Applying to Aoba

How to Apply

🔳 ANNUAL ADMISSIONS CYCLE

The school year begins in August and finishes in June
The online application period opens in mid-October and should be completed by mid-December.
Interviews: Conducted in February (available online or in person).
Results: Announced in March.

Note: Seats in most grades tend to fill up during the main admissions cycle. We continue to accept applications year-round from families newly entering Japan and for children who do not require support services (e.g., English support or other learning needs). For families already in Japan, we strongly recommend applying during the main application window to avoid missing out.

🔳 2024-2025 APPLICATIONS

Applications for the current school year are now closed.
Summer School 2025 is still open to Aoba and external students.

🔳 2025-2026 APPLICATIONS Applications are open! Seats remain in some grades

The school year will begin on 14th August 2025.
Results of the main admissions cycle were announced in March 2025.
Seat availability for August entry (as of April 2025):
- Kindergarten (Meguro & Hikarigaoka): full*
- Grade 1: full*
- Grade 2 and above: limited vacancies

Note: Applications may still be submitted for any grade. For grades that are full, applications will be considered for the waitlist. Current students are still undergoing the re-enrollment process, and some vacancies may arise.

🔳 2026-2027 APPLICATIONS

The school year will begin on 13th August 2026.
Admissions will open on 15th October 2025.

Application Flow

1. Apply Online

Click “Inquire or Apply” button above to create your Veracross account.
After filling the form, you will receive an email from Veracross with the link to Aoba’s Admissions Portal. If you have an existing Veracross account for Aoba’s portal, please login with the same email address. If you do not receive an email from Veracross with the portal link, please contact us: admissions@aobajapan.jp
In the Admissions Portal, follow the prompts to complete your application checklist.
Required checklist items include: Applicant and Parent Information, Questionnaire, Upload of School Reports (kinder/G1 applicants should also provide if available), Teacher Recommendations (Aoba format), Medical and Childhood Immunization Records, Application Fee.

2. Review by Admissions Committee

Aoba staff will review completed applications and contact parent(s) by email within January.

3. Interview / Assessment

Interviews are held in February each year.
Candidates may also be asked to take an English assessment or participate in class observation.
Online interviews and assessments are available.

4. Result

First-round results are announced in early March.
Results for rolling application interviews held after March are usually announced one week after the interview.
Upon acceptance, families will be asked to complete Online Enrollment and to pay one-time Registration and Building and Development fees to secure their seat.

Eligibility:

Aoba seeks to admit students who can access and benefit from the inquiry-based and collaborative international learning environment that we offer.
English is the language of instruction in all grades. Applicants who are proficient in English and who are familiar with international education systems, in particular the International Baccalaureate, stand to gain most from being admitted. Applicants who are not yet fluent in English may also benefit from the elementary and middle school education with enrollment in the inclusive in-class support program.
Parents/guardians should be aligned with the school’s values and educational philosophy. Communication with families is in English, so at least one parent/guardian should be able to communicate comfortably with school personnel in English.
Aoba will not deny admission due to nationality, race or religion. The admissions office will deny an applicant only when it believes that it is not in the best interest of the applicant to join Aoba and/or when it believes that the school is unable to serve their specific learning or behavioral needs.
Visa Support: Aoba does not provide assistance with student visas.
Housing Options: Aoba does not offer boarding facilities. Students must reside with their parent(s)/guardian(s).

Grade Placement:

The cutoff date for age placements is September 1. See chart below.
The applicant’s birthdate is considered in placements for kindergarten to grade 1. Applicants for G2 and above are placed according to their completed or current grade level and upon consideration of individual circumstances.
K2 students (Meguro campus only) may join from 18-months-old. Children who enroll in K2 class when they are less than 2 years old (at the point of September 1st) will stay in K2 class for 2 years.
K3 students (3 years old) must be out of diapers before admission.