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Japan’s Top International Schools 2026–27: Admission Schedules and Key Dates

  • 執筆者の写真: egcisjp
    egcisjp
  • 8月27日
  • 読了時間: 11分

更新日:9月19日

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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.


  1. 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


  1. 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



  1. American School in Japan(アメリカンスクールインジャパン)


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



  1. 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.

  • More info: kist-temporary-website.com/application-procedure


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


  1. The British School in Tokyo(ブリティッシュスクールイン東京)



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


  1. 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


  1. 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.)


  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  • Beginning of Autumn Term (late August) → best option 

  • Beginning of Winter Term → second best option Mid-term entry → possible but not recommended

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.)

  1. 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

  1. 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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