Columbia International School is a Canadian Curriculum / Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) school in Tokorozawa, Japan. Founded in 1988. Annual tuition ranges from $11,889 to $14,050 USD.
Location & Getting There
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Key Details
Scholarships Available
Student Diversity Scholarship: up to 50% reduction in school fees for junior high school students, awarded after review of applications, school records, and a principal interview; renewable annually up to graduation; confidentiality maintained. PEP Program (Priority Enrollment Program): recognises partner preschools and kindergartens for priority Grade 1 entry, with early school tour access in April–June.
Key facts
About
Columbia International School is a K–12 co-educational school in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan, offering the Ontario (Canada) curriculum with all courses taught in English by certified teachers. The school provides a boarding dormitory eight minutes from campus, ESL support, and serves a diverse student body of over 21 nationalities including returnees and dual-ethnicity families. Graduates earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), enabling university entry worldwide.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
Ontario (Canada) curriculum taught entirely in English by certified teachers, awarding the OSSD for worldwide university entry. Daily Japanese (Kokugo) lessons up to Grade 8 supporting bilingual development. Boarding dormitory with on-site supervision 8 minutes from campus. Two Junior High tracks for English-proficient and language-support students. Student body of 21+ nationalities including returnees and dual-ethnicity families. Compulsory Grade 11 Guidance Overseas Trip (G.O.T.). Student Diversity Scholarship offering up to 50% fee reduction.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | JPY 1,774,500~$ 11,791 |
| Elementary (G1-G6) | JPY 2,022,000~$ 13,435 |
| High School (G10-G12) | JPY 2,097,000~$ 13,934 |
| Middle School (G7-G9) | JPY 2,097,000~$ 13,934 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: ¥1,774,500 - 2,097,000. Application fee: $168.
Admissions Process
- 1Complete the Application Form and required documents. 2. Submit four 4cm x 4cm profile photos, academic reports for the last three years, and pay the application fee of ¥25,000. 3. Provide bank details (Kinder to Junior program). 4. The school arranges an Admission Examination and interviews with the applicant and parent(s). 5. Applicants are notified by email of their admissions status. 6. If an offer is accepted, fees must be paid in full within one week by bank transfer.
Admissions Details
Rolling admissions; a waiting list is used when classes are full. As of September 2025, the 2026 Spring G1 class was full with a waitlist. Second-round windows are announced for limited remaining seats (e.g., January 5–31 for K1, G7, G10). Conditional acceptance may be offered if seats are not immediately available.
Boarding Life
A purpose-built dormitory (March 2000) located approximately 8 minutes' walk from campus houses both boys and girls. Features include fingerprint entry, personal identification door systems, a resident dorm supervisor, on-site cafeteria (breakfast and dinner Monday–Saturday), vending machines, and optional bedding lease and cleaning service. Individual electricity meters, phone, and laundry costs are charged at actual cost. Winter-break stays are not available.
A dormitory built in March 2000 is located approximately an eight-minute walk from campus, housing both girls and boys. A resident dorm supervisor lives on site. Security features include fingerprint entry and personal identification door systems. Breakfast and dinner are served Monday to Saturday; no meals are provided on Sundays, national holidays, or school holidays. Dorm residents may not stay during winter break.
School Day
A public daily timetable is not published. The school offers After School Care (ASC) for younger students and operates a school bus service with multiple routes. Example bus times: Omiya pickup 7:10 / drop-off 16:20; Fujimino pickup 8:00 / drop-off 15:45; Columbia pickup 8:35 / drop-off 15:10.
Student Life
Uniforms are required for all year groups. Junior High and High School students have summer and winter uniforms. Elementary students have their own uniforms. The uniform set includes a CIS vest and CIS gym clothes.
The on-site cafeteria provides breakfast and dinner for boarding students Monday to Saturday, with vending machines for snacks and beverages. A School Lunch program operates in partnership with Cezars Kitchen K.K., offering balanced from-scratch meals with halal and vegetarian options.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Wellbeing is embedded across the curriculum through a 'whole child' approach. Kindergarten and Elementary emphasize physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in a safe, caring environment. Junior High uses small-class language support structures and varied programs to support personal growth. The school maintains an open, respectful, and non-discriminatory environment.
Columbia International School maintains Child Safeguarding policies to provide a safe environment. The school supports the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. All employees, external contractors, and volunteers receive safeguarding training. Suspected abuse must be reported to the school principal or school nurse. Safeguarding regulations are reviewed annually and shared with the school community.
Student Demographics
School Background
Privately owned and operated by Kabushikigaisha US Canada Gakuen, established in 1988.