event fees (annual / per‑year additions listed separately from tuition) - Materials fee (Pre‑K to Grade 8): ¥154,642. - Materials fee (Grades 9–12): ¥242,674. - Trip & event fee (Pre‑K to Grade 8): ¥40,000. - Trip & event fee (Grades 9–12): ¥96,800. Tax and refund policy - Annual tuition amounts include 10% tax. - All fees are stated as non‑refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published as an annual amount. Registration and building maintenance fees are one‑time payments charged on registration. Specific published per‑term billing amounts or a published billing schedule (for example, semester or term invoices) are not provided in the publicly available fee schedule. Boarding - Boarding is not listed as part of the school's fee schedule; no boarding fees are published. The school operates as separate Early Learning / Elementary & Middle and High School day campuses. Other costs and typical additional charges - The fee schedule lists materials and trip/event fees above; other typical costs (for example: optional extracurriculars, uniforms, instrument hire, extra‑curricular trips beyond the standard trip/event fee, external examination fees, or lunch) are not broken out in the published summary fee page. The published schedule therefore should be taken as the core items explicitly specified: annual tuition, enrollment fee, building maintenance fee, materials fee, and trip/event fee. Refunds and cancellations - The published policy states that all fees are non‑refundable. No separate refund schedule for partial terms or mid‑year withdrawals is published in the public fee summary. Fee payment options and contact for billing - Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, online payment portals, etc.) are not listed in the public fee summary. For billing queries and to confirm acceptable payment methods and invoicing procedures, use the school's admissions / contact channels (telephone numbers and admissions email provided for each campus). Summary of findings and missing details - The published fee information provides: annual tuition by grade band, one‑time enrollment and building maintenance fees, materials fees, and trip/event fees, together with the statements that annual tuition includes 10% tax and that all fees are non‑refundable. - The published information does not provide per‑term invoice amounts or a detailed public billing schedule (for example, exact term installments, due dates, or explicit payment methods). No boarding fees are published because boarding is not provided. For any required per‑term figures, installment amounts, exact due dates, or accepted payment channels, those specific items are not published in the fee summary and must be confirmed directly with the school's admissions/finance contacts.
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 Axis International School offers a full English-language curriculum for elementary through high school based on the Griggs International Academy program, with official grades issued by Griggs, USA. All full-time students study Bible, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, with elementary students also studying Handwriting, Music, and Spelling. High school students may enroll in dual-credit classes if their GPA is at least 3.0, enabling up to one year of college credit; AP is offered but does not grant college credit, and the IB program is not used for college credit. Assessments include annual Stanford standardized tests for Grades 4–12, and the most recent high school class achieved an SAT average of 1340 with a GPA of 3.89. Preschool features a customized age-appropriate curriculum with emphasis on language development, music, art, science, and field trips, with small class sizes. The school operates with a low student-to-teacher ratio (about 1:8) and prepares graduates for American university pathways.	Curriculum details KA International School (KAIS) in Tokyo serves Pre-K through Grade 12, delivering an English-language curriculum supplemented by a Japanese language program. In Middle School (Grades 5–8), Language Arts follows American Common Core Standards, Mathematics uses Singapore Math (Math in Focus) aligned to CCSS, Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Social Studies emphasizes global themes; a Japanese language track, Physical Education, Differentiated Labs using i-Ready, and a Social Awareness program support holistic development with project-based learning and elective Wednesdays. High School (Grades 9–12) offers Advanced Placement and Honors courses to drive university preparation, with a Mastery and Challenge ethos and opportunities to build a resume and participate in leadership activities. Elementary School (Pre-K to Grade 4) focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy with a personalized approach, supported by Visible Learning and Love & Logic and an emphasis on individualized instruction. KAIS applies Visible Learning and data-driven pedagogy across the school, reinforcing high-quality teaching and ongoing reflective practice.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Low student-to-teacher ratio; small classes (about 1:8).	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results Grade 4–12 take Stanford standardized tests; the most recent high school class had an SAT average of 1340 and a GPA of 3.89; 60% of graduates go to the world's top 50 universities.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates typically continue at American universities, with potential dual-credit up to one year of college credit and transfer options to other countries; graduates have pursued programs in the US, Canada, Korea, Japan, Portugal, and Russia.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented No separate Gifted and Talented program is described in Axis International School pages.	Gifted and talented —
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 Step 1 – Eligibility: Axis International School serves elementary through high school and begins with an eligibility check to confirm the student fits the program scope. The school emphasizes strong pastoral care and a supportive environment, with the Student Services team guiding families through the application journey. Enrollment includes an assessment to determine the student's ability to complete English coursework and to confirm the appropriate grade level. If a student cannot study entirely in English, intensive private classes and a structured adjustment period are arranged, with bilingual support available to families as needed. Step 2 – Application: Families submit an application to Axis International School. The admissions materials emphasize delivering high quality education and maintaining ongoing pastoral care and support during the process, with the Student Services team assisting applicants through the application journey. After submission, the school reviews the materials to determine fit and to plan next steps in the process. There are admission forms available to complete as part of this step. Step 3 – Review Process: The admission review assesses the materials to determine whether the applicant is a good match for the school's program and community. The process is described as rigorous, with the school noting a strong reputation in its statements about the review. The outcome of this step leads to a decision about next steps for enrollment. Step 4 – Success (Offer and Enrollment): If the review is favorable, the family is welcomed into a thriving student‑led learning environment. Once admitted, families move to enrollment and fee arrangements, with payment due or a payment plan set up 30 days before each semester begins. The school operates with a 12 month year for preschool and a 10 month year for other grade levels, and offers family and diplomat discounts as described in the fee schedule.	Admissions 1. Get to know KAIS. Book a school tour or contact the admissions office for more information. Tours help families understand KAIS programs and entry points, and admissions staff can answer questions about grade levels and how to proceed. The initial visit provides insight into whether KAIS aligns with your child's needs and learning style. 2. Create an Alma Account. Start your application by creating an Alma account, KAIS's student information system. This account is used to initiate and track the enrollment process and submit documents. A properly created Alma account is required before you can begin the formal enrollment application. 3. Start Enrollment Application. Once your Alma account is created, begin the application and provide the required documentation listed below. Required documents include the admissions application (through Alma), school transcripts/records from the past two years, two reference letters from the child's current or recent Math and English teachers, and detailed information on any special educational support needs. For Pre-K or Kindergarten (ages 3-6), you must also provide a Pre-Enrollment Medical Examination form and a medical check record by your doctor every six months until entry to Grade 1. Please ensure all learning needs are fully disclosed to avoid issues. 4. Document Screening. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team. Our Admissions Director will track your progress and provide support along the way. This step ensures that KAIS understands the applicant's background and needs and helps coordinate next steps. 5. Trial Day. After reviewing all documents, we invite the student for a trial day. During the visit, the student will take placement tests in Mathematics and Language Arts to assess their level and needs. For overseas applicants, KAIS conducts an online interview instead of an in-person trial. 6. Acceptance Review and Enrollment Fees. After the trial day, KAIS educators review the child's performance to determine if KAIS is a good fit. If accepted, the family is notified by email and begins enrollment. The enrollment process includes paying the Enrollment Fee (one-time) and Building Maintenance Fee (one-time), along with Materials Fee and Trip & Event Fee as applicable to the grade. Tuition is charged on an annual basis. 7. Required Enrollment Documentation (summary). You will need to provide the admissions application (through Alma), school transcripts/records from the past two years, two reference letters from the child's current or recent Math and English teachers, and detailed information on any special educational needs. For Pre-K or Kindergarten (ages 3-6), you must also provide a Pre-Enrollment Medical Examination form and a medical check record from your doctor every six months until entry to Grade 1. Open communication about learning needs is essential to a positive enrollment experience.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships: Axis International School does not publish a merit‑based scholarship program. They do offer tuition‑related discounts, including a 10% family tuition discount for the second enrolled child and a 50% discount for a third enrolled child when there is no company assistance and all other fees are waived. A Diplomat Discount is also available, defined as a waiver of the current consumption tax. All fees are subject to change, and last update was October 1, 2025. Fees must be paid or arranged via a payment plan 30 days before each semester begins.	Scholarships KAIS International School does not publish scholarship information on its admissions pages. There is no indication of scholarship awards or an application process on the site. Families should plan on standard tuition and fees as listed.
Waitlist	Waitlist There is no published waitlist or pool policy on Axis International School's admissions materials. The available admissions steps are Eligibility, Application, Review Process, and Success, with no mention of a waiting list or waiting pool.	Waitlist KAIS International School does not publish a waitlist or pool policy on its admissions pages. There is no publicly posted waitlist process or stated priority system. If you need updated details, contact the admissions office for confirmation.
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