Yokohama Christian School

Yokohama Christian School is located at 66-2 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0862, Japan. It is in the Bluff district of Yokohama, near landmarks such as the Foreigner's Cemetery, Bluff Clinic, Ferris Girls' School, and St. Maur International School. The area is accessible by nearby subway and JR lines, including Motomachi-Chukagai Station and Ishikawa-cho Station.

Preschool (age 2–4) and Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5). The Elementary division is split into Lower Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 2) and Upper Elementary (Grade 3–5).

The school is a non-profit, co-educational preschool and elementary school. It is non-denominational and church-sponsored, offering Christian and classical education.

The student body includes international, bicultural, and local students. The school does not publish nationality percentages and does not require a specific nationality; applications are open to all faiths.

YCS provides Learning Support, including Regular Learning Support on a case-by-case basis. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available from this school year, with a focus on language arts as the foundation for other subjects. The school works with families and support staff to provide appropriate academic and behavioral support.

No formal country affiliation; the school operates in Yokohama, Japan.

Christian affiliation; non-denominational and church-sponsored.

A Before School Care option runs from 7:55 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. The After School Care program ends at 3:30 p.m., with Extended After School Care available to 5:00 p.m. Regular school hours are supported by these care options.

There is no school bus service offered at this time; families use public transport. The school notes that many families live near Yamate-cho and Honmoku and rely on public transportation.

Yokohama Christian School serves preschool (ages 2–4) and elementary (Kindergarten to 5th grade) students with a classical Christian education. Preschool uses the Weekday Early Education (WEE Learn) curriculum developed by the CDEA in Jacksonville, Florida, while the Elementary division uses American Classical Christian materials. The program emphasizes a classical, integrated approach to language arts, reasoning, and biblical worldview, with materials approved by the Association of Christian Schools International. Enrichment within the school day includes music, physical education, library, Japanese, and art, with computer classes for grades 2–5. Learning support includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) and behavioral/developmental/learning-differences support, and entry requirements note that elementary students should be within one year of grade-level English, while preschool has no language prerequisite.

Yokohama Christian School supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through an inclusive, Christ-centered learning environment where each student is viewed as a child of God with unique capabilities. The school states it aims to be an inclusive environment and works as a team with parents to ensure students' needs are met, creating a warm, nurturing community of learners. Formal learning support is provided in two areas: behavioral/developmental/learning differences and English language, coordinated by a Learning Support team. The staff includes a School Chaplain who provides pastoral support for students, and a School Nurse who contributes to students' well-being. There is no explicit, named SEL program described on the site.

Yokohama Christian School provides two categories of formal learning support: 1) behavioral, developmental, and learning differences; 2) English language support (EAL). Admissions require parents to provide transparent information about the child's schooling history and diagnosis history to shape an accurate picture of needs. The school emphasizes an inclusive environment and teamwork with parents to meet students' needs. It is not described as a specialist SEN institution, with learning support delivered as part of the regular program rather than a separate SEN-only facility. A Learning Support staff member is listed, and EAL support includes one-on-one and group lessons as well as other forms of support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is identified at admission or through fall/spring assessments. Some students require support across reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while others may need specific support in one area to succeed at YCS. Students are able to have one-on-one lessons, group lessons, and other support as needed through this program. EAL is part of YCS's Learning Support framework, with ongoing efforts to improve how support is delivered to meet students where they are on their academic journey.

Mental wellbeing is supported through pastoral care staffed by a School Chaplain, indicating availability of spiritual and emotional support for students. The school describes a nurturing community framed by Christian education. The site does not describe a separate, named mental health program, counseling service, or mental health curriculum. The presence of the School Nurse further complements overall student wellbeing.

Safeguarding-related information is addressed through health and safety measures. The Health page states that the health of each student is of utmost importance and outlines policies concerning illnesses and absences, with a Classroom Policy handbook available in each classroom and the school office. The school conducts monthly emergency drills, rotating between fire and earthquake drills, and maintains evacuation procedures for emergencies. The School Nurse and School Chaplain on staff contribute to student safety and welfare.

Step 1 — Visit: School tours are available by appointment. During the visit, the School Head will discuss your family's educational goals and how Yokohama Christian School can support them. You will be given an admissions pack with information about programs, policies, and next steps. To arrange a tour, contact the school office or submit the inquiry form.

Step 2 — Application: Submit the application and application fee, and provide the required documents: proof of age (birth certificate or passport information page), teacher recommendations or reports from previous schooling, Health History (completed by a parent/guardian), and a Medical Certificate for School Entrance (ages 5 and up). Note that the yearly amounts for different grades are payable in two terms, and you should confirm that all documents have been received before the application is considered. Your application will not be considered until all documents are received.

Step 3 — Interview & Observation: A parent and child interview is conducted to discuss your situation and future school plans. Children aged 4 years and older are evaluated on English listening and speaking abilities, while elementary-aged children are assessed in language arts and mathematics in addition to English listening and speaking. This step helps determine placement and readiness for the program.

Step 4 — Review, Decision & Enrollment: After the interview and once all required documents are received, the school reviews the application and makes a admission decision. If admitted, you will receive enrollment instructions and be invoiced according to the Fees & Tuition schedule; payments are due in two terms (May and November 30th). The fee structure includes an Application Fee, Entrance Fee, Registration Fee, Annual Development Fee, and grade-appropriate Tuition, with additional Learning Support, EAL Support, and After School Club fees as applicable. All fees are non-refundable, and late payments incur a 10% charge on the outstanding balance. If you plan to withdraw, a withdrawal form is due 30 days prior to leaving.

Scholarships: Limited tuition assistance is available for eligible families. Details and eligibility are determined by the school office; families are advised to contact the office for information on what aid may be available and how to apply.

Waitlist/Pool: For the main Yokohama Christian School admissions, a formal waitlist policy is not published on the general admissions materials. The Afternoon Class page states that admission is based on availability of space and indicates that you will be informed if there is a wait list when determining your start date. This suggests that waitlists, if any, are specific to certain programs and not described as a universal policy for the entire school.