Aoba-Japan International School

Educational Philosophy at Aoba-Japan International School

Aoba-Japan International School (AJIS) is an IB Continuum World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school's educational philosophy is built around five core values that guide everything from curriculum design to extracurricular programming:

1. Global Leadership – Students are encouraged to think and act as citizens of the world, developing the perspective and initiative to lead in diverse contexts.
2. Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Rather than simply acquiring knowledge, students are challenged to create, iterate, and think entrepreneurially.
3. Effective Communication – Across languages and cultures, AJIS students develop strong oral, written, and digital communication skills.
4. Wise Risk Taking – The school fosters a culture where calculated risk-taking is celebrated and failure is treated as a learning opportunity.
5. Effective Problem Solving – Inquiry-based, interdisciplinary units prepare students to tackle complex, real-world problems.

AOBA's vision is to 'transform education for learners in Japan and the world' through its multi-campus model. The school aims to nurture individuals who can 'carve out their own path in life, wherever they are and in any era'. This philosophy manifests in project-based learning, student-led inquiry, and an emphasis on developing confident, socially responsible leaders.

The school's mission emphasises strategic transformative imperatives—including Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainability—that align closely with the IB's own learner profile attributes. Graduates are described as globally minded individuals who, having also developed Japanese language and cultural awareness, are uniquely positioned to contribute to both Japanese and international societies.

A History of Continuous Evolution

Aoba-Japan International School traces its roots to 1976, when it was established as Aoba International School in Aobadai, Meguro, Tokyo. The school was founded as a co-educational, non-religious institution to serve Tokyo's international community, offering early childhood and primary education in English.

Key Milestones

• 1976: Aoba International School opens in Aobadai, Meguro, Tokyo.
• 1998: Merger with Japan International School forms Aoba-Japan International School, combining the resources and communities of both schools and expanding the age range and grade levels offered.
• 2012: The Hikarigaoka Campus in Nerima opens, significantly expanding enrolment capacity and providing facilities for Kindergarten through Grade 9 students in northwest Tokyo.
• 2015: AJIS achieves IB PYP and DP accreditation, cementing its status as a recognised IB World School.
• 2016: IB MYP accreditation is granted, completing the IB Continuum and making AJIS one of Tokyo's few fully authorised PYP–MYP–DP schools.
• 2022: The Bunkyo Campus opens in Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, providing a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility for high school students (Grades 10–12), complete with a black box theatre, soundproofed music studio, media room, and spacious cafeteria.
• 2024: AJIS launches Aoba Global Campus, recognised as the first pilot site in Asia for a fully online IB Diploma Programme, dramatically expanding access to the AJIS educational model beyond its physical campuses.
• 2026: The school approaches its 50th anniversary, with celebrations under the motto 'Leading Positive Change'.

This trajectory—from a single-campus kindergarten to a three-campus IB Continuum institution with an online global arm—reflects the school's sustained investment in educational quality and innovation.

Academic Outcomes at Aoba-Japan International School

Aoba-Japan International School delivers the full IB Continuum—PYP, MYP, and DP—entirely in English. The school's academic culture is characterised by inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary thinking, and a commitment to intellectual stretch.

IB Diploma Programme Results (2023)

In the 2023 academic year, Aoba's Diploma Programme results demonstrated strong performance relative to global benchmarks:

• 10 students completed the full IB Diploma
• Average score: 33 points (vs. global average of approximately 30)
• Highest score: 40 points
• Per-subject average evaluation: 5 points (on a 7-point scale)
• 7 students earned the prestigious Bilingual Diploma (up from 2 the previous year)

These results place AJIS graduates well above the global median and reflect the school's focus on academic rigour combined with multilingual development.

University Destinations

Aoba graduates gain admission to leading universities worldwide each year. Recent confirmed destinations include:

• International: UC Berkeley, University of British Columbia (UBC), UCLA
• Japan: International Christian University (ICU), Keio University, Waseda University, Ritsumeikan APU

The school operates a dedicated Graduate Pathway support programme, with university counsellors helping students build portfolios, write personal statements, and prepare for admissions processes. Regular College Fairs are held on campus, with representatives from universities in Europe, Canada, the USA, Japan, Australia, and elsewhere visiting annually.

Accreditation

The school holds full accreditation from both CIS (Council of International Schools) and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), providing external validation of its academic standards.

Campus Life Across Three Locations

Aoba-Japan International School's multi-campus model is one of its defining features. Rather than housing all age groups in one building, each of AJIS's three Tokyo campuses is purpose-designed for a specific developmental stage, creating age-appropriate environments for learning and community.

Meguro Campus (Early Years: K2–K5)

Address: 2-11-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042

Located in a quiet residential neighbourhood in central Tokyo near Daikanyama and Naka-Meguro, the Meguro Campus uses two adjacent buildings—one for children aged 18 months to 3 years (K2), and another for children aged 4–6 (K3–K5). The campus features:

• Dedicated play areas and classrooms for each age group
• A swimming pool (used for year-round swimming lessons for K4 and K5)
• Nutritious lunches provided daily
• Aftercare programme until 5:45 pm
• After-school enrichment including Japanese, music, STEAM, Taiko, violin, calligraphy, and art
• School bus service covering Ebisu, Hiroo, Daikanyama, Roppongi, and surrounding areas

Hikarigaoka Campus (K3–Grade 9)

Address: 7-5-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0072
Nearest station: Hikarigaoka (Toei Oedo Line), approximately 15 minutes' walk

With over 550 students, this is the largest of the three campuses. Set in a spacious residential area of northwest Tokyo, the three-storey building features open-plan classrooms, a gymnasium, swimming pool, sports ground, and up-to-date ICT facilities. The open learning spaces support collaborative and inquiry-based projects across the IB MYP years.

Bunkyo Campus (Grades 10–12)

Address: 6-18-23 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0021
Nearest stations: JR Sugamo Station (5 min walk), Tokyo Metro Komagome Station (5 min walk)

The newest and most specialised campus, Bunkyo opened in 2022 and is dedicated to the IB Diploma Programme. Its facilities are tailored to the creative and academic demands of senior students:

• Modern open-space classrooms
• Black Box Theatre (soundproofed, flexible seating)
• Soundproofed Music Studio with recording equipment
• Multimedia Room for film and digital projects
• Spacious Cafeteria and Lounge area
• After-school programmes in sports, Model UN, design, and more

Admissions at Aoba-Japan International School

Aoba operates a structured annual admissions cycle, with the primary intake aligned to the school's August academic year start. Applications are accepted throughout the year for in-year vacancies, but the main cycle runs from October through March for the following academic year.

Admissions Process

1. Application Submission – Families complete an online application with supporting documents.
2. Assessment – Applicants attend an assessment session, typically held in February, which may include an English assessment and academic evaluation appropriate to the student's grade level.
3. Interview – Student and/or parent interviews may be conducted as part of the selection process.
4. Offer and Enrolment – Offers are made and families pay enrolment fees to secure their place.
5. Results Announcement – Typically announced in March for the following academic year.

Key Dates (2026–2027 Cycle)

• Applications open: October 15, 2025
• School year start: August 13, 2026

English Language Requirement

All instruction at AJIS is delivered in English. The school welcomes students with varying levels of English proficiency, provided they can access the curriculum with appropriate support. Students who do not yet meet grade-level English proficiency are enrolled in the school's EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme, which is delivered inclusively within the mainstream classroom setting, not as a separate pull-out programme.

Age-Specific Entry Requirements

• K2: Minimum age 18 months
• K3: Must be toilet-trained

Waitlists

Year groups that are fully enrolled are managed via a waitlist system. As existing students re-enrol first, places occasionally become available mid-cycle. Families are encouraged to apply early for oversubscribed year groups.

Sibling Discount

Families with two or more children simultaneously enrolled receive a sibling discount on tuition fees, making AJIS more accessible for multi-child households.