KA International School vs The Innovation Fellowship (TIF)

	K KA International School Tokyo, Japan	T The Innovation Fellowship (TIF) Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,249,000 - 2,503,333	Fees / year ¥2,250,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 14 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 11
Typical class size	Typical class size 10	Typical class size 5
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2006	Opened 2024
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location The Innovation Fellowship is based in Spark Shibuya, a purpose-built campus in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. The campus address is Spark Shibuya 7F, 3-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042. It is within a short walk of Shibuya Station and Yoyogi Park, providing easy access by public transport. The campus opened in 2024.
Stages	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.	Stages TIF is a full-time international high school serving grades 9-12.
School type	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.	School type The Innovation Fellowship is an international high school with a campus-based, in-person program in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Pupil nationality mix	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.	Pupil nationality mix Not published.
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support Health, well-being and safeguarding are integral to student care; mindfulness practices and mental health education are part of the curriculum.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation KAIS has no formal country affiliation listed; it operates as an independent private international school with international accreditation.	Country affiliation Based in Japan.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed or stated for KAIS.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated.
School day structure	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).	School day structure A typical school day runs from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Bus service details	Bus service details KAIS does not offer a school bus service.	Bus service details The school does not publish details of a dedicated bus service; the campus is walkable from Shibuya Station, and students commute to campus.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application Fees - No separate application fee is shown in the publicly available Tuition & Fees summary published by the school. Tuition fees (by year group and term) - Grades 9–12 (full-time, local students): Annual tuition is JPY 2,250,000 per student. The published fee listing presents this as the annual tuition figure for each grade 9–12. - Study Abroad students (students relocating to Japan without a parent/guardian): Semester tuition is listed as JPY 1,125,000. A separate Study Abroad Program fee is shown for these students (see the Study Abroad / program fees line below). Study Abroad / additional program charges - Study Abroad Program fee (applies to students in the Study Abroad intake): JPY 1,225,000 (one-off program charge as published for Study Abroad participants). - Boarding and accommodation (applies to Study Abroad students who require full boarding services): JPY 1,475,000 (published as the boarding/accommodation charge for students requiring housing). Note: the school's full-time local program is operated as an in-person day program; boarding/accommodation charges relate to Study Abroad / incoming students requiring placement. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is presented as an annual amount for full-time local students (JPY 2,250,000) and as a per-semester amount for Study Abroad students (JPY 1,125,000). The publicly published fee summary lists amounts by annual or semester basis but does not provide an itemized public calendar of exact invoice dates in the summary itself. - Specific billing dates, deadlines for payment, information about enrollment deposits, and any schedule of penalties for late payment are not listed in the publicly available fee summary. Those operational details are set out in the school's full tuition & fees document. Boarding - The regular full-time TIF program in Tokyo is a day school; there is no standard boarding program for local full-time students. Boarding / accommodation charges shown in published fee listings apply only to Study Abroad students who require placement and accommodation. Other costs and one-off charges - The Study Abroad pathway shows a separate Study Abroad Program fee (JPY 1,225,000) and a boarding/accommodation fee (JPY 1,475,000) in published fee summaries. For full-time local students, the publicly listed summary shows tuition only (JPY 2,250,000) and does not list additional mandatory one-off registration or capital-development fees in that headline summary. - Common additional family costs that are frequently charged by international schools (for example: uniforms, textbooks, activity trips, personal insurance, optional school bus, and some extracurricular programs) are not itemized in the headline fee summary published in the school's tuition document summary. The public fee summary does not list a separate uniform fee in the top-level figures. Refunds and withdrawal - The publicly available tuition summary does not list detailed refund or withdrawal penalty language within the top-line fee figures. Refund terms for deposits or tuition are set out in the school's full tuition & fees document and enrollment agreement rather than in the headline fee table. The top-level published summary does not include a specific public refund policy text. Accepted fee payment methods - The headline Tuition & Fees summary published publicly does not itemize accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local bank details, or other payment channels) in the summary itself. Payment method options and instructions are provided in the school's formal billing documentation. Notes on program types and applicability - The amounts above differentiate the full-time day program (annual tuition JPY 2,250,000 for grades 9–12) from the Study Abroad pathway (semester tuition JPY 1,125,000 plus Study Abroad and accommodation charges) as published. The school operates its full-time program in-person in Shibuya and the Study Abroad pathway includes accommodation arrangements and a program fee where indicated. Sources - Official Admissions page and published Tuition & Fees document link on the school site. - Published fee summary entries aggregated by international school data services (yearly tuition JPY 2,250,000). - Published School profile and Study Abroad fee breakdown as shown in third-party school listing (semester tuition, study-abroad program fee, and boarding/accommodation charge). If you require this exact fee breakdown in another presentation format, the numbers above are taken from the school's published Tuition & Fees summary and the third-party fee listings that reproduce that published summary.
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 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.	Curriculum details The Innovation Fellowship is a full-time international high school for grades 9–12 in Tokyo, culminating in an American high school diploma. The curriculum rests on three pillars—project-based, problem-based, and inquiry-based learning—and core subjects (Math, Science, English, and Social Studies) are taught through an interdisciplinary approach that exceeds US Common Core Standards. English and Social Studies use research-based modules while Math and Science are delivered through a mastery-based online platform with instructional coaching. Students receive preparation for SAT and AP exams, and the institution is fully accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) as of December 1, 2025, with NACAC membership and a CEEB code 664040. A college advisory program supports admissions to best-fit universities worldwide, and the campus is located in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. 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.	Admissions 1. Step 1: Watch Our Demo Day Video. Start by watching the Demo Day Video with your child. The video provides insight into TIF's approach to learning and helps determine whether your child is genuinely excited about joining. Watching together supports a shared understanding of the school's project-based, real-world impact focus. 2. Step 2: Schedule an Information Session. Connect with the admissions team in a one-on-one session to learn more about the curriculum, ask questions, and discuss your child's interests. The session is an opportunity to assess fit, ask practical questions about daily routines, and understand the supports available to students. 3. Step 3: Complete an Application Questionnaire. After the information session, you will complete the Application Questionnaire to share more about your child's background, interests, and goals. This information helps the admissions team evaluate alignment with TIF's selection criteria and the school's mission. 4. Step 4: Student Interview. Shortlisted applicants participate in two interview rounds with faculty members. The interviews explore your child's mindset, values, and potential fit within the TIF community. 5. Step 5: Experience a School Day. Before final admissions decisions, applicants spend a day at TIF. The day offers peer interactions, conversations with coaches, and a Grand Mission brainstorming exercise to show how a student engages in the school's collaborative environment. 6. Step 6: Notifications and Enrollment. Successful applicants receive an official offer of admission via email, with detailed enrollment instructions. To secure a place, families must complete the enrollment process, including tuition payment and submission of required documents, by the specified deadline. 7. Step 7: Study Abroad Program Admissions. TIF also runs a separate admissions process for the Study Abroad Program. For priority consideration for the following academic year, submit your initial inquiry by December 1; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled. 8. Step 8: Tuition and Fees (and how to review). Tuition and Fees are published in the dedicated Tuition and Fees document for the 2025-26 school year. The Admissions page directs families to review that document and contact the admissions team with any questions.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships Scholarships: No scholarships are described or advertised on the admissions pages. There is no published information about any scholarship programs or financial-aid processes; families are advised to contact the admissions team with questions about funding options.
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist Waitlist/Pool: There is no published waitlist or pool system described on the admissions pages. The process is outlined as a sequence from initial inquiry to enrollment for Japan-based applicants, with a separate Study Abroad admissions path; no waitlist procedure is mentioned. This means spaces are filled through the stated steps and subsequent offers rather than a formal waitlist. For priority planning, the Study Abroad path notes a rolling review until spaces are filled.
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