Cities / Tokyo / Tokyo International School
Tokyo International School
A central Tokyo IB World School in Minami Azabu growing into a full PYP through DP programme, moving to a new Takanawa Gateway City campus in August 2026. TIS was founded in 1997 by Patrick Newell and Ikuko Tsuboya Newell and now serves around 380 students aged 5 to 18 across 70 plus nationalities.
In brief
A central Tokyo IB World School in Minami Azabu growing into a full PYP through DP programme, moving to a new Takanawa Gateway City campus in August 2026.
TIS was founded in 1997 by Patrick Newell and Ikuko Tsuboya-Newell and now serves around 380 students aged 5 to 18 across 70-plus nationalities. The school added grade 10 to complete its MYP in 2023 and launched the IB Diploma in August 2025, with the first DP cohort graduating in 2027. CIS and NEASC accreditation is in place. Daniel Reynolds has led the school for several years.
Parents value the inquiry-based approach, the warmth of the community and the strong Japanese language provision alongside English. The historic concern was the lack of a senior school, with families having to plan an exit at grade 8. The DP rollout closes that gap and the relocation to a purpose-built campus at Takanawa Gateway, directly connected to the JR station, materially upgrades facilities. Tuition runs JPY 2.5 to 3.8 million depending on year group.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten - Grade 2 | 4 | $3,000,000 |
| Grades 3 - 5 | 8 | $3,050,000 |
| Grades 6 - 9 | 11 | $3,200,000 |
| Grades 10 - 11 | 15 | $3,300,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $30,000 | |
| Registration Fee | $300,000 | |
| Development Fee | $900,000 |
Reviews
- Public commentary is broadly warm about the school's community feel, diversity, central location, and IB pathway.
- Parent-facing commentary also flags practical admissions and pathway questions, especially the transition into the upper years as the school expands its high school provision.
- Teacher-side comments are more mixed, with positive remarks on ethos and resources alongside concerns about workload, pay, and turnover in the wider school group.
Positives
- Community and diversity. Parent-facing commentary describes the school as small, community-oriented, genuinely diverse, and strong on Japanese language provision.
Considerations
- Pathway and admissions questions. External commentary highlights strong demand but also questions about post-middle-school pathways and admissions barriers for some local families.
- Staff experience. Teacher-side signal includes praise for ethos and resources, but also concerns about workload, compensation, and staff turnover.
Leadership
Daniel Reynolds
Daniel Reynolds is originally from Canada and has over two decades of experience in international education. Before becoming the Head of School at Tokyo International School in August 2019, he served as the Deputy Head of School at an international school in Switzerland. His career includes roles such as Upper School Director in the United States and over twenty years in Japan working as a Principal, Activities Director, and Curriculum Coordinator across three different international schools. He is recognized for his leadership in the IB curriculum and has been instrumental in the school's strategic growth and its planned relocation to a new campus.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02