High School

In today’s dynamic and ever-changing world, it is a real privilege to be preparing young women for the future, and here at the International School of the Sacred Heart we aim to support our girls to aim high to achieve their full potential. A Sacred Heart graduate understands her abilities and power, and knows how to use her talents and strengths to contribute positively to society.

If you are wondering whether single sex education is for your daughter, you may wish to consider the positive impact that Sacred Heart schools have had educating girls the world over, for over 200 years. As the oldest all-girls international school in Japan, we have served as advocates for girls’ education since 1908, because we have experienced first-hand the power of such a transformative learning environment on girls from diverse backgrounds. In my time as high school principal I have seen how each girl learns to find her own voice, develops her own interests and becomes confident to make decisions that are right for her. Girls’ schools specialize in girls: we tailor every aspect of teaching and learning to girls, purposely developing their confidence and potential, and empower them to pursue whichever direction their talents lead them. 

Girls are powerful role models for one another; this is something that is noticeable at our school every day. Younger Sacred Heart students look up to older students, and when they see older girls being loving and kind leaders on the sports field and in the classroom, they grow up believing they can do it too. The 2023 UNDP Gender Social Norms Index indicates pervasive biases against women worldwide; that makes it even more important for girls to grow up in an environment where they develop the self-confidence to fight biases that hold society back from developing to its full potential.

The building of a sense of community is integral to a Sacred Heart education. The power of school belonging will come as no surprise considering analysis of 2018 PISA data showed students at all-girls schools reported a far greater sense of well-being and stronger feelings of belonging at their school than girls from co-ed schools (AGSA & MMG, 2018). As a girls school, a dedication to inclusion and belonging are woven into the very fabric of our high school. 

Our well-rounded high school program prepares each girl to attend the university of her choice and we take great pride in a 100% university acceptance every year. The highly academic and supportive college-program excites, challenges and stimulates each girl to become a critical thinker who is unafraid to question the status quo. Our teachers encourage curiosity and finding joy in learning for its own sake, and make themselves available to provide one on one time to ensure each girl is supported to achieve her full potential. The Advanced Placement program is well-suited to the needs of our girls, as it offers the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to the student, not the other way around.

Outside of the classroom we offer a robust range of extra-curricular activities – do browse our website to see Sacred Heart girls enthusiastically leading activities and events, singing in the choir, pushing themselves on the sports field– the possibilities are endless.

With absolute confidence, I can say that Sacred Heart is a place where girls thrive. I am constantly impressed and delighted by the loving kindness and achievements of our girls. It is a joy to welcome our alumnae back to Sacred Heart when they return to visit. 

If you wish your daughter to be a feisty, resilient and confident woman in the future, come and visit the school to see for yourself.

A Place for Girls to Pursue Their Passions

The High School programme at Sacred Heart is designed to give girls the opportunity to explore their interests and specialise in the subjects and areas they're passionate about. From the Options programme and robust roster of arts courses available from Grade 9 to the wide range of Advanced Placement and high-level courses on specialised topics from which students select in Grades 11 and 12, our girls take ownership of their academic trajectory.

Strong Preparation for Tertiary Education

Our High School academic programme is centred around a college preparatory curriculum, culminating in university-level Advanced Placement courses for which students can earn credit at many institutions in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Rigorous academics prepare our girls to thrive in university, and coursework centred around critical thinking, analysis of real-world examples, and first-hand experiences builds a foundation for higher level research post graduation. 

A Platform for Girls to Be Leaders

High School students at ISSH have access to dozens of leadership opportunities, from 33 Student Council leadership roles to positions as team captains, club leaders, and peer supporters. Through these roles, they gain key experience which translates to courage and confidence as they grow up into future global leaders! Upperclassmen in leadership roles also serve as role models for underclassmen—all Sacred Heart students know that girls can and will be leaders, because they experience it firsthand every day!