Canadian International School Tokyo vs The American School in Japan

	C Canadian International School Tokyo Tokyo, Japan	T The American School in Japan Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,600,000 - 3,100,000	Fees / year ¥2,987,000 - 3,783,000
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Canadian Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 330	Pupils 1,731
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2000	Opened 1902
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CIS Tokyo operates across three campuses in Tokyo: Osaki Main Office & Kindergarten at 5-8-20 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, and the Senior/Junior High Campus at 5-7-13 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku; Nakameguro Elementary School Campus at 1-6-1 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku. The Osaki campuses are in Shinagawa ward, while the Nakameguro campus is in Meguro ward. The campuses are well connected by Tokyo's rail network, with the Osaki campus a short walk from JR Osaki Station and the Nakameguro campus a short walk from Nakameguro Station.	Location ASIJ operates on two Tokyo campuses: the Chofu Campus at 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031, and the Early Learning Center at 6-16-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032. The Chofu Campus hosts the main school divisions, while the Early Learning Center serves nursery through kindergarten in central Tokyo. The bus system serves neighborhoods across downtown Tokyo and ASIJ provides transport as part of campus life.
Stages	Stages CIS Tokyo provides four levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School, Junior High School, and High School. The school blends a Canadian curriculum with International Baccalaureate elements in the younger years (PYP) and offers Advanced Placement options in the upper grades.	Stages ASIJ is organized into four divisions: the Early Learning Center (Nursery–Kinder), Elementary School (Kinder–5th), Middle School (6th–8th), and High School (9th–12th).
School type	School type Co-educational. It operates as a day school with no boarding facilities.	School type ASIJ is a non-profit, co-educational international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix CIS Tokyo represents more than 30 nationalities. Japanese students comprise just under 35% of the student body, about 30% come from Korea, and the remaining students come from Canada, the United States, and other countries.	Pupil nationality mix The school represents students from over 50 nationalities. American families make up about half of the student body, and roughly half of the families are bi-cultural with parents from the United States and Japan.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school offers an English Language Support Program for students needing English language development, including a program for April intake and small-group support for Grades 1-2. Counseling and student support are available, with educational assessments and liaison with external providers as needed.	Additional learning support ASIJ offers a K–12 learning support program for students with mild learning needs. Each applicant is reviewed individually to determine whether the school can support their learning needs within the curriculum.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation CIS Tokyo has no direct affiliation with a church or religion.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school day typically starts around 8:45 am. School hours are 8:45 am–3:05 pm for Kindergarten–Grade 6 and until about 3:35 pm for Grades 7–12, with five instructional blocks for K–6 and six blocks for 7–12.	School day structure At the Chofu campus, classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. The Early Learning Center schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bus service details	Bus service details There is no school bus service. CIS is within walking distance of Osaki Station and Nakameguro Station, and students commonly use public transit or walk to campus.	Bus service details ASIJ operates a transportation system with 33 buses serving about 276 bus stops across downtown Tokyo. About 1,300 riders use the buses daily. The fleet includes GPS tracking, two-way radios, iPhones, seat belts, and 170 bus monitors. Parents may ride the bus to school for events at no charge.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details One-time enrollment fees (non-refundable) - Registration Fee (Kindergarten & EIC): JPY 300,000. - Registration Fee (Grade 1–Grade 12): JPY 300,000. - Building Development Fee (applies for Grade 1–Grade 12 at enrolment): JPY 600,000. Annual tuition and building maintenance (2025–2026 school year) - Kindergarten (K4 & K5) - Tuition: JPY 2,350,000 per year. - Building Maintenance Fee: JPY 250,000 per year. - Annual total (tuition + building maintenance): JPY 2,600,000. - Grade 1–Grade 5 - Tuition: JPY 2,650,000 per year. - Building Maintenance Fee: JPY 250,000 per year. - Annual total (tuition + building maintenance): JPY 2,900,000. - Grade 6–Grade 8 - Tuition: JPY 2,750,000 per year. - Building Maintenance Fee: JPY 250,000 per year. - Annual total (tuition + building maintenance): JPY 3,000,000. - Grade 9–Grade 12 - Tuition: JPY 2,850,000 per year. - Building Maintenance Fee: JPY 250,000 per year. - Annual total (tuition + building maintenance): JPY 3,100,000. - EIC (K5 and Grade 1): Tuition amount shown as "Inquiry" (no published number on the fee schedule). Per-term / installment information (billing cadence) - Tuition and fees are billed on an annual basis for the September 2025 to June 2026 school year; families are required to pay tuition and fees prior to or at the beginning of each school year. An installment plan is available in some cases. - The school offers payment in two installments with a handling charge of JPY 35,000. Assuming an equal two-part split of the published annual total and allocation of half the handling charge to each installment (this is an inferred arithmetic split for illustration only), the approximate two-installment amounts would be: - Kindergarten (K4 & K5): ~JPY 1,317,500 per installment (JPY 1,300,000 + JPY 17,500). (inferred) - Grade 1–5: ~JPY 1,467,500 per installment (JPY 1,450,000 + JPY 17,500). (inferred) - Grade 6–8: ~JPY 1,517,500 per installment (JPY 1,500,000 + JPY 17,500). (inferred) - Grade 9–12: ~JPY 1,567,500 per installment (JPY 1,550,000 + JPY 17,500). (inferred) Note: the JPY 35,000 handling charge is published; the exact installment schedule and how the handling charge is applied are not itemized on the public fee list and are shown above as an assumed equal split for clarity. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees published are fixed for the September 2025 to June 2026 school year. - For returning students the annual school fee must be paid in full by June 10, 2025. Families must settle tuition and fees prior to, or at the beginning of, each school year unless an approved installment arrangement is in place. - Parents must submit a written withdrawal form at least one month before the intended withdrawal date; failure to submit proper notice may result in a late withdrawal fee. All outstanding tuition and fees must be paid before records are released. Boarding / residence - Canadian International School Tokyo operates as a day school with campuses in Nakameguro and Osaki; no boarding provision or boarding fees are published and boarding is not listed as part of the school's services. Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms: Official school uniform is required and must be purchased from the vendor of record. Specific uniform items and dress-code requirements are set out in the Student and Family Handbook; uniform prices are not published in the public fee schedule. Replacement or additional uniform items are an additional family cost. - Additional fees that may apply during the year include charges for extracurricular activities, school trips and excursions, special programmes, yearbooks, team jerseys, textbooks or device fees, library replacement or damage charges, school bus service (if available for a grade), school lunches, and accident/medical insurance. These items are treated as additional fees separate from published tuition and building maintenance. - Sibling discount: A sibling discount applies to annual tuition (details and eligibility are administered by the school office). Refunds and non-refundable items - One-time enrollment fees listed as "non-refundable" (Registration Fee and Building Development Fee where applicable). Annual tuition and other charges are governed by the school's enrolment and withdrawal policies; outstanding fees remain payable on withdrawal. The school's published materials identify application and registration fees as non-refundable. Withdrawal notice requirements and possible late withdrawal fees are also published. Fee payment options - Bank transfer: Payments can be made by bank transfer; the school's handbook and fee information reference bank transfer as a method for settling tuition and fees. - Credit card or other electronic payment methods are not itemized on the public fee schedule or in the Student and Family Handbook, and are not listed among the published payment instructions. Notes and important points - The amounts above are the published JPY figures for the 2025–2026 academic year and include the separate building maintenance fee where shown. - EIC tuition for K5 and Grade 1 is listed as "Inquiry" on the public fee page (no numeric figure published); families should treat that item as not published in the public schedule.	Fee details Application & one-time fees - Application fee: ¥50,000 (non-refundable). - Registration fee (seat deposit): ¥300,000 (non-refundable). - Building Maintenance Fee (one-time): ¥1,525,000 (non-refundable). - Re‑enrollment fee: described as a non‑refundable tuition deposit that secures a seat and is applied to the first tuition installment (amount not listed on the tuition summary page). Annual fees and capital assessment - Capital Assessment (annual): ¥250,000 (non-refundable). Annual tuition — amounts by year group (2025–26) - Nursery–Pre‑K: ¥2,987,000 per year. - Kinder–Grade 5: ¥3,269,000 per year. - Grade 6–8: ¥3,425,000 per year. - Grade 9–12: ¥3,533,000 per year. (These tuition amounts are refundable as noted by the school's published schedule.) Per‑term / billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and fees (except the application fee) are due in full upon receipt of the school's invoice. Individuals paying from personal funds may request an installment plan through the Accounting Office; corporations/organizations are not eligible for the installment option. A carrying charge applies to installment arrangements. - Tuition and other fees are payable by bank transfer only. Application fees may be paid by credit card or bank transfer. All payments are accepted in Japanese yen. The billing office email provided for payment enquiries and invoice requests is billing@asij.ac.jp. - For students enrolled after the school year starts, tuition and bus fees are calculated based on academic quarters; attendance for any portion of a quarter requires payment for the entire quarter. Delinquent accounts can result in prohibition from class attendance and/or withholding of grades, transcripts, or other records. Per‑term amounts / instalments (note on availability of detailed schedule) - The publicly posted tuition page lists the annual totals above and explains billing, instalment eligibility and quarter‑based proration for late enrollment. A detailed Schedule of Tuition & Fees is provided by the school and itemises invoice and instalment amounts; the tuition page links to that schedule for the full, itemised per‑term breakdown. The tuition page itself does not display every per‑term numeric split directly in the summary text. Transportation (bus) fees - Annual regular bus service fee: ¥390,000 per student. The bus fee may be prorated on a quarter basis if necessary. ASIJ is not obligated to provide bus service if a family's housing location is outside existing routes. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. ASIJ operates two campuses (Early Learning Center and the Chofu campus) as a day school for nursery through high school students. Other costs and typical additional charges - Travel programs and curricular/co‑curricular trips: most trip costs are the responsibility of families; costs vary by trip and will be published with payment deadlines. Certain exceptions (e.g., Grade 5 trip, Middle School Extended Campus Program and some High School Exploration Program trips) are noted as school exceptions. - Food services: on‑campus hot meal program and other food services at the Chofu Campus are charged separately; an optional lunch delivery service is available at the Early Learning Center. Menu pricing is published with the food program information. - Technology requirements: students in Grades 3–5 are required to have an iPad; students in Grades 6–12 are required to have a MacBook (specifications and purchase details are provided by the school). - Uniforms are not listed as a mandatory school charge on the tuition/fees summary; no compulsory uniform fee is published on the tuition page. Refund information - To be eligible for a refund of tuition and bus fees for any full academic quarter during which the student will not attend, parents must notify the school in writing of the student's last expected day of attendance. That written notification must be received by the first day of classes in August (if withdrawing during the first semester) or by the first day of the second semester (if withdrawing during the second semester). Tuition and bus fee refunds are calculated on the quarter basis described above. Fee payment options - Currency accepted: Japanese yen. - Application fee: acceptable by credit card or bank transfer. - Tuition and other recurring fees: bank transfer only. - Invoice and detailed payment instructions are issued by the school's billing office; families may request information about the installment program from the Accounting/Billing Office (a carrying charge applies).
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 Canadian International School Tokyo (CIS Tokyo) delivers a Prince Edward Island (PEI)–based Canadian curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12 and is PEI-accredited and WASC-accredited; the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered for Kindergarten to Grade 5. In the Primary Years, CIS Tokyo uses the IB PYP framework with six transdisciplinary units per year (Pre-K has four Units of Inquiry) and a Grade 5 Exhibition, with instruction aligned to PEI curriculum guides. In Junior High and High School, the program includes a Canadian secondary program plus Advanced Placement (AP); current AP courses include Calculus AB, English, World History, Chemistry and Physics B, with additional AP options and AP Diploma pathways. English is the language of instruction for all Canadian-curriculum courses; Japanese language study begins in Grade 1 with two hours per week and increases to four hours per week for Grades 10–12; there is no language support for students in Grades 9–12. The school operates across three campuses—Osaki Campus (Headquarters and Kindergarten), Osaki Campus (Junior High and High School), and Nakameguro Campus (Elementary School)—with a September–June school year.	Curriculum details The American School in Japan (ASIJ) offers an English-language, American-style curriculum from the Early Learning Center through Grade 12, operating on two Tokyo campuses. The Elementary School (ages five to 11) emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy with social-emotional development and inquiry-based learning aligned to the school's Portrait of a Learner competencies. The Middle School (grades 6–8) provides a broad, hands-on program with daily Advisory and an Approaches to Learning framework, plus exposure to language, humanities, science, math, arts, and electives and regular extended-campus experiences. The High School (grades 9–12) leads to an ASIJ diploma requiring four years and 22 credits, and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses (including the AP Capstone Diploma), with opportunities for concurrent enrollment via Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) and a personalized pathway through the IMPACT program. For the Class of 2026 and beyond, graduation requirements increase to 24 credits, with Wellness: Physical Education & Health and new elements such as Design and Innovation and digital-literacy components replacing or augmenting prior offerings.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	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 1. Determine eligibility and grade placement. CIS Tokyo uses age-based placements with a December 31 cutoff; the Age Appropriation for 2026–2027 shows the exact age bands and birth date ranges for Kindergarten through Grade 12. All applicants must apply for the grade that matches their age, and exceptions may be made at the Head of School's discretion, including offering a start in a lower grade if the screening indicates it is necessary. At least one parent must be a functional English speaker to communicate with CIS staff. 2. Prepare the grade-specific application package. For Kindergarten (K4 and K5), required documents include the Application for Admissions, a Confidential Teacher Recommendation, a Student Health Record, proof of birth, one photo, and 2 years of school transcripts if available; you must also provide proof of payment of the 35,000 yen application fee. The Kindergarten admission procedure also lists an assessment format and confirms these documents are part of the assessment package. For other grades, the process hinges on screening and testing (MAP Test for English and Math, plus a short English essay) and a family interview. 3. Download and submit the application package. The Admissions page provides links to the grade-specific forms and directs submission to the Admissions Office. Applications are accepted year-round, subject to seat availability. 4. Pay the application fee and attach payment proof. The standard application fee is 35,000 yen and must be paid by bank transfer; include the payment slip with the application submission. The 35,000-yen fee is non-refundable and is referenced on the Application Fee document. 5. Undergo grade-appropriate assessments. For KG, assessments include home-based worksheets (Part I) and a family interview with an English-speaking parent (Part II). For Elementary through High School, admission depends on performing the MAP Test (English and Mathematics) and completing a short essay in English, followed by a family interview with a CIS administrator. These assessments determine readiness for CIS's Canadian curriculum and language expectations. 6. Receive admission decisions. Admission decisions are communicated in writing by email and postal mail; accepted applicants receive an acceptance letter, registration information, and an invoice. The seat is guaranteed once the registration fee is paid, after which families receive further registration details. 7. Submit registration and secure the seat. After acceptance, the school issues an invoice for the registration fee and related enrollment charges; payment confirms the seat. The 2025–2026 fee structure shows the Registration Fee (300,000 yen) and Building Development Fee (600,000 yen) as one-time charges, with tuition and other annual fees payable on schedule. 8. Complete enrollment and begin at CIS. Enrollment completes once fees are settled and the student is registered; the annual tuition varies by grade (Kindergarten 2,350,000 yen; Grade 1–5 2,650,000 yen; Grade 6–8 2,750,000 yen; Grade 9–12 2,850,000 yen) with an annual Building Maintenance Fee of 250,000 yen. Returning students may pay in two installments with a 35,000 yen handling charge, and a sibling discount may apply. Fees for the 2025–2026 year are fixed for the period, and withdrawal policies require notice in advance. 9. Note about grade placement options. A student may be offered to start one grade lower than the expected level based on screening results and at the Principal's discretion; age eligibility and the official age appropriation table guide final placement. This reinforces that placement decisions can reflect both academic readiness and language proficiency.	Admissions Step 1: Inquiry and open houses. The process starts with submitting the ASIJ INQUIRY FORM to share your family's needs and educational goals. Completing the inquiry gives you access to register for Open House sessions at ASIJ's campuses. Open House dates for the 2025–26 school year include October 2 and 16, November 6 and 13, and December 4 in 2025, with additional sessions in January and February 2026; pre-registration is required and space is limited. Step 2: Create an admission portal account and begin the online application. After submitting the inquiry, you will receive guidance to open an application account (Veracross) to start the online application. Within the portal you will see a checklist and can begin the Online Application Form, then submit the required items on the Admission Portal. Applications for the 2026–27 school year open in November 2025, and the portal supports multiple applicants for a family, though you should sign up for only ONE child to avoid duplicates. Step 3: Submit required documents on the Admission Portal. The required items vary by grade but typically include school reports or transcripts when available, and confidential teacher recommendations. Recommendations in languages other than English are acceptable, though English is preferred, and translations may be requested at your expense. You may also need mid-year report cards for certain grades; the admissions portal guides you on exactly what to upload for Nursery–Kindergarten through Grade 1. Step 4: Initial review and possible screening. There is no general entrance examination. The Admissions team reviews school reports, test scores, and recommendations, and may request academic, English, or other screening prior to a decision. The process focuses on alignment with ASIJ's philosophy, diversity balance, resource availability, and the school's English-medium education requirement. Local and overseas applicants are both considered during this review. Step 5: Admissions decision timeline. Admissions decisions typically begin in late February or early March and continue through the summer. Decisions consider how well the family's educational goals align with ASIJ's approach, as well as current seat availability and the school's ability to support the applicant. Both local and overseas applicants are evaluated within this timeline. Step 6: Offer, acceptance, and enrollment. If admitted, families receive an admissions decision and must respond to secure a seat. To finalize enrollment, the non-refundable Registration Fee of ¥300,000 is due, and the seat is reserved for the first day of school; additional annual fees and tuition apply as outlined below. Annual fees include Capital Assessment of ¥250,000 (non-refundable) and Building Maintenance Fee of ¥1,525,000 (non-refundable). 2025–26 tuition is ¥2,987,000 for Nursery–Pre-K, ¥3,269,000 for Kindergarten–Grade 5, ¥3,425,000 for Grades 6–8, and ¥3,533,000 for Grades 9–12. Bus service is available for ¥390,000 per year, with pricing for trips, meals, and technology requirements published in advance. Tuition and fees are due upon receipt of the invoice in Japanese yen; personal installment plans may be available. Corporate Contribution Program offers a way for participating organizations to sponsor educational benefits, potentially reducing the net cost to families through corporate funding and scholarships funded by the program. Step 7: Language and campus logistics. One or both parents must be fluent in English to ensure effective communication and support for the child's education; English is the medium for all ASIJ communications. If language support is needed, ASIJ provides programs for language learners in Grades 1–8. Kindergarten is offered at two campuses—ELC in Roppongi and K–12 in Chofu—and applicants should indicate their campus preference during the application. ASIJ also notes mid-year transfer considerations, with the school year running August to June and certain transfer rules for families already in Tokyo.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships: CIS Tokyo does not publish a scholarships program on its admissions or fees pages. The fees page lists tuition and other charges and notes a sibling discount and payment options, but there is no mention of scholarship or financial-aid offerings. For families seeking financial assistance, scholarships do not appear to be publicly offered.	Scholarships ASIJ does not offer scholarships or need-based financial aid for new applicants. The admissions page states clearly that new applicants are not eligible for scholarships or financial aid. The school does offer a Corporate Contribution Program, which allows participating corporations to donate to ASIJ to fund corporate scholarships for dependents of employees; this program can influence admissions decisions as part of consideration of overall enrollment. ASIJ also maintains a Financial Aid Endowment fund with various named funds that support financial aid in general, though specific award processes and eligibility are not detailed publicly. Families should consider corporate sponsorship options if applicable and note that donor-funded financial support exists as part of the school's long-term financial structure.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waitlist/Pool: CIS Tokyo does not publish a formal waitlist or pool system in its admissions materials. Admissions are year-round and depend on current seat availability at each grade level. Applicants are notified of admission after screening, and seats are allocated based on space rather than a numbered waiting list. There is no publicly posted waitlist policy.	Waitlist ASIJ does not publish a formal waitlist or pool system on its admissions materials. Admissions decisions are driven by seat availability and the school's stated criteria, including alignment with ASIJ's philosophy, diversity goals, and resource capacity. Mid-year transfers are subject to seat availability and campus policies, and local applicants may face timing constraints due to the August–June school year. In practice, families may need to plan around the annual admissions cycle (with decisions typically issued from late February through the summer) rather than a published waitlist.
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