Horizon Japan International School vs Shinagawa International School - Samezu Campus

	H Horizon Japan International School Tokyo, Japan	S Shinagawa International School - Samezu Campus Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,690,000 - 3,140,000	Fees / year ¥2,575,000 - 2,900,000
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 (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 530	Pupils 450
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2003	Opened 2007
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 Shinagawa International School has three campuses in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo: Aoyoko Campus (Preschool–Kindergarten), Seaside Campus (Primary), and Samezu Campus (Secondary). The Aoyoko Campus is in Minamishinagawa; Seaside sits near Shinagawa Seaside Station, and Samezu is also located in Minamishinagawa. The campuses are accessible by multiple rail lines: Aoyoko is about 5 minutes from Aomono-Yokocho, 7 minutes from Oimachi, and 15 minutes from Shinagawa Seaside; Seaside is about 5 minutes from Shinagawa Seaside and Aomono-Yokocho, and 15 minutes from Oimachi; Samezu is about 7 minutes from Shinagawa Seaside, 3 minutes from Aomono-Yokocho, and 15 minutes from Oimachi.
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 offers an IB continuum: Early Learning Center (ELC) for ages 3–5 at the Aoyoko Campus; Primary Years Programme across Seaside (Grade 1–3) and Samezu (Grade 4–5); Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10; and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12.
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 Co-educational day school with no boarding facilities.
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 Students come from more than 40 countries. The most common nationalities are not publicly disclosed, and a detailed 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 Learning support includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) and other supports. EAL is delivered in small groups with push‑in and pull‑out sessions, with English proficiency assessed using WIDA standards. For formally assessed students, an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) may be created; for others, a Student Success Plan is used to support inclusion in mainstream classes.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is stated. The school is located in Yokohama, Japan.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is listed.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated; the school welcomes students from diverse religious backgrounds.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed.
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 Preschool–Kindergarten: instructional hours from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm; Grades 1–12: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
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 safe school bus service operates, primarily for preschool and primary students with limited availability for secondary students. Buses have seat belts, GPS tracking, and attendants. There are eight routes (School Bus 1–8) serving various areas; routes and times may adjust based on demand. Parents can register by contacting the school.
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 Admission Fees - Application fee: JPY 40,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable; payable on submission of each student's application). - Enrollment fee (registration): JPY 1,000,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable; payable within one week of confirmation of admission). Tuition — amounts and term schedule (three installments per school year) Tuition is charged per academic year and payable in three installments (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3). The following shows each term amount and the annual total for the 2025–2026 school year: - Preschool – Kindergarten: Term 1 JPY 875,000; Term 2 JPY 675,000; Term 3 JPY 675,000. Annual total JPY 2,225,000. - Grades 1–5: Term 1 JPY 850,000; Term 2 JPY 750,000; Term 3 JPY 750,000. Annual total JPY 2,350,000. - Secondary (Grades 6–10): Term 1 JPY 950,000; Term 2 JPY 750,000; Term 3 JPY 750,000. Annual total JPY 2,450,000. - Secondary (Grades 11–12): Term 1 JPY 950,000; Term 2 JPY 800,000; Term 3 JPY 800,000. Annual total JPY 2,550,000. Additional recurring educational fees shown per term (where applicable): - EAL fee (if required): Term 1 JPY 200,000; Term 2 JPY 150,000; Term 3 JPY 150,000. Annual total JPY 500,000. - Daycare service (charged at JPY 2,000/hour): Term 1 JPY 275,000; Term 2 JPY 200,000; Term 3 JPY 275,000. Annual total JPY 750,000 (dependent on hours used). (The school states that tuition is charged per year and is payable in three installments.) Maintenance, supply and support fees - Maintenance fee: JPY 250,000 per student per year (annual, non‑refundable). - Supply fee: Charged to cover small field trips, Japanese textbooks, class novels and some stationery items; amount depends on grade/use and is charged separately. - Learning support fee (if required): JPY 500,000 per year, payable in three installments. Additional and optional costs - Lunches: not included in tuition; charged separately. - Uniforms: compulsory for all grades; cost varies by items ordered. - PTA annual fee: JPY 6,000. - School excursions / field trips and non‑curricular residential/day trips: charged as required (examples of single–event charges range from JPY 100 to JPY 1,500 depending on the activity). - Some exam fees, some sports events/tournaments, some extracurricular activities/ASPs, and swimming: may be charged separately. Sibling discounts - A 20% discount on the second child's tuition is available for families with children enrolled before the 2025–2026 school year. For parents enrolling after the 2025–2026 school year, a 10% discount is available on the tuition fees for the second and any additional siblings. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition schedule: the annual tuition is split into three instalments (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3) and billed accordingly. - Application fee: due on submission of the application. Enrollment fee: payable within one week from confirmation of admission. Maintenance and other annual fees are charged as stated. - Late enrolment: students joining after the start of the school year are charged by academic term; attendance for any portion of a term requires payment for the full term. - Late payment: a 2% fee is added to late tuition payments; accounts in arrears by more than one month may result in suspension of the student until the balance is cleared. - Withdrawal notice: parents must provide not less than one complete term's prior written notice; otherwise one complete term's fees are payable in lieu of notice. Refund information - All school fees are non‑refundable. One‑time payments and first‑term tuition are non‑refundable. If travel to Japan is prevented by unavoidable circumstances such as government visa restrictions or entry regulations, tuition payments may be carried forward once. Fee payment options and contact for payment arrangements - All fees are to be remitted in Japanese yen (JPY). - The school accepts bank transfers for donations and publishes bank details for remittance; the accounting contact is accounting@sistokyo.jp for payment enquiries and arrangements. Use of bank transfer for payments and invoicing is in practice for the school's financial transactions. Notes - Tuition and fees shown above are fixed for the August 2025 to June 2026 school year and are reviewed annually. Any changes for the next school year are announced by the end of May.
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 The Samezu Campus serves students from Grade 4 through Grade 12, delivering the IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Grades 4–5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) uses a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach organized around six themes: Who We Are, Where We Are In Place And Time, How We Express Ourselves, How The World Works, How We Organize Ourselves, and Sharing the Planet, with knowledge, concepts, skills, and dispositions developed through units of inquiry. In the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), language and literature are taught in English and Japanese, language acquisition in Japanese, and the program covers Mathematics, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, PHE, Design, and Arts (Visual Arts and Music), with an emphasis on Approaches to Learning and the Personal Project. The Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12, commencing in 2024–25) offers Group 1 English A and Japanese A; Group 2 Japanese B and ab initio; Group 3 Business Management and Environmental Systems and Societies; Group 4 Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, and Environmental Systems and Societies; Group 5 Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation SL or Analysis and Approaches HL) and includes the DP core—Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)—with college counseling support. The school provides English-language instruction with EAL and Japanese language support, and campus groupings are Aoyoko Campus (Preschool–Kindergarten), Seaside Campus (Grade 1–3), and Samezu Campus (Grade 4–12).
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. Inquiry: Begin by reaching out with questions about Shinagawa International School (SIS) and its IB-aligned programmes. You can ask about facilities, the IB frameworks (PYP, MYP, DP), and the learning approach to determine fit for your child. The admissions team can provide guidance on requirements and next steps, and there is no obligation to proceed after an inquiry. 2. School Visit (highly recommended but not mandatory): Arrange a visit through the admissions page or the School Visit Reservation form to see classrooms, talk with staff, and observe the campus culture. A visit helps families understand daily routines, student life, and how SIS supports multilingual and international students. This step is not mandatory for applicants, but it is strongly encouraged for a comprehensive understanding of the environment. 3. Application Submission: Complete the application form and submit it along with the required application fee. Prepare any documents requested during the application process for a smooth review. This step is essential to move forward in the admissions process. 4. Interview – Assessment: After submitting the application, applicants undergo an interview and assessment. For students in Grade 1 and above, MAP Tests assess English, reading, and math levels as part of the evaluation. The admissions team will review the results after the interview and assessment. 5. Admission Decision and Acceptance: Admission decisions are communicated within a few weeks of the assessment. Accepted applicants receive an acceptance letter and enrollment instructions, including next steps for fee payments. 6. Enrolment: Parents complete the enrollment form and arrange the necessary school fee payments to finalize enrollment. Enrollment communications and invoices are issued to successful applicants when an acceptance is granted.
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 Shinagawa International School does not advertise formal scholarships. There is a tuition sibling discount of 10% for the second and any additional siblings. A third-child discount of 30% is described as applicable to current students.
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 published waitlist or pool system described in SIS admissions materials. Applications are accepted year-round with no fixed deadline. Admission decisions follow the interview/assessment process, and decisions are communicated within a few weeks; acceptance letters and enrollment instructions are sent to successful applicants.
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