Horizon Japan International School vs K. International School Tokyo

	H Horizon Japan International School Tokyo, Japan	K K. International School Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,690,000 - 3,140,000	Fees / year ¥2,802,000 - 3,020,000
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 (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 530	Pupils 660
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 26
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2003	Opened 1997
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Horizon Japan International School is located at 1-24 Ono-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0055, Japan. The campus sits along Yokohama's portside waterfront in central Yokohama. It is accessible from Yokohama Station via multiple JR lines (Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi, Tokaido, Yokosuka, Shonan-Shinjuku) and private rail lines (Tokyu Toyoko Minatomirai, Keikyu Main Line, Sotetsu, and the Yokohama Municipal Blue Line).	Location Location: 1-5-15 Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0021, Japan. The campus sits on the western edge of Koto-ku near the intersection of Kiyosubashi-dori and Kiyosumi-dori. It is a short walk from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station, which provides easy subway access to central Tokyo.
Stages	Stages HJIS offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum from early years through high school. The Early Years Programme (EYP) serves ages 3–5, followed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) in the upper grades.	Stages School levels follow four program stages: Primary Years Programme (K1–G5), Lower Secondary Programme (G6–G8), Edexcel International GCSE (G9–G10), and the IB Diploma Programme (G11–G12). This structure supports a continuum from early years through to pre-university study.
School type	School type HJIS is a co-educational international day school. It operates as a day school rather than a boarding institution.	School type K. International School Tokyo is a private, co-educational, non-denominational day school serving students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The student body represents over 37 nationalities. The school has more than 530 students (Preschool to Grade 12) and 22 nationalities represented among the faculty. The most represented nationality among students is not publicly disclosed.	Pupil nationality mix The school represents around 50 nationalities; the largest represented nationalities are the United States and Japan, with no single nationality dominating the student body. The exact local-to-international ratio is not publicly disclosed.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for non-native speakers from Early Years to the Diploma Programme. A Student Support & Guidance framework is in place to support learners, alongside related SEN provisions.	Additional learning support Additional learning needs (SEN) support is provided through the Learning Enhancement Academic Program (LEAP), which is designed to assist elementary students with English and Mathematics.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is stated. The school is located in Yokohama, Japan.	Country affiliation The school has no formal country affiliation; it operates as an international, non-denominational day school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated; the school welcomes students from diverse religious backgrounds.	Religious affiliation There is no religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Lunch is offered through a school lunch program (students may also bring lunch). After-school Daycare runs from 3:30 to 6:00 PM on regular school days. The School Office hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM on weekdays.	School day structure The school day typically starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m. on Mondays, and at 3:20 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday; breaks and lunch times vary by grade level.
Bus service details	Bus service details Private bus transportation is provided by a contracted bus company for an additional fee. The fleet serves a large region including most major areas of Yokohama and surrounding neighborhoods. Bus routes include Kohoku, Hiyoshi, Yokohama, and Kawasaki, with annual revisions; safety rules and a timetable are published and waitlists may apply when buses reach capacity.	Bus service details A school bus service is available for elementary students, operating on defined routes with limited seats and not guaranteed; secondary students are not eligible. Routes, stops, and fees are reviewed annually, and bus fees are invoiced three times per year.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and one-time fees - Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): JPY 30,000. - Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable; payable when a place is offered and accepted): JPY 300,000. - Building Fund (one-time, non-refundable; payable when a place is offered and accepted): JPY 600,000. Tuition fees by year group (term amounts and full academic year totals) - Early Years (Preschool / Pre-Kinder / Kindergarten): 1st term JPY 976,000; 2nd term JPY 732,000; 3rd term JPY 732,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,440,000. - Primary School (Grades 1–5): 1st term JPY 1,116,000; 2nd term JPY 837,000; 3rd term JPY 837,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,790,000. - Secondary School (Grades 6–12): 1st term JPY 1,156,000; 2nd term JPY 867,000; 3rd term JPY 867,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,890,000. Maintenance fee - Maintenance Fee (one-time contribution, non-refundable): paid across the three term payments as JPY 100,000 (1st term), JPY 75,000 (2nd term), JPY 75,000 (3rd term); total JPY 250,000. Additional fees and other recurring costs - English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support Fee (if required): 1st term JPY 200,000; 2nd term JPY 150,000; 3rd term JPY 150,000. Total when required: JPY 500,000. - Daycare service (if used; available to students up to Kindergarten): 1st term JPY 300,000; 2nd term JPY 225,000; 3rd term JPY 225,000. Total: JPY 750,000. Day-use daycare is charged at JPY 1,000 per 30 minutes. - School bus (if utilized): Round-trip – 1st term JPY 120,000; 2nd term JPY 90,000; 3rd term JPY 90,000; total JPY 300,000. One-way – 1st term JPY 85,000; 2nd term JPY 65,000; 3rd term JPY 65,000; total JPY 215,000. One-time school bus fee per ride: JPY 2,500. - IB Programme Fee (for Grade 11 and 12 candidates): annual fee JPY 150,000. - Annual PTA Fee: JPY 5,000. - Expenses not included in tuition (paid separately by parents): PE uniforms, classroom supplies, cafeteria/lunch services, after-school activities (ASPs), activity-related travel and expedition/overnight trip costs, technology devices (iPad for Grades 1–4; MacBook for Grades 5–12) and any optional extracurricular fees. - Sibling discounts: 20% discount on tuition for the second child; 30% discount on tuition for the third child. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard term due dates: 1st term payment due June 5; 2nd term payment due October 5; 3rd term payment due February 20. - Tuition may be paid in three scheduled installments aligned to the term due dates. - Payments for admissions-related one-time fees and the first-term tuition must be paid at admissions (new-student invoice payment is required within one week of admission notification). - The school uses an automatic withdrawal system for tuition and other school-related payments; payments are processed via bank arrangements and are automatically withdrawn on the scheduled dates (June 5, October 5, February 20). Admissions, Building Fund, Registration Fees and the first term school fees should be made by bank transfer during the admissions process. The school does not accept cash or credit card payments for tuition and fees. Note: the application fee can be paid by credit card via the online admissions portal or by bank transfer. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed. Uniforms and related costs - The school requires a uniform; uniform items (including PE uniform) are additional costs paid by parents and are ordered through the school's uniform ordering process. PE uniform and other uniform items are not included in tuition and are charged separately. Refund and withdrawal information - Application, Registration and Building Fund fees are one-time and non-refundable. - Tuition and maintenance fees are non-refundable. The school will not reimburse payments for a current term because of a student's absences, suspension or expulsion. In the event of natural disasters or adverse weather conditions resulting in school cancellations, no refunds will be provided for affected days. Tuition and fees are not transferable to another student. - Withdrawal procedure requires completion before the last day of the next term's tuition payment deadline; official transcripts and records are released only after all financial obligations are met. Late enrollment requires payment for the entire term even if attendance is for only part of the term. Fee payment instructions and bank information (methods) - Accepted payment method for ongoing tuition and term payments: automatic bank withdrawal / bank transfer. Parents are responsible for any bank transaction fees and charges. - Admissions, Building Fund and Registration Fees and the first term school fees should be paid by bank transfer during the admissions process; subsequent scheduled payments are processed by automatic withdrawal from the bank account arranged by the family. - The school does not accept cash or credit card for tuition and fees; the application fee may be paid by credit card through the online admissions portal or by bank transfer.	Fee details Application fees - Application Fee: JPY 30,000 (non-refundable). Payment of the application fee is required at the time of application and should be made by bank transfer; bank transfer charges are the responsibility of the sender. One-time enrollment and capital fees (first-time enrollees) - Enrollment Fee (one-time): JPY 300,000 (re‑enrollments within three years are charged a reduced rate of JPY 60,000). - Capital Fee (one-time): JPY 700,000 (re‑enrollments within three years are charged a reduced rate of JPY 140,000). Tuition fees (annual) by year group - K1–K3: JPY 3,020,000 per year. - Grades 1–9: JPY 2,850,000 per year. - Grades 10–12: JPY 2,970,000 per year. Tuition fees (installment / per-term breakdown — installment payment option) - Payment may be made in three installments by bank transfer. For new enrollments the instalment schedule and amounts (tuition portion shown) are: - K1–K3: 1st instalment JPY 1,208,000; 2nd JPY 906,000; 3rd JPY 906,000. - Grades 1–9: 1st instalment JPY 1,140,000; 2nd JPY 855,000; 3rd JPY 855,000. - Grades 10–12: 1st instalment JPY 1,188,000; 2nd JPY 891,000; 3rd JPY 891,000. - With the instalment option, full payment of the other general fees (enrollment fee, capital fee, building maintenance fee and Community Association fee) is required with the first instalment. - Standard instalment due dates for continuing families (second year of enrollment onward): 1st instalment due May 15; 2nd instalment due September 15; 3rd instalment due December 15. For certain new‑entry intake periods the school uses alternative due dates (for example specific March/September/December dates shown for new enrollments). Building maintenance and family fees - Building Maintenance Fee (annual, all grades): JPY 200,000. (This fee may be reduced for students first enrolling from April.) - Community Association (CA) Fee (per family, annual): JPY 2,000. Other costs and optional fees - Camp Fees: Students in Grades 5, 7, 9 and 11 attend camps; camp fees vary by destination and are invoiced with the first payment instalment. - Program Progression Fee (Grades 1, 6, 9 and 11): JPY 5,000 at the time of progression. - School bus service (optional, elementary only): JPY 110,000–JPY 440,000 per year; seats are limited and routes/stops are set by the school. - School uniform: A uniform (summer and winter formal sets plus PE uniform) is required for all grade levels; uniform costs are charged separately. Textbooks: some are included in tuition but certain textbooks must be purchased by families; school lunches and optional services are invoiced separately. Handling of late payments - Overdue invoice handling fee: JPY 3,000 per invoice. The handling fee is not charged if the Accounts Department has been informed in advance by e-mail of an expected delay. Refund information - The Application Fee and the Enrollment Fee are non‑refundable. - Tuition and other general fees paid at the time of initial enrollment (capital fee, building maintenance fee, CA fee) will be refunded in full if enrollment is cancelled by e‑mail prior to the first day of school (Japan Standard Time). Information on refunds for other school fees is provided to families after enrollment. Boarding fees - K. International School Tokyo is a day school for ages 3–18 and does not operate boarding facilities; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms (summary) - The school year begins in mid‑August and is organized into two semesters (Aug–Dec and Jan–Jun). School fees may be paid as a lump sum (annual payment) or split into three instalments by bank transfer. For new enrollments the initial instalment is due as indicated in the offer of enrollment (initial instalment deadlines vary by intake); for continuing families instalments are due May 15, September 15 and December 15. Where applicable, all other general fees (enrollment, capital, building maintenance and CA fee) are payable with the first instalment. Fee payment options and bank details (payment method) - Payments of school fees (application and tuition) are by bank transfer. Bank transfer details for application fee payment (Mizuho Bank) and instruction that transfers must be in Japanese yen and include the applicant's name are provided in admissions documentation and invoices; bank transfer charges are the responsibility of the sender. (For the most used fee line items above, the school's Admissions Handbook provides full line‑by‑line details, instalment tables, and additional items such as optional service fees and the conditions that apply to mid‑year enrollments, re‑enrollments and discounts.)
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 HJIS offers an IB Continuum from Early Years through Grade 12, including the Early Years Programme (EYP), Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Instruction is in English, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to ensure full access to the curriculum. The Diploma Programme follows the IB framework with six subject groups and a DP core to prepare students for higher education. The school holds accreditations as an IB World School and is accredited by CIS, WASC, and ECIS. The program emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global citizenship across all grade levels.	Curriculum details K. International School Tokyo offers a K-12 program built on the International Baccalaureate framework, with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for K1 to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11 and 12. In Grades 9–10, the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE pathway is available as an additional qualification option alongside the IB track. Instruction is provided in English and Japanese, with English used across the curriculum. The school holds CIS accreditation and was reaccredited in June 2024, confirming international standards. The learning approach is inquiry-based, emphasizing knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action across transdisciplinary units.
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 Step 1 – Gather the documents. Collect the items listed in the admissions guidance: Academic Records for applicants in Grade 1–12; Proof of payment of the application fee of 30,000 JPY; a scan of the student's passport or birth certificate for birth-date verification; photos of the student and guardian(s); a guarantee letter from the employer if the company will pay school fees; and any individualized learning plan (ILP) or other supporting documents. This collection ensures the admissions team has complete material to begin with and supports a smooth review. The documents are used to determine eligibility and placement, and to facilitate the review of the application package. Step 2 – Submit your application. Submit the online application and complete all checklist items in your account. The online submissions are routed through the school's admissions portal, and submitting the form triggers the review process once all required documents are received. This step marks the transition from document gathering to formal review. Step 3 – Submission Review. After online submission, the child may be invited for an interview and a placement assessment. The placement assessment helps determine the appropriate class placement and whether English as an Additional Language (EAL) support or other specialized assistance is required. The outcome of the assessment informs next steps and potential supports. Step 4 – Application Decision. Following the assessment and review of prior school records, the school decides whether the child may register. Families are notified by email as soon as possible of the outcome, and the actual registration occurs at this stage if a place is offered. This decision ties together assessment results, records, and space availability. Step 5 – Enrollment Begins. The admissions office determines the first day of the school, and a family orientation may be organized if applicable. A WIDA test for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners will be conducted as part of the enrollment process. Enrollment activities culminate in the start of the new school term.	Admissions 1. Read the KIST Admissions Handbook. The handbook outlines admissions policies, application procedures and school fees, and all applicants are expected to read it thoroughly before applying. This is the foundational document for the process and context for every step that follows. 2. Confirm availability, especially if you are applying outside the main intake. For applications outside the main intake periods, contact the KIST Admissions Office by email to confirm whether there is space before submitting an application. When checking availability, provide your child's date of birth, the nationalities of both parents at birth, the child's current grade (if applicable), the grade you wish to apply for, and your child's general English level. 3. Pay the application fee (non-refundable) by bank transfer. Include your child's name in the transfer to ensure proper identification. Bank transfer fees are the sender's responsibility, and the fee may be quoted in yen or converted to yen for international transfers. 4. Prepare supporting documents. Gather documents required for your child's grade level and upload them with the application, plus arrange any documents that must come directly from your child's current school. Examples include birth certificates or passports, school reports, and any grade-specific references or statements. 5. Submit the online application form. Complete the Application for Admission through the online system; information must be entered by a parent or guardian. Ensure you select the correct school year and that you are entering data in English, as the forms are designed for English submission. 6. Application screening. The school screens completed applications and supporting documents to determine eligibility. This screening typically takes about one week, though it can take longer during peak intake periods (April/August main intake). 7. Notification of screening result. Screening results are sent to applicants by email. Unsuccessful applicants cannot proceed to the next stage, and the application fee is non-refundable in that case. 8. Admissions testing and interviews. Applicants who pass the screening will receive an email invitation specifying the date and time for admissions testing; a parent interview follows for those who pass the testing stage. Invitations are issued at least about one week in advance. 9. Notification of final result. After testing and interviews, the admissions panel makes a decision and typically sends the final result by email within about one week after the last testing/interview component, except during the main August/September intake periods. 10. Payment of school fees and securing a place. Successful applicants are required to pay the non-refundable enrollment fee and other applicable school fees by the due date to secure placement in the class. Fees include the enrollment fee, capital fee, tuition, and other charges as outlined in the admissions materials. The exact fee schedule is provided in the Admissions Handbook and associated documentation. 11. Additional details for timing and documents. The main intake is August, with occasional admissions from January or April if space allows. Applications outside main intake are processed on a rolling basis and scheduled for testing on Thursday mornings when possible; you will be added to the next available schedule. The online application and most supporting documents must be submitted in English. 12. Required documents and explicit submission rules. All applications must be submitted in English, with the required documents uploaded through the online system, and some documents sent directly to the Admissions Office as applicable. The process requires proof of identity, photos, and appropriate school references or statements for certain grades. 13. Contact and inquiries. If you have questions about admissions, you can reach the Admissions Office during posted hours (Mon–Fri) and the general inquiries line is posted in the contact details.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships are available through the Corporate Contribution Plan. Scholarships are granted to students whose parents are employed by companies that participate in this plan. Detailed information about eligibility and how to apply is provided by the Business Office. Families interested in this option should contact the Business Office for further information.	Scholarships KIST publishes a scholarship option for academically gifted students who require 100% tuition coverage and housing arrangements if necessary. This program is noted in external summaries of KIST fees and scholarships, indicating that such a full-tuition scholarship plus housing may be available to qualifying students. Details about eligibility, application timing, and housing arrangements are not fully published in the accessible materials; interested families should inquire with Admissions for the current year's scholarship process and criteria. The school also notes that tuition and related fees are not funded by the Japanese government and that tuition is adjusted annually; the general policy and the existence of a scholarship option are described in the Admissions Handbook and related summaries.
Waitlist	Waitlist Horizon Japan International School uses a rolling admissions policy with a space-available basis. Applications are reviewed and considered as spaces open up, and there is no published waitlist system; families are typically informed by email if a place becomes available or if further steps are required. This approach means that admissions can occur at various times during the year depending on vacancies.	Waitlist There is no publicly published waitlist policy for K. International School Tokyo on the official admissions pages that are currently accessible. The standard admissions process described above covers steps from handbook review through final fee payment, and for outside main intakes the school indicates rolling admissions with testing slots scheduled as spaces become available. Because waitlists are not explicitly described in the publicly accessible materials, prospective families should contact the Admissions Office to confirm whether a waitlist or wait pool is used for a given grade and intake period. For reference, outside main intake admissions are described as rolling, with testing offered on Thursday mornings and applicants added to the next available schedule.
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