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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
Doshisha International School Kyoto (DISK) is a Japanese-registered IB World School located in Kansai Science City, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture. Established in 2011 as part of the Doshisha International Academy, the campus sits in a rural setting with mountain views. Facilities include a gym, outdoor grounds, Kizuna Terrace, a Science Lab, a Library with nearly 20,000 books in Japanese and English, plus an Art Room, a Music Room and Kizuna Hall. The school delivers the IB curriculum in English for students aged 11 to 18, with a Middle School Programme (MSP) for ages 11–16 and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework used for grades 9–10, comprising eight subject groups and an inquiry-based, concept-based approach. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) offers six subject groups, requires study in at least two languages, and includes the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS; DP total score up to 45. The motto Learning for Life, Learning for the World, Learning for Love guides principled, internationally minded learners. DISK is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). After-school clubs include Model United Nations and Yearbook Club.
7-31-1 Kizugawadai, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, 〒619-0225, Japan
The Essentials
Doshisha International School Kyoto has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English.
Location
The school is located at 7-31-1 Kizugawadai, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, 619-0225, Japan. The campus sits in the Keihanna Hills within the Kansai Science City region, conveniently nestled between Kyoto, Osaka and Nara Prefectures. It is connected to nearby train lines via DISK's scheduled bus service from Shin-Hosono/Hosono and Nara-Tomigaoka stations.
Stages
Middle School Programme; IB Diploma Programme
Type
IB World School offering a comprehensive international curriculum delivered in English
Additional learning support
The health office is located on the 2nd floor of DIA; the bilingual school nurse is on duty from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. A part-time bilingual counselor (clinical psychologist) provides psychological support to parents and students. A University Advisor supports tertiary education planning, and a School Chaplain leads weekly worship services focused on Christian values.
Country affiliation
Japan
Religious affiliation
Christian
Bus service
There are two bus routes for commuting students. Route 1 (Shin-Hosono / Hosono) departs Hosono at 7:35am, 7:55am, 8:10am and 8:15am; departs DIA at 3:40pm and 4:00pm. Route 2 (Nara-Tomigaoka) departs Tomigaoka at 7:25am, 7:40am and 8:05am; departs DIA at 3:40pm and 4:00pm. The buses are green city buses operated by Seika Town; ICOCA is accepted; each bus has 30 seats with space for up to 50 standing; routes run to and from DIA with designated pickup/drop-off locations.
Fees
Annual tuition at Doshisha International School Kyoto ranges from JPY 1,850,000 for 2026/27.
Fees (published for the 2025/26 academic year)
Application & Registration Fees - Entrance (entrance test) fee: ¥20,000 per child — non-refundable. - Registration fee (one-time, paid on acceptance): ¥250,000 per child — non-refundable; payment by bank transfer required within seven days of notification of admission. Remittance/transfer fees must be paid by the sender so the exact amount is received.
Tuition and Academic Fees (Grades 9–12) - Annual tuition: ¥1,700,000. - Educational enrichment fee: ¥150,000 per year. - Total annual academic fee (tuition + enrichment): ¥1,850,000. - Academic fee billing by term (per-semester/term amounts): - Fall term: ¥740,000. - Winter term: ¥555,000. - Spring term: ¥555,000.
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms - Academic fees are automatically deducted from a designated bank account three times per year (September, January, and April). Academic fees are non-refundable. - Entrance and registration payments must be made by bank transfer; detailed domestic and international remittance instructions (including bank names, SWIFT code, and reference numbers) are provided for those transfers. Remittance/transfer charges should be paid by the sender so the school receives the exact fee amount.
Boarding - Doshisha International School, Kyoto is not a boarding school; students must live with a parent or legal guardian. There are no boarding fees.
Other Costs and Typical Additional Fees - Emergency supply items (Grades 9–12): ¥3,000 per academic year (included as a listed other fee). Excursions, expeditions and study-trip costs are not included in the academic fee and are charged separately when applicable. - Uniform / PE kit (middle school only): DISK does not require school uniforms for daily wear, but all middle school students must purchase a full Physical Health Education uniform set costing approximately ¥13,000 (inclusive of tax). The PE set includes short pants, short-sleeve T-shirt, long-sleeve T-shirt, long pants, and a zip-up parker with approximate item prices listed. Payment for uniform orders operates by cash-on-delivery; a cash-on-delivery fee (approx. ¥440) and a transportation fee (approx. ¥770) are added to each order. Customized uniform items cannot be returned or exchanged.
Refund Information - Academic fees are non-refundable. - The entrance test fee is non-refundable. The registration fee is non-refundable. Customized uniform items cannot be returned or exchanged.
Fee Payment Options (published methods) - Automatic direct debit from a designated bank account for academic fee instalments (September, January, April). - Bank transfer for entrance-test payments and registration fee payments (domestic and international bank transfer instructions and required reference numbers are provided). Remittance/transfer charges are to be borne by the payer. - Cash-on-delivery for uniform orders (COD and transportation fees apply).
If a specific payment method (for example, credit card acceptance) is not listed above, it is not shown as a published payment option in the school's fee and admissions materials.
Academics
Doshisha International School Kyoto teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 11 to 18.
Curriculum
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework used for grades 9–10; Middle School Programme (MSP) for ages 11–16; eight subject groups; inquiry-based, concept-based learning; Personal Project in grade 10; develops approaches to learning and prepares students for further education. The school offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) with six subject groups, language study of at least two languages, and core components including the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity and Service; DP can lead to the IB Diploma, IB Certificate, or a High School Certificate; maximum DP total score is 45.
Higher Education Progression
University Advisor provides a part-time service to prepare students for tertiary education, evaluate options, assist with applications, and answer questions for students and their parents.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a part-time bilingual counselor (clinical psychologist) to offer psychological support to parents and students. The counseling room is on the 4th floor and is open every Thursday and once a month on Monday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The School Chaplain leads worship services weekly and Christian values are explored through chapel and related activities.
Mental Wellbeing
The Health Office includes a bilingual school nurse on duty from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. A part-time bilingual counselor provides psychological support to students and parents, coordinating with health staff to support student wellbeing.
Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Policy with zero tolerance for abuse or neglect. Abuse is defined to include physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect, inappropriate peer-to-peer behavior, and online harassment. A designated Child Protection Officer handles concerns, and staff are mandated reporters with regular training. Confidential reporting is available, including an anonymous report form; the policy is reviewed annually. The designated Child Protection Officer is Gavin Storey.
Admissions
Admissions
DISK provides an internationally oriented education, with English as the medium of instruction in all classes except for foreign language courses. It is not an English language school and does not teach English as a foreign language. A level of English proficiency is a requirement for admission, and while some English language support is available, the admissions procedures aim to balance English language ability in each grade without compromising English being the language of instruction in all classes. The school is not a boarding school; students must live with their parent(s) or legal guardian throughout the academic year and must have their own devices.
Admission criteria require: all students meet minimal English language requirements; age-grade eligibility is met; students live with their parent(s) in Japan; and if admitted, Grade 11 will be enrolled in the IB Diploma Program. The enrollment system is age-based as outlined in the chart, with specific age ranges mapping to grades (e.g., DOB 9/1/2009–8/31/2010 corresponds to age 13–14 for Grade 9; DOB 9/1/2008–8/31/2009 corresponds to age 14–15 for Grade 10; DOB 9/1/2007–8/31/2008 corresponds to age 15–16 for Grade 11).
Enrollment is accepted throughout the school year, and current admissions are limited to new enrollments for grades 9–10 at present. Applications are considered on the date of application, with the earliest start date determined accordingly, and the school will close in 2029 after all current students have graduated.
Admission steps (1–7): 1. Request an Admissions & Enrollment Application Form link by emailing the Admissions Office to receive the digital form. 2. Complete the digital Admissions & Enrollment Application Form, including personal details, identification (passport information page), documentation (academic transcripts from the last two years in English, English-language enrollment certificate), and additional information about educational history and needs, plus a medical disclosure form. 3. Review: after submission is checked, you receive an email with entrance test fee payment details; if not approved, you are notified and application materials are not returned. 4. Entrance Test Fee Payment: pay a non-refundable entrance test fee of 20,000 yen per child before testing; ensure remittance details specify exactly 20,000 yen and include the required reference number. 5. Entrance Test & Interview: the test and interview are conducted in person on campus and take about 4–5 hours; there is no online remote testing option. All applicants take a language and math test; non-native English speakers must be able to read, speak and write English; MAP practice links are provided for practice. 6. Admissions Panel Decision: the final admission decision is communicated by email. 7. Registration Fee Payment: a one-time non-refundable registration fee of 250,000 yen per child is due within seven days of admission notification, with remittance details provided.
Bank transfer details and other administrative information are provided in the admission materials.
FAQs
What is the age range at DISK Kyoto, and which IB programs does the school offer?
DISK Kyoto serves students aged roughly 11 to 18. It offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MSP) for ages 11–16 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for older students; the DP can lead to the IB Diploma, IB Certificate, or a High School Certificate, with a maximum DP score of 45.
Where is DISK Kyoto located and what is the campus like?
The campus is at 7-31-1 Kizugawadai, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, in Kansai Science City. It sits among the Keihanna Hills with mountain views and has on-site facilities designed to support inquiry-based learning, plus bus connections to nearby stations.
Is DISK Kyoto a co-educational school and what language is used for instruction?
DISK Kyoto is co-educational. English is the medium of instruction in all classes except for foreign language courses, and language study includes English and Japanese.
What are the admission-related fees for DISK Kyoto?
Entrance test fee is ¥20,000 per child (non-refundable). The registration fee is ¥250,000 per child (non-refundable) and due within seven days of admission notification; payments are by bank transfer with remittance charges paid by the sender.
What are the tuition and billing arrangements for Grades 9–12?
Annual tuition is ¥1,700,000 plus an educational enrichment fee of ¥150,000, for a total of ¥1,850,000 per year. Fees are billed per term (Fall ¥740,000; Winter ¥555,000; Spring ¥555,000) and are automatically deducted from a designated bank account three times a year (September, January, and April).
What documents are required to apply to DISK Kyoto?
You need to submit the digital Admissions & Enrollment Application Form with personal details, your passport information page, and copies of academic transcripts from the last two years in English, plus an English-language enrollment certificate and a medical disclosure form; you'll also provide information about educational history and needs.
What can I expect from the IB-related academics at DISK Kyoto?
DISK offers the Middle School Programme aligned with the IB MYP for ages 11–16 and the IB Diploma Programme for older students. The MSP uses eight subject groups with inquiry-based, concept-based learning and includes a Personal Project in Grade 10. The DP includes six subject groups, at least two languages, and core components such as the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS, with a maximum score of 45.
How many languages are studied, and is there a bilingual option in the Diploma Programme?
In the Middle Years Programme, students study English and Japanese, with at least two languages overall. The Diploma Programme offers a bilingual option in English and Japanese.
Is there a University Advisor, and how does higher education planning work at DISK Kyoto?
Yes. DISK provides a part-time University Advisor who supports tertiary education planning, evaluates options, assists with applications, and answers questions for students and their parents.
What facilities does the DISK Kyoto campus provide?
The campus features a Library with about 20,000 books in Japanese and English, a Science Lab, an Art Room, a Music Room, and Kizuna Hall. Outdoor spaces include Kizuna Terrace and grounds with mountain views.
Are there sports facilities and outdoor spaces available on campus?
Yes. There is an on-site gym for indoor PE and outdoor grounds for physical activity, along with the mountain-view surroundings and Kizuna Terrace for outdoor use.
What arts facilities does DISK Kyoto have?
DISK Kyoto has dedicated Art and Music Rooms, and Kizuna Hall on site for performances and exhibitions.
What clubs exist, and can students start new clubs at DISK Kyoto?
Current clubs include Model United Nations (MUN) and Yearbook Club. Students who want to start a new club—especially as part of IB CAS—are encouraged to propose ideas, with sponsorship guidance from the CAS Coordinator.
How is the CAS program implemented and what leadership opportunities exist?
Clubs and activities are aligned with IB CAS goals. A CAS Coordinator provides sponsorship guidance and support, enabling student-led initiatives and leadership development.
What is the after-school activities program like at DISK Kyoto?
The Activity Program rotates through a diverse series of activities led by different teachers, with each activity lasting three to four weeks to support personal, social, and physical wellbeing.
What wellbeing and safeguarding support is available on campus?
There is a bilingual Health Office with a nurse on duty Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm. A part-time bilingual counselor provides psychological support to students and parents, and the School Chaplain leads weekly worship.
What safeguarding measures does DISK Kyoto have in place?
The school has a Child Protection Policy with zero tolerance for abuse; a designated Child Protection Officer handles concerns; staff are mandated reporters with regular training; confidential reporting options including an anonymous form; and the policy is reviewed annually.
Is there English-language or academic support for students who need it?
Some English-language support is available; English proficiency is a requirement for admission, and MAP practice links are provided to help practice.
Do students wear school uniforms at DISK Kyoto?
DISK Kyoto does not require uniforms for daily wear; however, all middle school students must purchase a full PE uniform set.
Is DISK Kyoto a boarding school?
No. DISK Kyoto is not a boarding school; students must live with a parent or legal guardian during the academic year.
