Sapporo International School

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.

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.

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.