Applying to Aoba

How to Apply

🔳 2025-2026 APPLICATIONS Applications are now open!

The application period is October 21st to December 20th, 2024. Applications completed after December 20th will be considered depending on grade vacancy after the first-round of offers.
The 2025-2026 school year will commence on August 14th, 2025.

🔳 2024-2025 APPLICATIONS

Families newly entering or returning to Japan within the school year may apply for mid-year admission. Some grades are already full, and waitlists might be considered.
The 2024-2025 school year commenced on August 15th, 2024.

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.

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.