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. We welcome 7th and 8th grade applicants with a range of English abilities, with a preference for those at intermediate level or above. For 9th grade or higher applicants, we require at least intermediate English.

• 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 September 1, 2024, and the last day is June 14, 2025. See the 2024-25 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.

• Complete an Enquiry Form on OpenApply to begin the application process. We’ll respond with more information, and you’ll be able to see the next application steps through OpenApply, which include the parent 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. For messages in English, contact David Kenney, Director of Admissions, at david.kenney@hakuba-is.jp. For messages in Japanese, contact Akiko Horii, Administrator & Director, at akiko.horii@hakuba-is.jp