International School of the Sacred Heart: Japan’s Oldest All-Girls International School
- egcisjp
- 2月5日
- 読了時間: 6分
About International School of the Sacred Heart
The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH or Sacred Heart) is an all-girls K-12 school located in Hiroo, Tokyo. Founded in 1908, it is a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, which connects institutions in 44 nations. ISSH is dedicated to educating and empowering young women, preparing them for success in an ever-changing world while incorporating Catholic values into its curriculum and character development programs.
Sacred Heart is a small, close-knit school with approximately 550 students and a graduating class size of around 50 students. While boys are permitted to enroll in kindergarten (ages 3-5), only girls can enroll from Grade 1 and up. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Curriculum Overview
The ISSH curriculum follows a US-based progression, integrating elements from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, tailored to girls' learning styles. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level to provide students with college-level academic experiences.
Kindergarten (Ages 3-5)
Sacred Heart’s coeducational kindergarten emphasizes a play-based, language-rich environment. Children learn through interactive play with peers from different classes. Specialist teachers conduct lessons in Art, PE, Music, Library, and Japanese. The program incorporates technology with interactive boards, iPads, and computers.
K3: Focuses on cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, along with early math and language skills.
K4-K5: Includes a more structured academic curriculum, featuring Japanese language classes and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Science and Social Studies.
Junior School (Grades 1-4)
Students in the all-girls Junior School take Language Arts, Mathematics, and IPC (International Primary Curriculum) as their core subjects. IPC encourages thematic, interdisciplinary learning with real-world applications. Japanese is taught in Grades 1-2, and from Grade 3, students can choose French or Japanese as their second language. Additional subjects include Art, Music, PE, Library Studies, and Values Education.
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
Middle School students take English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and foreign language (Japanese or French) as their core subjects. Other subjects include Media, Creative and Performing Arts (Music, Drama, 2D and 3D Art, Food Technology), and PE. Students also engage in Values Education, where they explore Christianity and World Religions, helping them define personal values.
Additionally, Middle schoolers can enroll in elective Options courses, expanding their learning beyond traditional subjects. Some examples of Options courses include crochet, debate, documentary making, hand made accessories, jazz dance, lego robotics, etc.
High School (Grades 9-12)
High school students at ISSH study five core subjects—English, mathematics, foreign language, science, and social studies—along with courses in arts, physical education, personal education, values, and an options program that allows them to explore various interests. To graduate, students must earn 22 credits, including the IB subject Theory of Knowledge (ToK). Grades 11 and 12 have three elective periods per week, offering non-AP specialized subjects like International Relations, Environmental Science, and Advanced Biology, as well as a wide range of AP courses. Additionally, students can choose from various Option Courses, such as Debate, Mandarin for Beginners, AI Foundations, Robotics, SAT Preparation, First Aid, and Photography, to tailor their education to their interests and future goals.
AP Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) is a U.S.- and Canada-based program that offers university-level curricula and exams to high school students. ISSH provides 22 AP courses, including the AP Capstone Diploma, comparable to schools with much larger student bodies. Students may also pursue independent study for AP exams not offered at Sacred Heart.
AP Courses Offered:
AP English Language and Composition | AP Biology |
AP English Literature and Composition | AP Chemistry |
AP French Language and Culture | AP Physics I |
AP Japanese Language and Culture | AP Physics II |
AP Calculus AB | AP European History |
AP Calculus BC | AP World History: Modern |
AP Statistics | AP Macroeconomics |
AP Computer Science A | AP Microeconomics |
AP 2D Art and Design | AP Seminar |
AP 3D Art and Design | AP Research |
AP Drawing |
|
AP Music Theory |
College Guidance
Sacred Heart’s College Guidance program provides students and parents with tailored support throughout high school. Starting in Grade 10, students take the PSAT, explore career assessments, and receive SAT preparation. In Grade 11, they participate in a weekly class on post-secondary options, engage in college searches, and meet with counselors. Grade 12 students focus on college applications and preparing for university life. The Guidance Counselor is available at every stage to assist families in this important process.
Beyond the Classroom
ISSH provides diverse opportunities for leadership, athletics, arts, and service, encouraging students to explore their interests and develop essential skills.
Leadership & Student Initiatives
Each HS student belongs to one of five Councils (Academic, Fine Arts, Social Service, Sports, or World). Each grade and council has three leadership positions, along with an Executive Student Council. Students can take on leadership roles from Grade 9 or even create their own clubs, pitching ideas to faculty and council members.
Sports & Athletics
As a KPASS league member, ISSH offers competitive cross country, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track & field, ensuring all students get a chance to play. Additional sports clubs, like fencing and Japanese ekiden, are available based on student interest.
Arts & Performance
ISSH has a strong music program, featuring choir, orchestra, and rock band, which produces original music and videos. The school hosts the KPASS Artscape for visual arts and participates in the drama festival and dance club performances.
Academic & Technology Clubs
Students engage in MUN, Debate, Brain Bowl, Math Field Day, Speech Contest, and the award-winning VEX Robotics Team, competing locally and internationally.
Service & Social Awareness
ISSH students participate in Nepal SEEDS, a decade-long initiative supporting education and sustainability in Nepal. Other service clubs include Amnesty International, TASSEL (teaching English in Cambodia), and GSA (LGBTQ+ advocacy).
Academic Results
AP exams
In 2023, ISSH students took a total of 238 AP exams, with 90.3% of scores being 3 or higher and an average score of 3.95.
University admissions
ISSH graduates in 2023 were accepted into top universities worldwide. In Canada, students were admitted to McGill, UBC, Toronto, and York University. In Japan, acceptances included ICU, Keio PEARL, Waseda, Sophia, Ritsumeikan, and Temple University Japan. In the UK, students gained admission to King’s College London and University of the Arts London. In the US, they were accepted to Barnard, Boston University, Brown, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, UC Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Washington - Seattle.
Admission Process
ISSH follows a rolling admissions system, accepting applications year-round based on availability. Applications for the upcoming school year open each September and should be submitted no more than 12 months before the desired start date.
Application Steps:
Online Application – Submit the application form with a non-refundable fee.
Document Submission – Provide report cards from the past two years and a confidential teacher recommendation. English proficiency test results may be required for non-English schools.
Application Review – The admissions committee evaluates submissions. If a class is full, applicants may be placed in a waiting pool.
Assessments – Applicants for Grades 1–12 complete English and math assessments; K5 students may have group or individual screenings.
Interview – Shortlisted applicants and their families attend an interview (online for overseas applicants).
Admission Decision – The Director of Admissions communicates decisions, which are final.
Enrollment – Accepted students must complete enrollment formalities and pay a registration fee.
For details, visit the ISSH Admissions Page.
What Makes ISSH Unique?
The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) stands out as Japan’s oldest all-girls international school, established in 1908 and part of a 200-year legacy of Sacred Heart education dedicated to empowering young women.
All-Girls Education (Grades 1–12): ISSH provides a rare single-sex international learning environment in Tokyo, fostering confidence, leadership, and academic excellence in young women.
Global Network & Legacy: As part of the Sacred Heart network of over 150 schools worldwide, ISSH offers students unique international collaboration and exchange opportunities while upholding a strong tradition of academic and personal development.
International Mindedness & Multicultural Learning: ISSH integrates global awareness into its curriculum, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, multilingual proficiency, and intercultural literacy, preparing them to engage in a globalized world.
Comprehensive Leadership Development: With 30+ Student Council positions and specialized councils in academics, fine arts, sports, social service, and global initiatives, ISSH actively fosters leadership and community engagement from Grade 9 onward.
Conclusion
ISSH stands out as a premier all-girls international school in Japan, offering a rigorous and well-rounded education. With a strong academic foundation, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and a commitment to leadership and service, ISSH nurtures students to become confident, compassionate, and globally minded individuals. Through its rich history, global network, and values-driven curriculum, ISSH prepares young women for success in higher education and beyond, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to the world.
