How many international secondary schools in Tokyo
Tokyo has roughly 18 schools running a full English speaking secondary phase from Year 7 through Year 13 or grades 6 to 12, with sixth form cohorts large enough to deliver a settled set of subject choices. That figure excludes the international primary feeders that close at grade 5 or Year 6 and the Japanese national curriculum schools that bolt on a small English stream.
The cluster is mature but small. Most senior schools have run their current sixth form programme for at least a decade, and the staff turnover is lower than in Shanghai, Singapore or Hong Kong because Tokyo postings are typically longer. The downside is that places at Year 12 are scarce. Roughly two thirds of the 18 senior schools fill their Year 12 lists with internal Year 11 progression, leaving fewer than 40 external sixth form seats across the city in a normal admissions cycle.
Sixth form pathways: IB, A Level, US diploma
Sixth form in Tokyo splits three ways. The IB Diploma is the largest single pathway, offered at around nine senior schools including K. International, Tokyo International, Aoba Japan Bunkyo, Yokohama International and Seisen International. The American high school diploma with AP courses is the route at the American School in Japan, Saint Mary’s and Sacred Heart International. The British A Level pathway sits primarily at the British School in Tokyo, with IGCSEs at Year 11 and a recently expanded sixth form on the Showa campus.
For families with university targets already in mind, the choice of pathway often matters more than the choice of school. UK and Hong Kong universities accept all three Tokyo offerings. US universities prefer either the AP transcript or the IB Diploma. Japanese universities increasingly accept the IB Diploma directly for English medium tracks at Waseda, Keio, ICU and the University of Tokyo PEAK programme.
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Fees and the secondary tiers
Tokyo international secondary fees sit in three broad tiers. The value tier, JPY 2.6 million to JPY 2.9 million per year, covers Aoba Japan Bunkyo, Kanto International and the lower senior years at smaller campuses. The mid tier, JPY 2.9 million to JPY 3.2 million, captures Tokyo International School, the British School in Tokyo Year 12 and 13, K. International upper years and Yokohama International. The premium tier, JPY 3.2 million to JPY 3.4 million, applies to the American School in Japan upper grades, Saint Mary’s sixth form and the senior years at Sacred Heart and Seisen.
Headline fees in secondary climb fastest in Year 12. Most schools charge an annual sixth form supplement of JPY 100,000 to JPY 250,000 to cover IB or AP examination fees, university counselling and field trips. Add another JPY 200,000 to JPY 300,000 for a school bus contract and JPY 200,000 to JPY 400,000 in non refundable enrolment for new joiners. Our Tokyo fees guide breaks down each school line by line, including the often opaque capital levy schedule.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has a settled secondary record, a clearly defined sixth form pathway and a distinct identity in the Tokyo market.
American School in Japan in Chofu is the longest established American senior school, with an AP transcript and university counselling team familiar to admissions officers at every major US college. Cohorts at sixth form are large for Tokyo, around 110 to 130 per grade.
British School in Tokyo in Shibuya runs IGCSEs at Year 11 and a sixth form delivering A Levels and the BTEC Extended Diploma. The Showa campus opened the senior phase in 2020 and the cohort is now stable at around 80 students per Year 12.
Tokyo International School in Minato is the longest running IB Diploma provider in central Tokyo. Smaller cohorts, IB averages consistently around 33 to 35 points, and a strong record into UK, Canadian and Japanese universities.
K. International School Tokyo in Koto runs the full IB continuum from PYP through the Diploma, with one of the highest IB averages in Japan in recent years. Cohorts are tight, the campus is purpose built and external sixth form places are limited.
Saint Mary’s International School in Setagaya is a long established Catholic boys school with an AP and AICE based senior programme, and a deep Tokyo alumni network into US universities.
Where secondary age families live in Tokyo
Secondary age families in Tokyo cluster around the wards that combine a short school commute with adult professional convenience. Minato ward, especially Hiroo, Azabu and Akasaka, is the dominant choice for families with children at Tokyo International, Nishimachi or Sacred Heart, and gives easy access to the British School Showa campus. Setagaya, especially Seijo and Yoga, suits families at Saint Mary’s, Seisen and the British School Showa. Chofu and the inner Tama corridor is the obvious choice for American School in Japan families, with detached housing at prices noticeably lower than Minato. Bunkyo works well for Aoba Japan Bunkyo. Koto is the natural ward for K. International families.
Year 12 international entrants who arrive in Tokyo on a tight relocation timeline often start in serviced apartments in Roppongi or Azabudai for the first term before committing to a longer term lease in their school’s catchment.
Admissions calendar
The Tokyo international secondary admissions calendar follows the August or September academic start used across the international sector. Applications for August or September 2026 entry opened in most senior schools between September and November 2025. Tier 1 schools closed their main Year 7 and Year 12 lists by late January 2026. Late applicants are placed on waiting lists and offered places only as withdrawals come through, typically May to August.
External sixth form places, particularly at the IB Diploma schools, are reviewed individually rather than against a rolling intake. Families targeting an IB sixth form entry should make first contact 10 to 14 months before the desired August start, well before any taster day or assessment is offered. Mid year transfers into Year 7 to Year 10 are accepted on a rolling basis when places exist, with most movement happening between November and February for January and April entry. For a wider view of the city, our best international schools in Tokyo guide ranks senior and combined campuses side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Tokyo?
Tokyo has roughly 18 schools running a full English speaking secondary phase through Year 13 or grade 12. About nine offer the IB Diploma at sixth form, one runs British A Levels and several follow the American high school diploma with AP courses.
What sixth form qualifications can my child take in Tokyo?
Three main pathways are available: the IB Diploma, British A Levels with IGCSE, and the American high school diploma with AP. A small number of schools also offer the BTEC Extended Diploma or the Cambridge AICE programme as an alternative sixth form route.
How much do international secondary schools in Tokyo cost?
Annual secondary tuition in Tokyo runs from about JPY 2.6 million at value tier providers to JPY 3.4 million at the most established senior schools. Add 10 to 20 percent in enrolment fees, capital levies, school bus, examinations and trips.
When should I apply for Year 7 or Year 12 in Tokyo?
For an August or September 2026 start, the top tier Tokyo senior schools opened their main lists in September to November 2025 and closed them by late January 2026. External sixth form places are scarce and should be approached 10 to 14 months in advance.
Are external sixth form places available in Tokyo?
Yes, but they are limited. Around two thirds of Tokyo senior schools fill Year 12 through internal Year 11 progression, leaving fewer than 40 external sixth form seats across the city in a normal year. Apply early and have a backup pathway.
