Cities / Tokyo / International School of the Sacred Heart
International School of the Sacred Heart
Catholic girls school in Hiroo founded in 1908, offering AP (22 courses) and IPC. Girls-only from Grade 1; co-ed K3-K4. Around 560 students. Strong AP results: 100% of scores were 3 or above in 2024; average 4.27 in May 2025.…
In brief
A long-established Catholic all-girls K-12 in Hiroo with a US college-prep programme, well known on the Tokyo school circuit and competitive on admissions.
Sacred Heart has run since 1908 and sits inside the global network of Sacred Heart schools across 44 countries. Kindergarten is co-ed, then grades 1 to 12 are girls only. The curriculum follows a US progression building to AP courses, with 22 APs offered and strong score outcomes. Graduating cohorts are around 50, which keeps the community tight and the academic environment personal.
Families pick Sacred Heart for the spiritual ethos, the small-school feel and the focus on developing girls' confidence. Admissions weigh family alignment with the Sacred Heart goals as much as academic readiness, and one parent must hold a non-Japanese passport. Critics sometimes argue the Catholic and international labels feel surface in practice. Tuition is at the upper end for Tokyo, in line with the other top-tier names.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| K3 - K4 | 3 | Annual | $2,780,000 |
| K5 | 5 | Annual | $2,900,000 |
| Grades 1 - 8 | 6 | Annual | $2,990,000 |
| Grades 9 - 11 | 14 | Annual | $3,010,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | Annual | $3,100,000 |
| Application Fee | One-time | $30,000 | |
| Registration Fee | One-time | $300,000 | |
| Educational & Building Development | One-time | $600,000 |
Reviews
- Tokyo expats place ISSH in the established Tokyo international cluster (ASIJ, BST, Seisen, St. Mary's), with a Catholic, all-girls Grade 1-12 identity and a strong embassy and corporate-executive parent base.
- One Tokyo-based commenter described ISSH as more international than Seisen with more embassy children, said arts is a strength, called academics solid but not top tier, and described the social environment as 'slightly toxic' as is common in girls' schools.
- Other ex-students and parents speak warmly about the community and the Hiroo location, with one neighbour saying friends with children there speak highly of it.
- Good Schools Guide reflects the consistent theme of strong Christian ethos, family atmosphere and high expectations on parent volunteering.
Head of school
Sr Anne Wachter, RSCJ
Since 2023, I have had the privilege of leading ISSH, and I do so with significant professional experience as the Head of Sacred Heart School of Halifax, Nova Scotia (10 years), Head of Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School in San Francisco (12 years) and other teaching, administrative, and Board roles at Sacred Heart schools from Omaha to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Louisiana and Atherton, California. I have a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 02
Academic results
- AP Average Score 2025 4.27
- AP Scores 3+ Rate 2024 100%