Compare International Schools in Sendai, Japan

Instructs in English, Japanese

Ages 3 - 12 years

Fees ¥1,010,000 - 1,135,000

Type Co-educational

Horizon Academy Sendai Campus offers two stages: an Early Learning Centre for ages 3–5 and a Primary School for Grades 1–6. In the Early Learning Centre, the school describes its curriculum as based on the UK’s EYFS framework, with inquiry-based experiences in English. In Primary, the school states that it implements the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and is a PYP authorized school, with 50–60% of instruction in English and both Japanese and English homeroom teachers. The campus is located in Takamori, Sendai and the school describes the setting as a peaceful residential area surrounded by nature. Practical supports listed on the site include a school bus service and daycare options.

Location

4-2-540 Takamori, Izumi-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 981-3203. The campus sits in Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is accessible by local transport and the school operates a bus network within Sendai City to support commuting.

Stages

The campus comprises an ELC (Age 3 - Kindergarten) and a Primary School. The Primary School is a Japanese Article-one school providing compulsory elementary education with an English Immersion Program; instruction is delivered in English and Japanese.

Type

Private Japanese primary school with a bilingual environment in the Primary; on-campus daycare is available for families. The ELC serves early years (Age 3 - Kindergarten) with English-language learning components.

Additional learning support

Interpretation support is available to help communication with families; all school communications are provided in both Japanese and English. Counseling is available by appointment; the school provides extensive English books and learning materials in the library.

Country affiliation

No formal country affiliation is stated; the school operates as a private Japanese primary school with bilingual instruction.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is stated.

School day structure

ELC day structure includes 8:15–8:45 arrival, with a dismissal around 15:00 and a PM bus departure at 15:40; Daycare runs 15:00–18:00, with extended daycare until 18:30. Primary day structure shows a school day from 8:15 to 15:30, with a PM bus at 15:40 and Daycare from 15:40–18:00, extending to 18:30 for extended daycare.

Bus service

Bus routes cover most of Sendai's central area. AM bus arrives at the school around 8:20; PM bus departs at 15:40 (14:40 during summer weeks). Daycare (DC) bus departs at 17:40. Regular and DC routes serve multiple area routes within Sendai, with fees listed for various plans.

Application & Enrollment Fees

- Application Fee: JPY 10,000 (paid at application; non‑refundable).
- Enrollment Fee: JPY 200,000 (standard). For students who graduate from the school's ELC and advance to the Primary School, the Primary School enrollment fee is waived. Sibling discounts for the second and subsequent children reduce the enrollment fee to JPY 100,000.

Tuition and Term-by-Term Billing — Early Learning Centre (ELC)

- Total annual basic fees (tuition + maintenance + materials): JPY 918,000.
- Breakdown by component:
- Tuition: JPY 810,000 per year.
- Maintenance Fee: JPY 84,000 per year.
- Materials: JPY 24,000 per year.
- Term instalments (paid in advance three times per year):
- Term 1 payment: JPY 306,000.
- Term 2 payment: JPY 382,500.
- Term 3 payment: JPY 229,500.
- Optional/additional service fees (annual ranges and term breakdowns):
- School Bus membership fee: annual range JPY 126,000–225,000; term payments JPY 42,000 (Term 1), JPY 52,500 (Term 2), JPY 31,500 (Term 3).
- Daycare membership fee (for members): JPY 252,000 per year; term payments JPY 96,000 / JPY 111,000 / JPY 45,000.

Tuition and Term-by-Term Billing — Primary School

- Total annual basic fees (tuition + maintenance + materials): JPY 954,000.
- Breakdown by component:
- Tuition: JPY 810,000 per year.
- Maintenance Fee: JPY 108,000 per year.
- Materials: JPY 36,000 per year.
- Term instalments (paid in advance three times per year):
- Term 1 payment: JPY 318,000.
- Term 2 payment: JPY 397,500.
- Term 3 payment: JPY 238,500.
- Optional/additional service fees (annual ranges and term breakdowns):
- School Bus membership fee: annual range JPY 126,000–225,000; term payments JPY 42,000 (Term 1), JPY 52,500 (Term 2), JPY 31,500 (Term 3).
- Daycare membership fee (for members): JPY 252,000 per year; term payments JPY 96,000 / JPY 111,000 / JPY 45,000.

Billing schedule & payment terms

- Standard billing frequency: three instalments per academic year, payable in advance.
- Instalment due dates: payments are due on the three instalment dates in the school calendar (payments are made in advance for Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3). Specific due dates in the billing cycle are shown on the school's fee schedule.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- School lunch: charged per order (ELC: JPY 340 per order; Primary: JPY 420 per order for G1–G3, JPY 440 per order for G4–G6). Milk: JPY 78 per order.
- Uniforms and required items (approximate prices):
- ELC uniform (T‑shirt, half‑pants): from JPY 6,105.
- Primary uniforms: boys from JPY 15,730; girls from JPY 19,580.
- P.E. wear: from JPY 5,555.
- Inner shoes: about JPY 3,000.
- Red/white cap: about JPY 600.
- SafeBox emergency package: JPY 2,750.
- Typical one‑off school starter kit (G1): about JPY 13,000. Field trip and overnight trip costs vary by grade (examples: G3 ~ JPY 13,000; G4 ~ JPY 8,000; G5 ~ JPY 60,000; G6 overseas trip ~ JPY 500,000).

Subsidies and discounts

- Government childcare subsidy: where applicable, the government subsidy can reduce the net tuition paid by parents (an example calculation shown reduces the payable tuition to JPY 366,000 per year when receiving JPY 37,000 per month from the government); eligibility and application are handled through the local municipal office.
- Enrollment and tuition discounts:
- Sibling discount: for ELC & Primary, the second and subsequent children receive a reduced enrollment fee (JPY 100,000).
- Graduation/advance from the school's ELC to its Primary School results in a full waiver of the Primary School enrollment fee for that student.
- Primary School only: when multiple siblings are enrolled at the same time, a 20% tuition reduction applies to the second and subsequent Primary School children.

Refund information

- The Application Fee is explicitly described as non‑refundable. No other general refund schedule for tuition or other fees is published in the school fee schedule; specific refund or cancellation terms are handled under the school's broader fee/payment terms and finance procedures.

Fee payment options and bank details

- Bank transfer is used for tuition and application fee payments; for the Sendai campus the school requests transfers to the school bank account indicated in admissions instructions (The 77 Bank, Takamori Branch; Ordinary Account 9080473; Account holder: Horizon Gakuen).
- Credit card payment for application fees is possible through the school's online admissions portal in the broader Horizon system; bank transfer is an accepted method for fee payments. All bank transfer charges are typically the payer's responsibility and payments should include the student name or invoice reference to ensure correct crediting.

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms consist of a polo-shirt, knee pants (boys), culottes (girls), and a vest. Long pants, a sweater, and a long-sleeve jersey are also part of the uniform; color details are not specified on the site.

Food Options

School lunch is provided through Shokuiku Food Systems Tohoku; families may also bring their own lunch. Lunch costs are 340 JPY per order for ELC and 420-440 JPY per order for primary grades, with monthly menus circulated.

Governance and Ownership

Horizon Sendai Campus is part of the Horizon Japan International School network. It is governed by a non-profit board of directors; Horizon Gakuen operates the school and has been granted Gakko Hojin (educational corporation) status by Kanagawa Prefecture.

Curriculum

Horizon Sendai Campus offers a bilingual curriculum across its ELC and Primary School. In the ELC, learning follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and is guided by the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) standards, with the PYP integrated into early years learning and a Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) to develop coordination and motor skills. The ELC/PYP framework includes the six PYP transdisciplinary themes (Who We Are; Where We Are in Place and Time; How We Express Ourselves; How the World Works; How We Organize Ourselves; Sharing the Planet) and an inquiry-based approach. The Primary School operates as a Japanese Article-One school providing compulsory elementary education and runs an English Immersion Program with about 50–60% of instruction in English, delivered by a bilingual team of international and Japanese teachers. The 2025–2026 Curriculum Table for G1–G6 lists subjects across core areas (Japanese, Mathematics, Science, Life Studies, ICT, Foreign Language, etc.) with many subjects taught in English or English/Japanese, and includes a Second Foreign Language (Turkish/Chinese) and Integrated Studies; daily lessons are 40 minutes each. In addition, Horizon offers transport (School Bus), on-site Daycare, Lunch options, bilingual communications, interpretation support, and a well-stocked library to support English-language learning.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Horizon Sendai Campus provides counseling services with the school counselor by appointment to support student wellbeing and family needs. Counseling is available to both students and parents, reflecting a holistic approach to wellbeing within the school community. The school participates in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning and personal development, supporting social and emotional learning (SEL). Interpretation support is available to assist with communication between parents and the school, helping inclusive participation in school life. The campus operates in a bilingual English–Japanese environment, which supports social integration and intercultural understanding as part of SEL.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Public information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision is not disclosed on Horizon Sendai's online materials. The Primary School is described as bilingual with English immersion and a co-teaching model by international and Japanese teachers, with no explicit reference to a dedicated SEN department. No SEN staff or specialist SEN facilities are listed in the online materials. For inquiries regarding SEN, parents are encouraged to contact the school via the admissions or general contact channels. The school is IB PYP-aligned, but SEN-specific provisions are not described in the published materials.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Horizon Sendai provides English immersion, with about 50–60% of instruction delivered in English and a bilingual environment. Classes are led by a team of international and Japanese teachers, supporting English instruction and bilingual learning. All school communications are provided in both English and Japanese, and bilingual staff assist with communications between parents and the school. The school offers extensive English books and learning materials, including online English reading platforms and a bilingual library. The Open FAQ notes that children with no or limited English can enroll, with teachers employing visuals and demonstrations to support understanding.

Mental Wellbeing

Counseling services are available with the school counselor by appointment, supporting students and parents in school life. Counseling is described as a resource to help both students and families, reinforcing mental wellbeing as part of the school community. The IB PYP framework emphasizes personal development, well-being, and collaborative learning as part of the holistic education. The bilingual, intercultural environment supports social belonging and reduces social isolation for language learners. No additional, publicly described mental wellbeing programs beyond counseling are listed in the published materials.

Safeguarding

A specific safeguarding or child-protection policy is not publicly disclosed in Horizon Sendai's online materials. A privacy policy is available, and the site provides a general contact route for inquiries related to admissions or other matters. The contact page explicitly notes the privacy policy and how to reach the school for inquiries. The presence of IB PYP status suggests alignment with international safeguarding norms, though explicit safeguarding procedures are not published in the materials. For safeguarding-related questions, the school can be contacted through the provided inquiry channels.

Admissions

Below is a detailed, step-by-step outline of admissions for Horizon Academy Sendai Campus, separated into the ELC pathway (ages 3–5) and the Primary School pathway (Grade 1–6). Each step includes concrete actions and what parents should prepare or expect at that point. Fees are covered in the School Fees section and are referenced where relevant.

Scholarships

Scholarships and financial assistance at Horizon Sendai are handled through internal discount programs and government subsidies rather than a formal scholarship fund. The school offers enrollment fee discounts and tuition discounts, plus guidance on government subsidies and a local government benefit system. Details are below with how each mechanism works.

Waitlist

There is no published waitlist or enrollment pool system. The school notes that transfer admissions are accepted year-round, which indicates ongoing enrollment options rather than a fixed waitlist. This is stated in the admissions information under Transfer Admissions.

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Tohoku International School

Instructs in English

Ages 4 - 18 years

Fees ¥990,000 - 1,690,000

Pupils 95

Type Co-educational

Tohoku International School (TIS) in Sendai, Miyagi is the only international school in Japan’s Tohoku region offering an IB education from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with authorization for both the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). English is the medium of instruction, and the school provides EAL support for students who need additional help with English. Secondary students (Grades 7–12) study subjects including English, History, Science, Mathematics, Japanese, Global Issues, Physical Education and Arts,.The school also integrates technology through its BYLT (“Bring Your Own Laptop”) program. A distinctive tradition is the school’s annual, all-English spring musical, produced every year with students performing on stage and backstage. After-school activities run throughout the year and include options such as programming, basketball, gardening, film-making and yoga, with bus transportation service available.

Location

Tohoku International School (TIS) is located at 7-101-1 Yakata, Izumi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-3214, Japan. The campus sits in Izumi Ward in Sendai city, within the Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Honshu. It is accessible by public transit, with bus routes stopping near Izumi Village 1-chome and 2-chome and a School Bus Map available for planning. From Sendai Station, you can take bus 910; from Izumi Chuo, take bus 21 or 22 to reach the school area.

Stages

Kindergarten, Elementary, and Secondary (K-12) are offered. The Elementary School is an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). In the Secondary School, the Diploma Programme (DP) is available, with English-language instruction across the curriculum and additional language supports such as EAL and Japanese Language classes.

Type

Tohoku International School is a private, co-educational day school. It is described as the only international school in the Tohoku region offering a full K-12 program. Boarding is not indicated; the school operates as a day school with fee-based admissions.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Public sources describe TIS as hosting an international student body with around 100 students from approximately 20 countries; exact nationality breakdown is not published by the school. The student body is characterized as diverse and international.

Additional learning support

The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support with a policy and tiered monthly fees; levels are reviewed twice a year. There is also a Japanese Language Class to support learners with language development.

Country affiliation

Japan. The school is located in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan, and is described as a private international school in Japan; it does not list a separate country affiliation.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is publicly listed by the school. The materials focus on international and IB programs rather than religious orientation.

School day structure

Exact daily start and end times are not published on the site. The school operates a three-route bus service with morning pickups around the start of the school day and afternoon drop-offs; school trips and after-school activities (ASA) are offered and transportation is provided after ASA.

Bus service

The school offers three bus routes (A, B, and C) with multiple stops across Sendai Station and Izumi-area neighborhoods. Bus A runs stops including Sendai Station, Kita Yobancho, Kimachi Higashi, Sakuragaoka 3-chome, Chomeigaoka, and TIS, with morning pickups around 8:00–8:45 and afternoon drop-offs around 15:40–16:20 depending on the stop. Bus B serves Yaotome, Daikannon, Nakayama Yoshinari, and TIS, with similar morning/afternoon windows, and Bus C covers Akaishidai Nishi, Shogen 4-chome, Katsura 3 Green-Mart, Takamori, Tapio, and TIS, with comparable timings. Monthly bus fees vary by route (roughly 5,000–7,000 yen per month). The ASA program (After-School Activities) also provides bus transport.

Application fees
- Entrance Fee: JPY 400,000.
- Administrative (application) Fee: JPY 15,000.
- Entrance Fee and Administrative Fee are non-refundable.

Annual tuition and fees (breakdown by year group; per year and monthly instalment shown)
- Kindergarten (Full day)
- Tuition (annual): JPY 800,000.
- Facility fee (annual): JPY 150,000.
- Heating / AC (annual): JPY 40,000.
- Student total (annual): JPY 990,000.
- Monthly billing (10 months): JPY 99,000 per month.

- Grade 1–8
- Tuition (annual): JPY 1,150,000.
- Facility fee (annual): JPY 150,000.
- Heating / AC (annual): JPY 40,000.
- Student total (annual): JPY 1,340,000.
- Monthly billing (10 months): JPY 134,000 per month.

- Grade 9–10
- Tuition (annual): JPY 1,350,000.
- Facility fee (annual): JPY 150,000.
- Heating / AC (annual): JPY 40,000.
- Student total (annual): JPY 1,540,000.
- Monthly billing (10 months): JPY 154,000 per month.

- Grade 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme)
- Tuition (annual): JPY 1,400,000.
- Facility fee (annual): JPY 150,000.
- Heating / AC (annual): JPY 40,000.
- DP Text & Test fee (annual): JPY 100,000.
- Student total (annual): JPY 1,690,000.
- Monthly billing (10 months): JPY 169,000 per month.
- DP examination and handling fees are JPY 200,000 for the two-year DP period (JPY 100,000 per year); the JPY 100,000 yearly amount may be split into monthly instalments.

EAL (English as an Additional Language) fees (monthly)
- Monitor level: JPY 4,000 per month.
- Intermediate level: JPY 11,000 per month.
- Intensive level: JPY 25,000 per month.
- EAL level is reviewed twice a year.

School bus fees (monthly)
- Sendai Station route: JPY 7,000 per month.
- Yaotome: JPY 6,000 per month.
- Daikannon: JPY 5,000 per month.
- Akashidai: JPY 6,000 per month.
- Izumi Parktown: JPY 6,000 per month.

Boarding fees
- Tohoku International School is a day school and does not provide boarding facilities; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs / additional charges
- DP Text & Test fee for Grade 11–12: JPY 100,000 per year (included above in the Grade 11–12 breakdown).
- EAL fees and school-bus fees are charged in addition to standard tuition (amounts listed above).
- No uniform fees or other mandatory ancillary fees are listed in the published fee schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual totals are presented with an option to bill as monthly instalments over 10 months (monthly amounts are shown for each year group).
- DP exam handling fees may be split into monthly instalments (JPY 100,000 per DP year can be split).

Refund information
- The Entrance Fee (JPY 400,000) and the Administrative Fee (JPY 15,000) are non-refundable.
- No other explicit refund terms for tuition or ancillary fees are specified in the published fee material.

Fee payment options
- The publicly posted fee schedule does not specify tuition payment methods.
- The institution accepts bank transfers in Japanese yen and online credit-card payments for donations. These donation payment channels demonstrate the school's use of bank transfer and online credit-card processing for financial transactions.

Notes
- Facility, heating/AC, EAL, DP text & test, and bus fees are itemised in addition to tuition and should be added to the tuition total when budgeting.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Tohoku International School supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through an inclusive, school-wide framework. The school uses a Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide targeted and systematic assistance to students with varying needs. Regular Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) classes are included as part of Tier 1 universal supports. A designated Student Support Lead coordinates interventions, supports differentiation strategies, and reviews data to ensure students receive needed support. An EAL/SEL Teacher contributes to SEL by addressing language-related social-emotional needs within the learning program. Safeguarding and inclusion policies underpin SEL by emphasizing wellbeing and a safe, supportive environment (turn6view0; turn7view0; turn4view0).

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Tohoku International School describes an inclusive approach to SEN within its Inclusion Policy. The policy outlines a Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) process developed in collaboration with the student, parents, teachers, and Leadership. Possible additional educational needs are categorized as cognition and learning, communication and reading, behaviour, social and emotional, and physical and sensory. A designated Student Support Lead coordinates addressing student concerns, developing resources, and reviewing data to ensure interventions are available. English as an Additional Language (EAL) is included within MTSS, with differentiation and accommodation to enable access to the curriculum. Admissions decisions for students with additional needs consider resource availability; inclusion is described as ongoing but constrained by resources (turn6view0; turn6view0; turn6view0; turn6view0; turn6view0).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

EAL services are provided under an EAL policy that promotes equality of opportunity for learners for whom English is an additional language. The policy notes that students requiring English language support incur an EAL fee, and the level is reviewed twice a year. The EAL team includes an EAL Teacher and an EAL Coordinator who deliver language support and integrate it with the mainstream curriculum. EAL support is integrated with MTSS and the Inclusion Policy to ensure access to learning. Instruction is delivered primarily in English, with emphasis on developing students' mother tongue and targeted pull-out lessons as needed (turn6view0; turn7view0; turn8view0).

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through SEL within MTSS and safeguarding practices. Regular SEL classes are part of universal supports under MTSS, contributing to students' social and emotional development. Safeguarding policies emphasize the protection of physical, emotional, and mental well-being and safety. The Student Support Lead coordinates well-being interventions and reviews data to tailor supports. The EAL/SEL Teacher contributes to student wellbeing by addressing language-related social-emotional needs (turn6view0; turn4view0; turn4view0; turn7view0).

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at TIS centers on protecting the well-being of students and staff within a safe and inclusive environment. Safeguarding focuses on prevention, identification, and management of child safety. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Dianna Dawson and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Robert Zehmke. If safeguarding concerns arise, contact safespace@tisweb.net, monitored by the DSL and DDSL. The Safeguarding Policy follows international and local best practices and includes ongoing staff training and clear reporting procedures (turn4view0).

Admissions

1. STEP 1: Make a visit to TIS if possible. You will learn a lot about TIS by speaking with the team and watching classes in action. If an in-person visit is not feasible, request a virtual tour. TIS provides an English-medium K–12 program and operates as a day school with no boarding facilities.

2. STEP 2: Fill out the admission application digitally. Save the form as a PDF and email, mail, or bring it to the school with all required documents. Applications are accepted up to six months in advance. If you use a phone or tablet to complete the form, you must download the PDF and fill it out by hand.

3. STEP 3: The school will conduct an Application Review. Staff review all documents to determine whether they can offer a place for your child. Admission decisions are made throughout the year and depend on space availability.

4. STEP 4: An in-person entrance interview will be conducted to understand the student's abilities and any required EAL support. The interview typically lasts about an hour and includes reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics components. The school will also determine whether EAL support is needed.

Scholarships

Scholarships: TIS does not publish scholarships or a school-based financial aid program on its Tuition & Fees page. The published fees cover entrance, administration, and annual tuition, with additional costs such as EAL and bus fees where applicable.

There is a separate fee-reduction arrangement related to Tohoku University: children of full-time foreign faculty members at Tohoku University may receive preferential treatment for entrance and tuition fees at TIS under a formal agreement between the two institutions. If you wish to pursue this option, apply for admission to TIS and indicate interest in the agreement.

Waitlist

There is no published waitlist or pool system for TIS. Admissions are described as occurring throughout the year based on space availability, with an application review process that considers each student's fit for the program. This indicates that places are offered as space permits rather than through a formal waitlist.

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Compare International Schools in Sendai, Japan

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Religious affiliation

School day structure

Bus service

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Scholarships

Waitlist

Location

Stages

Type

Pupil Nationality Mix

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Religious affiliation

School day structure

Bus service

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Scholarships

Waitlist

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Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

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Language of instruction