As a parent moving to Nagoya, Japan, choosing the right international school for your child is critical. Nagoya, known for its rich cultural heritage and thriving economy, hosts various international schools catering to diverse educational needs.
Curriculum and Accreditation: These schools often offer international curriculums like the International Baccalaureate (IB), American, or British systems, ensuring a seamless transition for children from abroad.
Language and Cultural Integration: Emphasizing bilingual education, typically in English and Japanese, these schools facilitate not only language proficiency but also cultural assimilation, helping expat children adapt to their new environment.
Diverse Community: With students from various cultural backgrounds, these schools provide a multicultural environment, fostering global awareness and inclusivity.
Facilities and Extracurricular Activities: Equipped with modern facilities, these schools offer a range of extracurricular activities that contribute to holistic child development, from sports to arts and technology.
Location and Accessibility: Situated conveniently in urban and suburban areas, these schools are accessible via Nagoya’s efficient public transport, making commutes easier.
Support Services: Many schools provide support services, including counseling, language assistance, and orientation programs to help expat families settle in.
There are options for international schools in Nagoya that offer a balanced blend of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and comprehensive support, making them an ideal choice for expat families seeking quality education for children in their new home!
“Proper” Internationa Schools in Nagoya:
While preschools on the “other” list below focus on early childhood education, the “proper” schools, Nagoya International School and Aichi International School, offer more comprehensive educational programs that cater to a broader range of ages and developmental stages, with facilities and curriculums designed to support this broader scope. NIS is the only school in Nagoya that offers pre-kindergarten to 12th Grade, encompassing an IB-accredited curriculum for primary, middle, and high school levels in English.
Nagoya International School (NIS)
- Grades: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- Website: www.nisjapan.net
- Address: 2686 Minamihara, Nakashidami, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 463-0002
- Telephone: (81) 52-736-2025
- Fax: (81) 52-736-3883
- Location: Kozoji Station・JR Chuo Line
- Community and Mission: NIS is a diverse community of lifelong learners committed to embodying the values of their mission. Founded in 1964, it has evolved into a vibrant international community that encourages creative and critical thinking, lifelong learning, and positive global contributions.
- Curriculum: The school’s curriculum is framed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). While the primary medium of instruction is English, there is a strong emphasis on studying the Japanese language, customs, and traditions.
- Faculty and Governance: NIS boasts dedicated teachers and a supportive group of volunteer Trustees and Directors, ensuring the alignment of facilities, finances, and programs with educational goals.
- Global Perspective and Alumni: The school nurtures skills, behaviors, and values in students to help them contribute meaningfully worldwide. NIS graduates are part of an extensive alumni network actively involved in diverse fields across the globe.
Aichi International School (AIS)
- Grades: Kindergarten to Elementary
- Website: www.nipais.com
- Address: 3-4 Niji-ga-Oka, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 465-0078
- Telephone: 052-788-2255
- Location: Hoshigaoka Station ・Higashiyama Line
- Academic Framework: AIS operates on a nine-year educational framework, encompassing three years of kindergarten and six years of elementary school.
- Curriculum: Kindergarten classes are taught exclusively in English, while elementary school provides bilingual education in English and Japanese, following Japan’s Ministry of Education guidelines and the curriculum of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
- Class Size: Classroom sizes range between 10 to 20 students, allowing for effective engagement and individualized attention.
- Assessment and Standards: AIS employs formative and summative assessments, including student portfolios, tri-semester report cards, and teacher-parent conferences. In grades 3 to 6, students participate in the International School’s Assessment (ISA) examination.
- Faculty: All teachers at AIS are certified, experienced, and trained either overseas or in Japan, focusing on delivering a full curriculum and child development.
- Accreditation: AIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), indicating adherence to high educational quality standards.
Both schools offer comprehensive international education, with NIS providing an IB-accredited curriculum and AIS offering a bilingual program. Each institution is dedicated to nurturing globally-minded students and preparing them for diverse roles in the global community.
Enishi International School
Enisho International School is located just 10 minutes away from Nagoya Station and is an International Baccalaureate school. The school’s mission is to develop confident, lifelong learners who are multilingual, inquiring, open-minded, and respectful of all cultures.
Enishi offers a blended curriculum that includes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), adapted UK frameworks, and the Japanese Curriculum. This comprehensive educational program is designed to prepare students for the next phase of their education by equipping them with the necessary skills and qualifications to become productive members of their communities.
Enishi accepts admissions starting from 1-year-old up to 11th grade, with a 12th-grade program set to begin in September 2024.
Where: 2 Chome-12-32 Kikui, Nishi Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: enishi.ac.jp
Other International Schools in Nagoya:
International preschools, basically playschools, provide a nurturing and dynamic environment for early childhood education, focusing on foundational learning, social development, and creative exploration. These institutions, catering to infants through kindergarten-aged children, often offer bilingual or English-language instruction, small class sizes for personalized attention, and a curriculum that blends play-based learning with structured educational activities.
Abroad International School
- Website: www.ablc.jp
- Address: Ark Shirakawa Park Building 6F 2-12-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0008
- Telephone: 052-203-8087
- Fax: 052-203-8088
- Location: Fushimi – Higashiyama Line and Tsurumai Line
Beanstalk International School
- Grades: Preschool – Kindergarten
- Website: www.i-beanstalk.com
- Address: 2-1903 Motoueda, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 468-0009
- Telephone: 052-808-9930
- Location: Ueda or Hara Station – Tsurumai Line
Chubu International Preschool
- Website: www.cip-school.co.jp
- Address: 2-1-3 Hyogo, Togo-cho, Aichi 470-0166
- Telephone/Fax: 0561-37-0388
- Location: Akaike Station ・Tsurumai Line
Discovery International School
- Website: www.discoveryis.com/en
- Address: 2-701 Katahira, Nagakute City, Aichi, Japan 480-1146
- Telephone: 0561-63-1222
- Fax: 0561-58-7333
- Location: Irigaike-koen Station – Tobu-kyuryo Line (Linimo)
Grow International Preschool
- Grades: 6 months – 5th Grade
- Website: www.grow-school.com/en
- Address: Marine Building Makinohara, 1-1005-1 Meito-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 465-0072
- Telephone: 052-734-6442
- Location: Hoshigaoka Station – Higashiyama Line
Hisaya International Preschool
- Grades: 2 – 6 years old
- Website: en.hisayapreschool.com
- Address: Hishita Kaikan 2F, 1-9-3 Higashisakura, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0005
- Telephone: 052-962-0366
- Fax: 052-962-0366
- Location: Sakae Station / Sakaemachi Station – Seto Line
International Kids Academy
- Grades: Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Website: www.i-kidsacademy.com
- Address: 1-28-2 Hirojihonmachi, Showa-ku, Nagoya city, Aichi 466-0841
- Telephone: 052-858-3933
- Fax: 052-858-3934
- Location: Gokiso station – Tsurumai / Sakura-dori Line
Kakuozan International Preschool
- Grades: Preschool – Elementary School
- Website: kakuozan-preschool.com
- Address: South 3-4-1 Himeiko dori, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0055
- Telephone: 052-763-1223
- Location: Kakuozan Station – Higashiyama Line
Kids International School (KIS)
- Grades: 2 – 6 years old
- Website: www.ednet.co.jp/english
- Address: c/o Education Network Co. Ltd. 15-2 Nagaosa, Yazako, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi 480-1103
- Telephone: 0561-64-5064
- Fax: 0561-64-5065
- Location: Hanamizuki-dori Station – Linimo
Playpourri International
- Grades: 1 – 5 years old
- Website: www.playpourri.com
- Address: 5-29-3 Haruokadori, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya 464-0847
- Telephone: +81 52-761-3188
- Location: Fukiage Station – Sakuradori Line
Ueda International Preschool (Nagoya English Primary School)
- Website: www.nep2007.com
- Address: 1-608 Uedahonmachi, Tenpaku, Nagoya 468-0007
- Telephone: 052-807-0556
- Fax: 052-807-0586
- Location: Ueda Station – Tsurumai line
UPBEAT International School
- Grades: 1- 3 years old
- Website: www.upbeatjapan.com
- Addresses and Contact Numbers:
- Atsuda Branch: 2-3-18 Hachiban, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya city, Aichi Tel: 052-661-3155, Fax: 052-665-6555
- Nakagawa Branch: 1-5-1 Yoshimoto-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Tel: 052-398-6015, Fax: 052-398-6017
- Tempaku Branch: 201, Shimadagaoka, Tempaku, Nagoya, Aichi Tel: 0120-80-3768, Fax: 052-805-003
