Compare International Schools in Kofu, Japan

New Life International School is located at 5-4-16 Asahi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0025, Japan. The campus sits in the Asahi district and is about a 10-minute walk north of Kofu Station. It shares a building with the New Life International Church, and the area is accessible by train, bus, bicycle, or car.

The school offers Kindergarten through High School (grades 1–12). It uses an American curriculum with AP courses and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for all grades from 1 through 12.

Co-educational international Christian day school. The campus is within a church building and the school is affiliated with Christian Academy of Japan.

NLIS represents over a dozen nationalities. The school does not publicly disclose the exact local-to-international ratio or identify a single most common nationality.

A low student–teacher ratio (approximately 14:1) supports individualized learning. Japanese language support is provided (Japanese literacy four days a week for grades 1–12; Japanese as a second language for grades 3–6 and 7–12 with JLPT preparation). After-school ESL/EFL and related activities are available.

NLIS is affiliated with Christian Academy of Japan in Tokyo.

NLIS is a Christian evangelical school sponsored by New Life International Church; Bible instruction and chapel are part of daily life, and families of all religious backgrounds are welcome.

School hours are: Grades 1–2 9:00–3:00; Grades 3–6 9:00–3:15; Grades 7–12 8:50–3:30. Arrival typically begins at 8:40, with dismissal following the older student's schedule. Lunch options include bringing an obento from home or using on-site meal providers; a daily 30-minute recess is scheduled.

There is no listed school-provided bus service. Many students commute by train, bus, bicycle, walking, or car. NLIS is located about 800 meters from Kofu Station, which facilitates commuter options.

Elementary students wear an NLIS school T-shirt daily; short-sleeve shirts cost 1,600 yen and long-sleeve shirts 2,000 yen, with shirts available in black, white, and blue. In winter, they wear navy or gray sweaters. Junior high and high school students wear a navy blazer with a white shirt and a tie for boys or a bow tie for girls, with navy trousers or a plaid skirt, and winter sweaters; PE requires an NLIS T-shirt during PE and a winter jacket.

Grades 7–12 have a one-hour lunch with daily recreation time. The page does not specify whether meals are provided on site or if dietary options or snacks are available.

NLIS is governed by a school board and holds Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation. It is affiliated with Christian Academy of Japan (CAJ) in Tokyo. The school operates in the building of the New Life International Church in Kofu, and students are not required to attend church.

New Life International School in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan provides an English-language, American-curriculum program for grades 1–12, with daily Bible instruction and full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The curriculum follows Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, emphasizes hands-on learning, and high school Advanced Placement courses are offered online through Sevenstar Academy. Mathematics uses Singapore Math; Science is McRuffy STEAM for Grades 1–3 and BJU Science with labs for Grades 4–6; Language Arts covers reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and literature (with phonics in Grades 1–2); Bible and daily NIV Bible use with weekly chapel are integrated, and Social Studies includes Japanese studies and global cultures; Japanese instruction includes grade-level kanji and literature with JLPT preparation for Grades 3–6. Fine Arts, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Technology, and a library program support enrichment, and secondary students may access AP courses online via Sevenstar Academy. Grade placement is primarily by age, with Grade 1 beginning at age 6 and an April 1 cut-off; admissions are accepted year-round; NLIS maintains a Christian, English-based environment with a global outlook.

NLIS supports social and emotional learning through its overall wellbeing and faith-based school climate, which the Western Association of Schools and Colleges identifies as a strength where students feel socially and emotionally supported. The school maintains open communication with students and parents in both English and Japanese. All students receive annual instruction in child protection, and puberty education is provided to Grades 4–12 in age- and gender-appropriate settings. Chapel and Bible study are conducted weekly, contributing to community and values education that underpins SEL. These elements collectively reflect NLIS's approach to student wellbeing and social-emotional development.

English is the primary language of instruction at NLIS and is used in all classrooms except Japanese classes. To support non-native speakers, the school offers Japanese for Foreigners (year-long) four days per week. After-school support includes Japanese classes for non-native speakers and tutoring to prepare for EIKEN English proficiency exams. English language development is integrated into the curriculum alongside English-language instruction throughout the school. NLIS also provides bilingual communication and language supports as part of its curriculum and accreditation assurances.

NLIS emphasizes mental wellbeing as part of its accreditation, noting that students feel socially and emotionally supported within a supportive, faith-based climate. All students receive annual instruction in child protection, and puberty education is provided to Grades 4–12 in appropriate settings, promoting wellbeing and informed decision-making. The Health program addresses personal safety, cyber safety, and related wellbeing topics. Weekly chapel and Bible study contribute to community, values, and spiritual wellbeing. The school prioritizes open communication with students and parents in English and Japanese to support wellbeing.

NLIS has a comprehensive safeguarding framework, including a Child Protection Policy Handbook, a Critical Incident Management Plan, and an E-Safety Policy. There is a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, and incidents are addressed promptly with safeguarding measures. All teachers and staff receive annual first aid training, and protection policies are reviewed annually, with regular earthquake, fire, and lockdown drills. Safe recruitment procedures require employee screening and background checks, including police clearances where available. The E-Safety Policy governs responsible technology use and online safety for students, and intimate personal care procedures uphold supervised safety standards.

1. Inquiries and eligibility: New Life International School welcomes inquiries from all interested students. Students are accepted throughout the year.

2. Application and admissions fees: Submit the application for entrance to elementary, junior high, or high school and pay the application fee of 10,000 yen at the time of application. All admissions fees are non-refundable.

3. Age & grade placement: Students are placed primarily by age. Grade 1 begins at age 6, with an April 1 cut-off date, though this may be adjusted for students transferring from overseas or from schools with different calendars.

4. English language requirement: All students are interviewed and assessed to determine English proficiency and readiness. An oral English interview lasts 10–20 minutes, and at least one parent is interviewed in English or Japanese. Overseas families may complete interviews online. Students entering Grades 2–5 with limited English may be accepted if highly motivated and willing to attend after-school ESL classes (additional fees apply). Students in Grade 6 and above must be able to speak, read, and write in English.

5. Reading & math assessments: All students take reading and math assessments (30–60 minutes) to determine placement and support needs.

6. Agreement to school policies: At least one parent must read and agree to the NLIS Handbook and school policies. Students are also expected to follow school rules. Upon acceptance, families submit required documents, including contracts, health records, and permission forms.

7. Transfers: Transfers for English Students, Homeschoolers, and Japanese School Students are welcomed; NLIS offers flexible placement and support to help students make up missed credits and transition smoothly. Permanent records, transcripts, and a letter of recommendation are required for all students.

8. Uniforms and related expectations: Uniforms are required. Elementary students wear NLIS T-shirts daily; short-sleeved shirts are currently 1,600 yen and long-sleeved shirts 2,000 yen, with colors available in black, white, and blue. Junior high and high school students wear a navy blazer, trousers, a white shirt, a tie for boys, a bow tie for girls, and sweater vests in winter; during PE and field trips, a NLIS T-shirt is worn, and a jacket is worn in winter for PE. All elementary students must wear a school badge on days they are not wearing a school shirt; the first badge is free, and each additional badge costs 300 yen. (Uniform details also cover winter wear and badge policies.)

(References: Admissions page for enrollment steps and requirements; Fees page for fee items such as application fee and tuition. )

Scholarships: NLIS does not list a separate scholarships program on its site. The Fees page outlines the application fee (10,000 yen), entrance fees by level (elementary 180,000 yen; junior high 120,000 yen; high school 150,000 yen) plus a non-refundable status, annual building fees (70,000 yen), insurance fees, and a 27% tuition reduction for siblings. The tuition amounts are 804,000 yen per year (67,000 yen per month) for the first child and 588,000 yen per year (49,000 yen per month) for subsequent children, with a 27% reduction applying only to tuition. A late payment fee (30,000 yen) and a withdrawal fee (30,000 yen) apply, and the school follows a plan to increase the first child's monthly tuition by 2,000 yen every other year and the sibling tuition by 1,000 yen. There is no separate scholarship program described.

Waitlist/Pool: NLIS accepts students year-round; the admissions information indicates that students are accepted throughout the year and does not describe a published waitlist or enrollment pool. This implies there is no formal waitlist process described in the available admissions details.