St Michael's International School is a IPC school in Kobe, Japan. Founded in 1946. Annual tuition ranges from $9,745 to $10,910 USD.
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Location & Getting There
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
No formal scholarship program with explicit criteria published on the live site. A 15% sibling discount on tuition applies when two or more children from the same family attend simultaneously (oldest child pays full tuition). A Miss Lea Scholarship Fund is referenced in alumni/development materials but not published with formal criteria. Families seeking financial assistance should contact the Admissions Office.
Key facts
About
St Michael's International School is a co-educational day school located in Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan, serving students aged 3 to 11. The school follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and delivers instruction in English.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
First school in Japan accredited with the IPC; only fully accredited British international school in Kansai offering specialist Early Years and Primary education. Established in 1946 in a family-friendly, multicultural neighborhood. Blends British EYFS/National Curriculum with IEYC/IPC. ELL support included at no extra charge. 1:1 Chromebook programme from Year 1.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Ages 5-10 (Year 1-5) | JPY 1,628,400~$ 10,820 |
| Ages 3-4 (Kindergarten 1) | JPY 1,454,500~$ 9,664 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: ¥1,454,500 - 1,628,400. Application fee: $268.
Admissions Process
- 1Two pathways: (A) Families in Japan: 1) Submit online application and pay application fee; upload child photo, birth ID, school reports. 2) School contacts current school for confidential recommendation and background check. 3) Interview and assessment visit; trial day may be arranged. 4) Decision within two weeks; if accepted, submit Acceptance of Place Form and pay fees invoice. (B) Families overseas: 1) Submit online application, pay application fee, upload documents. 2) School obtains confidential recommendation. 3) Overseas provisional acceptance issued with registration fee invoice. 4) Interview and assessment on arrival in Kobe to formalise acceptance.
Admissions Details
The school uses a waiting pool when a year group is oversubscribed. Wait-pooled applicants are admitted only as spaces become available; capacity varies from year to year. Families are informed of their wait-pool status and contacted when an opening becomes available.
School Day
The school day runs from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Lunch is offered on-site in three sittings; students may bring lunch or go home for lunch.
Student Life
Uniform is worn daily by all students. There are separate winter and summer uniforms to suit the Japanese climate. School and PE uniforms are mandatory and are additional to tuition fees.
Students may bring a packed lunch from home (bento) or go home for lunch. Students who go home for lunch must be collected by a parent or authorized adult. Lunch is offered on-site in three sittings.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Wellbeing is embedded in school life through Wellness Week promoting physical, mental, and emotional health via movement, mindfulness, hydration, rest, and acts of kindness. The Step Up Challenge raises mental health awareness and funds for TELL Japan. Wellbeing is described as woven into daily routines, curriculum, and relationships year-round.
Child Protection & Safeguarding policy based on the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP) and the Japan Council for International Schools (JCIS). Identifies four abuse types: Physical, Emotional, Sexual, and Neglect. Staff must report to the Designated Safety Officer Lead or Head within 24 hours. A designated Child Protection Team coordinates safeguarding. Safer recruitment includes references, identity verification, qualification checks, and police background checks. Policy distributed to parents annually and reviewed yearly.
Student Demographics
School Background
private
Anglican