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“Growing with Courage and Confidence”

Welcome to Sacred Heart!

Founded in 1908, the International School of the Sacred Heart continues to be Tokyo's top school for girls to learn in an English-speaking and truly diverse environment that focuses on each student's academic, social-emotional, spiritual, psychological, and physical development.

Our Sacred Heart Goals

The Goals and Criteria articulate the essential values of Sacred Heart education, and play a fundamental role in ensuring our mission is carried out by expressing the principles that serve as the heart and soul of Sacred Heart schools.

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Middle school and kindergarten students in the food lab, with the kindergarten students eating treats

The All-Girls Advantage

Backed by research as the best school environment for girls, our all-girls environment means that girls are empowered to pursue their passions with courage and confidence.

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Three middle school students working on their VEX robot as part of a STEM initiative

The Sacred Heart Network

ISSH is a part of a global network of more than 150 sister schools, providing our students with unique opportunities to make connections today and for a lifetime. ISSH girls participate in cultural, academic, athletic, and artistic exchanges with our sister schools here in Japan, throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world!

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Haruka, class of '26, visits the Oakwood retirement community for RSCJ sisters, in California

Double Accreditation

ISSH is backed by both WASC and CIS, the gold standard for international schools, and is a founding member of the Japan Council of International Schools. We are a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Schools, the International Coalition of Girls Schools, the Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools, and many more, providing a wealth of opportunities to our students.

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A group of students, wearing school uniforms, are gathered around a table and engaged in a collaborative learning activity.

Our History

ISSH is a part of the global legacy of our founder, St Madeleine Sophie Barat, and her dream to ensure educational access for girls and young women. Now, as a member of a network of 150+ schools worldwide and the only international Sacred Heart school, we take pride in our history and tradition to lay the foundation for a bright future.

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Black and white group photo of Sacred Students from 1970

The Sacred Heart Experience

There's something for everyone at Sacred Heart. Through 23 Advanced Placement courses, our high school students earn university credit before matriculating to some of the best universities worldwide. Our athletic teams compete in tournaments in Japan and abroad, and our girls develop and exercise leadership at every level through student council, clubs, Model UN, debate, and more. Student choral and orchestra performances are awe-inspiring, and internationally acclaimed. Students actively support a vast array of service organisations and causes, including a deeply meaningful 20+ year relationship with a school in Nepal. And students introduce new clubs and initiatives with courage and confidence each year!

Explore our different programmes using the top menu, or get started using the links below.

Four kindergarten girls wearing Sacred Heart uniforms have a tea party

Our Kindergarten program is rooted in a language-rich environment with an emphasis on learning through play and the development of large and fine motor skills alongside social skills.

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Two second grade girls read books while sitting at desks

Our program for Grades 1–4 is designed to help each student realize her potential while developing relationships with other students and teachers to become a team member with an individual sense of purpose, capability and responsibility.

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Two middle school girls participate in a class, while sitting at desks.

Middle School is all about growing—as a student and learning new academic content and skills—but, just as importantly, growing as a person and finding their place in their world. It is about strengthening their faith and beliefs. Strengthening their understanding of, and empathy for, those around them. And above all, strengthening their sense of belonging.

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Three girls use scientific tools to complete an experiment in the lab

Sacred Heart is a place where girls thrive. Our well-rounded high school program prepares each girl to attend the university of her choice, and outside of the classroom we offer a robust range of extra-curricular activities.

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A girl playing tennis on an outdoor tennis court

Our robust athletic offerings offer girls the opportunity to engage in sport and fitness at the level that is right for them, from Kindergarten through High School.

 

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Eight girls play violins and flutes in an orchestra

The arts thrive at Sacred Heart—from our award-winning orchestras and choirs to our robust visual arts program culminating in the full range of Advanced Placement Visual Arts courses, girls develop their creativity to new heights at ISSH.

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From Our Community

Philip and Joanna, Parents of Isabelle (Class of ’32)

“Our family’s experience at the International School of the Sacred Heart has been truly excellent. Our daughter feels genuinely supported and encouraged by her teachers, and we appreciate the balance of academic excellence and a caring environment. We like the wide range of subjects and the strong after-school activities program, which gives students many opportunities to explore their interests. Our daughter loves the Robotics program and participating in competitions; we can really see how her confidence is growing.”

The image contains three photographs of a woman at different stages of her life - a professional headshot, a school portrait, and a childhood photo. The woman has dark hair and appears to be of Asian descent. The background of the images varies, with the professional headshot having a blue background, the school portrait having a plain background, and the childhood photo having a patterned background.

“I attended ISSH from K5 to 9th grade, and it really was an extended family. The older girls would look out for the younger ones, and the excursion I loved as a 4th grader, I got to help out with as an 8th grader. I was fortunate to have small class sizes, and teachers who cared, and an international community. But the friendships I made were the most valuable. I have attended many schools, but I still am closest to my ISSH friends. Just this past year I've been to a baby shower, a wedding, and celebrated my baby with classmates. We have mini reunions multiple times a year, and it's been that way for over 20 years.”

Sarah, High School Student (Class of ’29)

“Sacred Heart is a hub of opportunities, bonds and growth. The support system from the teachers, sponsors and peer students you get in Sacred Heart is incomparable to any place I have been to. Every class, project, discussion and interaction prompts you to grow and be a leader. Not only do we grow academically but we flourish in the arts: visual, music, and sports too. Personally, I owe so much to this supportive Sacred Heart family, because there are so many things that I would not have gotten the chance to do without them.”
 

Eva, Middle School student (Class of '32)

“One reason why I love this school is that you can participate in many sports and play at your own level. Everyone in a sports team is so supportive and helps you learn new things. Every teacher at ISSH makes sure you understand what you are learning about and gives you some feedback on how you are doing in the specific subject. The students at this school are all encouraging and make sure you are welcomed.”

Anne-Yoshié ’92, parent of Ottoline (Class of ’33) and family

“As an alumna, I always hoped our daughters would attend when the time was right. I've realised that the years at Sacred Heart, long or short, represent a source of belonging, confidence, and an openness to the world. Our daughter joined in fourth grade, and one of the highlights was the weekly assembly, where the girls were given a platform to lead — providing practical, cultural, inspirational, and sometimes spiritual content to the rest of the junior school in an organic and fun way. It spoke to the approach of empowering the students at a young age to develop innate tools that will certainly be of great use to them throughout life.”

Aadya, High School Student (Class of ’29)

“I appreciate how culturally diverse Sacred Heart is; being surrounded by people from so many different backgrounds gives us exposure to new perspectives and helps us grow more open-minded. Additionally, the teachers at ISSH are incredibly supportive and always willing to help, whether it’s academically or personally, which makes a big difference in students’ overall experience.”

Maya, Middle School Student (Class of ’30)

“One of the things I really appreciate about ISSH is how supportive and approachable the teachers are—they truly care about helping us grow both academically and personally. I also love the strong sense of community at our school; whether it’s through clubs, athletics, or school events, there are so many opportunities to connect with others and try new things. ISSH encourages us to be curious and think independently, which makes learning feel meaningful and exciting.”

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