Cities / Tokyo / International School of the Sacred Heart
International School of the Sacred Heart
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.
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
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| K3 - K4 | 3 | $2,780,000 |
| K5 | 5 | $2,900,000 |
| Grades 1 - 8 | 6 | $2,990,000 |
| Grades 9 - 11 | 14 | $3,010,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | $3,100,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $30,000 | |
| Registration Fee | $300,000 | |
| Educational & Building Development | $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.
Positives
- Established girls' school in the Tokyo international cluster. Repeatedly listed alongside ASIJ, BST, Seisen and St. Mary's as a credible Tokyo option for English-medium education.
- Strong arts, solid academics. One alumni-adjacent comment singles out arts as a strength and describes academics as good but not at the very top of Tokyo.
Considerations
- Embassy and corporate-executive parent base. Reddit and review-site commentary describes a community heavy on diplomatic and senior corporate families.
- Girls'-school social dynamics. Same commenter described less bullying than at Seisen but a 'slightly toxic' all-girls environment, which others framed more neutrally as cattier.
- Religious identity and parent volunteering. Christian ethos and active Parents' Association volunteering surface across review-site coverage.
Leadership
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%