International School of the Sacred HeartVerified

In Brief

For families with daughters, ISSH has the strongest AP results in Tokyo - a 4.27 average and 100% of scores at 3 or above in recent sittings. The admissions restrictions (English-speaking parent required; no Japanese-only passports below Grade 10) mean it's not for everyone, but the academic record stands on its own.

ISSH has been in Hiroo since 1908 and the AP results give it a clear identity: 22 courses offered, 100% of scores were 3 or above in 2024, and the May 2025 average of 4.27 puts it ahead of comparable AP schools in Japan. The school is part of the global Sacred Heart network - the same network as Seisen - and shares the Catholic values-led ethos, but with an American-curriculum focus rather than IB. Around 560 students; girls-only from Grade 1 (co-ed K3-K4). Strong music programme with three choirs, an active MUN team, and a robotics programme.

The Hiroo location is central and convenient - close to the Hibiya line and well-placed for families in Minato, Shibuya, or Meguro. For families coming from North American school systems, the AP pathway is a direct continuation; transcripts transfer cleanly to US and Canadian universities, and the school has a strong record of admissions to top American institutions. A TOK-equivalent course is required for graduation, which means students develop the kind of reflective academic skills that hold up well in university applications beyond the US.

The admission requirements are specific and worth reading carefully before you visit. At least one parent must be an English speaker; families without Japanese passports are not accepted below Grade 10 for Japanese-nationality children. The school is not set up for families where neither parent speaks English. Fees for 2026-27 run from JPY 2,560,000 (K3-K4) to JPY 2,880,000 (Grade 12), with an annual building and maintenance fee of JPY 220,000 and a one-time educational and building development fee of JPY 600,000.