Admissions FAQ

Approximately 585 students representing around 50 nationalities and more than 15 different religious traditions, denominations, or belief systems are enrolled at ISSH. 

We accept boys between the ages of 3 and 5 into our kindergarten; we are a girls' school from Grade 1 to Grade 12.

For families in which both parents and the student hold only Japanese passports, we can only accept applications to grades 10–12. If either parent or the student holds a non-Japanese passport, the student may apply for any grade level. For details, please refer to our Admissions Policy.
 

As a member of the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS), ISSH follows the JCIS guidelines regarding mid-year transfers. In the interest of continuity of student learning, mid-year transfers between member schools are not accepted without prior consultation between the Heads of both schools. Students who wish to transfer from other schools that are not members of JCIS should contact our Admissions Office. Please note that it is difficult for ISSH to accept transfers from schools that are not accredited. 

ISSH does not partner with any local international preschools or kindergartens.  Applications from children currently enrolled in local international preschools and kindergartens will be handled and reviewed through the same process and guidelines as all other applications. 

The first step is to read our Admissions Policy and Process on our website, and then to complete the online application, including attaching all required reports and documents and paying the ¥30,000 application fee. Once all application materials have been submitted, our admissions committee reviews each application. Applications that are successful in the review will proceed to the admissions assessment and/or screening, which, depending on the age of the child, usually includes math and English assessments. Based on the results of the assessments, the next step is a family interview. After the interview, if the application is successful, we will make an offer of enrolment.

Yes, that’s fine. Please ensure all recommendations are submitted confidentially through the link on our admissions portal. 

The screening and assessment depend on the age, grade level, and academic background of the child. For applicants applying to Grades 1 and above, the assessment includes math and English tests. There is a screening for K5 applicants. All applicants from K3 to Grade 12 take part in an admissions interview if the application proceeds to that stage. 

All ISSH parents receive a biweekly newsletter from the principals, a monthly newsletter from the Head of School, and a monthly newsletter from the Parents Association. Parents also have access to the parent portal, where they can find specific information about their child, as well as general policies and school information. 

Orientations, coffee mornings, information sessions, Parents Association events, Parent-Teacher Conferences, weekly K/JS assemblies, awards ceremonies, and school events happen throughout the year to provide parents with opportunities to visit campus and learn more about their child’s school experience. 

Homeroom teachers communicate with parents directly by email, and administration and teachers are always happy to meet with parents by appointment. 

ISSH welcomes parents to join our PA or to volunteer in other capacities. Please see the Parents page for more information.

English is our common language of communication at ISSH. To ensure that parents are able to understand communications from the school and be actively involved in their child’s learning, at least one of the parents of all applicants must be able to speak and read English confidently. 

Please refer to our age guidelines. Curriculum, school year calendars, and academic standards vary across countries—at ISSH,  admissions decisions are based on what we believe will be in the best interest of the applicant, academically, socially, and developmentally. 

Students applying to Kindergarten must be fully toilet trained during the day and night by 1 August of the school year in which they join the school (approximately one month prior to starting school at ISSH). No nappies/diapers are allowed.

ISSH offers an in-house curriculum founded upon the global Sacred Heart goals and criteria we share with our network schools around the world. We develop the whole student to have an empathetic understanding of the world ready to succeed as an international citizen. Our all-English curriculum incorporates a unique Values programme with an international mindedness focus that strives to develop women leaders. Learning resources and units are based in the curricula from English-speaking countries, primarily the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. 

For students in Grades 11 and 12, ISSH offers the Advanced Placement programme. Learn more on our Advanced Placement page.

All students in K3 through Grade 2 study Japanese. In kindergarten, Japanese language skills are taught through traditional Japanese games, songs, and cultural activities, and students gain an understanding not only of Japanese language but also Japanese culture. Starting from Grade 1, students are divided into Japanese as a First Language or Japanese as a Second Language, and learn foundational literacy skills that enable them to use Japanese language effectively for spoken and written communication.

Starting from Grade 3, students may choose either Japanese or French for their foreign language course. Both languages offer a variety of levels, with the highest level of Japanese designed to meet the needs of native speakers. All students have opportunities to experience Japanese cultural activities even if they are not enrolled in Japanese language courses.
 

No. While our Catholic heritage and values such as love, gratitude, generosity, compassion and forgiveness, hope, and joy shape all aspects of our school, we do not teach a Theology or Bible class, and students do not attend regular mass or religious services. Instead, our curriculum includes a Values programme, which covers developmentally appropriate issues such as rights and responsibilities, friendships and relationships, and Christianity alongside many of the world’s major religions.

Student progress is monitored through a variety of developmentally appropriate methods of assessment from Kindergarten through High School. Depending on the subject area, these methods may include but are not limited to written tests and quizzes, group and individual projects, classroom presentations, class discussions, performances and skits, etc. Teachers also pay close attention to students’ regular classroom work and behaviour to be able to assess students holistically. Students in Grades 7–12 sit final examinations at the end of the academic year.

All graduates go on to tertiary education after completing high school at ISSH. The majority study at colleges and universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia, but students are accepted and matriculate to universities around the world. A list of recent college and university acceptances is available here.
 

We are able to provide English support to a small number of students at any given grade level, based on the number of children currently enrolled. The programme is a combination of in-class support and small group lessons. Applicants from schools where English is not the language of instruction are automatically considered for the ELA programme. 

All applicants take an English language assessment as a part of the admissions process. Read more about ELA in relation to the admissions process on our Admissions Policy page.

ISSH has a Learning Support Office which serves students through Middle School. The scope of the support offered is not unlimited. Services at school may be a combination of in-class support and pull out lessons; outside tutoring or educational therapy may be needed at the family’s expense. In principle, applicants accepted to the school are expected to function at grade level in the regular classroom. All applicants are considered as individuals on a case-by-case basis. Read more about special needs in relation to the admissions process on our Admissions Policy page.

We offer an optional lunch service through Cezars Kitchen, a company that specialises in providing international school meals in Japan. A different hot lunch is available each day (vegetarian options are available everyday; meat options are available each day except for our “Meat-Free Mondays,” an environmental initiative launched by our students), and families may check the lunch schedule in advance on our website. 

Kindergarten lunches are delivered to the classrooms daily, while students in Junior School and above go to the cafeteria to purchase lunch. Aside from the hot lunch option, students in Grade 1 and up may purchase sandwiches, salads, wraps, onigiri (Japanese rice balls), fruits, and sweet and savoury snacks. 

Yes, we offer an Extended Day Programme for children in Kindergarten and Junior School. Parents can sign up and pay a flat rate by semester for this service, which runs from the end of the school day until 6 pm. During this time, students enjoy a variety of activities including story time, indoor play and activities, and outdoor play time. They are also given time to work on homework. 

No. Given our location approximately two minutes from Hiroo station, we have found that many of our students, particularly our older girls, enjoy the freedom and responsibility of commuting to campus by train. Students who live close to campus also commute by bicycle, and bicycle parking is available to students and parents on campus. 

No. We are a day school and can accept applications only for students who will be living with their parents or legal guardians in Japan. 

No. We are only able to accept students who are in Japan with a valid visa, primarily a dependent visa related to their parents’ or legal guardians’ work or diplomatic status in Japan.

Like most international schools, the school year at ISSH starts in late August and ends in mid-June. Find more about our school year here.

While start and end times vary between grade levels, the day starts around 8:20 am for all grade levels. School finishes around 3:00 pm for Kindergarten and Junior School, and around 3:30 for Middle and High school. Detailed example timetables can be found for each grade level under the Academics menu of the website.

From Grade 1 and above, all students wear a uniform both regularly and for PE. Both dress/skirt and trousers options are available. Free dress days happen regularly throughout the year, either to celebrate certain events or as fundraisers for worthy causes. Students in Kindergarten do not wear a uniform, but all students are required to purchase an ISSH smock, which is often worn over their own clothes to keep clean while playing, eating, and doing arts and crafts.