Welcome to the Sacred Heart — to our wooded oasis in the heart of Tokyo, where students learn and grow in our classrooms, labs, wonderful gymnasium, spacious play area, tennis courts, and turf field, with access to much more through our on-campus Sacred Heart community.

Our joyful and diverse student body and very kind teachers and staff reflect our Sacred Heart mission. We are a CIS/WASC (the gold standard!) accredited school that is driven by high quality learning and teaching, international mindedness, and a commitment to supporting mental health and well-being. All that we do is framed in the context of our Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. 

Few schools are so deeply rooted in a time-tested mission that continues after 100 years to be ahead of its time. Consistent with our sister schools across 40 countries, our mission is to educate with love. When our alumni return (and they often do!), it is this essence of their experience that draws them back. Our students are extremely well prepared academically, and learn to work hard, have fun, build community, and to give themselves to others. These Goals are fueled with love, creating a sense of belonging that permeates the whole of one’s life. 

Personally, I know this because I am a Sacred Heart graduate of our sister school in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. In Tokyo, our Sacred Heart mission is my life's purpose. Since 2023, I have had the privilege of leading ISSH, and I do so with significant professional experience as the Head of Sacred Heart School of Halifax, Nova Scotia (10 years), Head of Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School in San Francisco (12 years) and other teaching, administrative, and Board roles at Sacred Heart schools from Omaha to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Louisiana and Atherton, California. 

I have a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of San Francisco. My Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and secondary teaching certification were both earned at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame where I cheered on the Notre Dame football team. I am a sports enthusiast, and while I ran the NYC Marathon in 1991, I now treasure long walks in Tokyo. Golf remains a passion. I'm loyal to the Golden State Warriors basketball team, and adopted the Tokyo Giants while remaining committed to the SF Giants when it comes to baseball. 

Thank you for your interest in the International School of the Sacred Heart. You will learn a great deal from our website, and I hope you will also be able to visit our wooded oasis in the heart of Tokyo to experience for yourself the love of the Sacred Heart.  

Sr. Anne Wachter, RSCJ
Head of School