Makuhari International School vs Tokyo West International School

	M Makuhari International School Tokyo, Japan	T Tokyo West International School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥1,380,000 - 1,740,000	Fees / year ¥1,109,000 - 1,892,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 12 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Japanese Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), American Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 385	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Japanese	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Makuhari International School campus is at 3-2-9 Wakaba, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 261-0014, Japan. It sits in the Makuhari area near parks, the waterfront, and the Makuhari Messe Convention Center. The school is easily accessible by public transport, about a 13-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station and roughly 30 minutes by rail from central Tokyo or Narita Airport. MIS operates school buses to surrounding areas such as Chiba, Inage, Funabashi, Motoyawata, Urayasu, Shin-Urayasu, Tsudanuma, Makuharihongo and Baytown.	Location Tokyo West International School is located at 185 Umetsubo-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0013, Japan. The campus sits in a green, suburban area of western Tokyo with access via JR Hachioji Station and local buses. The environment emphasizes nature and garden-based learning as part of daily life on a spacious campus.
Stages	Stages MIS delivers programs for K1-G6 (Nursery to Year 7). Kindergarten comprises K1, K2 and K3 (ages 3–6), with a Pre-School for younger children, and Primary/Elementary includes Grades 1–6. The curriculum combines Japanese national objectives with international teaching approaches, taught mainly in English, with Japanese language subjects offered as Japanese studies.	Stages TWIS offers a continuous program from PreK through High School. The school is organized into PreK & Kindergarten, Elementary School (Grades 1–6), Middle School (Grades 7–9), and High School (Grades 10–12). The High School provides both Japanese and American diplomas.
School type	School type MIS is a private bilingual day school. The program is delivered in both English and Japanese, and MIS is described in external profiles as a co-educational, day school offering a dual-language programme.	School type Tokyo West International School operates as an international day school on a single campus in Hachioji, Japan.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Current mix includes about 60% of students from Japanese returnee families, 29% dual nationality students, and 11% foreign nationals. That yields a domestic to international ratio of roughly 60:40. The school's most represented group is Japanese returnees.	Pupil nationality mix The school community includes students and staff from more than 15 countries; about half of the student body is Japanese, with the remainder international.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support MIS provides learning support through a dedicated Learning Support/SENCO framework; the school publishes guidance for Learning Support/SENCO roles and has current job postings for a Learning Support/SENCO coordinator. This indicates formal SEN provision within the school.	Additional learning support The school uses an Educational Support Questionnaire in admissions to identify learning needs and maintains a strong learning support system with small class sizes. A full-time school nurse provides daily health care, and a visiting school counselor supports students' emotional well-being.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation There is no formal country affiliation for MIS. It operates as a private international school in Japan with Article 1 status and is governed under Japanese education guidelines.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is listed; the school operates as an international school in Japan.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation MIS has no religious affiliation stated in its materials; it presents itself as a secular, international bilingual school.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is indicated.
School day structure	School day structure Kindergarten days begin at 8:50am; K1 finishes at 1:30pm, while K2–K3 finish at 3:20pm, with clubs and activities running until about 4:10pm. In the Elementary program, the school day runs from about 8:50am to 3:20pm, with after-school clubs and activities continuing until around 4:10pm.	School day structure Kindergarten ends at 3:00 p.m. and Elementary and above are dismissed at 3:30 p.m. The day runs a 7-period schedule of 40-minute periods for Elementary and above. Kindergarten offers after-school clubs from 3:00–3:30 p.m.; Elementary and above can join 8th-period programs, extending the day to 4:30 p.m.
Bus service details	Bus service details MIS operates six school-bus routes to: Chiba, Funabashi, Nishi Funabashi, Shin Urayasu, Tsudanuma, and Urayasu; bus assistants ride on board to support students. Bus routes and timetables are subject to change, and families should contact the school office for current details.	Bus service details A school bus operates in the Tama area. Bus stops include around JR Hachioji Station and other local stops, with travel times such as about 10 minutes to Hachioji Station, 30 minutes to Tachikawa Station, 40 minutes to Tamagawa Josui Station, 20 minutes to Akishima, 40 minutes to Tama Center, and 60 minutes to Machida Station.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Assessment Fees - Assessment fee for students invited to testing/interview: ¥20,000, payable when a child is accepted for testing or interview. One‑time (enrolment) Fees - Entrance Fee (paid once on enrollment): ¥200,000. The school does not return the entrance fee for any reason and does not issue a receipt for the entrance fee. - Maintenance Fee (paid once on enrollment): ¥400,000. Annual Tuition and Per‑installment Amounts (by year group) - Kindergarten (K1–K3): Annual tuition ¥1,380,000. Tuition is paid in three equal instalments; per instalment amount ¥460,000. Payments are due at the end of June, October and March. - Elementary (Grades 1–6): Annual tuition ¥1,740,000. Tuition is paid in three equal instalments; per instalment amount ¥580,000. Payments are due at the end of June, October and March. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - An invoice is issued to accepted families; do not pay before receiving the invoice. Entrance Fee, Maintenance Fee and the first tuition payment must be paid into the school's bank account within the period stated on the invoice. Receipt of these payments is taken as confirmation of official enrolment. - Regular ongoing payments are collected by automatic bank withdrawal (口座振替). It typically takes approximately three months from submission of the bank‑withdrawal application form for withdrawals to begin; until withdrawals start the school issues an invoice and families transfer funds to the school's bank account. Once bank withdrawals are active, school fees are withdrawn on the 27th of each month (if the 27th is a weekend or holiday, withdrawal is the next business day). - Tuition instalments are due at the end of June, October and March. Bus fees (if used) are collected on the same schedule as tuition. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; school transport is provided via multiple day‑bus routes and the school operates as a day school with school bus services. Transport (Bus) Fees - School bus fees vary by route. Bus fees fall within a range (examples shown by route): from approximately ¥96,600 per year (about ¥8,050 per month) up to approximately ¥303,600 per year (about ¥25,300 per month), depending on route selected. Bus fees are subject to change. Other Fees and Typical Additional Costs - Disaster‑prevention hood: ¥3,200 (charged at the end of the month following enrollment). - After‑school care (ASC) / short‑term childcare: billed at ¥350 per 30 minutes; ASC charges are withdrawn at the end of the month following usage. - Yearbook (optional, ordered by families): approximately ¥8,000 (payment timing shown as end of October when ordered). - School trips and grade‑specific residential activities (for example Grade 5 and Grade 6 trips) may incur separate additional charges; such charges are billed as required. - Uniform: MIS requires uniform from K2 upward. Uniform items (starter kit, school bag and selected items) are purchased through specified retailers (Kanko Shop Higashi Nihonbashi and Top of the Class); item lists and ordering instructions are provided by those retailers. Prices for uniform items are set by the retailers. Refunds and Non‑Refundable Items - The Entrance Fee (¥200,000) is non‑refundable for any reason. No separate general refund policy for other fees is stated in the fee documents; additional charges for trips or optional items are billed when required. Fee Discounts and Sibling Policy - A sibling discount (or in some cases a sibling exemption) is available; eligibility and the amount of any discount are arranged through the school office. Accepted Payment Methods - Automatic bank withdrawal (口座振替) is the school's preferred method for recurring payments and most charges are collected by this method once set up. - Bank transfer (bank deposit to the school's account) is used for initial payments and for payments made before bank‑withdrawal arrangements are active; invoices specify the school bank account details for transfers. Credit‑card payment is not listed as a standard payment method in the fee documents.	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Registration / screening (application) fee: JPY 22,000 (tax included). Annual tuition (by division) - Kindergarten (annual): JPY 1,140,000. - Elementary School (annual): JPY 1,463,000. - Junior High School (annual): JPY 913,000. - High School (annual): JPY 913,000. Per-term breakdown - A per-term (term-by-term) fee schedule and explicit per-term amounts are not published on the school's publicly accessible admission pages or in the publicly available documents linked from those pages; only annual figures (as listed above) are available in public school listings. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's admission materials note that successful applicants must pay required entrance fees by the published deadline to complete enrollment, but a full, detailed billing schedule and the school's standard payment deadlines for tuition instalments are not published on the publicly accessible pages. Boarding fees - The school does not operate or publish any boarding-program fees; no boarding facilities or boarding tariffs are listed in the publicly available school information. (School bus service is identified as available in external school listings.) Other costs and typical additional fees - No public, detailed breakdown for additional routine costs (uniforms, textbooks, activity fees, building/maintenance fees, bus fees, lunches, materials, extracurricular fees) is published on the school's publicly accessible admission pages. External school directories list varying additional charges or ranges for similar schools, but those directory figures are not a published fee schedule from the school itself. Refund information - A formal refund policy or explicit rules governing refunds/withdrawals and any prorated reimbursements are not published on the school's publicly accessible admission pages or on the password‑protected students document page. Fee payment options (methods) - The school's publicly accessible pages do not publish specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, or other). No public schedule of accepted payment channels is available on the admission pages or in the publicly accessible documents. Notes on sources and missing detail - The figures above reflect the only explicit fee amounts that are publicly accessible (application screening fee and annual tuition figures reported in public school listings). Detailed fee schedules, per-term invoices, payment methods, refund terms, and line-item additional fees are either contained in internal/student-only documents or not published publicly; the school's student documents area is password-protected and the detailed tuition/fee PDFs are not accessible without those credentials.
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 Makuhari International School follows the Japanese national curriculum objectives (MEXT) but expands on them with additional content from other curricula; as a MEXT-designated exceptional school, it extends learning hours and emphasizes consolidation and extension in English and Maths. MIS operates K1–G6 (Nursery to Year 7) in a bilingual English–Japanese model, with most subjects taught in English and Japanese taught as Kokugo (native/Japanese language) or Japanese Studies for non-native speakers; dual-nationality students may choose between Japanese or Japanese Studies where applicable. The Elementary program is divided into Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3) and Upper Elementary (Grades 4–6) and covers English, Mathematics (including White Rose Maths), STEAM, Science, Social Studies (with bilingual instruction in Grades 5–6), Art, Music, Home Economics, Physical Education, Social Emotional Learning and Ethics, Creative Studies, and Integrated Studies. Kindergarten uses the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with six areas of learning: Human Relationships, Language (including Japanese), Mathematics, Environment, Health, and Expression. The school is CIS-reaccredited as of October 10, 2024, and its diploma is designed to facilitate transfers to Japanese junior high schools as well as international schools.	Curriculum details Tokyo West International School offers a bilingual, inquiry-based curriculum from Early Childhood through High School, with an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework for the elementary years and Cognia-aligned standards recognized by multiple international bodies. The Elementary division (Grades 1–6) provides English–Japanese bilingual instruction built around Units of Inquiry, includes Singapore Math, integrates ICT/AI education, and incorporates garden-based learning in small classes of about 18 students. The Middle School (Grades 7–9) follows Cognia-aligned international standards, uses inquiry-based learning through Units of Inquiry, and integrates ICT/AI and STEAM projects, supported by robust learning-support and ongoing family communication in small classes (up to 10 students). The High School program emphasizes English academic skills, offers dual diploma pathways—Japanese high school diploma and an American/International high school diploma—and includes AI literacy and opportunities for short overseas programs and service learning. Across all divisions, graduates pursue university study in Japan or abroad, supported by a nature-rich campus, specialist instructors, and a bilingual, globally oriented educational environment.
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. Determine eligibility and choose entry path. Makuhari International School offers two entry pathways: the April intake at the start of the academic year and mid‑year transfers. Review the Qualification Requirements to confirm your child's eligibility for the selected route. If guidance is needed, contact the Admissions Officer for support. 2. Plan a school visit or information session. School tours are typically scheduled once per month for families not applying for April. For April admissions, attend the Information Day session and school tour (usually held in September). 3. For April admissions, follow the Enrollment for April schedule; for other times, download and complete the application forms and prepare supporting documents. For non‑April admissions, use the Forms page to download the application form(s) and submit them with Form A, any records, references or test results from current/previous schools, plus a copy of the child's passport photo page, the Parents Information Form, and a copy of the family's Certificate of Residence. For full details, request the Admissions Booklet from the school. 4. Screening, tests, or informal meeting. If a child meets the criteria, a screening test will be organized with the class teacher. For Kindergarten 1 or 2, an informal meeting with the kindergarten staff is arranged instead of a test. Where a child is accepted for testing or interviewing, a fee of ¥20,000 is payable to the school. 5. Follow‑up assessments and interviews. In some cases, after testing, a follow‑up interview might be arranged with the Learning Support or English Support Coordinator to discuss any language or learning needs. 6. Placement and written offer. A child is placed in the relevant Grade based on chronological age. An offer of a place (or not) is issued in writing, and the Head of School's decision is final. 7. Waitlist if spaces are unavailable. If there are no spaces at the time of application, a child may be invited to join a waiting list at the school. 8. Registration and invoicing. Registration and other entry fees are payable immediately on entry to the school; do not pay before you receive the invoice. The school issues an Admission Pack (including the admission certificate and related documents) after deposit confirmation. 9. First day arrangements. On the first day, arrive at the MIS office with your child at 8:30 am. 10. Timeline and ongoing recruitment. The entire admission process takes at least 30 school days (about one month) from submission to completion. For 2026 admissions, there are Additional Recruitment for 1 April 2026 Enrollment and Rolling Applications for 2026–2027; download the 2026–2027 Admission Booklet/Forms from the Forms page for current timelines.	Admissions Step 1 — Determine grade level by birth date. Grade placement at Tokyo West International School is determined by the child's birthday, with specific birthdate guidelines for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. For Preschool & Kindergarten, the ranges are: Preschool 4.2.2022 or older; K3 4.2.2021–4.1.2022; K4 4.2.2020–4.1.2021; K5 4.2.2019–4.1.2020. For Elementary and higher grades, G1–G12 follow corresponding birthdate cutoffs (G1 4.2.2018–4.1.2019; G2 4.2.2017–4.1.2018; and so on). These guidelines affect new entrants for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. Step 2 — Open House and school tours. Open House (group) and Private School Tours are offered throughout the year. Prospective families should book via the reservation form or by calling for details. Group Open House events and private tours are scheduled to help families understand the program and environment. Step 3 — Submit the application form. Application materials are downloadable and can be submitted in person or by mail. Required documents include: Enrollment Application Form, Medical Certificate (issued within 3 months), Educational Support Questionnaire, Progress Report, and Graduation or Attendance Certificate from the previous school. Separate application forms exist for PreK & Kindergarten and for Elementary & Middle School. Step 4 — Screening test and parents interview. The school schedules a screening test and a parents' interview for each child, and the registration fee for the screening test is ¥22,000 (tax included). The screening and interview are designed to assess academic ability, motivation, and fit with the program. For admissions in Grade, Middle & High School, the timing is typically approximately one month before the desired admission date, with the result announced about one week after screening. Step 5 — Announcement of successful applicants and enrollment. The school communicates acceptance to applicants who meet the screening requirements via an official acceptance letter. Prospective students who pass the screening and have paid the entrance fee by the deadline are considered enrolled. Enrollment is completed within one week after acceptance. For inquiries about enrollment, contact information is provided on the admissions page. Step 6 — Fees and discounts. Tuition-related information notes that discounts and scholarships are available under certain circumstances; parents should inquire for details. This section also indicates that there is a screening test fee of ¥22,000 and mentions an entrance fee associated with admission.
Scholarships	Scholarships MIS does not publish a traditional scholarship program. The school provides a fee reduction primarily through a sibling discount, with possible exemptions in some cases. Eligibility and exact discount amounts are determined by the school office. Fees (subject to change annually) include an Entrance Fee of ¥200,000, a Maintenance Fee of ¥400,000, Kindergarten tuition of ¥1,380,000, and Grades 1–6 tuition of ¥1,740,000 per year.	Scholarships TWIS offers a scholarship program for elementary, middle, and high school grades. The 2026 TWIS School Scholarship provides exemption from the entrance fee and a 50% tuition subsidy for one year, with renewal contingent on an annual examination. Three scholarships are planned for the 2026 academic year. Eligibility requires new G1–G12 students for 2026 who have either passed the TWIS entrance examination or are currently enrolled. Selection is based on document screening. Application period runs from December 8, 2025 to January 9, 2026, with results announced by the end of January 2026. Required documents include a scholarship application form, an English essay by the student (50–80 words), proof of annual household income, and school records or letters of recommendation (not required for current TWIS students). Contact for scholarship questions is admission@tokyowest.jp.
Waitlist	Waitlist Yes. If no spaces are available at the time of application, MIS may invite the child to join a waiting list. The Head of School's final decision governs offers, and spaces vary by grade and intake. There is no publicly published, step‑by‑step waitlist timetable beyond this policy.	Waitlist Tokyo West International School does not publish a formal waitlist. When classes reach capacity, admissions occur only as vacancies become available. In the 2025 mid-term enrollment status, K4 and G2 classes have reached capacity, and there are typically 1–2 spots remaining in other classes such as K5, G1, G4, G7, and G9. This vacancy-based approach means families may be admitted if a space opens, rather than through a numbered waitlist.
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