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Sapporo International School (SIS) is an English-medium school in Sapporo serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 9. SIS implements an American curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), alongside an AIQ (Arabic, Islamic and Qur’an) curriculum and the Japanese National Curriculum. The school began in 2020 and consolidated into a larger, three-floor campus building by 2024. Beyond the regular program, SIS offers Summer School and an After School Program, including Arabic language and Qur’an tajweed/memorization classes. Families can also find short courses and events such as the SIS Robotic Course (robots, Arduino/Micro:bit and indoor drone learning).
3 Chome-1-35 Kita 26 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-0026, Japan
Sapporo International School has typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.
SIS Integrated Campus is in Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The address is 3 Chome-1-35 Kita 26 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo 065-0026. The campus hosts Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High on a single integrated site.
Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High.
International school (boarding is not described in public pages; gender policy is not specified).
Exact numbers of nationalities are not published; the school states it serves both Japanese and international communities and promotes multilingualism.
Public pages do not publish explicit Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions or dedicated SEN facilities.
No formal country affiliation is stated; SIS is based in Japan and is recognized by the Japanese government (MEXT).
Islamic affiliation; SIS presents itself as an international Islamic school and offers Arabic, Islamic, and Qur'an content alongside other curricula.
The public calendar shows a trimester structure with three terms: Trimester 1 from Apr 14 to Aug 2; Trimester 2 from Aug 25 to Dec 20; Trimester 3 from Jan 19 to Mar 14; about 192 student days and 209 teacher days in 2025–2026. Daily start/end times are not published publicly.
School transportation services are provided from key locations in and around Sapporo.
Annual tuition at Sapporo International School ranges from JPY 192,000 to JPY 480,000 for 2026/27.
Sapporo International School teaches American Curriculum, Islamic Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum for students aged 3 to 15.
Sapporo International School offers an integrated K–12 campus in Sapporo, comprising Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High on a single site. The curriculum is anchored in an American CCSS-based international framework for all grades (K–12) and is augmented by the AIQ Arabic/Islamic/Qur'an program and the Japanese National Curriculum. SIS provides a dual-track qualification pathway: an American High School Diploma and a Japanese curriculum aligned with national standards. Kindergarten includes Fundamental Islamic Knowledge, introductory language skills in English, Arabic, and Japanese, and foundational mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education. Elementary School delivers CCSS-aligned English and mathematics, science, and international social studies, plus information technology and programming, with Islamic subjects (Qur'an, Islamic Studies) and Japanese language components integrated. The school is accredited by CISNA and MSA-CESS (October 2024–October 2029) and is officially recognized by MEXT, reflecting alignment with both international and national standards.
SIS's holistic student development framework includes Social Skills and Social-Emotional Development, and the Summer School program explicitly focuses on Social and Emotional Development; a Positive Discipline Workshop has been held to promote healthy student–teacher relationships.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, including which needs can be supported or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.
SIS provides a diverse English-medium learning environment and offers structured Japanese language instruction to support language learners.
Mental wellbeing is supported via the 'Strong Body' goal, which links physical fitness with mental health; the mission emphasizes emotional development, and an Emotional-Social advisor serves on the Board Committee.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child-protection policies on its public pages.
Admissions Process (Sapporo International School) — step-by-step overview
1. Preface and application window: For the 2026–2027 academic year, the application period runs from December 15, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Prospective families should plan to submit all required materials within this window and be prepared for the admission steps that follow. The school supports a dual-track program taught in English, with alignment to both international and Japanese standards.
2. Confirm grade eligibility and entry age: Determine the appropriate grade level by comparing the child's age to the school's entry-age requirements. KG1 requires 3.5 years old by April 1 of the current year, KG2 4.5 years, and subsequent grades have corresponding age cutoffs through Grade 7 (12 years old by April 1). These age guidelines help place students in the correct grade according to age and the placement test results.
3. Gather required documents: Parents must provide several documents to support the application, including a copy of the student's passport, a copy of the resident card or health insurance card, copies of both parents' passports, a vaccination/medical fitness certificate, and copies of attested academic records or a final report from the previous school. The completeness and accuracy of these documents influence the placement review.
4. Submit the application and pay the application fee: The application involves submitting the required information and paying a non-refundable application fee of 10,000 Yen (paid once upon application). This payment secures the applicant's place in the admissions process and initiates the placement review.
5. Admissions testing and placement review: To be admitted, all students must pass an admission test appropriate for their desired grade level. The Admission Team evaluates the student's previous academic records and performance on the placement assessment to determine potential fit with the school's program. The review process culminates in a formal admission decision by the Principal.
6. Admission decision and enrollment follow-up: Following the assessment, the Principal has the final authority to accept or reject the applicant. If accepted, families receive an enrollment offer and proceed with enrollment steps, including paying the enrollment fee and confirming the start date. The enrollment fee is 40,000 Yen (paid once upon enrollment).
7. Enrollment and tuition arrangements: Upon enrollment, families choose how to pay tuition: either the annual fee or monthly installments. The standard annual tuition for the first child is 480,000 Yen (equivalent to 40,000 Yen per month), with reduced rates for additional children (second child 288,000 Yen annually or 24,000 Yen per month; third child 192,000 Yen annually or 16,000 Yen per month). Annual fees can be paid in two installments (April and September) or spread over 12 monthly payments.
8. Special sponsorships and discounts for sponsored students: For students whose education is fully sponsored by a company, embassy, or official institution, standard (non-subsidized) fees apply because these students are not eligible for the individual or sibling discounts. The applicable sponsored-enterprise package includes an Entrance Fee of 200,000 Yen and a Tuition Fee of 120,000 Yen per month, subject to confirmation through sponsorship documentation.
9. Subsidies and program-based financial support: Through the Sapporo City subsidy program, eligible families may receive a government tuition fee subsidy of 37,000 Yen per month, which is reimbursed to families and reduces monthly tuition. There are also SIS-specific discounts for certain groups: children of Hokkaido University students receive a 50% tuition discount (monthly 20,000 Yen), and children of Hokkaido University researchers or staff receive a 25% discount (monthly 30,000 Yen). These options require eligibility and appropriate documentation.
10. Scholarships and need-based assistance: The school offers scholarships that can provide partial or full exemptions from tuition and enrollment expenses, funded via zakat donors while preserving family privacy. Exceptional abilities in Qur'an memorization (15+ parts), sports, mathematics, or science may qualify a student for a 25% waiver on tuition and enrollment fees, contingent on documentation or tests. Applicants should contact the administration to request scholarship consideration.
Scholarships and financial assistance: SIS offers need-based support and donor-funded exemptions for families facing real financial difficulties. Applicants may receive partial or full exemption from one or more expenses, with a donor arrangement to cover the costs and privacy preserved. In addition, exceptional ability waivers may apply: memorization of Qur'an (15+ parts), excellence in sports, mathematics, or science can qualify for a 25% waiver on tuition and enrollment fees, provided relevant documentation or tests are submitted. For processing, families should contact the SIS administration.
Waitlist/Pool (Sapporo International School): The published admissions information does not describe a waitlist or pool system. There is a defined application window for the 2026–2027 year (December 15, 2025 to January 31, 2026), after which admissions decisions are made by the school's Principal. Because no waitlist policy is published in the admissions materials, families should plan around available seats and timing for testing and decisions rather than relying on a formal waitlist process.