Clarence International School

Clarence International School is located at 3-9-5 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Minami-Aoyama site sits in central Tokyo and is close to local amenities. The school will relocate to a larger campus in Nishi-Azabu from April 2026; the final day at the current Omotesando/Main Building will be Friday 20 March 2026, with the new campus opening at the start of the Summer Term on Wednesday 8 April 2026, near Hiroo and Roppongi stations.

The school serves children from 18 months to 6 years and follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Year groups include Tiny Stars, Little Stars, Blue Sky, Rainbow and Sunshine.

British international pre-prep; co-educational.

Nationalities represented include Brazil, Australia, the United States, Korea, China, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The cohort is diverse, with a mix of local Japanese families and international families.

The school does not offer dedicated special programs for specific learning difficulties; admission may be granted to pupils whose individual learning requirements can be met within the mainstream program. The school will support applicants with physical difficulties where practical, and families should disclose any requirements at registration.

The school is a British international pre-prep operating within Clarence Education Asia. It follows the UK EYFS framework and has British ties (including recognition related to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office).

Religious affiliation: None stated.

The standard arrival window is 8:45–9:00am, with optional early drop-off from 8:15am for a small fee. An after-hours Nursery is open from 2:45pm to 6:00pm for ages all days.

The school offers its own Clarence School bus, which serves routes around neighbouring areas of Tokyo; routes are updated to meet current needs and there are two bus operations per day.

Clarence International School in Tokyo follows the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for children aged 18 months to 6 years, with a play-based, arts-rich curriculum designed to nurture confidence, imagination and curiosity. The school organises classes by age: Tiny Stars (18 months–2), Little Star (2–3), Blue Sky (3–4), Rainbow (4–5) and Sunshine (5–6). Within Rainbow, pupils begin to prepare for Key Stage 1 of the English National Curriculum, supported by daily phonics and a Talk-4-Writing program. In addition to the English curriculum, the school offers a Japanese language program designed to build Japanese literacy and language skills for entry into Japanese schools and top Tokyo international schools. The curriculum is augmented by a strong arts program (music with specialist teachers and visual arts), outdoor learning, and reading for pleasure, with after-school options including Clarence Clubs and Japanese classes.

Social and emotional learning is supported through the Early Years Foundation Stage Personal, Social and Emotional Development focus, with Clarence staff providing guidance in a nurturing environment to help children feel safe, happy and valued.

Clarence International School does not offer dedicated SEN programs; admission may be granted to pupils whose learning requirements can be met within the mainstream program, with some support for physical difficulties possible within campus constraints and the potential for additional costs if significant support is required.

Explicit EAL provisions are not publicly disclosed; English language development is emphasized through a text-rich learning environment, and the school offers a Japanese language programme for preschoolers to support language development and school entry, with informal English assessments used for some classes during admissions.

Mental wellbeing is supported by a staff team that provides care and emotionally supportive guidance, with a clear emphasis on developing personal, social and emotional skills and ensuring children feel safe, happy and included.

A formal Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (version V2024.2.0, effective 5 February 2025) designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead, outlines safeguarding procedures, external contacts, staff training requirements and safeguarding responsibilities for all staff and visitors, and states that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

1. Explore Clarence International School's philosophy and curriculum. The school emphasizes an arts-rich early childhood program based on the British Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with a focus on imaginative learning and cross-cultural exposure. Parents should plan to attend a tour with the Head of School or join a weekly online information session to see classrooms, ask questions, and learn about the program in practice. After reviewing these materials, you can proceed to the formal application route via Open Apply.

2. Submit the application through Open Apply. Begin by ensuring you understand the Admissions Policy and the Finance and Fee Policy, which are acknowledged before a place can be considered. The application form is submitted online through Open Apply, and you will be prompted to review the policy requirements as part of the process. The school's practice is to require these acknowledgments prior to progressing with an offer.

3. Review admission criteria and prerequisites. A minimum set of prerequisites must be met for consideration, and this is detailed in the Admissions Policy. Candidates should verify that their child's profile aligns with the stated criteria before continuing. If eligibility is unclear, refer to the policy for guidance on eligibility.

4. Understand entry and year group placement. Clarence International School does not administer a formal entry examination at any stage. An informal in-school English assessment may be required for applicants seeking admission to Blue Sky, Rainbow, or Sunshine classes. Final year-group placement is decided by the Head of School after reviewing the application.

5. Admission decision and placement. The Head of School makes the final decision on pupil admission and year group placement after reviewing the application form. If a child would be placed outside the recommended age-group, placement is considered only in exceptional circumstances following assessment and recommendation by the Head of School.

6. Admissions timeline and term starts. The CIS school year begins in September; however, a child can join during the year if space is available. Offers for 1st Term admission are issued from April onwards. Applications to join the waiting list can be made at any time after that, once the Application Fee has been paid and the necessary documentation submitted.

7. Admissions for pupils requiring additional support. CIS does not offer formal programs for specific learning difficulties. Admission may be granted when individual learning needs can be met within the mainstream program, though certain needs may incur additional costs. Parents should disclose any disability or special educational needs at registration.

8. Waiting list process. Demand is high, and there are two separate waiting lists to maintain cultural diversity: one for prospective Japanese students and one for prospective international/returning students. Applications to join the waiting list follow the same requirements as general applications (after the application fee is paid and documentation is submitted).

Clarence International School does not offer scholarships or formal bursaries. The published Finance and Fees Policy lays out the fee structure and payment procedures without any scholarship provision. Fees include: a non-refundable Application Fee of ¥20,000, a Registration Fee of ¥220,000, and annual fees such as the Annual Facility Maintenance Fee (¥65,000) and Annual Insurance Fee (¥20,000). Tuition varies by class and days per week, with detailed schedules published in the School Fees Schedule. There is also a 10% Special Care Fee for children under 2 for a period, a 10% sibling discount on older siblings' tuition, and various optional fees (e.g., bus service, lunch, and single-day sign-ups). Since there is no scholarship program described, families may seek third-party sponsorship only under the policy's terms (written agreement required if a third party is paying).

Clarence International School uses two separate waiting lists to preserve cultural balance: one for prospective Japanese students and one for prospective international/returning students. This dual-list approach reflects the school's mix of Japanese and international families and helps determine future intake when spaces open. Waiting lists are active throughout the year, and applications to join the waiting list can be made after the initial application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid, with necessary documentation provided. The school typically issues offers for the first term from April onward if spaces are available.