Raising an adolescent — or being one — is the adventure of a lifetime. Grades 7-12 are among the most consequential years of our lives. We discover keys to our identity. We develop lasting mindsets about ourselves and others, and about what’s possible for us. We can gain deep insight into our inner lives, and skillfulness in navigating the outside world. In many ways, adolescence is the ultimate adventure.

As a school serving adolescents, we bring this spirit of adventure to the design of our learning experiences. We call our teachers guides as a result. And when it comes to admissions, we invite you to ask, is HIS the right place for an adventure of self-discovery and growth?

Who is Hakuba International School for?

We welcome students from around the world to our school in the beautiful Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps. We look for families who share values like these:

• A belief that school should prioritize students’ well-being, and teach the social and emotional skills to become aware, kind, and wise adults;

• A thirst for deeper learning experiences, beyond traditional memorization-based classes, instead looking to solve real-world, complex problems;

• A love of nature, and the belief that through time in and study of nature, we gain insights for our lives and the skills to take care of our planet

Key Details:

• Grades Served: For the 2024-25 school year, we are admitting students in grades 7 through 10. We will continue adding one grade per year until we reach grades 7 through 12.

• Language: The core language of instruction at HIS is English. While incoming students do not need to be fluent in English, they should have sufficient readiness to participate in complex class discussions conducted entirely in English. For more details, please see the English Proficiency section below.

• Admissions Timeline: Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis throughout the year. New students typically join HIS at the start of the school year in late August, however we allow limited numbers of students to join mid-year.

• School Calendar: Our school year follows a typical international school calendar; for the 2024-25 school year, our first day of school is August 31, 2025, and the last day is June 13, 2026. See the 2025-26 Academic Calendar here.

How do I learn more or apply?

Here are some options to get to know our school better, or to begin the application process when ready:

• Join us for an online Admissions Info Session. Click here for our Admissions Events page to learn more and register.

• Fill out this inquiry form to begin the application process. We’ll respond with more information, and you’ll be able to see the next application steps, which include the application, transcripts and recommendations, and a Zoom-based interview.

• Visit us in-person! We host events in Hakuba for families to get to know our learning approach first-hand. Email Director of Admissions David Kenney, at david.kenney@hakuba-is.jp, to schedule a tour.

• Contact us with questions: We welcome questions big or small about our school and the admissions process. Contact David Kenney, Director of Admissions, at david.kenney@hakuba-is.jp with messages in English.

More Details on English Proficiency

English is the academic language of Hakuba International School. Students use English to participate in complex class discussions, live in community, and process the world around them in a multicultural setting. English is also important socially, as it is the one language that all HIS students share. The details below provide recommended English proficiency levels by grade level. While we do not require standardized English test scores for our admissions process, the description below gives prospective families a general idea of the level of English needed to be successful at HIS. During our admissions process, HIS uses a combination of conversations and live writing samples, as well as information from student transcripts, to assess if a student has sufficient English to thrive in our learning community.

Expectations for Grade 7 Entrance: Eiken Pre-2 and above | TOELF Jr 630 and above | CEFR A2 and above | Cambridge 120 and above

Expectations for Grade 8 Entrance: Eiken 2 and above | TOELF Jr 740 and above | CEFR B1 and above | Cambridge 140 and above

Expectations for Grades 9-12 : Eiken Pre-1 and above | TOELF Jr 860 and above | CEFR B2 and above | Cambridge 160 and above