Hakuba International School

Hakuba International School is located in the Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The campus sits in a mountain valley renowned for year‑round outdoor activity and access to world‑class skiing. Hakuba is reachable by rail and road from Nagano and Tokyo, with local transport connections into the valley and surrounding area.

For the 2025–26 school year, HIS serves grades 7 through 11 and plans to add one more grade per year to reach grades 7–12 by the 2026–27 school year.

Hakuba International School is an international boarding school that serves both boarding and day students. On-site dormitories accommodate boarding students, while day students also attend the school. The boarding program is a core component of HIS.

The school represents 18 nationalities and has about 60 students in the 2025–26 year. It describes a multinational community, but the exact local vs international ratio and the most common nationality are not publicly disclosed.

The primary language of instruction is English, and language support is provided for both native English speakers and multilingual students to develop English reading, writing, and speaking skills. All students study Japanese as well, at a level appropriate to their ability.

No formal country affiliation is listed; the school is located in Japan and operates as an international program.

There is no religious affiliation indicated for the school.

The academic program uses three trimesters and operates four days a week with six courses per day; the fifth day is allocated to off‑campus projects and applied learning experiences. The 2025–26 calendar runs from August 31, 2025 to June 13, 2026.

There is no regular school bus service currently offered. For the summer program, HIS arranges free pickups from Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal and JR Hakuba Station.

Hakuba International School delivers a university-preparatory Human Flourishing Curriculum that integrates core middle- and high-school academics with emphasis on well-being and environmental sustainability. The curriculum is organized into three learning dimensions: Foundational Literacies (Literacy, Numeracy, Scientific Literacy, ICT Literacy, Financial Literacy, Cultural & Civic Literacy, Physical Literacy, Artistic Literacy), Competencies (Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Systems Thinking), and Mindsets (Curiosity, Initiative, Adaptability, Social & Cultural Awareness, Resilience, Outlook, Focused Attention, Generosity). Language of instruction is English, with Japanese studied at an appropriate level and language support available, embedded in project-based learning. The school serves Grades 7–12, with English-proficiency benchmarks for admission by grade (7: EIKEN Pre-2 / TOEFL Jr 630 / CEFR A2; 8: EIKEN 2 / TOEFL Jr 740 / CEFR B1; 9–12: EIKEN Pre-1 / TOEFL Jr 860 / CEFR B2). Progress is tracked using the HIS Learning Passport, and teaching methods include Project-Based Learning, Socratic Seminars, Social-Emotional Learning, and outdoor education to support holistic development.

SEL is a core element of HIS's design, integrating Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making across Advisory (5–10 students per group), Residential Life with House Parents, and Counseling provided by a licensed professional, with Advisory led by Co-Principal Chris Balme who provides specialized staff training.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

The primary language of instruction is English, and language support is provided for multilingual students to improve English reading, writing, and speaking, with Japanese taught at an appropriate level for all students.

The Human Flourishing Curriculum centers wellbeing as a foundation for learning, drawing on research-informed frameworks (e.g., MIT's Compassionate Systems Framework and related work) and is reinforced through SEL, Advisory relationships, Residential Life, and Counseling.

Safeguarding is a top priority with detailed protocols; all staff and Board members receive annual safeguarding training; a designated safeguarding lead coordinates safeguarding efforts; policies align with CIS ITFCP recommendations and applicable Japanese laws; safe recruitment is practiced.

1. Admissions Process — Step 1: Begin with an Admissions Inquiry. Families start by submitting the Admissions Inquiry form to begin the process. HIS responds with more information and explains the next steps, including how to access the application, transcripts, and recommendations, and a Zoom-based interview. Online information sessions are available to learn about the school's approach, and in-person visits can be arranged if you travel to Hakuba.
2. Admissions Process — Step 2: Prepare and submit the application package. After receiving initial information, families proceed with the formal application, provide student transcripts, and submit recommendations as part of the submission package. A Zoom-based interview is conducted as part of the admissions assessment. This stage determines readiness for English-language instruction and alignment with HIS learning expectations.
3. Admissions Process — Step 3: English readiness assessment. The core language of instruction at HIS is English, and students do not need to be fluent at entry but should have enough readiness to participate in complex discussions conducted in English. The admissions process uses conversations, live writing samples, and information from transcripts to assess whether a student can thrive in an English-only learning environment. Grade-specific English expectations are provided to guide families (e.g., Grade 7: various English benchmarks; higher levels for later grades).
4. Admissions Process — Step 4: Interview and family engagement. The interview is conducted via Zoom as part of the formal assessment, and admissions staff may follow up with additional questions. Families are encouraged to participate in online information sessions or arrange a video meeting if needed to better understand the school's learning model and community. In-person campus visits can also be scheduled.
5. Admissions Process — Step 5: Admission decision and enrollment steps. If admitted, the enrollment process includes paying the Registration Fee and the Annual Fees detailed below. The Registration Fee is 500,000 JPY for overseas applicants or 300,000 JPY for domestic applicants (one-time, non-refundable). Annual Fees cover Middle School or High School tuition, a Boarding Fee if applicable, and a Maintenance & Equipment Fee (boarding vs day students). All listed fees are non-refundable.
6. Admissions Process — Step 6: Calendar and start of year. The HIS admissions timeline follows a rolling basis throughout the year, with new students typically joining at the start of the school year in late August, though limited mid-year openings are possible. For the 2025-26 school year, the first day is August 31, 2025, and the last day is June 13, 2026, reflecting the international school calendar HIS follows.

2. Waitlist/Pool — Waitlist or pool system. HIS describes its admissions as operating on a rolling basis, and it notes that new students typically join at the start of the school year with limited mid-year openings. There is no publicly described waitlist or enrollment pool in the available admissions materials. Based on this, a formal waitlist is not described, and admissions decisions appear to be made as space becomes available throughout the year.

3. Scholarships — Financial aid and scholarships. The school references financial aid as part of its broader fundraising and scholarship activity: funds raised through the HIS Fund provide need-based support to help talented students access the program. The giving materials emphasize that tuition covers only part of the cost, and financial aid is one of the areas funded by contributions. Details about eligibility or the application process for financial aid are not published in the admissions materials; families should reach out to the development/ admissions contacts for specifics.

Note: Key fee details include an Application Fee of 25,000 JPY, a Registration Fee of 500,000 JPY for overseas applicants or 300,000 JPY for domestic applicants (one-time, non-refundable), and annual fees for Middle School (3,740,000 JPY) or High School (4,230,000 JPY), plus a Boarding Fee (2,040,000 JPY) and a Maintenance & Equipment Fee (boarding 500,000 JPY; day students 400,000 JPY). Fees are non-refundable. These figures are current on the school pages. } } }{} {

Hakuba International School indicates it provides need-based financial aid through the HIS Fund; grants are funded by donations and designated for financial aid, but no public, step-by-step scholarship application process is published.

The school runs admissions on a rolling basis with limited mid-year openings; there is no published waitlist/pool mechanism in the available materials.