Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin: A Comprehensive Guide | IB Education, Academic Achievements, and Admissions
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- 3月9日
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About Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) is a private, co-educational international school established in 1991, located in Minoh, Osaka. The school consists of Kindergarten (ages 4-5), Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12), with a total student capacity of 280 and students from about 30 different countries. All classes are conducted in English.
OIS is fully authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), making it the first IB World School in Japan to implement all three programs. With over 30 years of experience, OIS provides a world-class international education.
OIS is also accredited and affiliated with:
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Council of International Schools (CIS), Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS), and East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
OIS is a non-profit K-12 school operated by the Kwansei Gakuin Educational Foundation, which also manages Kwansei Gakuin University. This foundation serves over 29,000 students, making it one of Japan’s leading private educational institutions.
Location and Facilities
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) is located in Minoh, Osaka, sharing a campus with Senri International School (SIS). Under the “Two Schools Together” philosophy, OIS and SIS students collaborate in physical education, music, arts, sports, orchestra, and choir, providing an opportunity to learn in a culturally diverse environment.
SIS is an innovative Japanese international school designed for Japanese returnee students (Grades 7-12) who have lived abroad. For OIS students, this creates an environment where they can engage with Japanese culture while sharing perspectives with globally minded peers.
Minoh is a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban convenience, surrounded by Minoh National Park, while also offering shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets.
Access & Transportation
School Bus: Routes available from nearby train stations and Kobe
Osaka City Access: 30 minutes to Umeda (downtown Osaka)
Airport & Bullet Train Access:
20 minutes to Osaka International Airport (Itami) by car/monorail
20 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station (From there: Kyoto in 20 min, Kobe in 25 min, Tokyo in 2.5 hours by Shinkansen)
Facilities
OIS provides state-of-the-art educational, sports, and cultural facilities:
Academic Facilities: Library (50,000+ books, e-books, access to Kwansei Gakuin University Library), science labs, TV studio
Sports & Arts Facilities: Gymnasium, dance studio, martial arts room, heated indoor pool, planetarium, visual arts studio (shared with SIS), multi-purpose all-season field, traditional Japanese tatami room
Support Facilities: Counseling center (academic, social, and emotional support), health center (full-time nurse), cafeteria (Japanese & international menu)
Curriculum Overview
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), providing a globally oriented, inquiry-based education tailored to each grade level.
Kindergarten (KA & KB, Ages 4–5)
In Kindergarten, 4-year-olds (KA) and 5-year-olds (KB) learn together in a mixed-age class with one teacher and two assistants, who provide individualized instruction based on each student’s needs. OIS’s early childhood education follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, adopting a child-centered approach.
The curriculum includes Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical Education, as well as Swimming and Japanese classes. Learning activities emphasize play-based education, enabling children to engage with their environment actively and develop curiosity. Additionally, collaborative activities and creative expression are encouraged to nurture social skills and self-expression.
Elementary School (Grades 1–5)
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in elementary school is designed around inquiry-based learning.
As part of its educational philosophy, OIS focuses on student-centered learning, respecting different learning styles and maintaining small class sizes for personalized instruction. The curriculum aims to go beyond simple knowledge acquisition, developing conceptual understanding and real-world application skills.
The curriculum includes:
Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and ICT (Information Technology)
Language Support: EAL (English as an Additional Language) program for non-native English speakers
Arts & Physical Education: Music, Visual Arts, and Physical Education (including swimming)
Japanese Language: A Japanese language program for non-native speakers is also available, supporting language acquisition in a multicultural environment
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in middle school deepens academic inquiry and prepares students for high school-level studies. OIS places a strong emphasis on building academic foundations, fostering logical reasoning and critical thinking skills. The program also encourages global awareness, promoting cross-cultural understanding and multilingual learning to develop internationally minded students. The curriculum consists of eight subject groups: Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical & Health Education, and Design.
OIS students take Physical Education, Music, and Visual Arts together with students from Senri International School (SIS) in a bilingual Japanese-English environment. This immersive setting provides students with opportunities to engage with different languages and cultures, enhancing their ability to view the world from diverse perspectives.
High School (Grades 9–12）
In high school, students complete the final stage of the MYP in Grades 9-10 and transition to the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11-12.
Grades 9–10: Students complete the MYP, culminating in an independent research-based Personal Project
Grades 11–12: Students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP), selecting one subject from each of the six subject groups for two years of advanced academic study
For students who do not take the IB Diploma, OIS offers the OIS High School Diploma, a WASC-accredited American-style high school diploma. To graduate, students must complete 24 credits over four years.
IB Diploma Programme (DP) Core Requirements
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Explores the nature of knowledge and diverse perspectives
Extended Essay (EE): A research-based academic essay to develop analytical and writing skills
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS): Involves participation in arts, sports, and community service
IB Diploma Programme (DP) Subject Offerings
Subject Group | Available Courses |
Language & Literature | English A, Japanese A |
Language Acquisition | English B, Japanese B, Japanese ab initio, Spanish ab initio |
Individuals & Societies | History, Economics, Business Management |
Sciences | Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
Mathematics | Mathematics HL/SL (Analysis & Approaches, Applications & Interpretation) |
Arts | Visual Arts |
Extracurricular Activities
In addition to academics, OIS strongly emphasizes extracurricular activities.
Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Baseball (Matches with schools in Japan and Korea)
Music & Arts: Musicals, Theater, Concerts, Choir
Clubs: Student Council, Model United Nations (MUN), Habitat for Humanity (volunteer activities)
Special Events: Sports Day, School-Wide Musical, Music Concerts, International Fair, Student Fair
Community Service: Student-led volunteer projects and fundraising activities
Academic Performance
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is the core curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 at OIS. Over the past 10 years (2013-2022), 94% of students have enrolled in the full IB Diploma Programme, with a pass rate of 96%.
IB DP Results (2024)
Pass Rate: 100%
Average Score: 36 points (World Average: 30 points)
Students Scoring 40+ Points: 20% (Top 8% worldwide)
SAT Results (2023-2024)
Composite Score: 1,287
ERW (Reading & Writing): 636
Mathematics: 651 (Number of test takers: 13 students)
University Acceptances (2019-2024)
OIS graduates have been accepted into top universities worldwide, including:
United States: Princeton, Yale, Cornell, NYU, University of Michigan, etc.
United Kingdom: Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, King’s College London, Durham, etc.
Canada: University of Toronto, UBC, University of Calgary, etc.
Japan: Keio (PEARL), Waseda, ICU, Osaka University, Doshisha, etc.
Europe, Asia, and Oceania: Leiden, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Sydney, Yonsei, Monash, etc.
Admissions Process
Application Process
Submit Required Documents (By Mail or Electronically)
Application form
Copy of passport or birth certificate
Recent photo
School records for the past 3 years (including standardized test scores)
Submission Address:
Admissions Office, Osaka International School4-4-16 Onohara-nishi, Minoh-shi, Osaka 562-0032, Japan
Application Review → Schedule Interviews (Student & Parents) + Admissions Tests (Language, Cognitive Ability, Mathematics)
Upon Acceptance, Pay the Admissions Fee
Submit Student Physical Exam Report (completed by a physician)
Financial Aid
Partial financial aid is available for eligible students.
Applications open in April, but grants are awarded only after acceptance.
Admissions Policy
OIS primarily serves international expatriate families in the Kansai region.
Enrollment decisions consider grade-level capacity, language balance, academic records, and home language support.
The Admissions Committee makes the final decision regarding grade placement, and new students are closely monitored in their early months at OIS.
Contact Information
Website: OIS Official Site
Email: oisadmissions@soismail.jp
Phone (Japan): 072-727-5070 | (International): +81-72-727-5070
Conclusion
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin (OIS) offers a world-class IB education, emphasizing academics, extracurricular activities, and global citizenship. Through an inquiry-driven curriculum, students develop a broad global perspective and prepare for admission to top universities worldwide.
With strong academic achievements, outstanding IB results, international university placements, and rich extracurricular opportunities, OIS provides an ideal educational environment for families seeking top-tier schooling in Japan.
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