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Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is an English-instruction K–12 school in Minoh, an Osaka suburb near Minoh National Park, around 30 minutes from Umeda. The school offers the IB continuum. This includes Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). OIS states that the school has approximately 270 students represents 34 nationalities. A distinctive feature is its shared-campus model with sister school Senri International School, including shared PE, arts/music, sports teams and student government. The school highlights a renowned music program and competitive sports opportunities, plus student involvement in service projects. Boarding is also noted through its Global Futures Program.
4 Chome-4-16 Onoharanishi, Minoh, Osaka 562-0032, Japan
The Essentials
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin has 285 pupils, instruction in English.
Location
The Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is located in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, in the foothills near Minoh National Park. The area offers parks and green spaces, plus a mix of Western and traditional Japanese culture with nearby shops, cafes and amenities. Train stations are a short bus ride or walk away, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Umeda. Itami Airport is a roughly 20‑minute drive or monorail ride away, with Shin-Osaka offering convenient Shinkansen access to Kyoto, Kobe and Tokyo.
Stages
OIS is a K‑12 school that offers IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in elementary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in middle school, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in high school. The school's IB framework supports progression from early years through to pre-university level.
Type
The school is co‑educational. It operates as a day school with no boarding facilities.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 270 students are enrolled with 34 different nationalities represented. Public materials do not specify which nationality is most represented or the local versus international ratio.
Additional learning support
The Learning & Language Support provision includes Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Social‑Emotional Counseling. The Learning & Language Support team comprises staff across elementary to high school, including Cary Mecklem, Melissa Lamug, Jessica Richards and Maricar Ronidel.
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation stated for OIS. The school is administered by the Kwansei Gakuin Educational Foundation in Japan.
Religious affiliation
No explicit religious affiliation is stated for Osaka International School.
School day structure
The OIS academic year runs from late August to late June and is divided into three trimesters (Fall, Winter, Spring) of approximately 60 days each.
Bus service
The school offers a bus option via Hankyu Bus 78. From Senri Chuo Station, the bus ride to the school takes about 25 minutes; from Kita Senri Station it takes about 15 minutes. Hankyu Bus timetable updates are available, and directions explain how to access the service from Senri Chuo and Kita Senri.
Fees
Annual tuition at Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin ranges from JPY 2,187,000 to JPY 2,723,000 for 2026/27.
Application & one-time administration fees - Application Fee (payable once): JPY 40,000. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid on the day of application. - Registration Fee (payable once, on acceptance): JPY 330,000. This fee is one-time and non-refundable.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term breakdown) - KA to Grade 5 - Annual tuition: JPY 2,182,000. - PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000. - Total (annual): JPY 2,187,000. - Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 728,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 733,000); Winter term JPY 727,000; Spring term JPY 727,000.
- Grade 6 to Grade 10 - Annual tuition: JPY 2,603,000. - PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000. - Total (annual): JPY 2,608,000. - Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 868,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 873,000); Winter term JPY 868,000; Spring term JPY 867,000.
- Grade 11 to Grade 12 - Annual tuition: JPY 2,718,000. - PTA levy (annual): JPY 5,000. - Total (annual): JPY 2,723,000. - Breakdown by trimester: Fall term JPY 906,000 + PTA JPY 5,000 (Total JPY 911,000); Winter term JPY 906,000; Spring term JPY 906,000.
Supplementary recurring fees and one-off extras - School bus fees (per trimester): Ashiya / Nishinomiya JPY 89,630; Minoh JPY 62,750; Senri Chuo JPY 30,250; Kitasenri JPY 28,010. - Cafeteria (per trimester): KA/KB–G5 JPY 31,360 (trimester). - PTA levy: JPY 5,000 per student per year, collected with the first term payment. - Any additional charges for activities, trips, textbooks, uniforms, or optional services are not itemised in the published termly fee schedule and may be billed separately; school forms and handbooks provide details for specific services.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoicing: School fees are invoiced termly. All amounts are in Japanese yen (JPY). - Payment in principle: Payments are made by direct bank transfer / direct debit from accounts registered with the school. Annual company-payment arrangements are accepted if requested separately. Forms for bus and cafeteria payments require bank transfer. - Payment deadlines for currently enrolled students (deadlines shown for the current academic cycle): Fall term payment due Friday, 19 September 2025; Winter term due Friday, 12 December 2025; Spring term due Monday, 27 April 2026. Annual tuition (company payment) due dates are set separately: Monday, 29 September 2025 for enrolled students and Thursday, 31 July 2025 for new students. - New students: Registration and tuition fees must be paid prior to the enrolment date. If payment prior to the enrolment date is extremely difficult, the due date will, in principle, be within 10 days of the enrolment date (next business day if the 10th is a weekend/holiday). Failure to pay tuition by the due date may result in cancellation of enrolment. - Late payment and overdue accounts: The school may withhold grades, transcripts and reports until full payment is received and may dismiss a student for unpaid fees. Students will not be allowed to start the next term if full payment for the previous term has not been made. Notification to the business manager is required if payment delay is expected. - Late-enrolment billing: Tuition and fees are charged on a pro-rata basis starting from the student's first day of school.
Refund policy - Tuition refunds: If a student withdraws or is dismissed, tuition fees are refunded for any complete academic terms not attended. Partial attendance in any academic term results in fees charged for the whole term (exception: December withdrawal in the winter term). School bus and cafeteria fees are refundable on a straight pro-rata basis from the date of withdrawal.
Boarding fees / boarding provision - Boarding provision is not listed among the school's published fees. No boarding fees are included in the published fee schedule and the listed supplementary fees cover bus and cafeteria services only; therefore no boarding fee schedule applies.
Other notes on payment and administration - Application and registration fees are treated as administration fees and are payable once. The application fee is required before the student is assessed; the registration fee is due upon acceptance. Both application and registration fees are non-refundable. - For bus and cafeteria services, application forms must be completed and payment processed by bank transfer as instructed by the school.
(End of fee summary.)
Academics
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin offers a full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP in Elementary, MYP in Middle, and DP in High School) across a K-12 program on a shared campus with its sister school, Senri International School. Elementary School uses the IB Primary Years Programme for ages 4–11, with Early Years KA/KB and Grades 1–5, organized around six transdisciplinary themes, and includes a mandatory second language; Grade 5 culminates in a PYP Exhibition. Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) follows the MYP with eight subject groups, includes Approaches to Learning, and culminates in a personal project, with progression to the Diploma Programme in high school. Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) core comprises Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS; six DP subject groups offer courses such as English A, Japanese A, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Language Acquisition options (English B, Japanese B, Japanese ab initio, Spanish ab initio, Mandarin ab initio via Pamoja); students typically take five of the six groups and 3–4 HL subjects, with DP results showing strong outcomes and a notable proportion earning bilingual diplomas. The academic year runs from August to late June with three approximately 60-day trimesters.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Osaka International School provides Social Emotional Learning Counseling as part of its Learning & Language Support (L&LS) program to support students' social and emotional development. The L&LS team includes Maricar Ronidel as the K-12 Social Emotional Learning Counselor, supported by Learning Support and Inclusion staff. The program emphasizes valuing student diversity and creating inclusive learning environments to meet varied learning needs. The Counselling Center operates year‑round to facilitate social and emotional well‑being and academic achievement, with students able to book appointments or drop in for conversations, and parents can contact the Counselling Centre for consultations. Together, these provisions support student well‑being, resilience, and success.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school lists Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Social Emotional Counseling as SEN‑related services integrated within the Learning & Language Support program. The Learning & Language Support Team includes Melissa Lamug (MS/HS Learning Support & Inclusion), Jessica Richards (Learning Support & Inclusion) and Cary Mecklem (EAL), among others. The public pages describe Learning Support, EAL and SEL as the core services for students with learning needs, but do not itemize specific clinical SEN categories. The school does not describe itself as a dedicated specialist SEN institution; SEN provision is integrated within the L&LS framework. The emphasis is on inclusive learning environments and equitable access to education.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided through the Learning & Language Support Team as part of the school's inclusive education framework. Cary Mecklem is listed as EAL (ES English as an Additional Language). The Learning & Language Support page places EAL among the services for students with learning needs, alongside Learning Support and Social Emotional Counseling. The EAL provision is integrated with other LS services to support multilingual learners.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing support is delivered through the Counselling Center, which is dedicated to caring for students' physical and mental health year‑round. The center facilitates social and emotional well‑being and the achievement of academic potential for all Osaka International School students, with appointments available and counselling available as needed. Maricar Ronidel serves as the K‑12 Social Emotional Learning Counselor, strengthening the school's SEL provision. Parents can contact the Counselling Center for consultations, and students can seek confidential support as required.
Safeguarding
Osaka International School and Senri International School share a Child Protection Policy and a Faculty Code of Conduct, which applicants can review prior to or during the enrollment process. The admissions page lists the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct as safeguarding materials accessible during the application process. This demonstrates a formal safeguarding framework across the two schools. The policy and conduct are intended to guide staff and protect students throughout their experience with SOIS and SIS.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Academic year and entry timing. The Osaka International School (OIS) academic year runs from late August to late June, and the main intake of new students begins at the start of the year, though admissions are accepted throughout the year to accommodate the international community. This means that families relocating at different times can still be considered, subject to space and program needs. Space availability and grade-level balance are key factors in deciding admissions.
2. Initial inquiry and response. To begin, families should use the Enquiry Form
1 for enrolment enquiries, which helps tailor the school's response. A member of the admissions staff responds after the form is submitted, setting expectations and outlining next steps. If you have a general enquiry, Enquiry Form 2 can be used, but you should use Form 1 when you are considering enrolment.
3. Forms and the invitation to apply. After the admissions office replies, you may submit the main application forms. The forms are downloadable as part of the Admissions Booklets at the bottom of the page, and there are separate booklets for KA–G5 and G6–G12. Do not submit these forms until asked to do so by the Admissions Office.
4. Documentation to accompany the application. In addition to the Student Application Form, families must provide two letters of recommendation (one from the principal and one from the Student's current teacher) sent directly from the school, a health record, a student physical examination report, and official records including standardized test results (e.g., IOWA, ITBS, ERB, MAP, ISA, TOEFL, etc.). A 40,000 yen application fee must be paid on the day of the interview and evaluation. Other information that may help in assessing the student's needs should also be provided. The health and recommendation forms are downloadable with the appropriate application booklets.
5. Scheduling and conducting interviews. All applicants must be interviewed and complete an evaluation before a final admission decision is made. Interviews involve the student and a parent, and for overseas applicants, the school can schedule interviews to accommodate travel plans; parents residing outside Japan may meet with a staff member to discuss their child's educational needs. Overseas families should inform the Admissions Office of their arrival date so interviews and testing can be scheduled.
6. Admissions assessment. The admissions process includes language, mathematics, and cognitive testing for all applicants. The school may place non-English speakers in limited roles by grade level to maintain a strong English language environment; ESL information is available in the Language Support section.
7. Notification of acceptance. After interviews and testing are completed, the Admissions Committee makes the decision and families are notified whether they are accepted or not. The notification of acceptance occurs shortly after the assessments; this is when families learn their admission outcome.
8. Deferred acceptance. For applicants residing outside Japan, or when testing is required, acceptance may be deferred. In such cases, space is held for the family until after the interviews or required testing is completed. This mechanism helps accommodate families relocating at different times while ensuring program fit.
9. Post-acceptance steps and health documentation. If accepted, the health record and physical examination report should be submitted after successful completion of the admissions process. The 40,000 yen application fee is paid on the interview day, and the registration fee is due after acceptance; further details on fee policy follow the admissions process. Booking and submission of the required documents continue to be coordinated with the Admissions Office.
10. Application booklets, forms, and where to obtain them. The KA to Grade 5 application booklet and the Grade 6 to G12 application booklet are available for download, including the Recommendation and Health Forms. These documents are intended to support families through the submission process and to standardize information requested by the school. Applications and related forms are distributed through the Admissions section and are meant to be completed as directed by the Admissions Office.
Scholarships
3) Scholarships. Osaka International School offers financial aid, with an application process and forms available in the school's admissions materials. The regular OIS financial aid application form is accessible in the forms section, and applications should be submitted by the end of June. New students in Grade 10–12 may also be eligible to apply for government tuition support (“Tuition Support for High School Students”); additional documentation may be required to verify household income for this program. In principle, the school assumes families have resources to meet fee payments, but limited financial aid can be granted if circumstances change, with an annual application required. Forms for financial aid are available in the downloads section. The school also notes it can provide further financial support for families affected by COVID-19.
Waitlist
2) Waitlist/Pool. Osaka International School does not publish a formal waitlist or admissions pool. Admissions decisions are described as being based on space availability, grade-level balance, past achievement, motivation, and language support at home, and they may also use a Deferred Acceptance option for applicants outside Japan or those requiring testing. Overseas applicants may have a deferred acceptance arrangement if spaces are held while tests or interviews are completed. In short, there is no publicly described waitlist or pool; decisions are made as space allows and via the stated procedures.
FAQs
What age range does Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin serve?
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin serves students from age 4 to 18.
What curriculum does Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin follow?
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin offers a full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP in Elementary, MYP in Middle, and DP in High School) across a K-12 program on a shared campus with its sister school, Senri International School.
What are the tuition fees at Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin?
Annual fees range from approximately 2,187,000 to 2,723,000. Additional application and registration fees may apply.
Is Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin a day school or boarding school?
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin offers both day and boarding options.
Is Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin co-educational?
Yes, Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin is a co-educational school welcoming both boys and girls.
Where is Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin located?
The Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is located in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, in the foothills near Minoh National Park.
When was Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin founded?
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin was established in 1991.
How many students attend Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin?
Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin has approximately 285 students. Approximately 270 students are enrolled with 34 different nationalities represented.
Does Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin provide learning support for students with additional needs?
The school lists Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Social Emotional Counseling as SEN‑related services integrated within the Learning & Language Support program.
How do I apply to Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin?
1) Academic year and entry timing.
What extracurricular activities are available at Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin?
SOIS offers after-school clubs that promote academic and intellectual growth. Examples include Scholars, Math Competition, and Team Science. There is also an eSports club that provides competitive digital gaming opportunities.
What languages are taught at Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin?
English is the language of instruction across the IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP). A second language, Japanese, is required, with Japanese language instruction provided at multiple levels, including in the Early Years.
Does Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin provide a bus service?
The school offers a bus option via Hankyu Bus 78. From Senri Chuo Station, the bus ride to the school takes about 25 minutes; from Kita Senri Station it takes about 15 minutes.
What accreditations does Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin hold?
The Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a regional accrediting organization recognised by the US Department of Education.
