The International School of the Sacred Heart is one of the oldest international schools in the city, founded in 1908 by the Society of the Sacred Heart in Hiroo. It is an English-medium school with a coeducational kindergarten and a girls' school from Grade 1 onwards, and it carries authorisation as an IB World School for the Diploma Programme. For families comparing international schools in Tokyo, it is a central-city reference point with more than a century of history.
Sacred Heart at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | English-medium in-house programme drawing on US, UK, Canadian and Australian standards; Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma Programme in the senior years |
|---|---|
| Stages | Coeducational kindergarten (age 3 to 5); girls only from Grade 1 to Grade 12 |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School (Diploma Programme); confirm wider accreditation with the school |
| Fee band | Premium for Tokyo |
| Campus area | Hiroo, Shibuya, central Tokyo |
Curriculum and academics
Sacred Heart teaches an English-medium programme designed around the strengths of girls, drawing on standards from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The early years run as a play-based coeducational kindergarten, after which the school becomes a girls' school through to graduation. Japanese is taught throughout, and the senior school builds towards Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma Programme, with Theory of Knowledge required for graduation.
Because the academic path leads to both AP results and the IB Diploma, families should ask how the two routes are combined in Grades 11 and 12 and how university guidance supports applications to the United States, the United Kingdom and beyond. The Catholic character of the school informs its pastoral and service programmes, while pupils of all faiths are welcomed.
Comparing Sacred Heart with other schools?
Put Sacred Heart side by side with up to three Tokyo schools on fees, stages and curriculum. Free and independent.
Sacred Heart fees
Sacred Heart International School fees sit in the premium part of the Tokyo international school fees range, alongside the city's other long-established IB and AP schools. Tuition rises by stage from kindergarten to the senior years.
Beyond tuition, budget for an application or registration fee, a one-time facilities or capital charge of the kind common to Tokyo's premium schools, and the cost of lunches, trips, exam entries and any bus service. Because figures are reviewed each year, confirm the current schedule with the admissions office before you plan a budget.
Admissions
Sacred Heart assesses applications for the main intake at the start of the school year in late August, and reviews mid-year enquiries as places open. As a popular central-Tokyo school, year groups can be full, so early enquiry and a place on any waiting list matter.
The process typically includes a review of prior school reports, references and an age-appropriate assessment, with younger applicants assessed informally. Families moving to Tokyo should align the application with the August start and ask whether places are available in the specific grade they need.
Location and who goes there
Sacred Heart sits in Hiroo, in Shibuya ward, one of the most international districts of central Tokyo. The area is dense with embassies, international supermarkets and family housing, and it is within easy reach of the Hiroo and Ebisu stations, which is part of why diplomatic and corporate families have favoured the school for generations.
Hiroo, Azabu and the surrounding central wards are where much of Tokyo's expat community settles, drawn by the international amenities and short commutes. For a wider view of where families live and which schools serve each district, see our guide to international schools in Tokyo.
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 Sacred Heart first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sacred Heart International School fees?
Sacred Heart fees sit in the premium band for Tokyo, in line with the city's established IB and AP schools. Beyond tuition, budget for an application fee, a facilities or capital charge, and the cost of lunch, trips and any bus service. Confirm the current schedule with the admissions office.
Is Sacred Heart International School a girls' school?
The kindergarten at Sacred Heart is coeducational for children aged roughly three to five. From Grade 1 to Grade 12 it is a girls' school, making it one of the longest-running girls' international schools in Japan.
Is Sacred Heart International School a good school?
The International School of the Sacred Heart is one of the oldest international schools in Tokyo, founded in 1908, and an authorised IB World School offering the Diploma Programme alongside Advanced Placement. It suits families wanting an established, values-led education for girls in a central Tokyo location. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews.
When do Sacred Heart International School applications open?
Sacred Heart assesses applications for the main August intake, with places filling early in popular year groups. Apply well ahead, ask about waiting lists, and check whether mid-year places are available for your child's grade.
What curriculum does Sacred Heart International School follow?
Sacred Heart teaches an English-medium programme that draws on standards from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, building towards Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma Programme with Theory of Knowledge in the final two years.
