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United School of Tokyo (UST) is an international school in Shibuya, founded in 2014 by parents and teachers, serving children ages 3 to 14 across Kindergarten (K1–K3), Elementary (G1–G5) and Middle School (G6–G8). Classroom instruction is conducted in English and the school references American Common Core standards for benchmarks. UST highlights small classes and notes 16 students per class and a total of ~220 students. Japanese is taught daily, with additional language options mentioned for older students. Beyond lessons, UST runs an extracurricular program with 30+ classes across sports, performing arts, visual arts, games/activities and STEAM. A distinctive feature described under school life is its Social Responsibility work, including projects like eco drives and a partnership-building effort with an elementary school in Cambodia.
151-0063 Tokyo, Shibuya, Tomigaya, 2 Chome−21−10
United School of Tokyo has 230 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.
United School of Tokyo is located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, in the Tomigaya district. The campus address is 151-0063 Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Tomigaya 2-21-10, Central Tomigaya Building. It has convenient access to several stations: Komaba-Todaimae on the Inokashira Line is a 5-minute walk away; Shibuya Station is a 15-minute walk or a 7-minute bus ride (bus stops include Tokyu Bus 55 and Keio Bus 61, alighting at Todai Ura); Yoyogi-Hachiman on the Odakyu Line is about a 12-minute walk; and Yoyogi-Koen on the Chiyoda Line is about a 13-minute walk.
UST serves children aged 3 to 14 across three divisions: Kindergarten (K1–K3), Elementary (G1–G5), and Middle School (G6–G8).
Private, international, co-educational school.
The student body represents 40+ nationalities, reflecting a genuinely international community; no official public ratio of local versus international students is published.
Learning support and ESL services are available. ESL and learning support fees include a pull-out service (3,850 yen per session) and in-class support (2,750 yen per session) per week.
The school follows an American curriculum based on the American Common Core standards (American Curriculum).
No religious affiliation is indicated in the official materials.
Regular school day start times are not published; extended care is available from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The school provides an organic lunch service during the day.
UST operates four bus routes serving central Tokyo. Annual round-trip bus fees are 300,000 yen and annual one-way bus fees are 200,000 yen; payments can be made annually or by term. For specifics on stops and schedules, contact the school.
Annual tuition at United School of Tokyo ranges from JPY 1,700,000 to JPY 2,000,000 for 2026/27.
United School of Tokyo teaches American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.
The United School of Tokyo's curriculum is built around systematic skill development delivered through a theme-based program of 5–6 units per year, with four cross-cutting themes: responsibility and caring, global citizenship, environmental impact, and experiential education. In Early Childhood (K1–K3, ages 3–6), the curriculum is theme-integrated and learner-centered, with literacy via daily reading and Jolly Phonics, a Japanese program taught twice weekly in preschool and three times weekly in Kindergarten, and Math focusing on counting, numbers, simple operations, telling time, measurements and shapes; Science and Social Studies emphasize exploration of the environment and community, and Visual Arts, Music, and Technology are integrated. Elementary (G1–G5, ages 6–11) develops the whole child through 5–6 units per year, using Common Core math standards with Math in Focus (Singapore Math) as the main program, and Reading and Writing Workshop models for literacy; Japanese is taught daily according to the Japanese National Curriculum, while Social Studies uses Social Studies Alive!, and Visual Arts and Music follow National Standards for Arts Education. The curriculum also includes Technology and Information Science to build digital literacy, ESL and Learning Support beginning from K2, with pull-out or small-group assistance, and after-school tutoring to support English or other subjects. Field trips and experiential learning are embedded within units, with an emphasis on assessment through varied methods, targets, and feedback, and a commitment to fostering global-minded, environmentally aware, and socially responsible students.
Social and Emotional Learning at United School of Tokyo is supported by a holistic, inquiry-based curriculum designed to address students' social‑emotional needs, and by weekly Guidance classes; leadership and collaboration are fostered through the Student Council.
UST does not offer specialist support programs for students with learning difficulties or behavioral differences; exceptional admission may be granted if individual requirements can be met within the mainstream classroom, and the school provides Learning support and ESL services within the mainstream.
EAL support is provided through Learning support and ESL services, and the school offers ability-based daily Japanese language classes; ESL and learning support services have associated fees.
Mental wellbeing is supported through weekly Guidance classes as part of a values-based, holistic education that emphasizes social-emotional development, complemented by student leadership opportunities.
Safeguarding is governed by a formal Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy; staff must report suspected abuse to designated safeguarding leads promptly, with a case management team and liaison with authorities as required by law.
1. Check availability and divisions. United School of Tokyo operates three divisions: Early Childhood (K1–K3), Elementary (G1–G5), and Middle School (G6–G8). The annual admissions process opens in October of the year prior to the next academic year, and space must be available for an applicant to be considered. Admissions priorities favor international families with no local educational alternatives, and Japanese families relocating back to Japan from an English-speaking educational setting; all applications are reviewed to determine fit.
2. Tours and interviews. Tours and interviews are scheduled within the admissions window to help families assess fit and to allow UST staff to learn about the applicant and family. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tours and interviews were held from October 20, 2025 to December 5, 2025.
3. Enrollment application deadline. The enrollment application deadline for the 2025–2026 cycle was January 9, 2026.
4. Screening and assessments. Screening and assessments take place from January 12, 2026 to March 30, 2026.
5. Acceptance announcements. Acceptance announcements are issued between March 9, 2026 and April 3, 2026.
6. Joining fees due date. Joining fees are due two weeks after the Acceptance Letter is issued. One-time joining fees total 825,000 JPY (Application 25,000; Registration 400,000; Development 400,000).
7. Fall term tuition due. Fall term tuition is due on April 25, 2026. Tuition can be paid by term or annually; all fees include sales tax, and one-time joining fees are non-refundable.
The United School of Tokyo offers a Scholarship Program that provides a reduction in tuition and joining fees for eligible families. Scholarships are available to students in Elementary and Middle School (Grades 1–8). In addition to regular admission requirements, applicants must demonstrate the need for international education, the family's inability to pay full tuition and/or joining fees, native English proficiency, and high academic potential. The number of scholarships is limited to five per year, and awards are for one academic year but may be renewed subject to satisfactory progress and reassessment of family means. Documents that may be requested include an annual tax certificate, an employment certificate, a housing rental agreement, and bank statements. Scholarships are valid for one academic year.
There is no published formal waitlist or pool system. Admissions operate on space availability; applicants may be considered when seats are open, and the school indicates that students may join at any time during the year if a place is available. Priority is given to international families without local educational alternatives, and to Japanese families relocating back to Japan from an English-speaking setting.