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Everything your family needs to know about ASIJ admissions, academics, and student life in Tokyo
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
The American School in Japan (ASIJ) is a private, non-profit, American-curriculum day school in Tokyo, founded in 1902, with 1,734 students from 50+ nationalities. Applications open in mid-November for the following August, and decisions begin in late February or early March. There’s no general entrance exam; ASIJ reviews report cards, recommendations, an essay, and test results, and weighs mission fit and its English-medium founding principle.
Why Do Families Choose ASIJ?
For more than 120 years, ASIJ has educated globally mobile families in Tokyo. Families choose it for an American curriculum with strong outcomes (a Class of 2026 mean SAT of 1350), for small ratios in a large school (9.4:1 overall), and for a genuinely international community from 59 countries. Its mission is “fostering a community of inquisitive learners and independent thinkers, inspired to be their best selves, empowered to make a difference”. ASIJ is accredited by or affiliated with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), EARCOS, JCIS, the College Board, CASE, Keeping Children Safe, and SENIA, and it is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
ASIJ Fast Facts
| Category | Details |
| School type | Private, non-profit, international, co-ed day school (American curriculum) |
| Early Learning Center | Nursery–K; 6-16-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032; (+81) 03-5771-4344 |
| Chofu Campus | K–12; 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031; (+81) 0422-34-5300 |
| Divisions | ELC (Nursery–K), Elementary (K–5), Middle (6–8), High (9–12) |
| Enrollment | 1,734 total; 400 Middle School; 585 High School |
| Student-teacher ratio | 9.4:1 overall; 8.5:1 Middle School; about 10.4:1 High School |
| College counselors | Amy Carey, Leo Holdstock, Ryan Naughton, Thinh Nguyen, Angela Tang |
| Athletics | 20+ sports, 76 teams |
| Student body | 59 countries; 50+ nationalities |
| Transportation | 32 school buses across Tokyo |
| Applications open | Mid-November 2026 |
Class of 2026 SAT Results
| Section | Middle 50% | Mean |
| Reading and Writing | 630–730 | 670 |
| Mathematics | 630–760 | 690 |
| Total | 1280–1470 | 1350 |
Results reflect the 133 students who tested.
How Hard Is It to Get Into ASIJ?
ASIJ doesn’t publish an acceptance rate, and it doesn’t list a fixed number of new places. What it does publish is unusually transparent: decisions weigh alignment with ASIJ’s philosophy, a balance of diversity across grades and divisions, available resources to support the applicant, the intention to accept all siblings, and ASIJ’s founding principle of serving students who need an English-medium education. Consideration is also given to alumni families. Families comparing Tokyo options often look at ASIJ alongside schools like the British School in Tokyo, but ASIJ’s American curriculum and AP pathway make it the natural fit for U.S.-bound students.
Top Tips for Applying
- Apply soon after mid-November; decisions start in late February.
- Show a clear English-medium educational history.
- Choose math, English, and counselor or principal recommenders.
- Submit standardized results from the last 18 months.
Best Practices for Families
- Start with the inquiry form and an open house.
- If moving mid-year, check seat availability first.
- Ensure at least one parent can communicate fluently in English.
- Disclose all support services and reports up front.
Does ASIJ Have an Entrance Exam?
No. ASIJ has no general entrance exam. It reviews school reports, test scores, and recommendations and may request academic, English, or other screening before deciding.
The ASIJ Admissions Process
- Open your application account: You’ll receive a welcome email from Veracross.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Submit the required items on the admissions portal.
- Initial review: ASIJ reviews the file and may request additional screening.
- Decision: Admissions decisions usually begin in late February or early March and continue through the summer.
ASIJ Admissions Calendar
| Milestone | Timing |
| Applications open | Mid-November 2026 |
| Mid-year report cards | Often January |
| ELC screening (local applicants) | December–February |
| Decisions | Begin late February/early March, continuing through summer |
| School year | August to June |
ASIJ Application Requirements
| Item | High School (9–12) | Middle School (6–8) |
| Report cards | 2 full years, including most recent | 2 full years, including most recent |
| Teacher recommendations | 3 | 3 (2 for Grade 6) |
| Student Essay | Required | Required |
| Standardized test result | Required | Required |
Report Cards
Applicants to Grades 2–12 submit report cards and progress reports for the previous two years plus current-year reports. Copies of the reports parents received are preferred.
Recommendations
Recommendations are confidential and sent digitally through the portal. For Middle and High School, one should come from a math teacher, one from an English teacher, and one from a counselor or principal.
Student Essay
Middle and High School applicants complete a Student Essay, one of the few places their own voice appears in the file.
Standardized Testing
ASIJ accepts many tests, including the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, ISA, CogAT, MAP, U.S. state tests, U.K. Key Stage tests, the SSAT (school code 1253), IGCSEs, and the SAT or PSAT. Language proficiency tests don’t count, and results should be from the last 18 months.
Additional Reports
Families must disclose supplementary school services, such as learning support, speech therapy, or EAL, and submit all reports before a decision.
Want Help Building a Strong ASIJ Application?
We help families choose recommenders, shape the essay, and present records clearly.
Can Families Already Living in Tokyo Transfer to ASIJ Mid-Year?
No. ASIJ doesn’t allow mid-year transfers for families already living in Tokyo; they apply in November for the following August. Families new to Japan should inquire about seat availability.
Student Life at ASIJ
Academics
ASIJ’s curriculum covers English, social studies, math, science, modern languages, physical education, health, Creativity, Innovation, and Design (CID), the arts, electives, and the Study of Japan. Creativity, Innovation, and Design is a distinctive part of the program, and the Study of Japan connects students to their host country. The student newspaper reports AP courses carry about three to five hours of homework per week.
Activities
Beyond the classroom, club and team life is a big part of ASIJ, and the school’s 32-bus network helps students from across Tokyo take part.
Athletics
Competing as the Mustangs, ASIJ fields 76 teams across more than 20 sports, including swimming, basketball, soccer, tennis, Shotokan karate, kendo, gymnastics, and rugby.
Arts
The arts are a core part of ASIJ’s curriculum alongside Creativity, Innovation, and Design.
Summer Programs
ASIJ runs Summer Passport and a Summer Day Camp; check the school’s site for current dates and eligibility.
Notable ASIJ Alumni
- Edwin O. Reischauer: Harvard professor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
- Haru Matsukata Reischauer: Japanese American writer and author of Samurai and Silk.
- Oliver Platt: Canadian-born American actor.
- Linda Purl: American actress and singer.
Is ASIJ Right for Your Child?
ASIJ fits families who want an American education and a global community in Tokyo, and who understand its English-medium mission. We help families confirm fit, time the application, and present their child clearly.
Let’s Talk About ASIJ
From timing to recommendations, we’ll help your family navigate ASIJ admissions with confidence.
Related Articles:
Moving to Tokyo: ASIJ’s Admissions Timeline and Eligibility Rules for Relocating Families
ASIJ’s Class of 2026 SAT Results and College Counseling: What Parents Should Know