Manila Japanese School

1. Admissions overview and eligibility. The Manila Japanese School (MJS) uses a handbook to outline admission requirements and eligibility. There are two practical categories for new admissions in 2026: Category 1 covers families currently living in the Philippines with a senior kindergarten student; Category 2 covers families currently residing in Japan or elsewhere who plan to move to the Philippines after graduation from kindergarten. Category 1 has an application deadline of Wednesday, December 17, 2025; Category 2 has an application deadline of Friday, March 20, 2026. Please refer to the handbook for the exact eligibility criteria and any conditions attached to each category.

2. How to apply. To begin the process, read the MJS Handbook and confirm you meet the admission requirements before you submit the New Enrollment/Transfer Enrollment Application Form. After you submit, the school office will send an email with details on the transfer procedures. Prepare a passport (photo page of student and guardian) and a Manila Japanese Association membership card as part of the application. These steps and document requirements are specified in the admissions guidance.

3. What happens after you apply. Once the application is received, the school will email you with information on the transfer procedures and next steps. MJS states that transfer students may be admitted throughout the year, independent of the official school year or semester start. If you would like to transfer, you should contact the school office to coordinate timing and requirements.

4. Schedule and information sessions. The upcoming schedule includes a school entry test (for certain older kindergarteners) on Thursday, January 29, 2026; a School Information Session (in person and online) on Monday, February 16, 2026; and, in early April 2026, new enrollment and transfer examinations for families moving to the Philippines after completing kindergarten elsewhere. Mid-April 2026 is listed as the (tentative) entrance ceremony. These dates are published in the new-admission information.

5. Entrance examination content. For Category 1 (families in the Philippines), the entrance exam contents include a written test (Japanese and arithmetic) and an interview; for Category 2 (families moving from abroad), the entrance exams are conducted in early April 2026 and test similar language/learning abilities with a written component and an interview. In all cases, the emphasis is on assessing language ability and learning aptitude appropriate to the student's age and grade level.

6. Results and start date. The results of the transfer entrance examination are released after the exam is completed. The handbook also notes that the transfer date is the start date of the school year. If admitted, you will receive further information and be guided on the next steps and orientation.

Waitlist/Pool: There is no published waitlist system for admissions at Manila Japanese School. The school indicates it can accept transfer students throughout the year, and current coverage suggests that waitlist is not required due to available slots. This is supported by statements that transfer applicants are welcomed year‑round and that the capacity is not reported as fully booked.

Scholarships: Manila Japanese School does not publish a school-run scholarship program within its admissions materials. The available public materials focus on admission eligibility, application steps, and fees, with no mention of scholarships. External government or foundation scholarships exist in the region (for example, Japanese government scholarship programs administered through the Embassy and related channels), but these are not administered by MJS. Prospective families should consider external scholarship avenues if applicable.