Christian Academy in Japan, almost always shortened to CAJ, is one of the longest established of the international schools in Tokyo, having opened in 1950 with a handful of students and moved the following year to its present site in Higashi Kurume in the west of the city. It is a kindergarten to Grade 12 Christian school teaching a North American programme in English, serving both missionary families and the wider international and local community. With several hundred students, it has the settled, community feel of a school that has been part of Tokyo expatriate life for generations.
Christian Academy in Japan at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | North American curriculum in English, Advanced Placement courses in high school, Bible across the grades |
|---|---|
| Stages | Kindergarten to Grade 12 (roughly age 5 to 18) |
| Founded | 1950, on its Higashi Kurume site since 1951 |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International |
| Character | Christ centred, serving missionary families and the wider community |
| Fee band | Mid to upper, below the city's most expensive schools |
| Campus area | Higashi Kurume, western Tokyo |
Curriculum and academics
CAJ teaches a North American programme in English from elementary through to high school, with Bible classes woven across the grades in keeping with its Christian foundation. High school students can take Advanced Placement courses for college level study and complete a required senior capstone, a research and project course that rounds off the diploma. For how the American model, its grade structure and Advanced Placement work, our American curriculum pillar sets out the framework.
The school emphasises a close community, service and character alongside academics, and graduates progress to universities in North America, Japan and elsewhere. Its long standing accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges gives families the transfer recognition that matters when moving between American model schools. Parents comparing options will find the wider best international schools in Tokyo guide useful for building a shortlist.
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Christian Academy in Japan fees
Christian Academy in Japan fees sit in the mid to upper part of the Tokyo international school fees range, below the city's most expensive international schools but a meaningful commitment all the same. Annual tuition rises by stage from elementary through to high school, and the school publishes its current figures by grade, which is the number to rely on as fees are reviewed each year.
Beyond tuition, plan for the charges a parent must budget separately. These typically include a registration or application fee, costs for materials, trips and certain activities, and any bus service to the Higashi Kurume campus. Advanced Placement examination fees apply in the relevant high school courses. Because every figure changes annually, confirm the exact tuition and ancillary charges with the admissions office before you commit.
Admissions
CAJ admissions run around an August start, with mid year entry accepted where places are available by grade. Families apply through the school's admissions team, submitting prior school reports, references and, given the school's Christian character, information about the family's background and reasons for choosing CAJ. Applicants may be assessed for academic readiness and English support needs.
The school has long experience with missionary families on multi year postings and with internationally mobile families moving between American model schools, which makes transfers smoother. Overseas families should factor in the documentation needed to settle in Japan and consider the commute to Higashi Kurume in the west of the city when choosing where to live.
Location and who goes there
CAJ sits in Higashi Kurume, a quieter suburban part of western Tokyo around 25 minutes by train from Ikebukuro, which gives it more space than the central city schools can offer. The location shapes who attends, with many families living in the western wards and along the rail lines that serve the campus rather than in the central business and embassy districts.
The community blends missionary families, who make up a large share of the school, with international and local families drawn to the Christian ethos, the American programme and the close knit feel. For how Higashi Kurume and the western wards compare with central Tokyo and where expatriate families tend to settle, the Tokyo city hub maps the city and the schools that serve each area.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and accepts no payment from schools, so we publish parent reviews only after confirming the reviewer is part of the school community. If your family knows CAJ first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Christian Academy in Japan fees?
CAJ sits in the mid to upper part of the Tokyo range, below the city's most expensive international schools. Annual tuition rises by stage from elementary to high school, and the school publishes current figures by grade. Plan for a registration or application fee and costs for materials, trips and any bus service. Confirm the live tuition with admissions before applying.
What curriculum does Christian Academy in Japan follow?
CAJ teaches a North American curriculum in English, with Bible classes across the grades. High school students can take Advanced Placement courses and complete a required senior capstone project. It is a Christ centred school serving both missionary and local international families.
Is Christian Academy in Japan a good school?
CAJ is a long established kindergarten to Grade 12 school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International, with a settled community and an AP pathway. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and accreditation rather than score it.
When do Christian Academy in Japan applications open?
CAJ admits students around an August start and accepts mid year entry where places exist by grade. Families relocating to Tokyo should apply as early as a posting is confirmed, and the school asks for prior school records and references.
Where is Christian Academy in Japan?
CAJ is in Higashi Kurume in western Tokyo, around 25 minutes by train from Ikebukuro, on a campus it has occupied since the early 1950s.
