The information on this page has been extracted from the KIST Admissions Handbook. Please read the complete handbook for more detailed information on the application procedure.

Standard admissions process

Applications proceed through various stages as shown below as part of the admissions process.

STAGE 1: Read the KIST Admissions Handbook

This document outlines admissions policies and procedures. All applicants must read it thoroughly before applying. Submission of an application indicates that you have read and understood the handbook in full and agree to comply with the policies and procedures outlined.

STAGE 2: Confirm availability

For applications for admission outside the main intake periods, please contact the KIST Admissions Office to confirm availability before submitting an application. When checking availability, please provide 1) your child's date of birth, 2) the nationalities (at birth) of both parents, 3) your child's current grade (if applicable), 4) the grade you wish to apply for, and 5) your child's general English level.

STAGE 3: Pay application fee (non-refundable)

Payment is by bank transfer only. Please include your child's name so the payment can be identified. Bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the sender.

STAGE 4: Prepare supporting documents

Prepare any supporting documents required for your child's grade to upload with your application, and arrange any documents required to be sent from your child's current school.

STAGE 5: Submit online application form

Fill out and submit the Application for Admission through our online application system. Information must be entered by an applicant's parents/guardians only.

STAGE 6: Application screening

Received application and supporting documents are screened for eligibility. This takes approximately one week (except for the April/August main intake periods).

STAGE 7: Notification of screening result

Screening results are sent to applicants by e-mail only. Not all applications will pass the screening stage. Those that are unsuccessful will be unable to proceed to the next stage. The application fee will not be returned in this instance.

STAGE 8: Admissions interview and testing

Interviews are held for parents/guardians and tests are conducted for students. Applicants who have passed the screening stage will receive an invitation by e-mail that indicates the date and time you are required to attend the admissions interview and testing at school. Notification will be no earlier than one week in advance.

STAGE 9: Notification of final result

After the interview and test, the school admissions panel convenes to make decisions. We aim to send out results by e-mail in approximately one week after the interview and test (except for the April/August main intake periods).

STAGE 10: Payment of school fees

Successful applicants are required to pay the non-refundable enrollment fee and other school fees to secure their place in the class. 

Timing of applications

Applying for admission for the main intake periods

The main intake of students is from the start of the new school year in August. Admission is also possible from January or from April provided that places are available. The following tables indicate the schedule for admission for the main intake periods. Applications for admission beyond January of the forthcoming school year are not accepted until next year.
 

Applying for admission outside the main intake periods

Applications for enrollment at times outside the main intake periods are accepted all year round provided places are available in the grade for which you wish to apply. The admissions process for these applications takes approximately three weeks from the time of submission until final enrollment. Applicants who pass the screening stage will be invited to proceed to the interview and testing stage. Interviews and tests are held only on Thursday mornings during most weeks (excluding holidays and special school events) depending on the school schedule. Applicants will be added to the next available schedule. This will depend on the timing of your application and the number of other families on the schedule. Details of the interview and test will be sent by e-mail no more than one week in advance.

Application requirements

It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that all information required in the online application form has been included, all required supporting documents have been sent, and the application fee has been paid. Applications will not begin the screening process until all components of the application have been received by the school.

Application components

Each application must include the following items as submitted via our online application system:

• Application for Admission
• Proof of name and date of birth (e.g. copy of birth certificate or passport)
• Recent passport-style facial photograph
• Recent family photograph
• Proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee, 20,000 yen (30,000 for applications for 2024-25)

Required supporting documents:

• School reports
  • Applicants for Grades 3 and above: Official copies of school reports for the past three years, including the latest, stamped with the school's seal or otherwise designated by the school as official. These must be sent to the KIST Admissions Office directly from the applicant's school/s by post or e-mail in PDF format, or submitted by the applicant in a sealed and stamped envelope from the school. Full reports containing teachers' comments are preferred. All reports must be in English. Translations must be provided where necessary. These may be arranged by families.
  • Applicants for Grades 2 and below: Photocopies or scans of any reports available. They do not have to be official copies. These should be uploaded through the online application system.

• Confidential School Reference (Applicants for Grades 2 and above only) – This should be handed to the applicant's current school in advance for completion. It is a confidential statement that should be sent by the school directly to the KIST Admissions Office by post or e-mail in PDF format only.
• Personal Statement (Applicants for Grades 8 and above only) – This should be handwritten by applicants themselves in English, and the completed statement signed and dated before being uploaded through the online application system.

Additional documents (to be sent directly to the KIST Admissions Office, if relevant):

• Copies of results of standardized examinations (if available)
• Proof of visa status (non-Japanese applicants living in Japan without their parents only)

General conditions of application 

• No items submitted as a part of an application will be returned.
• All applications must be submitted in English only. KIST will not be held responsible for any miscommunications due to input errors or unclear contact details.
  
• Please ensure that you provide all information available about your child's previous education as well as full details of any special learning issues. Recognized issues not disclosed at the time of application may result in your child’s enrollment being reviewed and possibly cancelled.

Submitting an application

The Application for Admission and most of the required supporting documentation must be submitted through our online application system. Additional documents required to be sent from an applicant's current or previous schools may be sent by e-mail or post as indicated below.

• E-mail: info@kist.ed.jp
• Post:

K. International School Tokyo
Admissions Office
1-5-15 Shirakawa
Koto-ku, Tokyo
Japan 135-0021

The application fee should be paid by bank transfer to the account shown below. Other forms of payment are not accepted. All transfer fees incurred are the responsibility of the sender and must be covered at the time of payment.

If paying by bank transfer from overseas, please ensure the currency is in Japanese yen and amounts to exactly 20,000 yen (30,000 yen if applying for 2024-25) after handling fees are deducted. All transfer fees incurred for both the sending as well as the receiving bank are the responsibility of the applicant and must be covered at the time of payment. Please consult your bank at the time of transfer to determine the amount you need to pay to cover all fees. Where the amount received by KIST is less than the required fee, you will be asked to pay the difference in cash at the time of your interview.

All bank transfer must include the applicant's name.

Application fee bank account details:
Bank: Mizuho Bank (Bank number: 0001)
Branch: Honjo (Branch number: 050)
Address: 4-31-11 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0026
Tel: 03-3631-2121 / +81-3-3631-2121
Account type: Regular savings (Futsuu)
Account number: 1937746
Swift code: MHCBJPJT
Account name: K. International School Tokyo 

Inquiries

For admissions inquiries, please contact us between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.