Application procedure

Standard admissions process

Applying for admission to KIST (K1 through Grade 12) involves various stages as outlined below. To apply for admission to our separate preschool facility, K. International Preschool (KIPS), click here.

Stage 1 – Read the Admissions Handbook

The Admissions Handbook contains detailed information about KIST’s admissions policies, application procedures and school fees. All applicants are required to read the handbook thoroughly before submitting an application.

Stage 2 – Confirm availability

For applications for admission outside the main intake periods, please contact the KIST Admissions Office to confirm availability before submitting an application. When checking availability, please provide the following information:
1) your child’s date of birth;
2) the nationalities (at birth) of both parents;
3) your child’s current grade (if applicable);
4) the grade you wish to apply for; and
5) your child’s general English level.

Availability status changes constantly as families come and go during the year. If you delay the submission of your application after confirming availability, it is possible that the status may have changed by the time your application reaches us. Furthermore, if the number of applicants is greater than the number of places available, not all applicants will gain admission, even if availability has been confirmed in advance.

Stage 3 – Pay the application fee

Pay the non-refundable application fee of 20,000 yen by bank transfer only. All bank transfers must include the applicant’s name. Bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the sender.

If paying by bank transfer from overseas, please ensure the currency is Japanese yen and amounts to exactly 20,000 yen after handling costs are deducted. All transfer fees incurred both for the sending and receiving bank are the responsibility of the applicant and must be covered at the time of payment.

Mizuho Bank (No. 0001), Honjo Branch (No. 050)
4-31-11 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0026
Tel: 03-3631-2121 / +81-3-3631-2121
Regular savings account: 1937746; Swift code: MHCBJPJT
Account name: K. International School Tokyo

Please save your payment slip to upload with your application.

Stage 4 – Prepare supporting documents

Before commencing the actual application process, we recommend that you prepare the following items in advance. Please check the KIST Admissions Handbook for full details of application requirements.

All applicants

For all applicants, the following items must be uploaded through the online application system.

  • Proof of date of birth (e.g. copy of passport or birth certificate)
  • Recent passport-sized facial photograph of the applicant
  • Family photograph
  • Proof of payment of the application fee

Additional documents for applicants for K1 to Grade 1

School reports

Scans or copies of any school reports available may be submitted to the KIST Admissions Office by the applying family.

All school reports must be in English. Any reports not issued in English must be translated. Translations may be prepared by families.

Additional documents for applicants for Grade 2

School reports

Scans or copies of any school reports available may be submitted to the KIST Admissions Office by the applying family.

All school reports must be in English. Any reports not issued in English must be translated. Translations may be prepared by families.

Confidential School Reference

The following form must be completed by the applicant’s current school and submitted directly to the KIST Admissions Office from the applicant’s school (English or Japanese).

Additional documents for applicants for Grade 3 to Grade 7

School reports

Official copies of school reports for the past three years, including the latest, stamped with the school’s seal or otherwise designated by the school as official, must be submitted directly to the KIST Admissions Office from the applicant’s current and/or previous schools.

All school reports must be in English. Any reports not issued in English must be translated. Translations may be prepared by families.

Confidential School Reference

The following form must be completed by the applicant’s current school and submitted directly to the KIST Admissions Office from the applicant’s school (English or Japanese).

Additional documents for applicants for Grades 8 to Grade 12

School reports

Official copies of school reports for the past three years, including the latest, stamped with the school’s seal or otherwise designated by the school as official, must be submitted directly to the KIST Admissions Office from the applicant’s current and/or previous schools.

All school reports must be in English. Any reports not issued in English must be translated. Translations may be prepared by families.

Confidential School Reference

The following form must be completed by the applicant’s current school and submitted directly to the KIST Admissions Office from the applicant’s school (English or Japanese).

Personal Statement

The following form must be completed by the applicant and uploaded through the online application system.

Stage 5 – Submit an online application

To apply for admission to KIST, click the link below to proceed to our online application system. To access the system for the first time, please create a new account by clicking the “Create Account” button. After filling in the required details, you will then be able to log in and begin completing the application form.

Please note that the person creating the account must be the applicant’s parent or guardian. Only one account should be created per family. Please be sure to remember your log in details as you will need these to log in again in the future.

(Valid for applications from October 2020–August 2021 only)

Stage 6 – Application screening

As we receive many applications each year for limited places, it is not possible for every child to be admitted. In order to determine the suitability of applicants for our school and identify those who are most likely to benefit from the programs we offer, all applications are screened.

Applications will not begin the screening process until the online Application for Admission, the application fee and all required supporting documents have been received. Screening takes approximately one week but may take longer for applications for the April/August main intake periods and for those applying for provisional enrollment.

Stage 7 – Notification of screening result

Screening results are sent to applicants by e-mail only. Not all applications will pass the screening stage. Those that are unsuccessful will be unable to proceed to the next stage. The application fee will not be returned in this instance. Please note that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding screening results.

Stage 8 – Admissions interview and testing

Applicants who have passed the screening stage are invited to participate in an interview and testing at the school. Notification is sent to applicants by e-mail only no earlier than one week in advance of the date scheduled. Interviews are held for parents/guardians and testing is conducted in English (all applicants) and Mathematics (applicants for Grades 2 and above). In most instances, both the interview and tests are held on the same day.

Stage 9 – Notification of final result

After the interview and testing, the school admissions panel convenes to make decisions. For the main intake periods, results are sent by e-mail on the date specified. At other times during the year, we aim to send out results approximately one week after the interview and testing.

Stage 10 – Payment of school fees

Successful applicants are required to pay the non-refundable enrollment fee and other school fees to secure their place in the class. 

Application for Enrollment Deferral

If your child has been accepted to KIST but you wish to apply for an enrollment deferral (as outlined in the KIST Admissions Handbook), please submit the following form before the first day of school.