Fukuoka International School

The Fukuoka International School campuses are located in the western part of Fukuoka City, in the Momochi area. The main campus overlooks the Muromi River, and the Annex is about a four‑minute walk away, housing the Art Center, Design Lab, and additional classrooms. The address is 3-18-50 Momochi, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0006, Japan, and both campuses are easily accessible by public transportation.

The school serves students aged 3 to 18, with an Elementary School (Early Years to Grade 5), a Middle School (Grades 6–8), and a High School (Grades 9–12).

FIS is an IB World School that follows the IB framework. It is co‑educational and operates as a day school (no boarding facilities).

Nationalities represented among students exceed 30; the homepage notes 35+ nationalities represented, reflecting a diverse international community. The site also indicates 16 nationalities represented among staff. The exact local-to-international ratio is not published.

English language support is provided through an ELL program as needed after enrollment, with bilingual staff offering translation support; a Language Development team supports learning. The school notes that some neurodiverse needs can be accommodated, but severe needs may be difficult to support given available services.

Country affiliation: None listed; the school is located in Japan. (IB listing confirms the school is in Japan.)

Religious affiliation: None publicly listed. Historically, land and buildings were provided by the Japan Baptist Mission at founding, but there is no ongoing formal religious affiliation indicated.

The school operates as a day school with an optional lunch program. Typical daily start times are not published by the school, but directories show Elementary starting around 8:30 and Secondary around 8:10, with finish times around 3:20. Lunch is provided by an external supplier (sign‑ups available) and is offered at an additional cost.

Bus service: No in‑house school bus is advertised; families typically arrange transport via public transit or private means. The campus is described as accessible by public transportation.

FIS is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP). The Elementary School delivers the PYP with a six-theme Program of Inquiry, integrating Inquiry, Mathematics and Language, and including specialist subjects such as Art, Music, PSPE and Drama, plus a Grade 5 PYP Exhibition. In the Elementary years, English is the language of instruction with weekly Japanese classes for Grades 1–5, and specialist subjects are delivered by specialists in Music, Art, PSPE and Drama. Middle School follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with eight subject groups (Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Sciences, Physical Health Education, Design, The Arts, and Individuals & Societies), plus Service as Action and a Grade 10 Personal Project. In High School, students may pursue an IB Diploma plus an FIS Diploma, or IB Courses with an FIS Diploma, or the FIS Diploma alone; the DP core comprises Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS, and Groups 1–6 cover languages, sciences, mathematics and The Arts, while the FIS Diploma is WASC-accredited and graduates matriculate to universities worldwide.

Fukuoka International School places student wellbeing at the center of its approach. An extensive Wellbeing Team supports every student to feel welcome, safe, valued and encouraged. A full-time on-site counselor provides confidential emotional and social support during school hours, with students able to book via an online form or visit the counseling office. The Advisory program provides regular lessons designed to develop self-empowerment, social adaptability, and responsible decision-making. The Wellbeing Program integrates social and emotional support, language support, learning support, and on-site health services to address student needs. The school aims to create safe, caring spaces, respect cultural differences, and collaborate with families to help each child reach their potential.

FIS provides Learning Support and Language Support as part of its Wellbeing Services. A low student-to-teacher ratio and dedicated professionals support students who may need adaptation of learning to develop or extend understanding. The school uses a mix of in-class, small group, and individual instruction for students who require extra support. Admission is inclusive; the school does not have a pass/fail admissions test and will admit students where resources and space allow, with additional admissions information requested if a learning difference could affect success. The program emphasizes collaboration with teachers and families to identify the right strategy to ensure accessibility for all learners.

All students are language learners and all teachers are language teachers, with language development viewed as central to learning and identity. Elementary Language Support includes small group English Language Development instruction, co-taught homeroom support, and one-to-one assistance where needed. Additional after-school English language classes are available through the educational partner, FICS. Secondary Language Support features pull-out ELD for groups and individuals, plus in-class push-in support within the MYP & DP units, with dedicated ELD classes for grades 6–12. Continued language support is monitored through the WIDA framework, assessed twice a year, and students receive ongoing support based on progress.

Mental wellbeing is supported through the Wellbeing Program and an extensive Wellbeing Team that maintains a safe, welcoming environment. A full-time on-site counselor provides accessible emotional and social support during school hours, with confidential services available to students. The Advisory program delivers regular lessons aimed at fostering self-empowerment, social adaptability, and responsible decision-making. Wellbeing services span Social & Emotional Support, Language Support, Learning Support, and the Health Office, ensuring holistic care for the student body. The overarching goal is to create safe learning spaces, respect cultural differences, and collaborate with families to nurture each student's growth.

FIS endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and treats safeguarding as a core responsibility across the school. Safeguarding aims include establishing a secure environment where students can talk openly, ensuring adults are available to listen, and providing annual training for all staff and community members. The school maintains clear procedures for identifying and reporting suspected abuse and an agreed Child Protection process and plan. Policies and documents include the FIS Disclosure Policy, Our Safeguarding Team, Codes of Conduct, Recruitment Policy, and Confidential Reporting Policy, with ongoing communication to parents. Safeguarding is integrated as a whole-school responsibility, involving staff, students, parents and the wider community.

Step 1 — Review FAQs and admission requirements. Familiarize yourself with the Admissions Policy and the FAQs to confirm your child's eligibility for enrollment. Some grade levels may be full due to high demand, but spaces regularly become available because of turnover in the expatriate community, so submitting an application helps place your child on the waiting list. If questions remain, contact the Admissions Team through the inquiry channel or by phone at +81-92-841-7601.

Step 2 — Complete application forms & submit further documentation. Begin the Enrollment Application Form and gather all required documents listed in the application checklist. Items include Medical Behavioral Form, School History Form, passports for all nationalities, visa details for non-Japanese nationals, a passport-style photo, and school records from the previous two years with English translations if needed. For high school applicants, provide official transcripts, a writing sample (Grades 2–12), MAP results (within the last 6 months), a Recommendation Form, and any relevant medical/behavioral records. Prepare for MAP results as part of grade placement.

Step 3 — Pay application fees. The non-refundable Application Fee is ¥52,000 per application and covers assessment, observations, and a 4% handling fee. Payment is processed via credit card through Open Apply. Ensure the application is complete before paying, as incomplete submissions may not be considered. The fee is non-refundable.

Step 4 — Complete testing. MAP testing is used for grade placement for students in Grade 3 and above; younger students participate in an observational assessment. If English is not the home language, WiDA testing may be used. There is no pass/fail requirement for admission; testing helps determine appropriate placement and language support needs.

Step 5 — Interview with the Leadership Team. All prospective students and their families meet with the Leadership Team to assess fit with the school's IB program and community. After completing all application steps, the Admissions Team will reach out to communicate next steps and timelines.

International Mindedness Scholarship — Available to students in Grades 9–12 who demonstrate an international mindset and an outstanding academic record. The scholarship provides significant tuition support for three years or until graduation. Applications open in August each year, with admittance offered in April. Stage 1 requires by January 15th submission of the admissions form, two English-language school reports, two confidential recommendation forms, a one-page essay on what an international mindset means to the applicant, and a CV (submitted by email). Stage 2 consists of an interview with the IMS Committee, completion of FIS admissions assessments on the interview day, and proof of financial need. Results are announced in early March; scholarship recipients are admitted in April and placed in the grade corresponding to their most recent Japanese system completion for the remainder of the year, then move to the new grade in August. The IMS is designed to support ongoing enrollment, but the school retains the right to remove the scholarship for the next year if academic performance or behavior declines. Corporate, diplomatic, or governmental fee support disqualifies applicants. Expatriate students require an official dependent visa. The school does not provide boarding.

Waitlist/Pool — The school operates an Application List (Delayed Enrollment) for waitlisting when a grade level is full. Applications are welcome at any time and can continue until early April; spaces become available due to turnover, and spots are offered to students on the waiting lists in priority order. A complete application is required to be added to the waiting list. The priority order for admissions follows: Company transfers first; foreign students (neither parent nor student has a Japanese passport); dual national students (one parent has a Japanese passport); Japanese students returning from overseas or another international school in Japan (parents and student have Japanese passports); Japanese students (both parents and student have Japanese passports). Siblings receive priority within their group. English proficiency and testing considerations are addressed during the process, and English is the language of instruction.