Tokyo International Progressive School

The Tokyo International Progressive School is at 1-5-20 Kamata, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0077, Japan. The campus sits in a calm residential area in Setagaya along the Tama River, close to Futako-Tamagawa. Access from Futako-Tamagawa Station (Denentoshi Line and Oimachi Line) is about a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride, and there is nearby car parking.

TIPS serves grades 4–12, organized as Elementary (G4–G5), Middle (G6–G8), and High School (G9–G12).

The school is coeducational and operates as a not-for-profit organization within the Tokyo International School Group.

Nationalities represented range widely; the school reports 22–25 different nationalities in a typical year. Approximately 65% of students hold foreign nationalities, with the student body representing more than 17 countries; common nationalities include Japan and the United States among others.

TIPS specializes in supporting students with mild learning differences. It offers individualized learning, small classes (up to about 10 students per class), and a team of specialists including an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, counselors, and a learning support coordinator.

No formal country affiliation. The school is part of the Tokyo International School Group.

No religious affiliation.

The school day typically runs from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A lunch service is organized by the ACE class every day, with students also able to buy lunch nearby if they prefer.

A regular bus service is available for registered riders, though it operates at cost. Bus routes focus on areas such as Minato-ku, Meguro-ku, and Shibuya-ku, with designated drop-off/pick-up locations and clear expectations for riders.

The school uses American Common Core standards for Grades 4–8, and the high school program mirrors the University of Nebraska High School (UNHS) curriculum for Grades 9–12. The high school diploma is earned through UNHS and UNHS is accredited by AdvancED and the Nebraska Department of Education; UNHS courses include NCAA-approved core courses and AP courses. The TIPS high school diploma requirements include 40 English credits, 40 Social Studies (including 10 American History, 5 American Government, 5 Multicultural Studies), 30 Mathematics, 30 Science, 10 Career and Finance, and 50 credits from Complementary Courses (including 30 PE credits), with additional requirements in Japanese language or English as an Additional Language (EAP) as needed. Course outlines cover Grades 4–12 in English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies, with electives and Complementary Courses such as ICT, Journalism, Art, and Life Skills, aligned to UNHS in the senior years. In addition, EAP (one academic year) and a Certificate of Completion (COC) program are offered; typically less than 10% participate; safety and wellness education is integrated into the curriculum.

The school supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a formal pastoral care framework. It operates a Teacher Advisory Programme (TAP) and Personal Counselling to provide ongoing social and emotional support to students. The Counseling section lists TAP, Personal Counselling, and Career Counseling as core services. Counselors are among the specialist staff, alongside an occupational therapist and a speech therapist who support learning and wellbeing. The Curriculum for Student Safety and Wellness integrates wellbeing topics into the broader curriculum, and staff participate in safeguarding training as part of the school's wellbeing approach.

Tokyo International Progressive School specializes in alternative education for students with mild learning differences. Specialist staff include an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, counselors, and a learning support coordinator. Typical learner profiles include mild learning differences, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, social/organizational difficulties, and anxiety. The school states it is unable to meet the learning needs of students with extensive learning differences, and is not described as a specialist SEN institution. SEN provision is therefore targeted to mild differences within a small-class, highly individualized setting.

English proficiency is required for admission and is reviewed during the interview. If a student does not meet the English standard, the English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP) may be recommended. The EAP program places students with low English ability into English-focused work and allows them to engage in class activities with age-appropriate peers. The work covers one year of English acquisition, followed by a year of continuing academic content at the same grade level. The program is designed to enable language development and peer inclusion within the standard classroom setting.

Mental wellbeing is addressed through a pastoral care framework that includes TAP and Personal Counselling to support students' social and psychological needs. The Student Care page emphasises education, social and psychological care as priorities and documents the two-system approach (TAP and Personal Counselling). The Counseling section lists TAP, Personal Counselling, and Career Counseling as formal services. Staff include counselors and other specialists to address wellbeing, alongside the broader support network (e.g., occupational and speech therapists). The Curriculum for Student Safety and Wellness integrates wellbeing education into the curriculum, with age-appropriate lessons on recognizing unsafe situations and seeking help.

The school maintains a comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy with defined terms, safeguarding procedures, and a Code of Conduct. Staff training is mandatory: new teachers complete a 3-hour Child Safeguarding Course through ChildSafeguarding.com (valid for two years) and a suicide-prevention course through LivingWorks; returning staff receive refreshers. The safeguarding structure includes a designated Child Safeguarding Team (CST) comprising school counselors, the principal, and Lead and Deputy CSTs who manage incidents and communications with authorities. A Flowchart for Reporting and Allegations Action Plan guides safeguarding responses, with an incident-reporting process kept in a secure digital environment. Emergency safeguarding contacts are published, and a Public Reporting Form is available for anonymous reporting of concerns.

1. Initial Communication: Prospective families can inquire by phone, email, or an initial contact form, and may arrange a school visit by appointment to learn about the programs. Parents provide a brief introduction of their child through the initial contact form so TIPS can determine if the child meets the school's application requirements. This step sets up the information exchange and helps families understand whether the school's program aligns with their child's needs.

2. Application: To apply, submit the application package with a 33,000 yen application fee; the package is sent to you by email. An interview with the Principal follows as part of the assessment. An English proficiency assessment may be required, and in some cases a writing sample may be requested. A 1–2 day trial period is offered to experience the class environment, and all applicants must provide transcripts in English.

3. Offer of Placement: After reviewing the application package and observing the trial day, if TIPS can meet the child's needs, an acceptance letter and the registration package are sent by email from the Principal within about one week. In some cases, an undiagnosed student may be referred to meet with the school psychologist to ensure the school can provide appropriate services. This step confirms the school's fit with the student's needs and outlines next steps for enrollment.

4. Registration: Enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of the registration package and the 378,000 yen registration fee, with the package and fee requested within two weeks of offer of placement. Families should complete the registration process within that two-week window to secure placement.

Source references: Admissions Process page (Initial Contact, Application, Offer of Placement, Registration).

Scholarships: Tokyo International Progressive School offers a scholarship program to assist new and returning students whose parents are solely responsible for education expenses and who require financial assistance. Scholarships are not available to students whose tuition is paid, in part or wholly, by an employer or other sponsoring organization. The program includes two tiers with specific discounts on tuition and related fees and requires annual reapplication.

Tier 1 Scholarship: School Development Fee reduced from 550,000 yen to 275,000 yen (before tax); 2022–2023 Scholarship Tuition reduced from 2,636,800 yen to 2,300,000 yen (before tax).

Tier 2 Scholarship: School Development Fee reduced from 550,000 yen to 275,000 yen (before tax); 2022–2023 Scholarship Tuition reduced from 2,636,800 yen to 2,300,000 yen (before tax); Educational Enhancement Fee reduced from 200,000 yen to 0 yen (before tax).

Application is annual for each enrolled child. Required submissions include a Scholarship Application Form, a Financial Worksheet, the most recent income certificate (gensenchoshuhyo) or equivalent, and any optional documents to support the application. The scholarship decisions are confidential and final, with notifications issued by the end of April.

Waitlist/Pool: The official admissions materials do not publish a waitlist or pool system. The Admissions Process page outlines the steps for inquiry, application, placement, and registration but does not describe any waiting list or pool process. Therefore, there is no publicly documented waitlist policy on the school's admissions pages.