Our Story

Since our inception, TIS has always been truly international, forward thinking and striving to improve.

Here is our story…

Our story in dates

1994

Pre School

Tokyo International School Pre School was founded. Enrollment of five students.
The students would learn lifelong skills, concepts and values that could be easily transferred across the world and would equip them for a rapidly changing, international future. TIS would serve the many mobile, expatriate families in Tokyo.

Two educators with 11 Lower School students at the former Tokyo International School campus."

1997

Primary Years Programme

Tokyo International School expanded into Primary Years Programme and moved to the larger Meguro Honcho Campus.

Former Tokyo International School campus at Meguro Honcho, when the school expanded into the Primary Years Programme.

2001

Mita 4-chome Campus

TIS moved to a new campus to accommodate its enrollment which was then 104 students.

Six-story yellow facade building that housed the former Tokyo International School campus in Mita.

2002

Middle Years Programme

Now with 190 students TIS expanded into Middle Years Programme.

A group of diverse students in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Tokyo International School posing for a photo.

2004

Nankai Elementary School Campus

With student enrollment at 235 students TIS moved into Nankai Campus rented from Minato-ku.

Former international school campus in Tokyo located at Nenkai Elementary, a multi-story school rented from Minato Ward, featuring a large courtyard and a fleet of yellow buses.

CIS Accreditation

TIS received accredited school status by the Council of International Schools, the hallmark in international education.

A plaque commemorating Tokyo International School's accreditation by the Council of International Schools in October 2004.

2005

PYP Authorization

TIS became authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate (IB), Primary Years Programme and received the accolade as an IB World School.

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) and IB World School logo for Tokyo International School students grades K to 5.

2007

MYP Authorization

TIS became authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate (IB), Middle Years Programme.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) logo and IB World School logo for Tokyo International School grades 6 to 10.

2013

Minami Azabu Campus

TIS moved into its new purpose-built campus nestled in the embassy district of central Tokyo.

Aerial view of the Tokyo International School Minami-azabu campus showing the sports track, play structure, gym, and Lower School.

2017

Non Profit Status

TIS obtained Gakko-Hojin (Incorporated Educational Institution) and not-for-profit status. Ikuko Tsuboya Newell became Chair of the TIS School Board.

2018

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2017–2018 annual report.

2019

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2018–2019 annual report.

2020

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2019–2020 annual report.

2021

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2020–2021 annual report.

2022

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2021–2022 annual report.

2023

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2022–2023 annual report.

2024

Annual Report

Cover page of Tokyo International School’s 2023–2024 annual report.

Grade 10

August 2024, TIS started offering Grade 10 at our current campus, thus being able to offer all five years of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP).

2025

IB Diploma Programme School

In August 2025, we started offering Grade 11. Grade 12 is scheduled to open in SY 2026-2027.

Future Plans

New Campus in TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY

In August 2026, TIS will move to its new home in TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.

Rendering of new Tokyo International School campus at Takanawa Gateway City in Minato Ward, a multi-use complex in central Tokyo.

Apple Distinguised School

Tokyo International School is a non profit school, which is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
We are a fully authorized, International Baccalaureate World School, catering for students from Kindergarten 1 (four years old) to Grade 8 (fourteen years old).