The American School in Japan vs Tokyo International Progressive School

	T The American School in Japan Tokyo, Japan	T Tokyo International Progressive School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,987,000 - 3,783,000	Fees / year ¥3,138,300 - 3,740,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 9 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,731	Pupils 70
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 6
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1902	Opened 2000
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ASIJ operates on two Tokyo campuses: the Chofu Campus at 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031, and the Early Learning Center at 6-16-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032. The Chofu Campus hosts the main school divisions, while the Early Learning Center serves nursery through kindergarten in central Tokyo. The bus system serves neighborhoods across downtown Tokyo and ASIJ provides transport as part of campus life.	Location The Tokyo International Progressive School is at 1-5-20 Kamata, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0077, Japan. The campus sits in a calm residential area in Setagaya along the Tama River, close to Futako-Tamagawa. Access from Futako-Tamagawa Station (Denentoshi Line and Oimachi Line) is about a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride, and there is nearby car parking.
Stages	Stages ASIJ is organized into four divisions: the Early Learning Center (Nursery–Kinder), Elementary School (Kinder–5th), Middle School (6th–8th), and High School (9th–12th).	Stages TIPS serves grades 4–12, organized as Elementary (G4–G5), Middle (G6–G8), and High School (G9–G12).
School type	School type ASIJ is a non-profit, co-educational international day school.	School type The school is coeducational and operates as a not-for-profit organization within the Tokyo International School Group.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school represents students from over 50 nationalities. American families make up about half of the student body, and roughly half of the families are bi-cultural with parents from the United States and Japan.	Pupil nationality mix Nationalities represented range widely; the school reports 22–25 different nationalities in a typical year. Approximately 65% of students hold foreign nationalities, with the student body representing more than 17 countries; common nationalities include Japan and the United States among others.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support ASIJ offers a K–12 learning support program for students with mild learning needs. Each applicant is reviewed individually to determine whether the school can support their learning needs within the curriculum.	Additional learning support TIPS specializes in supporting students with mild learning differences. It offers individualized learning, small classes (up to about 10 students per class), and a team of specialists including an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, counselors, and a learning support coordinator.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation. The school is part of the Tokyo International School Group.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure At the Chofu campus, classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. The Early Learning Center schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.	School day structure The school day typically runs from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A lunch service is organized by the ACE class every day, with students also able to buy lunch nearby if they prefer.
Bus service details	Bus service details ASIJ operates a transportation system with 33 buses serving about 276 bus stops across downtown Tokyo. About 1,300 riders use the buses daily. The fleet includes GPS tracking, two-way radios, iPhones, seat belts, and 170 bus monitors. Parents may ride the bus to school for events at no charge.	Bus service details A regular bus service is available for registered riders, though it operates at cost. Bus routes focus on areas such as Minato-ku, Meguro-ku, and Shibuya-ku, with designated drop-off/pick-up locations and clear expectations for riders.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & one-time fees - Application fee: ¥50,000 (non-refundable). - Registration fee (seat deposit): ¥300,000 (non-refundable). - Building Maintenance Fee (one-time): ¥1,525,000 (non-refundable). - Re‑enrollment fee: described as a non‑refundable tuition deposit that secures a seat and is applied to the first tuition installment (amount not listed on the tuition summary page). Annual fees and capital assessment - Capital Assessment (annual): ¥250,000 (non-refundable). Annual tuition — amounts by year group (2025–26) - Nursery–Pre‑K: ¥2,987,000 per year. - Kinder–Grade 5: ¥3,269,000 per year. - Grade 6–8: ¥3,425,000 per year. - Grade 9–12: ¥3,533,000 per year. (These tuition amounts are refundable as noted by the school's published schedule.) Per‑term / billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and fees (except the application fee) are due in full upon receipt of the school's invoice. Individuals paying from personal funds may request an installment plan through the Accounting Office; corporations/organizations are not eligible for the installment option. A carrying charge applies to installment arrangements. - Tuition and other fees are payable by bank transfer only. Application fees may be paid by credit card or bank transfer. All payments are accepted in Japanese yen. The billing office email provided for payment enquiries and invoice requests is billing@asij.ac.jp. - For students enrolled after the school year starts, tuition and bus fees are calculated based on academic quarters; attendance for any portion of a quarter requires payment for the entire quarter. Delinquent accounts can result in prohibition from class attendance and/or withholding of grades, transcripts, or other records. Per‑term amounts / instalments (note on availability of detailed schedule) - The publicly posted tuition page lists the annual totals above and explains billing, instalment eligibility and quarter‑based proration for late enrollment. A detailed Schedule of Tuition & Fees is provided by the school and itemises invoice and instalment amounts; the tuition page links to that schedule for the full, itemised per‑term breakdown. The tuition page itself does not display every per‑term numeric split directly in the summary text. Transportation (bus) fees - Annual regular bus service fee: ¥390,000 per student. The bus fee may be prorated on a quarter basis if necessary. ASIJ is not obligated to provide bus service if a family's housing location is outside existing routes. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. ASIJ operates two campuses (Early Learning Center and the Chofu campus) as a day school for nursery through high school students. Other costs and typical additional charges - Travel programs and curricular/co‑curricular trips: most trip costs are the responsibility of families; costs vary by trip and will be published with payment deadlines. Certain exceptions (e.g., Grade 5 trip, Middle School Extended Campus Program and some High School Exploration Program trips) are noted as school exceptions. - Food services: on‑campus hot meal program and other food services at the Chofu Campus are charged separately; an optional lunch delivery service is available at the Early Learning Center. Menu pricing is published with the food program information. - Technology requirements: students in Grades 3–5 are required to have an iPad; students in Grades 6–12 are required to have a MacBook (specifications and purchase details are provided by the school). - Uniforms are not listed as a mandatory school charge on the tuition/fees summary; no compulsory uniform fee is published on the tuition page. Refund information - To be eligible for a refund of tuition and bus fees for any full academic quarter during which the student will not attend, parents must notify the school in writing of the student's last expected day of attendance. That written notification must be received by the first day of classes in August (if withdrawing during the first semester) or by the first day of the second semester (if withdrawing during the second semester). Tuition and bus fee refunds are calculated on the quarter basis described above. Fee payment options - Currency accepted: Japanese yen. - Application fee: acceptable by credit card or bank transfer. - Tuition and other recurring fees: bank transfer only. - Invoice and detailed payment instructions are issued by the school's billing office; families may request information about the installment program from the Accounting/Billing Office (a carrying charge applies).	Fee details Application and initial one‑time fees - Application Fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): ¥30,000 (before tax); ¥33,000 (including 10% consumption tax). - Registration Fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): ¥350,000 (before tax); ¥385,000 (including 10% consumption tax). - School Development Fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): ¥600,000 (before tax); ¥660,000 (including 10% consumption tax). Annual tuition and recurring fees (per year, applicable to Grades 4–12) - Tuition (annual): ¥2,853,000 (before tax); ¥3,138,300 (including 10% consumption tax). - Educational Enhancement Fee (annual): ¥200,000 (before tax); ¥220,000 (including 10% consumption tax). - Bus (optional, annual): ¥347,000 (before tax); ¥381,700 (including 10% consumption tax). - Materials Fee: may be required separately and will depend on specific classes taken. - Additional Course Fees: may be charged in cases where students require extra course credits or specific services. Tuition by year group - The published annual tuition and the educational enhancement fee are shown as a single set of amounts that apply to the school's grade range (Grades 4–12). The school's published annual total for tuition (after 10% tax) is ¥3,138,300 per student. Per‑term / installment billing and payment terms - Invoices are issued to families and are sent approximately one month prior to the payment remittance dates. - Payment for tuition, fees and services can be arranged in two to four installments per year; exact installment amounts and due dates are provided on the school invoice and in the annual service agreement. - Enrollment is confirmed by return of the registration package and payment of the registration fee within the time requested in the offer/registration package (the school requests these within the stated deadline after an offer is made). Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school's published information and admissions materials do not list a boarding program or boarding fees. Other costs and optional charges - Uniforms: the school does not require a uniform; school‑logo clothing items are available for purchase through a supplier (Land's End) and PE T‑shirts are required for physical education. - School trips, some extracurricular activities, some private instrumental lessons, certain IT devices and specific course materials or exams may incur additional charges. - Bus service is optional and charged separately at the amounts listed above. Refund information - The Application Fee, Registration Fee and School Development Fee are designated as one‑time, non‑refundable fees. - No broad public schedule of tuition refunds for mid‑year withdrawal or term pro‑rata refunds is published on the school's public fee pages; billing, refund and withdrawal terms are addressed in the school's annual service agreement and registration documents provided to families. Fee payment options - The school issues invoices via its parent/invoicing system and allows installment arrangements as described above. - The school provides bank‑transfer payment details and accepts payment by bank transfer; bank account information is supplied to families for remittance. Scholarships / discounts - Scholarships (tuition discounts) are available for new and returning students who meet the school's eligibility criteria (generally for families solely responsible for education expenses and requiring financial assistance). Scholarship awards and conditions are published by the school and handled through the scholarship application process.
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 The American School in Japan (ASIJ) offers an English-language, American-style curriculum from the Early Learning Center through Grade 12, operating on two Tokyo campuses. The Elementary School (ages five to 11) emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy with social-emotional development and inquiry-based learning aligned to the school's Portrait of a Learner competencies. The Middle School (grades 6–8) provides a broad, hands-on program with daily Advisory and an Approaches to Learning framework, plus exposure to language, humanities, science, math, arts, and electives and regular extended-campus experiences. The High School (grades 9–12) leads to an ASIJ diploma requiring four years and 22 credits, and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses (including the AP Capstone Diploma), with opportunities for concurrent enrollment via Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) and a personalized pathway through the IMPACT program. For the Class of 2026 and beyond, graduation requirements increase to 24 credits, with Wellness: Physical Education & Health and new elements such as Design and Innovation and digital-literacy components replacing or augmenting prior offerings.	Curriculum details The school uses American Common Core standards for Grades 4–8, and the high school program mirrors the University of Nebraska High School (UNHS) curriculum for Grades 9–12. The high school diploma is earned through UNHS and UNHS is accredited by AdvancED and the Nebraska Department of Education; UNHS courses include NCAA-approved core courses and AP courses. The TIPS high school diploma requirements include 40 English credits, 40 Social Studies (including 10 American History, 5 American Government, 5 Multicultural Studies), 30 Mathematics, 30 Science, 10 Career and Finance, and 50 credits from Complementary Courses (including 30 PE credits), with additional requirements in Japanese language or English as an Additional Language (EAP) as needed. Course outlines cover Grades 4–12 in English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies, with electives and Complementary Courses such as ICT, Journalism, Art, and Life Skills, aligned to UNHS in the senior years. In addition, EAP (one academic year) and a Certificate of Completion (COC) program are offered; typically less than 10% participate; safety and wellness education is integrated into the curriculum.
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: Inquiry and open houses. The process starts with submitting the ASIJ INQUIRY FORM to share your family's needs and educational goals. Completing the inquiry gives you access to register for Open House sessions at ASIJ's campuses. Open House dates for the 2025–26 school year include October 2 and 16, November 6 and 13, and December 4 in 2025, with additional sessions in January and February 2026; pre-registration is required and space is limited. Step 2: Create an admission portal account and begin the online application. After submitting the inquiry, you will receive guidance to open an application account (Veracross) to start the online application. Within the portal you will see a checklist and can begin the Online Application Form, then submit the required items on the Admission Portal. Applications for the 2026–27 school year open in November 2025, and the portal supports multiple applicants for a family, though you should sign up for only ONE child to avoid duplicates. Step 3: Submit required documents on the Admission Portal. The required items vary by grade but typically include school reports or transcripts when available, and confidential teacher recommendations. Recommendations in languages other than English are acceptable, though English is preferred, and translations may be requested at your expense. You may also need mid-year report cards for certain grades; the admissions portal guides you on exactly what to upload for Nursery–Kindergarten through Grade 1. Step 4: Initial review and possible screening. There is no general entrance examination. The Admissions team reviews school reports, test scores, and recommendations, and may request academic, English, or other screening prior to a decision. The process focuses on alignment with ASIJ's philosophy, diversity balance, resource availability, and the school's English-medium education requirement. Local and overseas applicants are both considered during this review. Step 5: Admissions decision timeline. Admissions decisions typically begin in late February or early March and continue through the summer. Decisions consider how well the family's educational goals align with ASIJ's approach, as well as current seat availability and the school's ability to support the applicant. Both local and overseas applicants are evaluated within this timeline. Step 6: Offer, acceptance, and enrollment. If admitted, families receive an admissions decision and must respond to secure a seat. To finalize enrollment, the non-refundable Registration Fee of ¥300,000 is due, and the seat is reserved for the first day of school; additional annual fees and tuition apply as outlined below. Annual fees include Capital Assessment of ¥250,000 (non-refundable) and Building Maintenance Fee of ¥1,525,000 (non-refundable). 2025–26 tuition is ¥2,987,000 for Nursery–Pre-K, ¥3,269,000 for Kindergarten–Grade 5, ¥3,425,000 for Grades 6–8, and ¥3,533,000 for Grades 9–12. Bus service is available for ¥390,000 per year, with pricing for trips, meals, and technology requirements published in advance. Tuition and fees are due upon receipt of the invoice in Japanese yen; personal installment plans may be available. Corporate Contribution Program offers a way for participating organizations to sponsor educational benefits, potentially reducing the net cost to families through corporate funding and scholarships funded by the program. Step 7: Language and campus logistics. One or both parents must be fluent in English to ensure effective communication and support for the child's education; English is the medium for all ASIJ communications. If language support is needed, ASIJ provides programs for language learners in Grades 1–8. Kindergarten is offered at two campuses—ELC in Roppongi and K–12 in Chofu—and applicants should indicate their campus preference during the application. ASIJ also notes mid-year transfer considerations, with the school year running August to June and certain transfer rules for families already in Tokyo.	Admissions 1. Initial Communication: Prospective families can inquire by phone, email, or an initial contact form, and may arrange a school visit by appointment to learn about the programs. Parents provide a brief introduction of their child through the initial contact form so TIPS can determine if the child meets the school's application requirements. This step sets up the information exchange and helps families understand whether the school's program aligns with their child's needs. 2. Application: To apply, submit the application package with a 33,000 yen application fee; the package is sent to you by email. An interview with the Principal follows as part of the assessment. An English proficiency assessment may be required, and in some cases a writing sample may be requested. A 1–2 day trial period is offered to experience the class environment, and all applicants must provide transcripts in English. 3. Offer of Placement: After reviewing the application package and observing the trial day, if TIPS can meet the child's needs, an acceptance letter and the registration package are sent by email from the Principal within about one week. In some cases, an undiagnosed student may be referred to meet with the school psychologist to ensure the school can provide appropriate services. This step confirms the school's fit with the student's needs and outlines next steps for enrollment. 4. Registration: Enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of the registration package and the 378,000 yen registration fee, with the package and fee requested within two weeks of offer of placement. Families should complete the registration process within that two-week window to secure placement. Source references: Admissions Process page (Initial Contact, Application, Offer of Placement, Registration).
Scholarships	Scholarships ASIJ does not offer scholarships or need-based financial aid for new applicants. The admissions page states clearly that new applicants are not eligible for scholarships or financial aid. The school does offer a Corporate Contribution Program, which allows participating corporations to donate to ASIJ to fund corporate scholarships for dependents of employees; this program can influence admissions decisions as part of consideration of overall enrollment. ASIJ also maintains a Financial Aid Endowment fund with various named funds that support financial aid in general, though specific award processes and eligibility are not detailed publicly. Families should consider corporate sponsorship options if applicable and note that donor-funded financial support exists as part of the school's long-term financial structure.	Scholarships Scholarships: Tokyo International Progressive School offers a scholarship program to assist new and returning students whose parents are solely responsible for education expenses and who require financial assistance. Scholarships are not available to students whose tuition is paid, in part or wholly, by an employer or other sponsoring organization. The program includes two tiers with specific discounts on tuition and related fees and requires annual reapplication. Tier 1 Scholarship: School Development Fee reduced from 550,000 yen to 275,000 yen (before tax); 2022–2023 Scholarship Tuition reduced from 2,636,800 yen to 2,300,000 yen (before tax). Tier 2 Scholarship: School Development Fee reduced from 550,000 yen to 275,000 yen (before tax); 2022–2023 Scholarship Tuition reduced from 2,636,800 yen to 2,300,000 yen (before tax); Educational Enhancement Fee reduced from 200,000 yen to 0 yen (before tax). Application is annual for each enrolled child. Required submissions include a Scholarship Application Form, a Financial Worksheet, the most recent income certificate (gensenchoshuhyo) or equivalent, and any optional documents to support the application. The scholarship decisions are confidential and final, with notifications issued by the end of April.
Waitlist	Waitlist ASIJ does not publish a formal waitlist or pool system on its admissions materials. Admissions decisions are driven by seat availability and the school's stated criteria, including alignment with ASIJ's philosophy, diversity goals, and resource capacity. Mid-year transfers are subject to seat availability and campus policies, and local applicants may face timing constraints due to the August–June school year. In practice, families may need to plan around the annual admissions cycle (with decisions typically issued from late February through the summer) rather than a published waitlist.	Waitlist Waitlist/Pool: The official admissions materials do not publish a waitlist or pool system. The Admissions Process page outlines the steps for inquiry, application, placement, and registration but does not describe any waiting list or pool process. Therefore, there is no publicly documented waitlist policy on the school's admissions pages.
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