Columbia International School

• Curriculum

  Canadian

• Ages

  Ages 3–17

• Language

  English

• Type

  International school

• Fee level

  Mid fees

2027-28 school year

One-off costs

Application fee

JPY 25,000

Enrolment fee

JPY 210,000

Lunch

JPY 115,200

As published by the school. Amounts change with the school year and exchange rates; please confirm with the school before applying. Converted amounts use the reference rate of the date shown. ECB reference rate (2026-11-06). Source: school website (checked 2026-11-06)

Intake

4, 9, 12

Mid-year entry

Possible

Entry process

Admission exam, Interview

Scholarships

Yes

English support (EAL)

Yes

Mother-tongue programmes

Japanese

Nurse on site

Yes

Device policy

Laptop programme

Boarding

Yes

School bus

Yes

Food options

Halal, Vegetarian

Accreditations

WASC

Memberships

COIS, EARCOS

• Bus service

  School bus routes serve several areas including Omiya, Kawaguchi, Tokorozawa and Higashi Tokorozawa.

  • Omiya/Fujimino
  • Kawaguchi/Wako-shi
  • Tokorozawa
  • Higashi Tokorozawa

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Boarding arrangements

  A dormitory about an 8-minute walk from campus, with a resident supervisor and security systems.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Uniform

  Summer and winter uniforms for junior and high school, elementary uniforms, a school vest and gym clothes.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Food options

  Lunch is cooked on site by a professional chef, with halal and vegetarian options available.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Curriculum

  Follows the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12, with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Academic calendar

  Open link

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• English as an additional language (EAL)

  Junior school has two tracks by English level, with language support for students who are beginners.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Safeguarding

  Endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; staff and outside contractors receive safeguarding training and the policy is reviewed annually.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Safeguarding policy

  Open link

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• History

  Founded in 1988 as a high school, moved to Tokorozawa in 1998, and added junior (1999), elementary (2002) and kindergarten (2013) divisions.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Sports facilities

  A full-size gymnasium and an artificial turf field.

  • Full-size gymnasium
  • Artificial turf field

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Arts and creative

  Arts activities include art, ballet, violin, music club and drama club.

  • Art
  • Ballet
  • Violin
  • Music Club
  • Drama Club

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Social and hobbies

  Hobby-based activities include yearbook, photo, games clubs and a newspaper club.

  • Yearbook Club
  • Photo Club
  • Games Club
  • Newspaper

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Lifestyle and wellbeing

  The after-school care program (ASC) supports K to Grade 6 students with quiet, independent study.

  • After School Care (ASC)

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Language provision

  Lessons are in English, with daily Japanese (kokugo) lessons up to Grade 8.

  • English
  • Japanese (kokugo)

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Accreditations

  Accredited by WASC; the site also lists the Japanese Board of Education and the Ontario Ministry of Education.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Admissions

  Rolling admissions each term; after applying, applicants sit an exam and interview and are notified by email.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

• Scholarships

  Diversity scholarships for junior school students reduce fees by up to 50%, awarded after review and interview.

  School website · Checked 2026-11-06

Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan