St. Michaels International School logo

St. Michaels International School

Christian, Founded 1946

Updated July 2026

Co-edGender
Non-profitOwnership

Languages

English flagEnglishJapanese flagJapanese

St. Michael’s International School is an accredited British international school in Kobe, Japan, providing specialized Early Years and Primary education within a caring, family-oriented community. It is the only accredited British international school in the Kansai region, drawing on eighty years of expertise to nurture young learners.

Term structure

Three terms

Teaching approach

St. Michael’s is a British international school in the Anglican tradition that promotes cultural harmony through a progressive, global education. It emphasizes a caring family community where the social, emotional, physical, and academic development of the whole child is nurtured. The school’s values—including respect, compassion, integrity, and responsibility—are embedded in the curriculum and daily school life to foster critical thinking and international mindedness.

Programmes

The school follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales for English and Mathematics, while integrating the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to provide an enquiry-based global perspective. The academic programme serves children in Early Years (ages 3–5) through Year 6. Specialist subjects include Japanese, Music, Physical Education, and Technology, all delivered by qualified international teachers.

Outcomes

The school utilizes International School Assessments (ISAs) to demonstrate academic excellence and benchmark student progress against other international schools. Students are encouraged to develop as independent, confident, and compassionate learners who are prepared for a fast-changing world. Graduates move on to various stages of their education, carrying with them the values of respect, compassion, integrity, tolerance, honesty, endeavour, and responsibility.

Student support

EAL support
Included in fees
Learning support
Unknown

Learning support

The school provides an Immersion English Programme for students joining in Years 5 and 6 from overseas who have limited English proficiency. This intensive course is designed to build a strong foundation in English while supporting full participation in school life. Specialist teachers provide tailored support for this bespoke programme.

Frequently asked questions(5)
What curriculum does St. Michaels International School offer?
St. Michaels International School offers National Curriculum (England).
How much is tuition at St. Michaels International School?
Annual tuition at St. Michaels International School is ¥1.4M–¥1.6M. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
What accreditations does St. Michaels International School hold?
St. Michaels International School holds accreditations including CIS, COBIS and WASC.
Is St. Michaels International School co-educational?
St. Michaels International School is a co-ed school.
Where is St. Michaels International School located?
St. Michaels International School is an international school in Kobe, Japan.

Tuition & fees

Annual tuition by grade

2026-2027
Annual tuition by grade
GradeAgesAnnual
Nursery3–4¥1.4M
Reception4–5¥1.4M
Year 15–6¥1.6M
Year 26–7¥1.6M
Year 37–8¥1.6M
Year 48–9¥1.6M
Year 59–10¥1.6M
Year 610–11¥1.6M

Source:PDFSchoolCalendar2025-2026_Jun.pdfPDFSchool-Calendar-2026-27.pdfPDFComparisonChartnihongo.pdf

Other fees(10)
Other fees
Application fee· Application Fee (paid only once at enrollment, non-refundable)¥50K
Registration fee· Registration Fee, Nursery (paid only once at enrollment, non-refundable)¥100K
Registration fee· Registration Fee, Reception - Year 6 (paid only once at enrollment, non-refundable)¥300K
Enrolment fee· Annual Maintenance Fee (charged annually to all students, non-refundable)¥180K
Insurance· Annual Insurance - per child (non-refundable)¥6.4K
Enrolment fee· Annual PTA - per family (non-refundable)¥5K
Materials· Library Bag¥1.8K
Uniform· School Cap¥2K
Materials· Technology Fee (one-time fee applying to all students enrolling in Year 1 and new children in Years 2-6)
EAL· Immersion English Programme for Years 5 & 6 (bespoke fees apply)

Discounts

  • Sibling discount: 15%

Admissions

The school provides a step-by-step application process guided by an Admissions Officer. Prospective families are encouraged to book a school tour or attend a virtual information session to learn more about the school. Admissions policies, application forms, and enrolment procedures are available to assist families in making their decision.

Calendar

The academic year runs from late August to late June and is divided into three terms: Autumn (August–December), Spring (January–March), and Summer (April–June). The school year consists of 180 days, with the calendar agreed upon by the Board of Trustees one year in advance.

Facilities

LibrarySwimming pool

About the campus

Located in the Kitano area of Kobe, the school provides a secure and safe environment. Facilities include a library, technology resources, and dedicated spaces for music and physical education. The school also maintains grounds that support student activities and provides a bus service for students. In the event of school closure, the campus supports distance learning through the provision of individual Chromebooks for students in Years 1 through 6.

Co-curriculars

The school offers a range of clubs and activities to complement the academic programme. Students from Year 4 to Year 6 can participate in the Student Leadership Council, which acts as a forum for student opinion, organizes fundraising, and promotes UNICEF-recognized children's rights. Additionally, the school hosts events such as the "Good Neighbour Event" and participates in a "Global Action Fortnight."

  • John Aspinall
    John AspinallDeputy Head & Library Teacher

    John Aspinall is a UK qualified teacher who has been with St. Michael’s International School since 2010. He serves as the Deputy Head and Library Teacher.