Christian Academy in Japan vs KA International School

	C Christian Academy in Japan Tokyo, Japan	K KA International School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,062,000 - 2,412,000	Fees / year ¥2,249,000 - 2,503,333
Age range	Age range 3 - 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 464	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 17	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1950	Opened 2006
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CAJ is located at 1-2-14 Shinkawa-cho, Higashi Kurume-shi, Tokyo 203-0013, Japan. The main CAJ campus covers about 4 acres in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Most students commute by public transportation, bicycle, or walking.	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 CAJ is a K-12 school serving kindergarten through high school. It operates a day school program and a Parallel Educational Services division for English-speaking homeschoolers.	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 CAJ is a private, co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.	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 CAJ's student body includes students from over 20 countries. The most represented nationalities are Japan, the United States, and Korea; about 33% of students have multiple nationalities.	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 CAJ admits students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for speech and language and/or specific learning disabilities, and accepts students with physical, emotional, or behavioral needs under defined conditions. Parallel Educational Services provides consultancy, resources, and programs for English-speaking homeschoolers and affiliated schools.	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 CAJ has no formal country affiliation; it is operated in Japan by six evangelical mission organizations.	Country affiliation KAIS has no formal country affiliation listed; it operates as an independent private international school with international accreditation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation CAJ is a Christian school with a Christ-centered program; chapels are attended by all students as part of spiritual life. Founding missions underpin the school's Christian identity.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed or stated for KAIS.
School day structure	School day structure Campus opens at 8:00 (9:00 on Wednesdays); classes begin at 8:30 (9:30 on Wednesdays). Elementary dismissal is at 3:30 p.m.; all students should leave campus by 5:00 p.m. unless in a supervised activity. High School runs a block-based schedule with Chapel during the day.	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 CAJ does not operate a dedicated school bus service. Students typically commute by public transportation or bicycle; passes for trains or buses can be arranged, and bicycles must be parked in designated areas with safety rules observed.	Bus service details KAIS does not offer a school bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Entrance Fees - Application fee: ¥16,000 (payable per child; non-refundable). - Testing fee: ¥11,000 (payable in advance for applicants requiring testing; non-refundable). - Entrance fee: ¥430,000 (payable before commencement once applicants are accepted; non-refundable). - Entrance EAL fee: ¥107,000 (one-off fee for new Grade 6–12 students requiring EAL support). Registration and Annual Facility Fees - Registration fee: ¥54,000 (non-refundable deposit to confirm initial enrollment and payable each May to confirm continuing enrollment). - Facilities fee (annual): ¥165,000 (non-refundable; assists with continuing development of facilities). Tuition Fees by Year Group (annual amounts) - Kindergarten and Elementary (K to G5): ¥1,845,000 per year. - Middle School (G6 to G8): ¥2,020,000 per year. - High School (G9 to G10): ¥2,165,000 per year. - High School (G11 to G12): ¥2,195,000 per year. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Annual billing: Annual fees are payable every school year before commencement unless a Deferred Payment Plan is used. - Deferred Payment Plans available: - 2-Payment Plan: non-refundable plan fee ¥6,000; two payments in August and January. The 2-payment plan applies to tuition fees only. - 10-Payment Plan: non-refundable plan fee ¥11,000; ten payments August–May. The 10-payment plan schedules Tuition, Facilities Fee, and Plan Fees across the ten payments. - Sibling discount: tuition reduced by 25% for the 3rd and 4th child after the 2nd child per family attending in the same year. - Refunds: refund of tuition fees is available by semester only, and only if the student is wholly unattended, exiting, and a 30-day notice is given. Admissions fees (application, testing, entrance, etc.) are non-refundable. - Overdue account policies: grades and transcripts may be withheld at semester break until 50% of annual tuition and fees are paid; diplomas and final transcripts withheld if accounts are not paid in full; overdue accounts can lead to loss of charging privileges or termination of enrollment. The Head of School may grant exceptions only after a written request. Per-payment Examples (derived calculations based on published annual amounts and the stated Deferred Payment Plan structures) Note: the following per-payment figures are calculated from the published annual tuition, the published facilities fee, and the stated plan fees. These per-payment numbers are presented to show how payments would break down under each plan structure. - 2-Payment Plan (tuition split into two equal installments; plan fee ¥6,000 is an additional non-refundable annual charge): - K–G5: ¥1,845,000 ÷ 2 = ¥922,500 per installment. (Plus the ¥6,000 plan fee annually.) - G6–G8: ¥2,020,000 ÷ 2 = ¥1,010,000 per installment. (Plus the ¥6,000 plan fee annually.) - G9–G10: ¥2,165,000 ÷ 2 = ¥1,082,500 per installment. (Plus the ¥6,000 plan fee annually.) - G11–G12: ¥2,195,000 ÷ 2 = ¥1,097,500 per installment. (Plus the ¥6,000 plan fee annually.) - 10-Payment Plan (ten equal monthly payments August–May; each monthly payment covers tuition, the annual facilities fee ¥165,000, and the annual plan fee ¥11,000): - K–G5: (¥1,845,000 + ¥165,000 + ¥11,000) ÷ 10 = ¥202,100 per month. - G6–G8: (¥2,020,000 + ¥165,000 + ¥11,000) ÷ 10 = ¥219,600 per month. - G9–G10: (¥2,165,000 + ¥165,000 + ¥11,000) ÷ 10 = ¥234,100 per month. - G11–G12: (¥2,195,000 + ¥165,000 + ¥11,000) ÷ 10 = ¥237,100 per month. Additional and Activity Fees - Zero Period class (7:20–8:20 am): ¥22,000 per class. - AP classes: ¥32,000 per course. - Private music lessons: ¥2,900 per half-hour (some lesson fees vary). - Co-curricular participation fees: - Elementary: ¥5,500 per after-school activity (half semester). - Middle School: ¥11,000 per sport or robotics season. - High School: ¥16,500 per sport season; ¥20,000 per robotics season. - Co-curricular tournament travel fees (indicative and subject to change): - Kanto area: ¥35,000. - Honshu: ¥45,000. - Okinawa, Korea: ¥55,000. - Guam: ¥77,000. - Food services: hot meal program and other food items available; prices vary by item. Refunds and Special Cases - Admissions fees (application, testing, entrance, etc.) are non-refundable. Refund of tuition is available only by semester under the stated conditions (student wholly unattended, exiting, and 30-day notice provided). Requests for leaves of absence of a semester or more should be made at least 30 school days before planned absence and may incur fees to guarantee a re-entry place. - Fee assistance is available for families in financial need on application. Government subsidies may be available for Grades 10–12 subject to income and application. Payment Methods and Business Office - Accepted methods: bank transfer (domestic bank transfer; include Family ID). No cash accepted. The school lists Resona Bank (Higashi Kurume, Futsu Yokin Savings) with account details for transfers. US dollar checks may be paid at the Business Office. US bank transfer is available on request. - Business Office / Cashier hours are published for payments handled in person. Overdue accounts and payment compliance are managed by the Business Office.	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 CAJ offers a K–12, English-language program based on a North American curriculum model, with Bible study integrated across grades. In middle school, the curriculum comprises five required academic subjects—English, social studies, math, science, and Bible—plus exploratory courses (art, digital tools, home economics, industrial arts) and electives such as band, choir, Japanese, Spanish, and study hall. Across the grade bands, Bible literacy, English and math foundational work are emphasized, with science and social studies exploring global contexts; younger students access art, music, world languages and PE, while older students can deepen study in academic and creative disciplines with technology integrated. Graduation requires 50 credits: 4 Bible, 8 English, 8 Social Studies, 4 Mathematics, 4 Science, 4 World Language, 4 PE/Health, 2 Creative Arts, plus electives; for the Class of 2029 and beyond, math and science credits rise to 6 each. In high school, typical schedules include seven courses plus a study hall, with AP offerings across English, World Language, Math, Science and Social Studies; Senior Capstone is required for graduation. CAJ provides world language pathways in Japanese (I–V) and Spanish (I–IV), an English as an Additional Language track, and serves as an AP exam center for CAJ students.	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 —	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 CAJ uses rolling admissions, and the school year runs from late August to early June. For April admission, CAJ strongly encourages applications before January 15 to enable timely processing, and applications submitted after May 1 may take longer due to the summer break. Parents should plan for a process that can extend through the school year and may involve conversations with the Admissions Coordinator before starting the formal steps. 1. Apply online. Complete the online application and assemble the required documents: birth certificate or passport, confidential teacher recommendation form, transcript, pastor's recommendation (if applicable), and pay the application fee. A testing fee may apply if testing is required. The admissions team reviews the complete application and notifies applicants after the review. 2. Notification of results. Once the complete application has been reviewed, applicants are notified of the outcome. This communication occurs in writing. The timing is not fixed and can depend on the overall review process. 3. Testing and interviews. Applicants who pass the initial screening are contacted to arrange any required testing and interviews. Kindergarten and Grade 1 receive a readiness test; non-native English speakers may need English language testing at any grade level; standardized test documentation is required for Grade 2 and above, and a test may be requested if documentation is unavailable. Both parents and the student are interviewed, and Skype or other digital options may be used for families outside the Tokyo area. 4. Admission decision. Decisions are based on factors including class availability, English language ability, presence of special needs, and classroom dynamics. Admission decisions are communicated in writing (email and postal mail), and most families are notified within 1–2 weeks of the testing and interview. Note on fees and timing: CAJ publishes a fee schedule in Japanese Yen, with upfront application and testing fees and post-acceptance fees such as entrance, registration, and facilities charges, plus tuition by grade level. See the General Fee Schedule for specifics.	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 CAJ offers fee assistance for families in financial need, available on application. This assistance is in addition to standard tuition and fees and requires an application process. In Grade 10–12, government subsidies may be available to eligible families, subject to income and application timing. Tax-deductible donation options are also available to support CAJ; details are provided by CAJ's admissions/financial offices.	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 CAJ operates rolling admissions, meaning there is not a published waitlist system. Admissions are accepted over an extended period, and CAJ can consider admissions during the school year in many cases. Availability depends on class size and placement needs. There is no formal waitlist described in CAJ's admissions materials.	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.
	View full profile →	View full profile →