Japan’s Top International Schools 2026–27: Admission Schedules and Key Dates
- egcisjp
- 8月27日
- 読了時間: 11分
更新日:9月19日

While the 2025–26 school year has just begun for most international schools in Japan, planning ahead is essential for families considering a move for the next school year. This article provides a comprehensive list of 12 top international schools in Japan along with their admission timelines. While some schools offer rolling admissions and do not have fixed dates, we have included the official schedule, predicted timeline, or recommended schedule for each school where available. The following tables outline the key dates and steps for the main intake periods for the 2026–27 school year.
Table of Contents
St. Mary’s International School(セントメリーズインターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Admissions are open year-round for overseas families if spaces are available.
Current Openings (2025–26): Open to families residing overseas.
More info: smis.ac.jp/admissions
Readiness Program (Pre-First) (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | September 1, 2025 |
Application due | October 31, 2025 |
Teacher Recommendation due | November 20, 2025 |
On-campus group observation | January 10, 2026 |
On-campus family interview | January 19 – February 13, 2026 |
Admission decision letters sent out | February 28, 2026 |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Grade 1 (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | September 1, 2025 |
Application due | October 31, 2025 |
Teacher Recommendation due | November 20, 2025 |
On-campus screening | November 4–7, 2025 |
On-campus group observation | November 15, 2025 |
On-campus family interview | December 1–12, 2025 |
Admission decision letters sent out | January 31, 2026 |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Nishimachi International School (西町インターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Rolling admissions are available for overseas families outside Tokyo.
Current Openings (2025–26): Open year-round for overseas residents; Grades 5, 6, and 8 have openings.
More info: nishimachi.ac.jp/admissions/apply
Kindergarten (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | September 1, 2025 |
Application due | October 31, 2025 (for group screening consideration) |
Parent interviews (selected applicants) | Late October – November 2025 |
Group screening (on-campus) | Second week of January 2026 *Please note that Kindergarten applicants must be screened in-person whenever possible. |
Admission decision letters sent out | Early February 2026 |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Note: Applications from overseas (outside Tokyo) will still be accepted after October 31, 2025.
Grades 1–8 (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | November 1, 2025 |
Application review begins | Late January 2026 |
Applicants screening/Interview (for some applicants) | From late January 2026 |
Parent interviews (for some applicants) | From late January 2026 |
Admission decision letters sent out | Not specified (after screening/review) |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
American School in Japan(アメリカンスクールインジャパン)
Main Intake: August 2026
Rolling admissions for overseas families are accepted.
More info: asij.ac.jp/admissions/admissions-guidelines
Open House Dates
Roppongi Campus:
October 2, October 23, November 6, November 13, December 4, 2025
January 8, January 15, February 5, February 19, 2026
Chofu Campus:
Families must complete the Inquiry Form first to register.
In-person & virtual sessions available (2 guests per family)
All Grades (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Applications open | Mid-November 2025 *Both local and overseas applicants may apply at this time. |
Local ELC (Nursery–Kindergarten) screenings | December 2025 – February 2026 |
Mid-year report cards requested (most applicants) | January 2026 |
Admission decisions begin | Late February – Early March 2026 |
Admission decisions continue | Through Summer 2026 |
School year begins | August 2026 |
K International School(Kインターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Mid-Year Intake (if places are available):
Around January 2026 for the 2025–26 school year
Around April 2026 for the 2025–26 school year
While the specific timeline for the 2026–27 school year has not been published, the following is the predicted timeline based on previous admissions.
Mid-Year Intake (January 2026 - 2025-26 school year)
Step | Predicted Date |
Applications open | Mid October 2025 |
Application deadline | Mid November 2025 |
Admissions testing | Late November 2025 |
Results issued by email | Early December 2025 |
School fees due | Mid December 2025 |
Main Intake (August 2026 - 2026-27 school year) and Mid-Year Intake (April 2026 - 2025-26 school year)
Step | Predicted Date |
Applications open | Mid October 2025 |
Application deadline | Mid January 2026 |
Admissions testing – K1/K2/K3 | Early February 2026 |
Admissions testing – Grades 1–12 | Mid January – Mid February 2026 |
Results issued by email | Late February 2026 |
School fees due | Early March 2026 |
The British School in Tokyo(ブリティッシュスクールイン東京)
Main Intake: August 2026
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year for mid-year intake are now open.
More info: bst.ac.jp/admissions/applications
All Grades (2026–27 school year)
Step | Predicted Date |
Applications open | Mid November 2025 |
Application deadline | Not listed |
Application review | Early February - Late June 2026 |
Interview/assessment (if required) | Late February - Late June 2026 |
Admission Decisions | Early March - summer |
International School of the Sacred Heart(聖心インターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Accept rolling applications throughout the year for all students, including overseas families.
Submission Window:
Applications should not be submitted more than 12 months before the desired start date.
Applicants interested in August enrollment transferring from schools with an academic year that starts in August or September should not submit reports and recommendation forms earlier than November, after the first progress report is received.
More info: issh.ac.jp/admissions/admission-process
Kindergarten 3–4 (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | September 2025 |
Application cutoff for first-round interviews | December 12, 2025 |
First round of interviews (selected candidates) | January – February 2026 |
Second round of interviews (if spaces are available) | March 2026 onwards |
Admission decision letters sent out | Rolling (after interviews) |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Kindergarten 5 (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open (Priority Period) | September 1, 2025 |
Application due (Priority Period ends) | November 14, 2025 |
Group screening (on-campus) | January 10, 2026 |
Family/Student interviews (selected candidates) | January – February 2026 |
Admission decision letters sent out | February 2026 |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Grades 1–12 (2026–27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | September 2025 |
Teacher recommendations & reports due | After November 2025 (once first progress report is available) |
Application finalization recommended by | Early December 2025 |
Screening (Grades 1–12) | From December 2025 onwards |
Family/Student interviews | Rolling (in person/Google Meet for overseas) |
Admission decision letters sent out | Rolling (subject to available seats) |
Registration fee is due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Seisen International School(清泉インターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Accepts rolling applications throughout the year for all students, including overseas families.
More information: seisen.com/join-us/admissions
All Grades (2026–27)
Step | Date |
Applications accepted | Rolling (no fixed deadline) |
Step 1 | Complete the online inquiry form before scheduling a tour or interview |
Step 2 | Submit the online application |
Step 3 | Pay application fee ¥20,000 (non-refundable) |
Step 4 | Admissions Office review of application & documents (approx. 1 week) |
Step 5 | Schedule and attend the family interview (required for all applicants) |
Step 6 | Take entrance exam + placement tests in English & Mathematics (to assess support needs) |
Step 7 | Submit medical examination form (required before student can start school) |
Step 8 | Admissions decision notified after review, interview, and testing |
Step 9 | Registration & enrollment procedures (fees, documents, etc.) |
Yokohama International School(横浜インターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
For applicants residing outside Japan: rolling admission
For applicants already residing in Japan:
Apply for main intake
Under special circumstances (such as transfer from schools running on a Japanese school calendar), and at the discretion of the relevant principal, mid-year enrollment may also be allowed.
More information: yis.ac.jp/admissions/
The following is the predicted or recommended timeline based on previous admissions.
Applicants Residing Outside Japan (Recommended) (2026-27 school year)
Step | Date |
Application open | Rolling, year-round |
Recommended deadline for January entry (all grades except Grades 11–12) | Early November 2025 |
Recommended deadline for August entry | Early March 2026 (early February for high school applicants) |
Admission decision notification | Within a few weeks after receipt of all required documents and application fee |
Registration fee due | Within two weeks from the date of offer |
Applicants Already Residing in Japan (Predicted) (2026-27 school year)
Application Deadline
Grade level | Date |
ELC | Mid April 2026 |
Elementary | No deadline (advised by the end of March 2026) |
Middle School | |
High School | Late January 2026 |
Decision Notification
Grade level | Date |
ELC | Early May 2026 |
Elementary | Rolling notification for grades with ample space availability; early May 2026 for grades with limited spaces End of February 2026 for initial notification |
Middle School | |
High School |
Saint Maur International School(サンモールインターナショナルスクール)
Main Intake: August 2026
Accepts rolling applications throughout the year for all students, including overseas families. However, it is advised to apply well in advance, particularly for middle and high school, as classes for the next academic year often fill up by the previous spring.
Mid-year entry is possible if space is available and the student meets the entrance criteria and evaluation requirements
More info: stmaur.ac.jp/admissions
All Grades (2026-27 school year)
Step | Date |
Applications accepted | Rolling (no fixed deadline) |
Step 1 | Complete the online inquiry form |
Step 2 | First contact with the Admission staff |
Step 3 | Visual or face-to-face family meeting or campus tour |
Step 4 | Entrance evaluation (Grade 3 students or below need to do this in person and older students may complete this online) |
Step 5 | Acceptance letter |
UWC ISAK Japan (ユナイテッド・ワールド・カレッジISAKジャパン軽井沢)
Main Intake: August 2026
UWC ISAK Japan is unable to accept mid-year transfer students.
Grade 10 Entry (3-year program, Grades 10–12):
UWC ISAK Japan’s Admissions Office selects students for the 3-year high school program (Grades 10–12) starting each August.
Students who enroll in Grade 10 (Pre-IB) will automatically continue into the IB Diploma Programme and do not need to reapply.
Grade 11 Entry (2-year program, Grades 11–12):
Applications must be submitted through the UWC national committee in your country of residence/citizenship or via the Global Selection Programme (GSP).
Due to the structure of the 2-year IB Diploma Programme, applications for Grade 12 entry or mid-year transfers are not accepted.
More info: uwcisak.jp/our-high-school/admissions/how-to-apply/
Grade 10 Application Timeline (2026 Entry)
Step | Date |
Applications open | September 1, 2025 |
Application deadline | December 1, 2025 |
Application review period | December 2, 2025 – January 9, 2026 |
Stage 1 results released | January 15, 2026 |
Online interview & group assessment period | January 24 – February 5, 2026 |
Early results (for students in Japan, Japanese school calendar) | February 13, 2026 |
Early results commitment deadline | February 18, 2026 |
Regular results released | February 25, 2026 |
Regular commitment deadline | March 2, 2026 |
Malvern College Tokyo (マルバーンカレッジ東京)
Main intake: August 2026
Accepts rolling applications throughout the school year for all students
For the 2026-27 academic year, the admissions process will be divided into four phases:
Phase 1: August to mid-October, with admissions results expected to be announced by early December 2025
Details of Phases 2 and beyond will be announced at a later date.
More info: malverncollegetokyo.jp/assessment-result
All Grades (2026-27 school year)
Step | Date |
Applications open (online) | Now open (rolling applications accepted throughout the school year) |
Phase 1 application period | August – mid-October 2025 |
Phase 1 admissions results | Early December 2025 |
Phase 2 & later phases | To be announced (after Phase 1) |
Assessment & interview (all applicants) | Arranged after submission of completed application and fee payment |
Admissions decision notification | Following assessment & interview (timing depends on phase; subject to availability) |
Registration fee due | Within two weeks of offer |
Harrow International School Appi(ハロウインターナショナルスクール安比ジャパン)
Main intake: August 2026
There are no application deadlines and accepts rolling applications throughout the school year for all students. However, to secure your child’s place at our school, applications should be submitted early in the academic year (from September to January).
More info: harrowappi.jp/admissions/admissions-process-2023/
All Grades (recommended) (2026-27 school year)
Step | Date |
Applications accepted | Rolling (no fixed deadline) |
Recommended time to apply | September – January (earlier is better due to limited spaces) |
Recommended time to join |
|
Step 1 | Submit the online application (via OpenApply) with required documents |
Step 2 | Take online test (90-min computer test: Math, English, Non-Verbal Reasoning + 20-min English writing task) |
Step 3 | Online/face-to-face interview with Head Master or senior Harrow educator (if test passed) |
Step 4 | Admissions decision & offer sent |
Step 5 | Offer acceptance deadline → 1 week after receiving the offer |
Step 6 | Pay deposit & enrolment fee (to secure place) |
Step 7 | Enrolment procedures begin (uniform, equipment, visa if applicable, etc.) |
Christian Academy in Japan(クリスチャン・アカデミー・イン・ジャパン)
Main Entry Period: August 2026
Open to all grade levels; applications accepted year-round (rolling admissions)
Current Availability (2025–26): Rolling admissions available
More info: https://caj.ac.jp/admissions/
All Grades (Recommended) Admission Schedule (2026–27)
Step | Details |
Application Start | Rolling (year-round) |
Application Deadline (Recommended) | April Entry: by January 15, 2026 |
August Entry: No fixed deadline (early application recommended) | |
After May 1: processing may take longer | |
Required Documents | Online application, birth certificate or passport, report cards, teacher recommendation, pastor recommendation (if applicable), application fee payment |
Tests | K–G1: Readiness Test |
Non-native speakers: English test | |
G2 and above: Submit standard test results (or take on-campus test if unavailable) | |
Interview | Parent & student interview (online available outside Tokyo) |
Admission Notification | Within 1–2 weeks after tests and interview |
Enrollment Fee Payment | Within 2 weeks of receiving admission notice |
Phoenix House International School(フェニックスハウス・インターナショナルスクール)
Main Entry Period: August 2026
Open to all grade levels; applications accepted year-round (rolling admissions).
Assessment is conducted holistically through a Discovery Day.
Current Availability (2025–26): Rolling admissions available.
More info: phoenixhouseschool.org
All Grades Admission Schedule (2026–27)
Admissions Round | Application Review Period | Discovery Day (Assessment) | Decision Announcement |
A1 (Open) | Mon, 1 Sept 2025 | Mon, 6 Oct 2025 | Fri, 24 Oct 2025 |
A2 | Mon, 3 Nov 2025 | Mon, 24 Nov 2025 | Fri, 12 Dec 2025 |
S1 | Mon, 5 Jan 2026 | Mon, 12 Jan 2026 | Fri, 30 Jan 2026 |
S2 | Mon, 16 Feb 2026 | Mon, 2 Mar 2026 | Fri, 20 Mar 2026 |
Su1 | Mon, 13 Apr 2026 | Mon, 27 Apr 2026 | Fri, 15 May 2026 |
Su2 (Final) | Mon, 1 Jun 2026 | Mon, 8 Jun 2026 | Fri, 26 Jun 2026 |
Note: Discovery Day runs half-day for Lower Prep (Prep 1–2) and full-day for Upper Prep (Prep 3–6). Activities include observation, interviews, English proficiency checks, and (for Upper Prep) the CAT4 cognitive abilities test.
Conclusion
Above is a complete compilation of admission schedules for top international schools in Japan. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to check each school’s official page and contact them directly—especially schools with rolling admissions or no fixed deadlines.
If you would like support with international school applications—such as preparing for entrance exams, evaluations, or family interviews—EGCIS(エグシスインターナショナルスクール専門塾)can help. We specialize in guiding students to gain admission to international schools in Japan and supporting their academic growth throughout the school year.
Reach out to us for personalized guidance and support!
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