Marie International School Shukugawa vs St. Michael's International School

	M Marie International School Shukugawa Kobe, Japan	S St. Michael's International School Kobe, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥1,072,500 - 1,677,550	Fees / year ¥1,454,500 - 1,628,400
Age range	Age range 1 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 8	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2021	Opened 1946
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Marie International School Shukugawa is located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The Shukugawa campus sits in a riverside area and is about a five-minute walk from Kurakuenguchi Station. The Primary School address is 302, 6-7 Minamikoshikiiwachou, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 662-0075, and the Kindergarten is at 2F, 3-8 Hinoikechou, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 662-0084. The school operates alongside other MIS campuses in the region, including Ashiya and Matsuyama.	Location St. Michael's International School is located at 3 Chome-17-2 Nakayamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0004, Japan. It sits on the edge of the Kitano residential area in central Kobe, described as a safe, family-friendly neighborhood with easy access to Sannomiya and Osaka. The surrounding area is multicultural, with places of worship and a range of shops and services within walking distance.
Stages	Stages Marie International School Shukugawa offers three levels: Kindergarten (ages 3-6), Primary School (ages 6-12), and Secondary School (ages 12-15).	Stages The school offers Early Years (Ages 3-5) and Primary, covering nursery and Year 1 through Year 6. The Early Years provision serves ages 3-5, and Primary covers the core year groups up to Year 6 (approximately age 11).
School type	School type The school is a private, all-in-one international school offering programs from Kindergarten through Secondary. It operates as a day school and does not list boarding facilities.	School type St. Michael's is a British international school operating on a co-educational, day-only model in the Anglican tradition. It is described as co-educational and Day, and its Anglican character is noted in official descriptions.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school has around 60 students representing about six nationalities. The most common nationality is Japanese, and the local to international student ratio is approximately 9:1.	Pupil nationality mix Preliminary data indicate around 19 nationalities are represented, with Japanese being the most common at about 50%, followed by dual nationals (around 21%), and other groups such as Indian and Chinese (around 18%) and rest of world (around 11%). Approximately 76% of students are local, with about 26% international students.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school provides small classes with a 1:8 student-to-teacher ratio and offers English language support for students not fluent in English, with additional language classes available at the primary level. After-school and seasonal programs are available for outside students as well.	Additional learning support The school runs a Learning Enrichment Service (LES) implemented since 2010, using a three-wave model to monitor and support students' abilities. English Language Learners (ELL) provision is available as part of the enrichment framework.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Japan. The school is located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and does not have a formal country affiliation.	Country affiliation The school identifies as a British international school, affiliated with the United Kingdom.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is indicated.	Religious affiliation Anglican tradition.
School day structure	School day structure Core instruction typically runs from 9:00 to 15:00, with after-school care extending to 18:00 for MIS students. The overall MIS program emphasizes a day across multiple campuses from morning until late afternoon, with extended care available.	School day structure The school day runs from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the office and school communications reflecting these hours. Lunch is offered on-site in three sittings; students may bring lunch or go home for lunch.
Bus service details	Bus service details MIS Shukugawa operates a school bus service. A school-provided bus was referenced during a 2023 moving day when the school relocated within Shukugawa; further route details are not published.	Bus service details The school provides a bus service. Sign-up is first-come, first-served, with priority given to students who use the bus daily; there is no bus service for after-school activities. Bus safety rules include seat belts, orderly boarding and exiting, and staff monitoring. For those using public transport, discounted passes and timetable assistance are available.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application fee (Primary): ¥10,000 (incl. tax ¥11,000). Payment is due by the invoice due date. - MIS registration / one-time school registration: ¥50,000 (incl. tax ¥55,000). This is payable at the time of enrollment for Kindergarten and Preschool; it is also used as the general MIS registration for other programs. - Seasonal-program / first-time seasonal registration (applies to some Summer/Winter/Spring programs): ¥50,000 (noted as a one-time registration for first-time seasonal program participants). Tuition fees — Shukugawa / Primary (Primary 1–6) - Term 1 (payable at enrollment): ¥396,000 (incl. tax ¥435,600). - Term 2: ¥452,000 (incl. tax ¥497,200). - Term 3: ¥408,000 (incl. tax ¥448,800). - Annual additional/one-time at enrollment (Primary-specific): Primary Registration Fee ¥150,000 (incl. tax ¥165,000). - Facility Fee (annual): ¥110,000 (incl. tax ¥121,000). - Maintenance Fee (annual): ¥38,500 (incl. tax ¥42,350). - Learning bundles / learning resources: charged as actual expense (itemised / billed separately). - Accident insurance (annual): ¥5,000 (incl. tax ¥5,500). Tuition fees — Shukugawa Kindergarten & Pre-K (day schedule options) - Kindergarten (9:00–15:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥105,000 (incl. tax ¥115,500); semi-annual tuition ¥570,000 (incl. tax ¥627,000). - Kindergarten (9:00–18:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥118,000 (incl. tax ¥129,800); semi-annual tuition ¥636,000 (incl. tax ¥699,600). - Pre-K (9:00–15:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥126,000 (incl. tax ¥138,600); semi-annual tuition ¥678,000 (incl. tax ¥745,800). - Pre-K (9:00–18:00): first-month tuition on enrollment ¥142,000 (incl. tax ¥156,200); semi-annual tuition ¥768,000 (incl. tax ¥844,800). - MIS Registration Fee at time of enrollment (Kindergarten / Pre-K): ¥50,000 (incl. tax ¥55,000). - Learning bundle (Kindergarten / Pre-K): annual payment ¥20,000 (incl. tax ¥22,000). - School hat (one-off item): ¥1,500 (incl. tax ¥1,650). Afterschool, seasonal program and related short programs (Shukugawa) - Afterschool session fees (Shukugawa Primary): ¥1,920 per session (other campus/session rates shown elsewhere). Fees for classes taken are billed or debited the following month. Accident-insurance for afterschool noted at ¥490 / month (applicable from SY2026). Dinner prepared by the school kitchen: M size ¥450, L size ¥500. - Seasonal program pricing (examples): primary seasonal-day programs commonly shown at ¥39,000 (9:00–15:00) and ¥52,500 (9:00–18:00) for MIS students; external student rates differ; separate lunch / insurance / materials fees apply for seasonal programs. Seasonal-program reservations may carry a first-time registration fee of ¥50,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school issues an invoice; payment must be received by the invoice due date. Admission is confirmed only after payment is confirmed. For Kindergarten/Pre-K the office sends an invoice and enrolment is granted after payment confirmation. For Primary, Term 1 is paid at enrollment; Term 2 and Term 3 follow the school's term/semester billing schedule. Specific invoicing dates and deadlines are sent on the invoice. - Afterschool class fees are billed the following month for classes taken or debited the following month. Some Shukugawa Kindergarten arrangements are contracted on a monthly basis. - Several items are noted as annual or one-time payments (Facility Fee annual, Maintenance Fee annual, Primary Registration Fee one-time at enrollment, MIS Registration one-time at enrollment). Boarding fees - Boarding is not provided as part of the school's programs; the school operates as a day school with usual hours and afterschool programs (day care/extended care up to evening hours). There are no boarding or dormitory fees listed. Other costs and regular extras - Uniform items (blazer, polo shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, backpacks, socks, etc.) are required for various sections; individual prices for most uniform pieces are not listed in the general guidebook but a school hat price is specified at ¥1,500 (incl. tax ¥1,650) in Kindergarten material charges. - Learning resources / materials (learning bundles) are charged either as a fixed annual amount for Kindergarten/Pre-K (¥20,000 incl. tax ¥22,000) or as actual expense for Primary (itemised separately). - Lunch / dinner / catering and incidental program fees: lunch and dinner are charged separately (examples: dinner M ¥450, L ¥500; seasonal-program lunch and materials charges noted in seasonal program pages). - Accident insurance: noted as ¥5,000 annual (Primary) and separate monthly insurance or seasonal-program insurance charges appear (e.g., ¥490 / month for afterschool or small amounts for seasonal programs). Refund information - Application fees, registration fees and several enrollment payments are explicitly non-refundable. The application/admission sections state "Non-refundable" for applicable fees. Seasonal programs and short programs also state no refunds after published registration deadlines. Fee payment options and invoicing* - The school issues an invoice for required payments. Admission or enrollment is granted only after the invoice payment is confirmed. Specific payment methods (bank transfer, card, etc.) are provided with the invoice or by the school office in the invoice/payment instructions. Afterschool class fees may be debited or billed monthly for taken classes. Notes and important points for records - Where amounts are shown, taxes are sometimes listed separately; many fee lines show both pre-tax and "incl. tax" figures — use the "incl. tax" number if you require the total payable amount. The school lists some charges as "actual expense" (learning bundles) which will be invoiced separately and vary by student and programme.	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Application Fee: non-refundable. Typical published amounts range between ¥40,000 and ¥50,000 depending on the published schedule. - Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable): published amounts vary by entry point; examples shown in public fee schedules include Nursery-level and Reception/above categories (example published values: Nursery ¥100,000; Reception & above approx. ¥290,000–¥300,000). The registration fee must be paid within three weeks of an official acceptance offer. Tuition fees by year group (annual and instalment details) - The school operates a three-term academic year but invoices tuition in two instalments (payment due in July and January). Therefore a stated annual tuition is typically billed in two equal instalments (July and January). A penalty applies for late payment (see Billing schedule and payment terms). - Representative annual tuition figures (examples published for the most recent full fee schedule made publicly available): - Age 3 (Kindergarten 1): Annual tuition component shown as ¥1,304,500 (first-year total is higher because of one-time application/registration/technology fees). Total annual costs (excluding first-year one-time payments) published for ages/grades: ¥1,454,500 for ages 3–4; ¥1,628,400 for ages 5–10 (Grade 1–5). These figures represent the school's published annual-fee structure used in the fee schedule made public by the school and third‑party school-fee aggregators. For budgeting, the annual tuition component is billed in two instalments (July and January). - Instalment example: where the annual tuition is ¥1,304,500, the standard billing schedule (two instalments) results in two equal payments of approximately ¥652,250 due in July and January. The school's billing practice is to invoice tuition in two instalments rather than on a per-term (three-term) basis. One‑time and recurring additional fees - Technology Fee: one-time and non-refundable; applies to all students enrolling in Year One and to new students enrolling in Years Two to Six. Example published amounts in public fee schedules: ¥50,000 (one-time). - Maintenance Fee: annual and non‑refundable; example published amount ¥150,000. This is charged in full for all students (returning and new) regardless of date of entry and is not pro‑rated. Payment is due in July or at time of enrolment. - Insurance Fee: annual, paid per child; covers supervised school activities and travel to/from school. The insurance benefit schedule is published by the school (examples of benefit amounts are included in the school policy). Example published premium amounts (in public fee summaries) include figures such as approximately ¥6,400 per child in some published summaries. The insurance premium is not refundable. - PTA Fee: annual, paid per family; non‑refundable. Example published PTA contribution amounts appear in public fee summaries (e.g., around ¥5,000). - Library bag and school cap: invoiced with school fees. Replacement costs example: library bag ¥1,800; school cap ¥2,000. - Uniforms: school and PE uniform are mandatory and are additional to tuition. School lunch, school bus, after‑school activity fees and optional photograph purchases are charged separately. First-year total (example composition) - For first‑year budgeting many published schedules separate one‑time items (application, registration, technology) from recurring annual items (tuition, maintenance, insurance, PTA). Example composition published in public fee summaries for first year (illustrative): Application Fee ¥40,000; Registration Fee ¥290,000; Technology Fee ¥50,000; Maintenance Fee ¥150,000; Tuition Fee ¥1,304,500 — producing a first‑year total (illustrative) of ¥1,834,500 for a Kindergarten1 entry. Annual totals for continuing years are lower because one‑time fees are not repeated. Use the annual tuition figures above to compute continuing‑year totals and instalments. Boarding fees - St. Michael's operates as a day school (no boarding provision). Boarding fees are not applicable. Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties - Tuition billing: invoiced in two instalments; due in July and January. For students entering mid‑year, tuition is charged from the month of entry; other fees must be paid in full at the time they are due. The school operates a three‑term year (August–December; January–March; April–June) for attendance and withdrawal calculations. - Late payment penalties and consequences: a penalty of ¥30,000 is applied for payments received 15 days after the due date. Students whose tuition is outstanding 60 days after the due date may be suspended; the school may withhold reports, transcripts or transfer certificates while balances remain unpaid. If a student is suspended for non‑payment, reinstatement may require an additional ¥50,000 plus full remaining year's fees payable in advance. - Withdrawal terms and refunds: a minimum of two months' written notice of withdrawal must be given to the Head of School. Children who leave before the end of the school year will be charged up to the end of the term in which they withdraw. Fees held beyond the final account point are returned within 30 days of leaving. A late withdrawal fee of ¥30,000 applies to families who, after making the July payment, withdraw before the start of the new academic year. Maintenance, insurance, PTA and technology fees are explicitly non‑refundable and are not pro‑rated. In the event of an unexpected school closure where learning continues remotely, full tuition is maintained and no refund is provided. Other costs to budget for - Uniforms (school and PE) — mandatory and additional to tuition. - Optional services: school lunch; school bus; after‑school activities (charged per term); optional photograph purchases. - Small school accessories invoiced with fees: library bag and school cap (replacement costs listed above). Fee payment methods and bank details - Published payment method: bank transfer. Separate bank account details are provided for transfers from within Japan and for overseas transfers (MUFG Bank with SWIFT: BOTKJPJT and the school's account number). Any bank charges are the payer's responsibility. The school's published policy lists bank transfer as the required payment route. No general public statement of standard credit‑card payment acceptance for annual tuition is published in the school's payment policy; banking transfer is the established published method. Sibling discount - A 15% sibling discount on tuition applies to younger siblings when two or more children from the same parents attend simultaneously. The discount applies to tuition only; other fees (application, registration, maintenance, insurance, PTA, technology) must be paid in full. The oldest child pays full tuition; the discount applies in order of enrollment. Summary of non‑refundable items and key penalties - Non‑refundable: Application Fee; Registration Fee; Maintenance Fee; Insurance Fee; Technology Fee; PTA Fee. - Penalties: ¥30,000 late‑payment fee after 15 days; suspension and possible withholding of documentation for accounts outstanding 60 days; ¥50,000 reinstatement condition where suspension occurred for non‑payment; ¥30,000 late withdrawal fee in specified circumstances. Note: the school publishes a narrative "Fees for 2025–2026" and a detailed Payment Policy that sets billing terms, penalties, non‑refundable items and bank transfer instructions; publicly available fee schedules and school‑fee aggregators publish specific annual tuition and one‑time fee figures (examples summarized above) that are used for family budgeting.
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 Marie International School Shukugawa offers Kindergarten (ages 3-6), Primary (ages 6-12), and Secondary (ages 12-15) across its campuses, with small class sizes of about 10 students. The Kindergarten uses a Creative Curriculum with daily English instruction and a timetable that includes math, science, and arts alongside language development. Primary School uses a nine-subject framework divided into Core and Expressive Subjects, with differentiated teaching and a milestone-based assessment approach plus performance tasks. English language assessment is embedded in Primary via EIKEN, while Secondary also uses a nine-subject structure and includes EIKEN in its timetable. Secondary's daily program includes wellbeing, global studies, art, languages (Spanish and English) and Japanese, with a focus on experiential learning. MIS provides an all-English environment across its campuses (including Ashiya and Matsuyama openings) and runs seasonal English-language programs based on TOEFL materials, including a 2025 Spring English Language Acceleration Program with TOEFL Primary Step 1/2 and TOEFL Junior groupings.	Curriculum details Early Years (ages 3-5) blend the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), with IEYC units starting with an Entry Point and ending with an Exit Point. From Year 1 to Year 6, Primary uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with thematically linked units in Geography, Art, Science, History, Music and Technology, integrated with English and Mathematics. English instruction is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with systematic phonics in the Early Years and a focus on reading and writing across genres. Mathematics follows the UK Primary Framework for Mathematics, with Milepost progressions mapping Years 1-2 to Milepost One, Years 3-4 to Milepost Two, and Years 5-6 to Milepost Three. The Japanese programme runs from Year 1 in two groups and continues through Year 6 with Kokugo where appropriate; a 1:1 Chromebook program supports learning from Year 1 to Year 6, AI is used to enhance teaching and administration, and assessment includes UK Early Years Learning Goals for Nursery/Reception and ISA external assessments for Years 4-6.
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 Admissions Process (Shukugawa Campus) 1. Step 1 – Application for School Tour (Secondary & Primary). Parents should submit the Contact Form on the MIS site to request a tour. After submission, MIS contacts the family by email to confirm the date and time of the school tour. The information session during the tour covers MIS's curriculum, academic programs, and events, giving families a comprehensive overview before proceeding. This step helps families determine fit and plan subsequent steps. 2. Step 2 – School Tour (Secondary & Primary). The school tour includes an information session and an opportunity to view classrooms and facilities. Families meet teachers and staff, and MIS explains its curriculum, assessment approach, and student life in detail. You can ask questions about language support, class size, and the school day structure during this visit. 3. Step 3 – Submission of the Application Form (Secondary & Primary). After the tour, families submit the official Application Form. MIS will notify the applicant of the result within 1 week of receiving the form. This step marks the transition from inquiry to formal consideration for the coming enrollment period. 4. Step 4 – Payment of Application Fee (Secondary & Primary). An invoice for the Application Fee will be issued, and the fee is charged regardless of the outcome of the Interview and Entrance Exam. There are no refunds for this fee. This ensures the school can allocate resources to process applications efficiently. 5. Step 5 – Submission of Recommendation (Secondary & Primary). Families should provide a Letter of Recommendation and Report Card from the current school. If a template is needed for the Letter of Recommendation, MIS can provide one. The sending school should forward these directly to MIS. 6. Step 6 – Interview and Entrance Exam (Secondary & Primary). After the Application Fee is confirmed as paid, MIS will schedule the Student Entrance Exam, Student Interview, and Parent Interview. The assessment considers recommendations, academic records, and English-language proficiency. This step determines readiness for MIS's program and placement. 7. Step 7 – Acceptance Letter (Secondary & Primary). An Acceptance Letter is sent by email, and families are asked to make the payment via bank transfer. This formalizes enrollment and confirms the student's place. 8. Step 8 – Admission Documents Form (Secondary & Primary). Families receive the Admission Documents and are expected to complete and submit them. Completing these documents is required before enrollment can proceed. 9. Step 9 – Parent-Teacher Meeting and Orientation (Secondary & Primary). MIS will arrange a meeting to discuss collaboration for the child's development and success. Families should submit the completed Admission Documents on this day to finalize enrollment plans. 10. Step 10 – Enrollment (Secondary & Primary). Ensure the child has everything needed before the first day. All fees must be paid by the specified deadline prior to Enrollment. This step completes the admissions process for MIS Shukugawa. 11. Kindergarten & Preschool (Students interested). Step 1 – Application for School Tour: Submit the Contact Form to request a tour and receive an email with the time and date. Step 2 – School Tour: Attend an information session and tour, with an explanation of MIS's programs and events. Step 3 – Submission of Application Form: Submit the Application Form and await notification of the result within 1 week. 12. Kindergarten & Preschool (Students who have decided to enroll). Step 1 – Payment for Application: The invoice for the registration fee will be sent by the MIS office, and admission is accepted once payment is confirmed. Step 2 – Admission Documents: The required documents are provided and must be submitted to MIS. Step 3 – Enrollment: Ensure all requirements are satisfied before the first day. Notes relevant to language and placement: English is the language used for MIS communications and instruction. Parents who do not use English as their home language should support English-language communication with teachers and their child's education. Letters of recommendation in English are preferred but can be submitted in other languages. The admission process includes an English-language assessment as part of the screening.	Admissions St. Michael's International School is located in Kobe, Japan, and is a British international school teaching in English (with a structured British-style curriculum delivered by native English-speaking teachers). The school publishes a clear set of fees and payment policies and notes that fees may be revised by the school. The site also indicates annual tuition/fee-related information is structured around a not-for-profit model with a range of charges beyond tuition (see details below). Fees are stated in Japanese yen and the school can be contacted for current amounts and invoicing. The school's admissions process is described separately for families residing in Japan and for families residing overseas, with a single admissions contact point and a multi-step submission/assessment pathway. The admissions page confirms that the academic year runs from August to June and operates three terms, with a focus on international-mindedness and a British-style curriculum. The page also notes that the school accepts online applications and provides details for online information sessions and tours. Fees (summary of fees as published): - Tuition: Tuition Fees are paid per student and are charged in two installments each year, in July and January. If a child joins mid-year (e.g., January or April), tuition is charged from the month of entry; other fees remain payable in full. A 15% sibling discount on tuition is offered to families with multiple children. The exact tuition amount is not shown on the page, and current figures are provided on invoice from the admissions office. - Maintenance Fee: Paid annually for all students, non-refundable, not pro-rated, and due in August. - Insurance: Annual per-child insurance covering death, hospitalization, and outpatient costs; non-refundable. - PTA Fee: Annual per-family fee, non-refundable. - Technology Fee: One-time fee for Year One and new students in Years Two to Six; non-refundable. - English Language Support (Immersion English Programme): Available for Year 5 & 6 students joining from overseas with limited English; details and fees are provided on inquiry. - Other costs and optional items: Library bag and school cap are charged with other school fees; after-school activities are optional; school lunch, bus, and in-house photos are optional. Replacement bags and caps carry extra costs. - Payment terms and penalties: A late payment penalty of ¥30,000 applies if payments are received 15 days after the due date; accounts unpaid after 60 days may be suspended; reinstatement requires an extra payment of ¥50,000 plus full remaining year's fees. The annual tuition/fee policy also states all fees must be paid in full and that late withdrawal and non-payment can affect enrollment/records. - Where fees are paid from Japan or overseas: Bank transfer details are provided for both domestic and overseas payments, and the school notes that the payer is responsible for any bank charges. Admissions Process (Step-by-step, two pathways): A) For families residing in Japan 1. Step 1 – Online application and fee payment: Submit the online application form and upload required documents (child photo, birth ID, and school reports if applicable). The Application Fee must be paid at the time of application by bank transfer; the application is non-refundable and is not reviewed until the school confirms receipt. The school asks for disclosure of any learning, medical, or behavioral issues at this time and to email related documents if applicable. 2. Step 2 – Confidential Recommendation from current school: The school will contact the child's current/previous school to obtain a Confidential Recommendation Form and conduct a background check. When all documents are received and the report is satisfactory, you will be invited to the next stage; places are subject to availability. If places are unavailable, your family will be placed in a waiting pool and informed of this status. 3. Step 3 – Interview and assessment: You and your child are invited to visit for an interview and initial assessment; a trial day may be arranged to clarify suitability. Additional testing/interview with a Learning Enrichment Programme Coordinator may be scheduled if required. 4. Step 4 – Notification and securing a place: Expect a decision within about two weeks via the email address provided in the application. If accepted, you will receive an Acceptance of Place Form and a school-fees invoice; to secure the place, you must submit the form and pay the fee invoice as specified. If oversubscribed, you may be placed in the waiting pool, and you will be contacted when a space opens. B) For families residing overseas 1. Step 1 – Online application and overseas documentation: Complete the online application and upload required documents (child photo, birth ID, school reports). The Application Fee must be paid at application time by bank transfer; overseas transfer fees may apply (about ¥4,000). The school asks for open disclosure of learning/medical/behavioral issues and to email any relevant documents. 2. Step 2 – Confidential Recommendation from current school: The school will contact the child's previous/current school for a Confidential Recommendation Form and a background check. If reports are satisfactory and spaces are available, you will be invited to the next step; if not, you'll be placed in the Waiting Pool and informed of the status. 3. Step 3 – Overseas provisional acceptance: The school issues an Overseas Provisional Acceptance, plus an invoice for the Registration Fee and an Acceptance of Provisional Place Form. To secure a place, you must complete the form and pay the Registration Fee prior to the interview and assessment; the Registration Fee is normally non-refundable. If the year group is oversubscribed, applicants will be placed in the waiting pool. 4. Step 4 – Assessment & interview in Kobe: The interview and assessment occur on arrival in Kobe to formalise acceptance. You may join the class on an agreed date with the Head of School; you'll be invoiced for all outstanding school fees after a successful assessment. If the child is not accepted, the Registration Fee is refunded; however, if information was knowingly withheld at Step 1, the refund may not take place. Waitlist/Pool (oversubscription and placement): - The school uses a waiting pool when a year group is oversubscribed. Placement in the pool occurs after the interview/assessment process if there are no available places at that time. The pool's capacity to admit wait-pooled students varies from year to year, and families will be contacted when openings occur. This wait pool mechanism is described in both the in-Japan and overseas application procedures. Scholarships and financial assistance overview: - The published live site does not list a formal scholarship program with eligibility criteria or application steps beyond the standard tuition and fee structure. The school does publish a 15% tuition sibling discount, which applies to tuition fees (not to all other fees). For families seeking financial assistance beyond the sibling discount, inquiries are usually directed to the Admissions Office for guidance on potential options or humanitarian/Donor-funded funds, as referenced in related school materials (not published as a standard, clearly defined scholarship program on the live site). The presence of a scholarship-focused fund or donor-supported scholarship program is mentioned in development and alumni materials outside the live admissions pages, but it is not published as a formal, on-page scholarship offering with clear criteria on the live site. Families seeking financial aid should contact the Admissions Office to discuss current options and eligibility.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The live site does not publish a formal scholarship program with explicit criteria or application steps. A 15% tuition discount is available for siblings. References to a Miss Lea Scholarship Fund or donor-supported scholarships appear in development or alumni materials outside the live admissions pages, but there is no published, page-level detail on a current scholarship program with criteria on the live site. For families seeking financial assistance beyond the sibling discount, contact Admissions for guidance on current options.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waitlist / pool: Marie International School uses a rolling admissions approach. Applications are accepted all year round and are reviewed on a rolling basis provided spaces are available. There is no published, separate waitlist system; admission decisions for April enrollment typically occur between February and early March, while September enrollment decisions occur between July and August. For applicants transferring from MIS, the admission process runs October–January for April enrollment and February–June for October enrollment, with dates announced separately. In short, admissions depend on space availability at the time of review.	Waitlist Yes. The school uses a wait pool for oversubscribed year groups. Wait-pooled applicants are admitted only as spaces become available, and capacity to admit wait-pooled students varies from year to year. This wait-pool process is noted in both the in-country and overseas admissions procedures. If you are placed in the wait pool, you will be informed when an opening becomes available.
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