FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Application for Admission
- Q: When does the application period start?
- A: For Grade One and Turtle (3 years-old) new entrants, applications are accepted from the middle of October. Admissions for Grade One applicants new to AIS are processed following the priority application period for current AIS Orca students. For other grades, admission applications can be accepted at any time during the school year.
- Q: What is the eligible age for enrollment?
- A: Children are accepted for each kindergarten or elementary school grade according to their age as of April 2nd each year. The age for Turtle is three years old as of April 2nd.
Entrance Examinations
- Q: Do you have an entrance examination?
- A: All applicants and their parents are interviewed to ascertain whether AIS would be a suitable place of learning for the child. When deemed necessary, a short test may be required to ascertain ability. Please note that the final decision regarding admission is made in writing by the representative chairperson of the school.
Tuition and Fees
- Q: How much does it cost in a year?
- A: As for tuition and other fees including an enrollment fee, please refer to “Tuition and Fees”. Other expenses related to activities such as summer/winter/spring schools and after school programs in which students enroll voluntarily are collected separately.
- Q: Is it possible to pay tuition and school fees on an installment plan?
- A: Tuition and school fees can be paid in term-based installments; however, please note that an administration fee of 2,200 yen is incurred per installment.
Facilities
- Q: Do you provide school bus service?
- A: No, we don’t. It is necessary for kindergarten students to be escorted by their parents on the way to and from school. Elementary students require permission from parents to come to school or go home unaccompanied.
- Q: Do you provide school lunch?
- A: We can provide school lunch, but we don’t have a cafeteria. Students choose either ordering school lunch (which we order from a school lunch delivery company) or bringing lunch from home.
Higher education
- Q: What schools do AIS students go to after they graduate?
- A: Mainly they go to private junior high schools in Japan. Please see “Future Paths” page for details. However, some students have graduated to go overseas or to international schools within Japan.
School Visit
- Q: Can we have a tour of your school?
- A: Yes. We also encourage you to visit our school on Open House (Information Session) days scheduled throughout the year. Please see the “Open House” page for details. We are also happy to arrange individual visits.
Other Questions
- Q: Is it possible for a student without any Japanese language ability to apply for admission?
- A: Yes. AIS accepts students of all nationalities. However, non-Japanese students are encouraged to learn Japanese, particularly those intending to progress through to the elementary school which holds approximately 30-40% of classes in Japanese following the MEXT curriculum. Japanese language acquisition is particularly recommended for those intending to stay in Japan beyond G6 at AIS in order to expand next-level education options.
- Q: Do you have rental uniform?
- A: Yes. However, rental uniforms are provided to only foreign students who are planning to attend for less than one year.
- Q: Do you have parking?
- A: Parking spaces in front of the school are reserved for guests, deliveries, etc. Parents and those attending special events are asked to kindly use coin parking in the neighborhood.
- Q: Do you have any after school activities?
- A: There are private violin and piano lessons and tea ceremony classes offered after school, as well as one-on-one ESL and JaSL sessions to boost language skills. We also have dance, soccer and computer clubs to build confidence and curiosity.
- Q: Do you have an extra-hours child-care service?
- A: We provide the child-care service until 5:00pm. Please ask the office for details.
- Q: Does the school have a mascot?
- A: Yes, he is a moose and his name is Marty. You can see Marty on the school uniforms, bags and all around the school.
Marty Moose