Kobe Bilingual School

KOBILS operates across two campuses in Kobe's Tarumi Ward. The Elementary and Kindergarten programs are housed at Momoyamadai 7-1-25, Tarumi, Kobe, with a separate Momoyamadai Nursery School at 4-4-13 Momoyamadai in Tarumi. The Tarumi area is on the west side of Kobe, and maps are provided for both campuses to help with arrival and access.

KOBILS offers a full-time bilingual program for children aged 3–12, split into Kindergarten (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12). The Kindergarten site runs on weekdays (Monday–Friday) with age-appropriate English immersion and some Japanese instruction, while the Elementary program follows a CfE/Japanese curriculum mix for students aged 6–12.

KOBILS is a co-educational day school. It provides afterschool/daycare options and related programs, with no boarding facilities mentioned.

The majority of students are local residents, including Japanese nationals, mixed-race families, and long-term foreign residents. The school states its curriculum is developed with local residents in mind and aims for a bilingual environment, reflecting a diverse community. Exact numbers or nationalities are not published.

The school uses mixed-grade classes and level-specific learning in English and Japanese, supporting diverse learning needs within the bilingual framework. There is no explicit, publicly listed SEN program, but in-house differentiation and level-based groups are described as part of the curriculum features.

There is no formal country affiliation. The curriculum blends elements from Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) with Japan's Kokugo and other components.

No religious affiliation is indicated in the school's program and materials.

The school day runs 9:00–15:30, Monday to Friday. Kindergarten and Elementary have similar daily schedules with incorporated language and subject blocks and a lunch period.

A school bus service is available. For kindergarten routes, a monthly bus fee is listed at ¥6,000; Akashi routes are ¥9,000 per month. Families may also arrange other transit options (walking or car) as part of daily arrival.

Kobe Bilingual School (KOBILS) provides a full-time bilingual program for children aged 3–12, with Kindergarten (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12) located in Kobe; English immersion is the primary language of instruction, with Japanese Kokugo taught at the same grade level and cross-curricular discussion in Japanese. The Elementary program blends Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) with Japan's Kokugo and Social Studies/Ethics, using mixed-grade classes and level-specific learning in English, Japanese, and mathematics to support progression at different paces. The CfE/KOBILS curriculum covers eight subject areas—English (Languages A), Japanese (Languages B), Mathematics, Health and Wellbeing, Expressive Arts, Sciences, Social Studies, and Technologies—with Ethics embedded as a cross-cutting religious/moral education component. KOBILS places emphasis on language balance, with English immersion prioritized in early years and language balance decisions made from Grade 4, supported by level-specific English and Japanese instruction and cross-curricular projects. The school operates as a free school and seeks accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) within a multi-year plan; it is currently listed as unapproved in comparative materials. The curriculum is designed for progression to international schools by Grade 7/Year 8/S2 after Grade 6, aligning CfE outcomes with Japanese pathways and project-based learning.

KOBILS supports social and emotional learning through a weekly curriculum review where children discuss and reflect on their week in their native language, with opportunities for feedback and expressing concerns to support pastoral care.

KOBILS provides inclusive practices evidenced by mobility-accessible facilities (elevator, widened doors, accessible toilet) to support students with mobility challenges; information on a dedicated SEN program or specialist SEN staff is not publicly disclosed.

EAL support is integrated via English immersion with Japanese instruction, with the minority language prioritized in Kindergarten and early grades; there is no separate EAL program publicly disclosed.

Mental wellbeing is considered in health and safety planning, with the policy noting balance of hygiene and safety measures with mental health concerns.

Safeguarding and safety are prioritized: KOBILS is fully registered with Kobe City, maintains a high staff‑to‑student ratio with qualified hoikushi and nursery staff, and uses SECOM security.

1. Program options. Kobe Bilingual School offers a Kindergarten program for children aged 3 to 6, and an Elementary program for children aged 6 to 12. A Saturday School program is also available as part of its offerings. The school is located at 7-1-25 Momoyamadai, Tarumi, Kobe.

2. Application periods. For Kindergarten, there are two application periods: Period 1 (Open Application) from September 8 to September 30, 2025, and Period 2 (Rolling Application with restricted entry) from October 1, 2025. For Elementary, the periods mirror Kindergarten: Period 1 (Open Application) from September 8 to September 30, 2025, and Period 2 (Rolling Application with restricted entry) from October 1, 2025. The application windows are listed on the New Student Application Process page.

3. Application forms and guidelines. Kindergarten applicants can download the Kindergarten application form and guidelines; Elementary applicants can download the Elementary application form and guidelines. There is also an Enquiry Form available for general inquiries.

4. Application fields and submission. The application form collects basic contact information, including Name, Email, and Phone. A CAPTCHA is present on the form to verify entrants.

5. Fees at application. The application requires an Application and Interview Fee of ¥20,000. Kindergarten Entrance Fee is ¥100,000.

6. Interview and admissions steps. An interview is part of the admissions process as indicated by the Application and Interview Fee.

7. Enrollment and initial payment. If admitted, the Entrance Fee and other one-time charges are due at enrollment (Kindergarten Entrance Fee: ¥100,000; Elementary Entrance Fee: ¥200,000, less any Kindergarten entrance fee paid).

8. Ongoing costs and payment options. Kindergarten tuition is ¥63,000 per month for 12 months, with Kyushoku (lunch) at ¥6,500 per month and a School Bus option at ¥6,000 per month (Akashi routes may be ¥9,000). Annual Fees include Materials ¥24,000 and Facility ¥60,000. One-time fees include Entrance ¥100,000 and an Application/Interview Fee ¥20,000. Tuition payment plans are available.

No scholarships are listed on the Kobe Bilingual School site. The 2025 Admission Materials include an application and brochure with no scholarship information, and the Fees page lists standard charges (tuition, lunch, bus, materials, facility, entrance, and application/interview fees) without mentioning scholarship programs.

The site does not publish a formal waitlist or pool policy. Application periods include a Period 2 Rolling Entry with restricted entry, indicating capacity controls. There is no publicly described waitlist process beyond the rolling-entry approach.