Sapporo, Japan: Hokkaido International School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The Hokkaido International School (HIS) is a private, coeducational, day and boarding school that offers a U.S.-style education from early years through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school was founded in 1958. The school year comprises two semesters extending from late August to mid-June. HIS also operates a second elementary school (EY-grade 8) in the resort region of Niseko, Hokkaido.

Organization: The school is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Sapporo, Hokkaido, as the Hokkaido International School Corporation. The Japanese Ministry of Education has registered HIS under Gakko Hojin (legal holding body) status.  HIS is governed by a nine-member executive board, which consists of seven nominated members, a representative from the U.S. Consulate, and the head of school. There is also a 19-member advisory board of councilors. The school has a head of school and a building-level principal. The school is a member of the Japan Council of International Schools and the East Asia Regional Council of Schools and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Curriculum: The curriculum is U.S.-based, and English is the language of instruction. AP classes are offered to students in grades 11 and 12. The International Primary Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum are the academic core for the elementary and middle schools respectively. A Reggio-Emilia approach is followed in EY.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, the school has 46 total staff including 33 teachers, 16 of whom are U.S. citizens, 7 host-country nationals, and 10 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent nine different of nationalities. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate/credential.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 168. Of this total, 37 were U.S. citizens, 68 were host-country nationals, and 63 were third-country nationals.

Facilities: The school was constructed between June 1994 and August 1995 as a joint venture of Japanese and U.S. companies. The school occupies four floors. There are 14 classrooms, a 13,000-volume library, science and computer labs, and specific rooms for art and music. The gymnasium/stage and training room are located on the top floor. The ground floor contains classrooms for early years, two milepost 1 (K-1) classrooms, a multipurpose area, a conference room, a kitchen, a staff room, and administrative offices. A recently expanded dormitory stands next to the school building, providing a home for up to 40 (20 girls and 20 boys) students.

Finances: In the 2023-2024 school year, the school’s income derives from tuition and fees, rentals, gifts, and grants. Annual tuition rates are as follows: EY (half day): ¥964,000; EY (full day): ¥1,320,000; K-grade 5: ¥1,440,000; grades 6-8: ¥1,476,000; and grades 9-12: ¥1,532,000. The school also charges a transportation fee of ¥128,000 per student or ¥264,000 per family, a one-time entrance fee of ¥200,000, and a one-time application fee of ¥15,000. ELL support is provided at no additional cost. (All fees are quoted in Japanese yen.)

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.