Hiroshima International School

The school is located at 3-49-1 Kurakake, Asakita-ku, Hiroshima 739-1743, Japan. It sits on the edge of central Hiroshima in a quiet residential district with forest nearby, providing a calm learning environment. From central Hiroshima, the journey by bus takes about 30–45 minutes; a Koyo C bus from Hiroshima Station or Sogo Bus Centre is used, with a stop at the Bosai Centre just before the local elementary school. The address and travel options are routinely referenced by HIS staff and admissions materials.

Primary Years begin at age 3 and run through age 11 (EC–Grade 5) under the IB Primary Years Programme. Early Childhood covers ages 3–5 in combined classes, with KG and Grade 1 grouped together; the day typically runs from 8:45–3:30 for most classes. The Middle Years Programme operates in Grades 6–10, building on the PYP, and the Diploma Programme is offered in Grades 11–12.

Hiroshima International School is a co-educational day school. The school is described in independent directories as co-educational; there is no indication of boarding facilities in its published materials.

Student nationalities are diverse. Approximately 35% of students have two Japanese parents, about 35% have one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent, and the remaining 30% are expatriate, representing around 10 nationalities. In recent years HIS has drawn students from many countries including Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Estonia, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, the UK and the USA.

English is the language of instruction, and all students have the opportunity to become proficient in English and Japanese. Non-native speakers receive English language support in class, with a dedicated EAL program that includes initial language assessments, in-class support, and small-group instruction; there is an EAL fee for higher levels of language support.

No formal country affiliation is stated. The curriculum is international and IB-based, not tied to a single national system.

There is no stated religious affiliation. The school emphasizes an IB-based international education and global citizenship.

The day begins around 8:45–8:50 and ends around 3:20–3:30, depending on level. Early Childhood classes run the full day on a 8:45–3:30 schedule, while Primary sections commonly follow a 8:50–3:20 pattern.

The school runs three bus routes from the city, with routes designed annually to meet need. An example route uses the Koyo C bus from Hiroshima Station or Sogo Bus Centre, and students are dropped at the Bosai Centre bus stop near a local elementary school; travel from the city is typically 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Hiroshima International School is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12, with English as the language of instruction. The Primary Years Programme uses a six-unit, inquiry-based, concept-driven curriculum that integrates science and social studies, personal, social and physical education, and culminates in an Exhibition; Early Childhood is embedded for ages 3–5. The Middle Years Programme in Grades 6–10 builds on PYP foundations to prepare students for DP-level study and includes English Language Acquisition with an EAL continuum. In the Diploma Programme, Grades 11–12 follow the IB university-preparatory curriculum; students may take SATs and TOEFL as needed, with graduates entering universities worldwide and studying across IB subject groups such as English Language and Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and more via Pamoja course descriptions. The school emphasizes global citizenship and intercultural learning within an inclusive, English-language learning environment as part of its IB framework.

Hiroshima International School employs a dedicated Social Emotional Counselor who joined the school in November 2024 to support student wellbeing. SEL is a central focus of student development, with ongoing activities and guidance provided by the counseling team. In 2025 the SEE Learning curriculum from Emory University was introduced to guide SEL across the Primary and Secondary programs; Primary uses daily morning circles to build emotional awareness, while Secondary SEL lessons are embedded in advisory time. The Counselor's Corner updates describe explicit SEL work, including themes such as empathy and kindness and plans for SEL assemblies. Periodic SEL-focused communications and events are part of HIS efforts to promote emotional regulation, resilience and healthy peer relationships.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) or the availability of dedicated SEN support.

The language of instruction at Hiroshima International School is English. All students have the opportunity to become proficient in English and Japanese. Students entering HIS with limited proficiency in English will receive appropriate additional support. Full-time teaching assistants in every Primary classroom and English language acquisition classes throughout the Secondary support EAL learners, and the school's staffing structure enables flexible language support. The EAL program includes a Secondary EAL Continuum to guide language development, and an EAL fee covers staffing costs for language support.

A Social Emotional Counselor joined HIS in November 2024 to support student wellbeing. SEE Learning curriculum was introduced in 2025 to structure SEL across the school. In Primary, daily morning circles support emotional regulation and social skills, while in Secondary, SEE lessons are integrated into advisory time. Counselor's Corner updates describe SEL-focused work, including empathy and kindness initiatives. SEL-related activities include assemblies and initiatives designed to promote resilience and positive peer relationships across the school.

HIS has a Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct for all members of the school community. The school provides ongoing safeguarding training for staff and maintains procedures to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, including online safety. Safer recruitment practices are outlined, including pre-employment background checks and police clearances for all staff. The policy details reporting procedures and emphasizes safeguarding as a fundamental responsibility of the school.

1. Access and prepare the application package. Everything needed to complete the application is downloadable on this page. Applications must be in English, and forms can be completed by hand or electronically. If you require assistance with completing any parts, contact the School Office by telephone or email.

2. Submit the completed application. You may submit the Application for Admission electronically in the first instance, but a signed hard copy of the form (with the attached photograph) must also be sent to the school along with the other forms. The documents can be collected from the School Office or mailed or sent electronically, as requested. If you need help completing the forms, email the Admissions team for guidance.

3. Review process and guidance. Admissions procedures are explained in the Enrolment Procedures document. You can also contact the school by telephone or in person for enquiries about admission, curriculum or other aspects.

4. Inquiries, status updates and next steps. The school welcomes enquiries by telephone, email, or in person and will respond to inquiries. After submission, follow the guidance provided in the Enrolment Procedures and related documents to complete enrollment. For reference, the Financial Regulations contain the fee details and payment expectations. Fees for private students are listed below; as of the 2025-2026 school year, the tuition and related charges are: Early Childhood & Kindergarten ¥1,313,000; Grades 1-8 ¥1,669,000; Grades 9-12 ¥1,701,000; Application Fee ¥20,000; Annual Bus Fee ¥235,000; One-time Registration Fee ¥220,000; One-Time Facility Maintenance Fee ¥110,000; Annual Capital Fee ¥100,000; EAL Tuition ¥100,000.

Fees (summary for 2025-2026): Early Childhood & Kindergarten: ¥1,313,000; Grades 1-8: ¥1,669,000; Grades 9-12: ¥1,701,000; plus Application Fee ¥20,000; Bus Fee ¥235,000; Registration ¥220,000; Facility Maintenance ¥110,000; Capital Fee ¥100,000; EAL Tuition ¥100,000.

Hiroshima International School does not publicly advertise a scholarships program in the available materials. The Tuition Fees page lists tuition and related charges but does not describe any scholarship awards or application processes. The Admissions Procedure directs readers to the Financial Regulations for fee details, and no separate scholarship information is shown in public materials.