New International School of Japan

1. Orientation attendance: Attendance by one or both parents at an online or onsite orientation is required. The school offers online or in-person orientations, run in English and in Japanese, and registration is done via the orientations page. These sessions explain the program, admissions steps, and how to begin the application. Plan to attend before submitting any application materials.

2. Open Apply online application: Complete the OPEN APPLY online application form. There is no application fee, and after submitting you should verify and open the parent account as directed. This form initiates the formal admission process and collects initial information about the child and family.

3. Health history form: Complete an online Health History Form for each child. These forms are available from the Open Apply parent account once it is opened.

4. Transcripts and supporting documents: Provide transcripts or copies of reports for the most recent two years for each child. For applicants to grades 10–12, transcripts from Grade 8 onward are required. Transcripts may be uploaded in OPEN APPLY, emailed, or mailed to the school; for Early Learning Center or Grade One applicants, a transcript may not be required if the prior school does not issue one.

5. Interview: An interview with parent(s) and child(ren) is conducted online or onsite. If neither parent speaks English or Japanese, an interpreter should be provided by the family. This interview assesses fit with the school's program and mission.

6. Language proficiency (grades 9–12): Applicants to Grades 9–12 must have sufficient proficiency in English and/or Japanese to follow the curriculum. The school reviews language readiness as part of the admission decision.

7. Admission decision: After the interview and review of all materials, admission is granted subject to available space and completeness of records, and when the school is confident the child will benefit from the program and the family will support school policies. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, so early application is advised to avoid a waiting list.

8. Enrollment and fees: If admitted, the Entrance Fee must be paid within ten days to hold the space. The remainder of the fees is paid according to the schedule and payment options provided by the school. A bus application form is also available in the Open Apply dashboard for families who want transportation.

9. Transportation (optional): If you plan to use the school bus, submit the bus application form via the Open Apply dashboard or contact the school bus coordinator. The school operates several bus routes; the bus service is coordinated through the bus coordinator, with contact available in the School Bus Service page.

Waitlist/pool status: Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and early application is advised to avoid a waiting list. In addition, Expanded Facilities from the 2025-26 school year include a new building that eliminates waiting lists from the Fall Term 2025, signaling a shift toward in-area availability for new students. This suggests that waitlist pressures were reduced starting in Fall 2025 due to expanded capacity.

Corporate Contribution and Scholarship Program: New International School is a non-profit (Gakko Hojin) institution that participates in a Corporate Contribution and Scholarship Program established in 1978 under an agreement with Japan's National Tax Administration Agency. Corporations or organizations can donate directly to the school instead of providing taxable educational benefits to expatriate employees' families; donations fund corporate scholarships for employees' children and support facility and resource development. If a decision to participate is made after enrollment, prepaid fees (including the entrance fee) may be refunded. For more details, contact the school.