Tokyo International School
🇯🇵 Tokyo · Founded 1994 · IB · Ages 4–17
A small, well-established, technology-forward IB World School (PYP + MYP authorized, DP in candidacy) in central Tokyo — strong on accreditation and language support, but the upper school is new and unproven.
Curricula
IB
Age range
4–17
Languages of instruction
English
Annual fees
SGD JPY 3,300,000–3,600,000
Enrollment
470
Boarding
No (day school)
IB authorised
PYP, MYP
Accreditations
CIS, NEASC
Tier Profile
We only tier dimensions backed by a public inspection verdict or verifiable accreditation. Other dimensions show a data flag — never a guessed score.
BrightKey's Assessment
Tokyo International School (TIS) is a non-profit IB World School founded in 1994 in Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, relocating to a new Mita campus in August 2026. It serves roughly 470 students from 70+ nationalities, with a maximum class size of 22. It holds dual accreditation from CIS (since 2004) and NEASC, and is recognized by Japan's Ministry of Education as a Gakko-Hojin (2017).
Academically, TIS is authorized for the IB PYP (since 2005) and MYP (since 2007). It is currently an IB Diploma Programme Candidate School — DP authorization is not yet complete. The secondary school is in active expansion: Grade 11 launched in 2025–26 and Grade 12 is planned for 2026–27, so TIS is only now becoming a full K-12 institution and has not yet graduated a senior class.
English is the language of instruction, supported by a structured EAL programme. The school positions itself around technology (Apple Distinguished School) with 50+ co-curriculars.
Fees for 2026-27 run ¥3,300,000–3,600,000, with one-time new-student fees of ¥1,430,000.
Why These Ratings?
Inspection & AccreditationA — Excellent
Dual CIS (2004) + NEASC accreditation, verifiable on the official site. Japan has no public inspectorate, so the tier reflects accreditation depth — A.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Strengths
- Dual international accreditation (CIS since 2004 + NEASC) — strong governance and quality assurance
- Authorized IB continuum across primary and middle years (PYP since 2005, MYP since 2007)
- Genuinely small scale (~470 students, max class size 22) supporting individualized attention
- Well-documented EAL programme — strong fit for families whose children are still developing English
- Highly international community (70+ nationalities) and a tech-forward identity (Apple Distinguished School)
- Central Tokyo location with a brand-new Mita campus opening August 2026
Trade-offs
- DP is only at candidate stage, not authorized — TIS cannot yet be relied upon as a full IB Diploma school
- The upper school is brand new (Grade 11 only since 2025) — no published graduation/placement track record exists
- No public academic results — no IB scores or university-destination data
- Official materials contain internal inconsistencies on grade range (K-8 vs K-11 vs K-12)
- Premium fees with a recent sharp increase, against an as-yet-unproven senior school
Is It Right For You?
Best For
- ✓Families with primary or middle-school-age children seeking an established, accredited IB PYP/MYP programme
- ✓Internationally mobile or non-native-English families needing strong EAL support
- ✓Families wanting a small, tech-integrated school in central Tokyo
Not Ideal For
- ✕Families needing a proven IB Diploma programme with a published score/placement history right now
- ✕Outcome-driven families who require transparent academic results before enrolling
- ✕Those seeking boarding (day-only) or a large-school environment with broad senior-year breadth
Curriculum
IB PYP (authorized 2005) and MYP (authorized 2007). IB Diploma Programme is at Candidate status — NOT authorized; do not represent TIS as a DP school yet. No Cambridge/A-Level offering.
Fees
2026-27 annual tuition: ¥3,300,000 (K–G2) to ¥3,600,000 (G10–12), plus one-time new-student fees totaling ¥1,430,000 (¥30,000 application + ¥400,000 registration + ¥1,000,000 development). One-time fees rose from ¥1,230,000 in 2025-26. Verify directly with the school.
Admissions
Application fee ¥30,000; one-time registration and development fees apply to new students (non-refundable). Structured EAL support available.
Campus Life
~470 students, 70+ nationalities, max class size 22. 50+ co-curricular activities, Apple Distinguished School (1:1 devices from Grade 6). New campus at 3-15-2 Mita, Minato-ku opening August 2026.
University Placement
School-reported · not independently verified
Not public. As the upper school (G11/G12) and DP are newly established, no graduating-cohort outcomes exist yet.
Sources
Every verifiable fact carries a public source — verify it yourself.
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