Applying to Aoba

INQUIRE OR APPLY

How to Apply

🔳 2025-2026 APPLICATIONS

The 2025-2026 school year will commence in mid-August 2025.

The application period is 21st October to 20th December 2024. Applications completed after 20th December will be considered pending grade vacancy after the first-round of offers.

🔳 2024-2025 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

The 2024-2025 school year will commence on 15 August 2024.

Rolling admissions continue for some grades. G1 and Hikarigaoka Kindergarten has reached capacity, so any applications will be considered for the waitlist.

Important: If you wish for your child to join at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, be sure to complete all checklist items the application by 14 June 2024. There will be no interviews held in July and August. Applications completed after 14 June will be reviewed after the new school year begins, pending grade vacancy.

Application Flow

1. Create a Veracross Account

• Click the red “Inquire or Apply” button above to create your Veracross Admissions Portal account
• Look for the email from Veracross with the link to Aoba’s Admissions Portal. (If you do not receive an email from Veracross with the portal link, please reach out to the Admissions team: admissions@aobajapan.jp.)
• If you have an existing Veracross account, please login with the same email address

2. Complete Admissions Checklist

• Complete the required checklists items in the Admissions Portal
• Required checklist includes: Parent questionnaire, School Reports for the past 2 years (kinder/G1 applicants should also provide if available), Teacher Recommendations (pre-set format), Application Fee, etc.

3. Review by Admissions Committee

• Aoba staff will review completed applications and contact parent(s) by email

4. Interview / Assessment

• Interviews are held in February each year, for applications received in the main application period (Oct-Dec). Late application interviews are ongoing for rolling admissions, pending vacancy.
• English assessment and class observation may be required for some grades
• Online interviews and assessments are available

5. Result

• Results for February interviews are announced in early March
• Results for late application interviews held after March are usually announced within one week of the interview
• Accepted families are asked to complete the online enrollment and pay the registration fee to secure their child’s 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.

Grade Placement:

• The cutoff date for age placements is September 1. Age chart by school year
  
• 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.
• K3 (3 years old): Students must be out of diapers before admission.

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