K. International School Tokyo at a glance
| Curriculum | International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP) |
|---|---|
| Exam boards | IB Diploma |
| Stages | Early childhood to Grade 12 |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools (CIS); IB authorised |
| Fee band | Upper-mid to premium (Tokyo) |
| Campus area | Shirakawa, Koto, Tokyo |
Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.
Curriculum and academics
K. International School Tokyo is one of the established names for the full International Baccalaureate continuum in the capital, running the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme on one campus. KIST was the first school in Tokyo and the Kanto region, and the second in Japan, authorised to offer all three IB programmes, and the inquiry led approach runs from the youngest classes through to the academic demands of the Diploma in the final two years. Teaching is in English, with a strongly multinational student body of around fifty nationalities.
The Diploma in the senior years opens routes to universities worldwide, and the all-through structure means families avoid changing curriculum frameworks as their child progresses. Running all three programmes on one campus takes sustained investment in trained teachers and in the coordination between the primary, middle and Diploma years, and KIST has built that over more than two decades since 1997. To understand how the programmes connect, see our pillar guide to the IB curriculum, and our overview of IB schools in Tokyo.
A full IB education under one roof spares children the disruption of changing frameworks as they grow, and the central Tokyo setting gives the school access to a deep pool of international families and resources. For families who value a single, coherent philosophy from the early years to graduation, that continuity is the core reason to choose an all-through IB school.
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K. International School Tokyo fees
K. International School Tokyo fees sit in the upper-mid to premium band for the city, in line with other full IB schools in central Tokyo. The published cost is built from several components, so the headline tuition is only the starting point.
- Registration and application: a one-off charge at the point of applying.
- Capital or facility levy: a contribution toward buildings and resources.
- Annual tuition: billed per year, often by term.
- Extras: lunch, bus, materials and trips.
For a citywide comparison, our guide to international school fees in Tokyo breaks the market into low, mid and premium tiers. Central Tokyo IB schools sit among the more expensive options in the city, so it is worth asking how the capital levy and tuition are scheduled and whether any sibling or corporate arrangements apply. We avoid quoting precise figures because schools revise 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 programme. Popular year groups in a central Tokyo school can fill early, so applying in the autumn window before your intended start gives the best chance of a place.
A campus visit is the best way to understand how the three programmes connect in practice and to meet the staff who will guide your child through each stage. Mid-year entry can be possible where a space opens, particularly outside transition years, so families relocating to Tokyo partway through the cycle should contact the admissions office directly.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in the Shirakawa area of Koto ward, in the eastern part of central Tokyo, close to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station and well connected by rail across the city. The location is convenient for families based in the eastern and central neighbourhoods, and the area balances modern housing with green riverside space that appeals to families with younger children.
The community is genuinely multinational, which is part of what families value alongside the full IB offer. For a fuller picture of districts, commutes and the wider schooling landscape, our Tokyo city guide maps where expatriate families settle and how the schools are distributed across the city.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are K. International School Tokyo fees?
KIST fees sit in the upper-mid to premium band for Tokyo. Expect annual tuition plus a one-off registration charge and a facility levy. The school publishes current figures.
What curriculum does K. International School Tokyo follow?
It is an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes in English, from early childhood to Grade 12.
Does K. International School Tokyo offer all three IB programmes?
Yes. KIST offers the PYP, MYP and Diploma on one campus, and was the first school in Tokyo and the Kanto region authorised for all three.
Is K. International School Tokyo a good school?
Founded in 1997, it is an established full IB school in central Tokyo and is CIS accredited. We do not rank schools; we recommend visiting and comparing it.
When do K. International School Tokyo applications open?
The main intake aligns with the August school year, with applications usually opening the preceding autumn. Mid-year places depend on availability.
