Hiroshima International School at a glance
| Curriculum | International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP) |
|---|---|
| Exam boards | IB Diploma |
| Stages | Early childhood (EC3) to Grade 12 |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools (CIS); IB authorised |
| Fee band | Mid (below central Tokyo) |
| Campus area | Hiroshima |
Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.
Curriculum and academics
Hiroshima International School runs all three core International Baccalaureate programmes, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, which makes it the comprehensive IB school for the Chugoku region of western Japan. Teaching is in English, and the student body spans around twenty nationalities, with roughly a third Japanese, a third bicultural and a third from expatriate families. The inquiry led IB approach runs from the youngest classes through to the academic rigour of the Diploma in the final two years.
For families who want a single, internationally portable framework from start to finish, that continuity on one campus is the central draw, and the Diploma prepares students for university entry worldwide. The strength of an established IB school often lies in its experienced staff and a settled approach to the Diploma, where coursework, the extended essay and the core elements need consistent support over two years. To understand how the programmes connect, see our pillar guide to the IB curriculum, and our overview of IB schools in the Tokyo and Japan area.
An IB education from the early years through the Diploma gives children a coherent way of learning that travels well, which reassures internationally mobile families who may move again. The smaller scale of a regional school can also mean closer relationships between teachers and students than at a large city campus, and the school's long history since 1962 gives it deep institutional memory.
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Hiroshima International School fees
Hiroshima International School fees generally sit below the central Tokyo bands, reflecting both its regional location and its scale. As with any IB school, the published cost is built from several parts, so families should plan beyond the headline tuition.
- Registration and application: a one-off charge at the point of applying.
- Annual tuition: billed per year, often by term.
- Capital or facility levy: a contribution toward buildings and resources.
- Extras: lunch, transport, materials and trips.
Our guide to international school fees in Tokyo sets out the low, mid and premium tiers and is a useful benchmark, while remembering that schools outside the capital often price lower. Because regional Japanese cities generally carry lower living costs than central Tokyo, the overall budget for a family can compare favourably even before tuition. We do not quote precise figures here because the school revises them each year.
Admissions
The main intake aligns with the August start of the school year, with applications typically opening the preceding autumn. As an IB World School, admission considers prior reports, an age-appropriate assessment and, for the Diploma years, the student's readiness for the demands of the programme. English language support arrangements are part of the conversation for students who need them.
Visiting the campus helps families gauge the academic culture and the support available, particularly for students entering the Diploma years where the workload steps up. Mid-year entry can be possible where a space opens, particularly outside transition years, so families relocating to Hiroshima partway through the cycle should contact the admissions office directly.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Hiroshima, well away from the capital, which gives families a calmer, more affordable setting than central Tokyo while keeping access to a full IB education in English. Hiroshima is a major regional city with good transport and a smaller but settled international community drawn from business, academia and the consular presence in the region.
Families who choose the school tend to be those posted to western Japan who still want an internationally portable curriculum for their children, and the settled community can make integration quicker for new arrivals. For the wider national picture of where overseas families settle and how international schools are distributed, our Tokyo and Japan city guide is the place to start.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Hiroshima International School fees?
Fees generally sit below the central Tokyo bands. Expect annual tuition plus a one-off registration charge and a facility levy. The school publishes current figures.
What curriculum does Hiroshima International School follow?
It is an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes in English, from early childhood to Grade 12.
Is Hiroshima International School in Tokyo?
No. The campus is in Hiroshima in western Japan. We include it within our wider Japan coverage because it serves internationally mobile families across the country.
Is Hiroshima International School a good school?
Founded in 1962, it is a long-established IB school offering the full continuum on one campus and is CIS accredited. We do not rank schools; we recommend visiting and comparing it.
When do Hiroshima International School applications open?
The main intake aligns with the August school year, with applications usually opening the preceding autumn. Mid-year places depend on availability.
