Horizon Japan International School vs Saint Maur International School
Horizon Japan International School and Saint Maur International School are both in Tokyo, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Saint Maur International School also offers IPC, Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge IGCSE and Montessori. Published annual fees are ¥2,690,000 - 3,140,000 at Horizon Japan International School and ¥2,857,000 - 3,626,000 at Saint Maur International School, which puts Saint Maur International School roughly 11% higher. Horizon Japan International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Saint Maur International School from 2 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 530 and 470 pupils. Typical class sizes are 20 at Horizon Japan International School and 15 at Saint Maur International School.
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
Saint Maur International School is located at 83 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-8654, Japan. The campus sits in Yamate, a historic, residential district known for its international character and central location in Yokohama. The on-site facilities include Montessori spaces, a Fine Arts Center, a Science Center, and the Cougar Café/Activity Center on a historic yet modern campus.
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
The school serves mixed-gender students from Montessori preschool through Grade 12, covering ages around 2½ years to high school. It offers elementary, middle, and high school divisions, with a unified kindergarten/early years program in the Montessori pathway.
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
Saint Maur operates as a co-educational day international school. It is presented as a Christian-oriented institution with a long-standing community focus; boarding facilities are not described as part of the school's offering, reinforcing its day-school model.
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
Nationalities represented are reported as approximately 35. The school describes itself as a multi-cultural, multi-national community, but a detailed breakdown by country and the local-to-international ratio is not published.
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
Saint Maur provides Learning Support through a dedicated Learning Support Coordinator and team, who develop individual educational plans or intervention plans in consultation with families and teachers. Programs include After School Academic Support and an Advisory Program; Elementary and Middle School offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, with a focus on integrating learners into the curriculum. However, due to the school's relatively small size, the range of services is limited and some accommodations may be bounded by institutional capacity.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is stated. The school is located in Yokohama, Japan.
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is stated; the school is an international institution based in Yokohama, Japan.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated; the school welcomes students from diverse religious backgrounds.
Religious affiliation
Saint Maur has a Christian orientation and Catholic roots. It is described as a Catholic-founded school with moral values guiding the community, and it traces its origins to the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus.
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
A typical day begins around 8:00 a.m. For older students, dismissal commonly occurs around 3:20 p.m.; Montessori students may be dismissed earlier, around 2:15 p.m. Early releases on Wednesdays are noted in calendars; a Prime Time program provides on-site supervision from 7:30–8:15 a.m. and 3:15–6:00 p.m. on specified days. Lunch is served by an outsourced cafeteria service.
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
Saint Maur does not operate a dedicated school bus service; students generally use local transportation or cycle to campus.
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 and one‑time enrollment fees - Application fee: JPY 35,000, payable at the time of application. - Registration fee (newly accepted students): JPY 950,000; non‑refundable and payable within the timeframe required after acceptance. - Reservation fee (re‑enrolling or securing a place): JPY 300,000 (may be credited toward tuition when re‑enrolment is completed).
Annual tuition fees (by program / year group) — stated annual amounts and how they are applied - Montessori (half‑day): JPY 1,663,000 per year. - Montessori (full‑day): JPY 2,557,000 per year. - Pre‑1st Grade: JPY 2,752,000 per year. - Elementary (Grades 1–5): JPY 3,072,000 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): JPY 3,142,000 per year. - High School Grade 9: JPY 3,142,000 per year. - High School Grades 10–11: JPY 3,153,000 per year. - High School Grade 12: JPY 3,326,000 per year.
Per‑term / instalment detail - Tuition is payable in two instalments. The standard instalment schedule is: first instalment due by the end of May and second instalment due by the end of November. Each instalment is equal to one half of the annual tuition unless otherwise stated. - Late or mid‑term enrolment may be charged pro‑rated tuition based on academic quarters; any portion of a quarter attended is billed as the full quarter amount.
Recurring annual additional fees - Annual Campus Development and Maintenance Fund (per child): JPY 300,000 (listed separately from tuition). - Annual PSG (Parent Support Group) dues: JPY 2,000 per family (annual). - Student Council fees (for Grades 6 and above): Middle School JPY 1,000; High School JPY 2,000 (annual). - Textbooks, external examination fees (for IB/IGCSE/PSAT) and school medical examinations are covered by the tuition charge; other optional items or activities may incur separate charges.
Other programs and their fees - Prime Time (before / after school supervision for younger children): spot reservation JPY 1,500 per hour per child; multi‑day plan options and fixed half‑year/monthly plans are available with published rates (examples: Plan A up to 3 days/week JPY 100,000 per half‑year; Plan C up to 5 days/week JPY 160,000 per half‑year). Prime Time fees are billed as described in the Prime Time programme terms. - Summer school and holiday programmes: published per‑course tuition applies; cancellation and refund deadlines apply to these programmes (example refund schedule listed for summer school cancellations). - Uniforms, team kit, certain extracurricular activities and personal music lessons are additional costs and are billed or purchased separately; the school requires uniforms but specific uniform pricing is handled at point of purchase.
Boarding fees - Not applicable. Saint Maur operates as a day school and does not provide boarding accommodation. Families should plan for daily commuting rather than on‑campus residence.
Refunds and withdrawal - No refunds are issued for withdrawals that occur during the half‑year payment periods (the half‑years run August–December and January–June); mid‑term withdrawals therefore do not result in a refund for the half‑year already billed. Summer school and short courses have their own cancellation/refund deadlines.
Billing schedule and payment terms (summary) - Instalment schedule: first instalment due by end of May; second instalment due by end of November. Each instalment equals half the annual tuition unless another schedule is agreed. The Registration Fee and other one‑time fees carry the payment deadlines described above and are non‑refundable when so stated. Late enrolment may be billed pro‑rata by quarter.
Accepted currencies and methods of payment - All school payments are accepted in Japanese Yen (JPY) only. All bank charges for international transfers are borne by the remitter. - Bank transfer options: Bank of Yokohama (Honmoku branch) and Japan Post (Yucho) accounts are provided for JPY transfers. SWIFT details are supplied for international wire transfers. - Credit card payments: an online payment process via the school's inquiry/admissions channel is available for card payments; the admissions office will process credit‑card payments via that route. In‑person payment at the main office is also accepted for certain fees.
Discounts, corporate contribution plan and sibling arrangements - A corporate contribution plan is offered for companies sending employees' children to the school; details and enrolment are managed through the school's admissions/finance office. Sibling discounts, if any, are not listed as a standard published item and should be discussed with admissions/finance.
Notes for budgeting - A family enrolling a child for the first year should budget for the one‑time non‑refundable Registration Fee and the Application Fee in addition to the annual tuition and the Campus Development and Maintenance Fund. Example first‑year totals combine the listed one‑time fees with the annual tuition and development fund shown above. Annual recurring charges (PSG dues, Student Council fees where applicable) should also be included in ongoing budgets.
(Information compiled from the school's published tuition/fees notes and recent fee summaries for the current academic year.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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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
Saint Maur International School offers Montessori Kindergarten (2½ years and up) through High School (Grade 12), organized as Montessori, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. In Elementary School, the IPC (International Primary Curriculum) forms the base for History, Science, Social Studies and Geography, with a program that also includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Japanese, EAL, Religious Studies, PSHE, Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education, Maker Space and Library Skills. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), students study English, Natural Science, Mathematics, Social Studies (Geography in Grades 6–7 and World History in Grade 8), Technology, Fine Arts, and World Language (Japanese plus French or Spanish); Grade 8 offers electives such as IGCSE Computer Science, IGCSE Visual Arts, IGCSE Drama and IGCSE Music, with a second-language option (Japanese, IGCSE French B or IGCSE Spanish B). In High School (Grades 9–12), students follow the IGCSE pathway in Grades 9–10 and enter the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grade 11, with six IB subjects chosen from about 22 offerings; there is one non-IB option (International Relations) and external exams include IB, IGCSE, PSAT and SAT. Languages are taught from early middle school through Grade 12 in French and Spanish, with preparation for IGCSE and IB, including IGCSE French B and IGCSE Spanish B as available options.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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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
Step 1. Inquiry: Begin by submitting an online pre-application Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for Saint Maur International School. The submission assigns the correct staff to the file and allows clarifying questions to be asked. After an inquiry is submitted, a family may visit the school if they are eligible for admission. Important eligibility notes: Saint Maur is a day-school that considers applicants who reside in Japan with one or both parents; a non-Japanese student must have a proper residential visa; at least one parent must speak and read English fluently to engage in the partnership with the school; the campus is not barrier-free.
Step 2. Application: If the family is eligible to apply, they receive an admissions link. The application requires copies of passport(s) and two years of academic records in English (with exceptions for the French school), and contact details for two Confidential Teacher's Recommendations. For preschool, some documentation may be limited. An application fee is collected, paid by credit card, and the fee is ¥25,000 per student. Payment can proceed via online credit card, bank transfer, or other payment methods listed by the admissions portal.
Step 3. Evaluations (Grades 4–11): All incoming students from Grade 4 through 11 are evaluated prior to acceptance. Evaluations cover English language skills and Mathematics and may be conducted remotely for applicants outside Japan or unable to travel.
Step 4. Evaluations (Grades 1–3): All incoming students from Grade 1 through 3 are also evaluated prior to acceptance. For students not in Japan or unable to travel, a tentative acceptance may be issued with the actual evaluation taking place on arrival before starting classes.
Step 5. Acceptance: A full acceptance or probationary/conditional acceptance may be issued to allow enrollment. For students living in Japan, the family has five business days to decide and enroll; an enrollment Registration fee is collected. For students outside Japan, the family is given ten business days to decide.
Step 6. Waiting Pool: If an opening is not available, the student will be placed in the Waiting Pool. Waiting Pool Guidelines exist, and the waiting pool is not sequentially structured; Saint Maur will prioritize accepting the best overall match for the school.
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
Saint Maur International School does not publish a scholarships program on its site. The Tuition Fees page outlines non-refundable fees (including Application Fee and Registration Fee) and various School Fees (such as Tuition Fee, Campus Development and Maintenance Fund, PSG Dues, and Student Council Fees) as well as policies on payments and late enrollment. There is a Corporate Contribution Plan for companies wishing to sponsor employee children, but no formal need- or merit-based scholarship program is described.
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
Yes. Saint Maur uses a Waiting Pool for cases where no immediate opening exists. The Waiting Pool is not sequentially structured, and the school will typically select the best overall match for the program when an opening becomes available. Waiting Pool Guidelines are published by the school.
