Admissions Process

Admissions Policy

Rooted in the Goals of the Society of the Sacred Heart, the International School of the Sacred Heart educates young women of the international community in Tokyo to believe, learn, serve, connect, and grow. Families who choose our school believe that the school Goals and Criteria provide an ideal environment for their daughters to grow in courage and confidence.

The school is dedicated to serving the educational needs of the daughters of foreign nationals in the Tokyo area. We offer programs for Pre-K (ages 3-4), Kindergarten (age 5) and Grades 1-12. Boys aged 3-5 years are accepted into the Pre-K and Kindergarten programs. Our community is predominantly made up of internationally mobile families for whom the Japanese education system is not an option. From Kindergarten to Grade 6, the applicant and at least one parent must hold a non-Japanese passport to be eligible to apply. The school accepts students transferring from accredited International Schools in Tokyo on a case by case basis. An applicant may apply up to a maximum of three times.

In addition, for Kindergarten to Grade 8 applicants, at least one of the parents must be able to speak and read English. The educational program is provided through English and our common social and communication language is English, while recognising the value of a student’s mother tongue.

Siblings of currently enrolled students and children of alumnae are given priority, however acceptances are not automatic.

The Admissions Board considers factors such as language, educational ability and background as part of the admissions process to ensure diversity and balance in our homerooms. Please note that applications are not considered by the date on which they are received. Please contact the Admissions Office to confirm eligibility before submitting an application.

Disclaimer: International School of the Sacred Heart offers a personalized approach to the admissions process. ISSH does not endorse or require private companies offering "advice packages" for admittance to our school. We work directly with prospective families and advise families to avoid employing the services of outside private school placement people or companies; they do not represent ISSH and are unnecessary. Thank you for contacting our Admissions office (admissions@issh.ac.jp) so we can support you and your child through the admissions process.

High School Profile

Child Protection Policy

Guidelines

Age Guidelines

Kindergarten 3: 3 years old by September 1 (must be fully toilet-trained during the day, no diapers)
Kindergarten 4 : 4 years old by September 1
Kindergarten 5: 5 years old by September 1
Grade 1: 6 years old by September 1
Grade 2: 7 years old by September 1
Grade 3: 8 years old by September 1
Grade 4: 9 years old by September 1
Grade 5: 10 years old by September 1
Grade 6: 11 years old by September 1
Grade 7: 12 years old by September 1
Grade 8: 13 years old by September 1
Grade 9: 14 years old by September 1
Grade 10 to 12: Depend on the credits earned

ESL Students

The ESL program supports students who are in the process of acquiring academic English language skills. The program is a combination of in-class support and small group lessons.
Applicants from schools where English is not the language of instruction upon application take an English language assessment test.
Students coming from overseas knowing no English will be accepted up to Grade 10 on a case-by-case decision, depending on space-availability and academic background.
Students transferring from schools in Japan will be accepted on a case-by-case basis depending on their level of English.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

All students accepted to school are expected to function in the regular classroom.
The services provided for Learning Support from K5-G8 are limited and may be a combination of in-class support and pull out lessons.
The HS offers a rigorous college preparatory program, therefore there is no Learning Support provided in the HS. Students are expected to meet grade level expectations.
Referrals for Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and other specialized services can be made, and these services are at the parent’s expense.
It is important to note that ongoing enrollment for students with special needs will be based upon the students' ability to function within the regular program and special services the school currently offers at each grade level.
The school does not have the facilities or resources to accommodate children who have significant learning, social, emotional or physical differences. Parents of a child receiving any special services, such as Gifted and Talented support, remedial support, speech/language therapy, occupational/physical therapy, or seeing any educational or emotional support specialist, must inform the school prior to the beginning of the admissions process.
Before the application is processed, supporting documentation must be received to include copies of the most recent educational/psychological assessment and the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) from the applicant's current school.

SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT

Admissions Process

Application Documents

Please read the Admissions Policy, Guidelines and these steps carefully before submitting an application.

The documents below are required to complete the application:

School Records - All records from applicant's previous school(s), including report cards, progress reports. For Middle and High School, please submit school records or transcripts from the previous full two years and the most recent record from the current grade.
Any standardized test results
Recommendation Form from current school teachers. For Middle and High School, recommendation forms from English and Math teachers.
Copies of the applicant's and parents' passports

Inquiry

Complete Application

Application Fee

If you are eligible to apply, an application fee is to be paid by bank transfer. The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid by the day of the screening/assessment or interview. The payer is responsible for any bank processing charges incurred. This amount is to be paid in addition to the amount of the Application fee. The bank receipt will be your official receipt.

Application fee:
Kindergarten and Grades 5 - 12: 20,000 yen
Junior School School (Grade 1 -4): 22,000 yen

Account Name: International School of the Sacred Heart
Bank/Branch: Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Roppongi Branch
Account Type: Ordinary Account
Account No.: 2236320
Swift Code: MHCBJPJT

Submit admissions inquiry	A link to the admissions inquiry form will be sent upon request
Complete online application	Eligible applicants will receive information to proceed to the admissions portal
Screening/Assessment	Scheduled upon review of the application
Interview	Scheduled after screening/assessment
Admissions decision	Families are notified of the admissions decision after a careful review
Signed acceptance form due	One week from offer
Registration fee due	One week from signing the acceptance form

Application for K5 (Kindergarten 5 Year old Program) 2024-2025

Submit admissions inquiry	A link to the admissions inquiry form will be sent upon request
Complete online application	Eligible applicants will receive information to proceed to the admissions portal
Family Interview	December 2023
Group Screening	January 2024
Admissions decision	February 2024
Accecptance form due	March 2024

School Name

Admissions Process

Admissions Policy

Guidelines

Age Guidelines

ESL Students

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT

Admissions Process

Application Documents

Inquiry

Complete Application

Application Fee

Screening/Assessment

Interview

Notification

Enrollment