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Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum
Taught languages Japanese, Mandarin
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction
Aichi International School (AIS) is an integrated kindergarten and elementary school in Hoshigaoka, Nagoya, serving children aged 3–12. Kindergarten is taught in a 100% English immersion setting, and the elementary school (Grades 1–6) runs a bilingual program with approximately 70% of instruction in English and 30% in Japanese. AIS states its curriculum is tailored from guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Education and British Columbia, Canada. For assessment, AIS notes that Grades 3–6 take the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) in English and Math, and students also sit EIKEN-based tests. After school, children can join language-learning and sports/culture options such as Japanese lessons, tea ceremony, drama club, soccer and computer club. The school is reachable by subway and bus, with Hoshigaoka Station within walking distance.
3 Chome-4 Nijigaoka, Meito Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 465-0078, Japan
The Essentials
Aichi International School has 100 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English, Japanese.
Location
Aichi International School is located at Nijigaoka 3-4, Meito Ward, Nagoya, Aichi. The campus sits in a quiet residential district opposite Nijigaoka Park. It is about a 15-minute walk from Hoshigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Line and roughly a 10-minute drive from the Nagoya Exit of the Tomei/Meishin Expressways, with parkland in the immediate surrounds supporting a calm learning environment.
Stages
AIS uses a nine-year framework: three years of kindergarten and six years of elementary school. Kindergarten classes are taught exclusively in English, while the elementary program is bilingual in English and Japanese (approximately 70% English and 30% Japanese) for Grades 1–6, accommodating students aged 3–12.
Type
Co-educational international school serving boys and girls aged 3–12.
Additional learning support
Class sizes range from 10 to 20 students per class, enabling individualized attention. All teachers are certified to deliver the full curriculum. The school uses external assessments such as the ISA for Grades 3–6 and EIKEN Institute-based assessments for elementary students.
Country affiliation
Japan
Religious affiliation
Not specified
School day structure
Morning care for kindergarten starts at 8:00 AM. After-care is offered for kindergarten from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM and for elementary students from 4:15 PM to 5:00 PM.
Bus service
AIS offers a bus service: a 5-minute ride from Hoshigaoka Bus Terminal bound for Irinaka. Timetables for the nearest stop (Nishiyama Elementary School) are provided, and additional transit information can be found via Nagoya City public transportation resources.
Fees
Annual tuition at Aichi International School ranges from JPY 1,089,000 to JPY 1,331,000 for 2026/27.
- Kindergarten (Ages 3–5): JPY 1,089,000 per school year. - Elementary School (Grades 1–6): JPY 1,331,000 per school year.
Tuition — per term breakdown (calculated by number of months in each term)
- The school year runs April through March and is divided into three terms: Term 1 (April–July = 4 months), Term 2 (September–December = 4 months), Term 3 (January–March = 3 months). Term payments are calculated by the number of months in the term.
- Kindergarten (annual JPY 1,089,000): - Monthly basis used for term calculation: JPY 99,000 (JPY 1,089,000 ÷ 11 months). - Term 1 (4 months): JPY 396,000. - Term 2 (4 months): JPY 396,000. - Term 3 (3 months): JPY 297,000. - Total for the year: JPY 1,089,000.
- Elementary (annual JPY 1,331,000): - Monthly basis used for term calculation: JPY 121,000 (JPY 1,331,000 ÷ 11 months). - Term 1 (4 months): JPY 484,000. - Term 2 (4 months): JPY 484,000. - Term 3 (3 months): JPY 363,000. - Total for the year: JPY 1,331,000.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition may be paid either in a single annual payment or on a term basis (term amounts are calculated by number of months in each term). Both annual and term payments are collected by electronic withdrawal from the family's financial institution. A handling charge of JPY 3,300 is applied to termly installment payments. - The application fee is submitted at the same time as the application form.
Facilities, supplies and other one-time / recurring fees
- School facilities fee: - Kindergarten (Ages 3–5): JPY 206,800. - Elementary (Grades 1–6): JPY 227,480. - Supply fee: - Kindergarten: JPY 88,000. - Elementary: JPY 96,800. - Additional likely costs (charged as applicable): school uniform; school bag (elementary); textbooks; school lunch (if ordered); violin lessons for elementary students; costs for special events and activities. These items are noted as additional costs beyond the amounts listed above.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. No boarding fees are listed for Aichi International School's Kindergarten or Elementary programs.
Refund information
- No explicit refund policy or refund schedule is published within the school's tuition, admission, and application materials.
Fee payment options
- Primary payment collection method for tuition is electronic withdrawal (direct debit) from the family's financial institution. A termly installment incurs a JPY 3,300 administrative charge. The application form instruction requires submission of the applicable application fee when the application form is submitted. Specific alternate payment methods (for example, credit card or wire transfer) are not specified in the published fee materials.
Academics
Aichi International School teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum for students aged 3 to 12.
Curriculum
Aichi International School follows a nine-year program consisting of three years of kindergarten (100% English) and six years of bilingual elementary education (English and Japanese). Kindergarten is taught entirely in English, while the elementary program delivers about 70% English and 30% Japanese. The curriculum aligns with Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT) guidelines and the British Columbia curriculum, supporting bilingual learning across subjects. In elementary, international teachers teach English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Digital Technology, and PE, while Japanese teachers cover Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies under MEXT. Assessment includes internal Criterion-Referenced Testing in core Japanese subjects for all grades; external ISA examinations in English and Math for Grades 3–6; EIKEN IBA Reading and Listening for all elementary students; and EIKEN Junior Silver/Gold tests for kindergarten. Aichi International School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Aichi International School supports social and emotional learning through a Health & Well-being Action Team that fosters an inclusive, safe learning environment and raises awareness of health, safeguarding, and Covid-19 precautions for students and staff.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school states a commitment to meeting diverse learner needs but does not publicly disclose specific SEN provision or designation, and it is not described as a specialist SEN institution.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Aichi International School offers a 100% English curriculum in the kindergarten and a bilingual English–Japanese program in the elementary school, with about 70% English and 30% Japanese instruction in elementary.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Health & Well-being Action Team and the Stay Safe Program, which promote well-being, safeguarding, and safety education for students and staff.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is underpinned by AIS's Child Protection Policy, with internal reporting to the Student Guidance Leader, and practical safeguarding education via the Stay Safe Program.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Application windows and calendar for April 2026 entry: Aichi International School operates on an April–March academic year. For the April 2026 intake, Kindergarten applications open on September 1, 2025; Grade 1 applications open on September 22, 2025; and applications for Grades 2 and above open on September 1, 2025. Applications for the 2025–2026 school year remain open until all places are filled. Entry to each grade is determined by the child's age as of April 2.
2. Submitting the application and fees: Complete the AIS application form and submit the applicable application fee with the form to ensure the application is considered. The application forms are provided as PDFs for Kindergarten and Elementary, and the process emphasizes submitting the application form together with the fee. A notice also states that applications for 2026 are now open and invites inquiries for more information.
3. Application review and acceptance notice: After the school reviews the submitted application form, families will be notified of acceptance. This review step determines next steps for the family and the student. The page also offers a contact avenue for additional information during the review process.
4. Testing and interview requirements: Testing for Grade 1 includes an interview or speaking test and a written test conducted in both English and Japanese. The admission process also indicates that testing details are part of the process, with language assessment as a key component.
5. Rolling admissions and waitlist: The school operates rolling admissions for mid-year transfers, accepting applications as long as spaces are available. If no spaces are available, applicants are placed on a waiting list. School visits or online visits can be arranged if needed to support the process.
6. Enrollment timing and age-based placement: Students may join AIS at various points during the school year, but placement into a specific grade is determined by the child's age as of April 2. The AIS year runs from April to March, with scheduled breaks, and the overall policy allows entry anytime during the year.
7. Class capacity and availability: Class capacity is published by grade and reflects limited spots in several classes. As of the published availability for the 2025–2026 year, some grades show few spots left or are full with waiting lists, indicating that early application is beneficial for securing a place.
Scholarships
AIS does not advertise a separate school-specific scholarship program. The school notes that it is certified as an unlicensed childcare facility and qualifies for the government's free early childhood education and childcare program, which can reduce costs for eligible families. There is no indication of AIS offering its own scholarships or tuition waivers.
Waitlist
AIS uses a waitlist as part of its rolling admissions. For mid-year transfers, applications are considered as long as spaces exist; when spaces are filled, applicants are placed on a waiting list. If needed, AIS offers school visits or online visits to support applicants during the process.
FAQs
What curriculum does Aichi International School follow?
AIS follows a nine-year programme with three years of kindergarten in 100% English immersion and six years of bilingual elementary education (70% English, 30% Japanese). The curriculum aligns with MEXT guidelines and the British Columbia curriculum.
What age range does the school serve?
AIS serves children aged 3 to 12 across kindergarten (ages 3-5) and elementary school (Grades 1-6).
What are the tuition fees?
Kindergarten tuition is JPY 1,089,000 per year and elementary tuition is JPY 1,331,000. Application fees are JPY 22,000 (kindergarten) or JPY 33,000 (elementary). One-time enrolment fees range from JPY 55,000 to JPY 440,000.
Is the school accredited?
Yes. AIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for kindergarten through Grade 6, first accredited in 2008.
How large are the classes?
Class sizes range from 10 to 20 students, enabling individualised attention from certified teachers who deliver the full curriculum.
What languages are taught?
English and Japanese are the two languages taught. Kindergarten is fully English-immersed, while elementary delivers about 70% English and 30% Japanese instruction. JaSL and ESL support are available.
Is there a school uniform?
Yes. Winter and summer uniforms are required for both kindergarten and elementary students, with specific outfits for ceremonies and events.
Does the school provide meals?
The school does not have a cafeteria, but school lunch can be ordered from a delivery company. Students may also bring lunch from home.
What music programme is offered?
A structured violin programme is embedded in the elementary music curriculum with weekly lessons for upper grades and bi-weekly for younger students. End-of-term concerts are held in the AIS hall.
Where do graduates go?
The Future Paths programme guides graduates into international schools or Japanese junior high schools. Since its first graduating class, AIS has been supporting transitions into both systems.
What facilities does the school have?
A state-of-the-art building with 12 classrooms, a library, concert hall, open-area learning centres, heated floors, and a courtyard. Nijigaoka Park is directly across for outdoor activities.
When was the school founded?
AIS was founded in 2006 in Nagoya, with roots tracing back to the Kamiyashiro English childcare programme that began in 1993. It has approximately 100 students.
What sports are offered?
Elementary students have sports lessons three times per week covering activities from different countries. The programme builds motor skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
