What Is K. International School Tokyo Like? IGCSE, the IBDP and Fees Explained

What the official information confirms

KIST's Learning at KIST explains that the whole-school curriculum is designed with success in the IBDP as one major goal.

After the PYP comes KIST's own LSP, then Edexcel IGCSE, and finally the IBDP.

In other words, the structure differs from an IB continuum school that joins the PYP, MYP and DP directly. You can see how it differs from schools that offer the PYP, MYP and DP throughout in our summary of IB continuum schools in Tokyo. You can also check the address, grades and key application points on KIST's school profile (a Japanese-language page).

From the PYP to the LSP

From K1 to Grade 5, KIST offers the IB PYP.

The LSP in Grades 6 to 8 draws in content from Pearson iLowerSecondary and is designed to build the foundations needed for IGCSE from Grade 9 and the DP from Grade 11.

In a transfer, even if your child has been studying the MYP or the British curriculum at their current school, they will not necessarily follow the same order of units automatically. The differences between how the MYP and IGCSE work are set out in our MYP vs IGCSE comparison.

Grades 9 to 10 are IGCSE

KIST uses Pearson Edexcel IGCSE in Grades 9 to 10.

IGCSE is an external qualification by subject, so for a transfer from Grade 9 onwards you need to compare the subjects your child has already taken with KIST's subject structure.

In the admissions tests as well, tests related to Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics may be used for the upper grades, so grade-level maths ability also matters.

Other schools in Tokyo where students can study IGCSE are collected in our article on international schools in Tokyo offering IGCSE.

Grades 11 to 12 are the IBDP

The last two years are the IB Diploma Programme.

The DP involves six subjects plus TOK, the Extended Essay and CAS, so as well as subject knowledge up to Grade 10, academic writing, research and time management matter.

If you are considering a transfer into Grade 11, check early how subject choices connect to what your child has already studied.

What to check in admissions

KIST gives August as the main entry point for a new school year, and says that entry in January or April is possible where there are places.

The Admissions Handbook sets out the flow, including tests by grade and a parent interview.

There are also additional documents: a school reference from Grade 2 upwards and a personal statement from Grade 8 upwards.

Application timing and the testing schedule change each year, so check the latest Admissions Handbook just before you actually apply. You can compare how application timing differs from other schools in our guide to application timing and preparing to enter.

Fees for 2026-27

In the 2026-27 fee schedule published by KIST, the Application Fee is ¥30,000, the Enrollment Fee ¥300,000 and the Capital Fee ¥700,000.

Annual Tuition is ¥3,020,000 for K1 to K3, ¥2,850,000 for Grades 1 to 9 and ¥2,970,000 for Grades 10 to 12.

There are other charges as well, such as a Building Maintenance Fee.

Rather than looking at tuition alone, compare the one-time fees needed in the first year separately from annual fees. How to read costs against other schools is set out in our fee comparison.

The amounts are from the official information for 2026-27. When you actually apply, check the latest fee schedule.

A checklist before you transfer

• Have you checked your child's current grade against KIST's programme sequence?
• Do you understand that KIST uses the LSP rather than the MYP?
• From Grade 9, have you checked how IGCSE subjects connect?
• From Grade 11, have you checked how the connection to DP subject choices works?
• Have you checked how ready your child is in the English and Mathematics needed for the admissions tests?
• Have you checked first-year costs and annual tuition separately?