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Clarence International School

Japan, Tokyo

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ¥1,800,000
Ages 2 - 6 years
Pupil numbers 50
Type Co-educational
Opened 2016
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages Japanese
Typical class size 15
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten
Introduction

Clarence International School is a British international pre-prep school in Minami-Aoyama, described as being in the heart of Tokyo. It serves children from 18 months to 6 years old and follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum of England. Learning includes a strong arts component: the school highlights weekly music lessons with specialist teachers and visual art experiences such as sculpture, printmaking and ceramics. Outdoor learning is built in through frequent time in nearby parks and “Muddy Parks.” In the Rainbow class, children also begin structured technology learning, including typing, LEGO coding, Scratch and robotics. Beyond the school day, children can join termly clubs and the school states it operates its own bus service for routes and excursions.

www.clarenceschool.jp

3-9-5 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku Tokyo, Japan

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Clarence International School has 50 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Clarence International School is located at 3-9-5 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Minami-Aoyama site sits in central Tokyo and is close to local amenities. The school will relocate to a larger campus in Nishi-Azabu from April 2026; the final day at the current Omotesando/Main Building will be Friday 20 March 2026, with the new campus opening at the start of the Summer Term on Wednesday 8 April 2026, near Hiroo and Roppongi stations.

Stages
The school serves children from 18 months to 6 years and follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Year groups include Tiny Stars, Little Stars, Blue Sky, Rainbow and Sunshine.

Type
British international pre-prep; co-educational.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Nationalities represented include Brazil, Australia, the United States, Korea, China, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The cohort is diverse, with a mix of local Japanese families and international families.

Additional learning support
The school does not offer dedicated special programs for specific learning difficulties; admission may be granted to pupils whose individual learning requirements can be met within the mainstream program. The school will support applicants with physical difficulties where practical, and families should disclose any requirements at registration.

Country affiliation
The school is a British international pre-prep operating within Clarence Education Asia. It follows the UK EYFS framework and has British ties (including recognition related to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office).

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: None stated.

School day structure
The standard arrival window is 8:45–9:00am, with optional early drop-off from 8:15am for a small fee. An after-hours Nursery is open from 2:45pm to 6:00pm for ages all days.

Bus service
The school offers its own Clarence School bus, which serves routes around neighbouring areas of Tokyo; routes are updated to meet current needs and there are two bus operations per day.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Clarence International School ranges from JPY 1,800,000 for 2026/27.

Application & Entrance Fees
- Application Fee: JPY 20,000 (non-refundable).
- Registration Fee: JPY 220,000 (non-refundable; must be paid in full to confirm a new pupil's place).

Annual Mandatory Fees (charged to all pupils)
- Annual Facility Maintenance Fee: JPY 65,000.
- Annual Insurance Fee: JPY 20,000.

Tuition fees by year group — term and annual amounts (2025–2026 schedule shown)
Note: term columns are shown in the order 1st Term / 2nd Term / 3rd Term / Annual (the Annual column reflects the full-year amount after the school's stated annual discount). All amounts shown include the 10% consumption tax stated in the fees schedule.

- Little Star Class (Half Day = 08:45–12:30; Full Day = 08:45–14:45).
- 2 days per week — Half Day: JPY 324,000 / JPY 231,000 / JPY 255,000 — Annual: JPY 769,000.
- 2 days per week — Full Day: JPY 480,000 / JPY 344,000 / JPY 377,000 — Annual: JPY 1,141,000.
- 3 days per week — Half Day: JPY 456,000 / JPY 325,000 / JPY 357,000 — Annual: JPY 1,081,000.
- 3 days per week — Full Day: JPY 686,000 / JPY 491,000 / JPY 540,000 — Annual: JPY 1,631,000.
- 4 days per week — Half Day: JPY 603,000 / JPY 431,000 / JPY 473,000 — Annual: JPY 1,432,000.
- 4 days per week — Full Day: JPY 822,000 / JPY 587,000 / JPY 645,000 — Annual: JPY 1,951,000.
- 5 days per week — Half Day: JPY 727,000 / JPY 519,000 / JPY 572,000 — Annual: JPY 1,727,000.
- 5 days per week — Full Day: JPY 1,012,000 / JPY 723,000 / JPY 795,000 — Annual: JPY 2,403,000.

- Blue Sky Class (Monday–Friday, Full Day 08:45–14:45):
- 5 days per week — Full Day: JPY 1,012,000 / JPY 723,000 / JPY 795,000 — Annual: JPY 2,403,000.

- Rainbow Class and Sunshine Class (Monday–Friday, Full Day 08:45–14:45):
- 5 days per week — Full Day (each): JPY 1,012,000 / JPY 723,000 / JPY 795,000 — Annual: JPY 2,403,000.

Special tuition adjustments and discounts
- A 10% Special Care Fee is added to tuition for children under 2 years old (until the week of the child's second birthday).
- Sibling discount: 10% applied to the older sibling's tuition. Registration Fee for the younger sibling is discounted by 50% at the time of enrolment.

School bus (transport) fees
- Termly contribution fee (per term) by days-per-week:
- 1 day: One Way JPY 11,000 / Return JPY 22,000.
- 2 days: One Way JPY 22,000 / Return JPY 44,000.
- 3 days: One Way JPY 33,000 / Return JPY 66,000.
- 4 days: One Way JPY 44,000 / Return JPY 88,000.
- 5 days: One Way JPY 55,000 / Return JPY 110,000.
- Bus fees during Holiday School are charged per day (e.g., 3 days: One Way JPY 3,000 / Return JPY 6,000; 5 days: One Way JPY 5,000 / Return JPY 10,000).
- Bus fees are charged termly in advance and are non-refundable.

Daycare, early/late pickup and single-day sign-ups
- Daycare (after school) with reservation: JPY 2,000 per hour. Without reservation / after 3pm of previous open day: JPY 3,000 per hour. Minimum unit: 15 minutes (JPY 500 per 15 minutes).
- Early drop (from 08:15) fee: JPY 550 per 15 minutes.
- Late pick-up fee: JPY 750 per 15 minutes; if pickup is after 18:00 an additional penalty of JPY 220 per 15 minutes may be added.
- Single Day Sign-up fees:
- Extend from Half → Full Day: JPY 5,000 (maximum 5 times/month).
- Single day sign-up for Half Day pupils: JPY 8,400 (maximum 3 times/month).
- Single day sign-up for Full Day pupils: JPY 13,000 (maximum 3 times/month).

Holiday School fees
- Spring/Summer Holiday School fees:
- Half Day (9:00–12:30): JPY 25,800 (3 days/week) / JPY 34,400 (4 days/week) / JPY 43,000 (5 days/week).
- Full Day (9:00–14:45): JPY 40,200 (3 days/week) / JPY 53,600 (4 days/week) / JPY 67,000 (5 days/week).

Annual Full Package (all‑inclusive option)
- Annual Full Package price: JPY 3,916,000. This package covers weekday preschool full day fees, all Holiday School fees (Mon–Fri), extended daycare between 14:45–18:00 for preschool and Holiday School days, early drop, morning & afternoon snack fees, and school event fees. The package does not include school bus, lunch, uniform, special programmes, extracurricular fees or medical check-up fees.

Extracurriculars, Japanese classes and clubs
- Japanese Class (optional after-school): Registration Fee JPY 22,000 (not applicable to existing CIS pupils); Annual resources & textbook fee JPY 30,800 per year; Monthly tuition JPY 22,000 (two lessons/week).
- Club activities: Registration Fee JPY 22,000 (exempt for CIS pupils); Termly Facility Fee JPY 6,600 (exempt for CIS pupils); Termly Tuition JPY 33,000 per club.

Medical and other routine charges
- In-school medical check-up (twice yearly): JPY 6,500 per check (mandatory; invoiced with the corresponding term fee).
- Reissue of authorised pick-up card (lost card): JPY 1,100.
- If the school purchases lunch for a child on a parent's behalf, an additional handling fee of JPY 1,100 will be charged (parents normally order and pay the catering provider directly).

Uniform and school shop prices (examples)
- Clarence School Pullover: JPY 7,400.
- Clarence School Vest: JPY 5,200.
- Warm-weather Shorts (Summer): JPY 6,300.
- Cool-weather Shorts (Winter): JPY 7,400.
- Long Socks: JPY 1,100; Short Socks: JPY 700; PE Cap: JPY 600.
- Additional uniform items and book/shop items are available through the school shop and partner supplier.

Tax, remittance handling and late payment
- All fees in the published School Fees Schedule include the consumption tax (10% at the time of the schedule). Parents are responsible for any bank remittance or handling fees. PayPal handling charges are applied if PayPal is used (example rates in the schedule: 3.6% + JPY 40 domestic; 4.1% + JPY 40 overseas — current as of April 2025).
- Late payment: a Late Payment Fee of 1% of the outstanding balance is charged every week until the balance is settled. Repeated late payment may result in termination of services or withdrawal of the pupil's place.

Billing schedule and payment terms (2025–2026 dates shown)
- Standard termly tuition invoicing due dates for the 2025–2026 academic year: 1st Term due date JPY 13 June 2025; 2nd Term due date JPY 28 November 2025; 3rd Term due date JPY 27 February 2026. Annual Fees are invoiced together with the 1st Term invoice and must be paid by the 1st Term due date. Termly School Bus Fees are payable in advance by the term tuition due dates. Direct Debit charges for monthly items are deducted on the 20th of the following month.

Permitted payment methods and invoicing
- Bank transfer and PayPal are accepted for Entrance Fees, Annual Fees, Preschool Tuition Fees, School Bus Fee, Holiday School Fees, Club Activity Fees and Medical Check-up Fees (invoices issued; complete payment after invoice is received). Monthly Direct Debit is used for Daycare Programme Fees, Single Day Sign-up Fees, Early Drop and Late Pick Up Fees, Extracurricular Programme tuition and other miscellaneous monthly charges (Direct Debit is automatically deducted on the 20th of each month). Credit card payment via the online shop is accepted for school merchandise only. A handling fee may apply for payment methods outside those specified.

Refunds and cancellations
- All fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. There is no refund for absent days and no make-up lessons for missed classes. Fees are not refunded for periods during temporary closure due to events beyond the school's reasonable control (examples listed include emergency declarations, quarantines, natural disasters, pandemics, etc.). The school reserves final discretion on refunds in exceptional operational circumstances.

Other notes relevant to fees
- Leave of absence: a seat‑securing fee of JPY 8,800 per week is charged during an approved leave; tuition for the period after return will be calculated on a weekly basis and invoiced prior to the leave. Leave of Absence requests can be accepted only once per academic year.
- The school states that fees are reviewed annually and an updated School Fees Schedule is published and circulated before 31 May each year.
Academics

Clarence International School teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 2 to 6.

Curriculum
Clarence International School in Tokyo follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for children aged 18 months to 6 years, with a play-based, arts-rich curriculum designed to nurture confidence, imagination and curiosity. The school organises classes by age: Tiny Stars (18 months–2), Little Star (2–3), Blue Sky (3–4), Rainbow (4–5) and Sunshine (5–6). Within Rainbow, pupils begin to prepare for Key Stage 1 of the English National Curriculum, supported by daily phonics and a Talk-4-Writing program. In addition to the English curriculum, the school offers a Japanese language program designed to build Japanese literacy and language skills for entry into Japanese schools and top Tokyo international schools. The curriculum is augmented by a strong arts program (music with specialist teachers and visual arts), outdoor learning, and reading for pleasure, with after-school options including Clarence Clubs and Japanese classes.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Explore Clarence International School's philosophy and curriculum. The school emphasizes an arts-rich early childhood program based on the British Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with a focus on imaginative learning and cross-cultural exposure. Parents should plan to attend a tour with the Head of School or join a weekly online information session to see classrooms, ask questions, and learn about the program in practice. After reviewing these materials, you can proceed to the formal application route via Open Apply.

2. Submit the application through Open Apply. Begin by ensuring you understand the Admissions Policy and the Finance and Fee Policy, which are acknowledged before a place can be considered. The application form is submitted online through Open Apply, and you will be prompted to review the policy requirements as part of the process. The school's practice is to require these acknowledgments prior to progressing with an offer.

3. Review admission criteria and prerequisites. A minimum set of prerequisites must be met for consideration, and this is detailed in the Admissions Policy. Candidates should verify that their child's profile aligns with the stated criteria before continuing. If eligibility is unclear, refer to the policy for guidance on eligibility.

4. Understand entry and year group placement. Clarence International School does not administer a formal entry examination at any stage. An informal in-school English assessment may be required for applicants seeking admission to Blue Sky, Rainbow, or Sunshine classes. Final year-group placement is decided by the Head of School after reviewing the application.

5. Admission decision and placement. The Head of School makes the final decision on pupil admission and year group placement after reviewing the application form. If a child would be placed outside the recommended age-group, placement is considered only in exceptional circumstances following assessment and recommendation by the Head of School.

6. Admissions timeline and term starts. The CIS school year begins in September; however, a child can join during the year if space is available. Offers for 1st Term admission are issued from April onwards. Applications to join the waiting list can be made at any time after that, once the Application Fee has been paid and the necessary documentation submitted.

7. Admissions for pupils requiring additional support. CIS does not offer formal programs for specific learning difficulties. Admission may be granted when individual learning needs can be met within the mainstream program, though certain needs may incur additional costs. Parents should disclose any disability or special educational needs at registration.

8. Waiting list process. Demand is high, and there are two separate waiting lists to maintain cultural diversity: one for prospective Japanese students and one for prospective international/returning students. Applications to join the waiting list follow the same requirements as general applications (after the application fee is paid and documentation is submitted).

Scholarships
Clarence International School does not offer scholarships or formal bursaries. The published Finance and Fees Policy lays out the fee structure and payment procedures without any scholarship provision. Fees include: a non-refundable Application Fee of ¥20,000, a Registration Fee of ¥220,000, and annual fees such as the Annual Facility Maintenance Fee (¥65,000) and Annual Insurance Fee (¥20,000). Tuition varies by class and days per week, with detailed schedules published in the School Fees Schedule. There is also a 10% Special Care Fee for children under 2 for a period, a 10% sibling discount on older siblings' tuition, and various optional fees (e.g., bus service, lunch, and single-day sign-ups). Since there is no scholarship program described, families may seek third-party sponsorship only under the policy's terms (written agreement required if a third party is paying).

Waitlist
Clarence International School uses two separate waiting lists to preserve cultural balance: one for prospective Japanese students and one for prospective international/returning students. This dual-list approach reflects the school's mix of Japanese and international families and helps determine future intake when spaces open. Waiting lists are active throughout the year, and applications to join the waiting list can be made after the initial application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid, with necessary documentation provided. The school typically issues offers for the first term from April onward if spaces are available.
School Events
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