FAQ - Admissions

Make sure your child’s first language is well established and can socially interact with other children. 

1. Kindergarten applications for the following school year can be submitted from September 1st.
2. The application deadline is October 31st to be listed for the January screening.
3. Parents interviews will be scheduled in November.
4. Screenings will be scheduled on the second week of January. Invitations will be sent to you by post in early December. 

1. Gr. 1-9 applications can be submitted from November 1st, and will be reviewed in late January.
2. Screenings will be scheduled from February; Gr. 1 & 2 applicants are usually screened in-person.

For Kindergarten screening, a mixed group of approximately 15 children will interact with several different teachers and teams of teachers over the course of the 2 hour screening process.

Final decisions regarding admission are made in accordance with Nishimachi's Admissions Policy. The admissions procedures provide a balanced professional assessment which determines student readiness for the Nishimachi educational program.

At Nishimachi everyone studies Japanese for at least 40 minutes a day while all other subjects are taught in English. After evaluating all application and screening information, the screening committee determines if the applicant is ready for the challenges of Nishimachi's English/Japanese international program. We recognize that some applicants may be more successful in an English-only-program or in another educational learning environment. 

Applicants (including Nishimachi Community members) are not automatically accepted. However, after the screening results have been determined, successful community member applicants are given preference over non-community applicants. We expect that all applicants/community members will respect our final decision and understand that studying two languages in a challenging English/Japanese international learning environment is not appropriate for every student.

For Kindergarten, notification in writing will take place by early February after the screenings in early January.

For Gr. 1-9, admissions decisions will normally be made from February onwards.

Nishimachi does not give specific feedback to applicants regarding the actual screening results. Applicants are informed of the final decision by letter and the school’s final decision is not negotiable. We thank you for your understanding and support of this.

Overseas families who missed the the January screenings for Kindergarten are welcome to submit applications after the January screenings occur, but the screening must be done in-person at Nishimachi. The Admissions Office will reply regarding possible opportunities for future screenings and parental interviews.

Currently approximately 470 students are enrolled. There are 3 classes in Kindergarten through Grade 5 with approximately 20 students in each class. Class size in Middle School ranges from 10-20 students.

It was built in 1921 as the founder’s home, and it is now designated as a historical Tokyo-to building. (learn more...)

Grade 4~8 go to Kazuno in Gunma Prefecture for overnight field trips and participate in activities with our sister schools in Kurohone. Grade 9 students have a graduation trip to Kyoto/Nara/Hiroshima as part of the Japanese Social Studies program that is offered in addition to general social studies taught in English. Students in grades 4-9 go on ski trips for 3 to 5 days during the winter.

The school fee is all-inclusive. The optional 2-week summer school or Kazuno camps are separate costs.

There are plenty of opportunities for parents to make friends, learn about school, support school, and simply get involved with the many activities organized by the TNK.