An Invitation
Thank you for considering Hokkaido International School as a place for your child's education. HIS Niseko is a unique school providing a distinctive educational opportunity in the Niseko area. For those seeking an international education in English at an accredited institution, HIS Niseko is the place for you. Our tuition and fees are significantly lower than similar schools in the larger cities of Japan, and we offer great opportunities for outdoor learning.
With HIS Sapporo only two hours away, the Sapporo dormitory provides an excellent option for Niseko families whose children graduate from the HIS Niseko School. Students can attend middle school and high school in Sapporo, staying in the dorm through the week and returning home on the weekends. At least one parent of students interested in staying in our dorm must visit the school and meet with administrators and dorm parents.
HIS Niseko Admissions Forms
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The forms presented on the right should also be completed (just click to open and print). For students over third grade, a writing sample is also required, which will be done on campus just prior to the interview.
Scroll down for more detailed information about the application process and tuition and fees.
Admissions Policy and Process
Admissions Policy
HIS is a school dedicated to serving the expatriate community of Sapporo and Hokkaido, as well as others pursuing a western-style education. Admission applications are reviewed by an Admissions Committee consisting of one or two members and chaired by the Niseko principal in consultation with the Head of School. This group will also make initial grade-placement decisions.
Priorities in admission are given to the following in order of preference:
• The children of expatriates from English-speaking countries
• The children of expatriates from other countries
• Japanese returnees (a returnee is defined as someone who has completed at least two years of a western-style education overseas)
• The children of Japanese parents who can demonstrate a compelling need for a western-style education
HIS Niseko, as a western-style educational school expects the parents to demonstrate
the following:
• Take an active role in the life of the school (i.e. attend and take part in school and PTA activities)
• Be able to communicate with the teachers and staff in English and work with your child at home in your native tongue (i.e. encourage reading; help with homework, etc.)
• While HIS cannot admit students with profound learning difficulties, HIS may be able to accommodate students with mild special needs. Continued enrollment at HIS is always dependent upon a student’s satisfactory achievement, behavior, and effort.
Admissions Process
1. Complete an HIS Application Form, one per child. Assemble comprehensive school records, including current report cards and those from the previous two years of schooling plus standardized test scores (if applicable). Include medical and inoculation records. Proof of the student’s age must be included. Have the documents translated into English if necessary.
2. Call to schedule an admissions interview. Most interviews will be held after school at 3:30. The interview fee is ¥15,000 to be paid at the time of the interview (waived if enrolling before January 23, 2012). At least one parent must accompany the student to the interview. The interview will be conducted in English.
3. Immediately prior to the interview, students in the third grade and above will be asked to complete a writing sample. Please arrive 30 minutes before your interview to complete the writing sample.
4. The full interview process will take from 45 to 60 minutes. This includes the time needed to do the 20- to 30-minute language assessment that is given to all students. Students will be interviewed by the grade-level teacher and one special subject teacher. The Niseko principal attends all Admissions Committee meetings. Students for whom English is not the first language will also interview with the ELL teacher.
5. At the conclusion of the interview, the committee will determine whether or not to grant admission. A student may be admitted, denied admission, or in some cases admitted on a probationary basis. Probationary admission means that the student will be admitted for a few months, at which time, the admission will be reviewed by all of the teachers. Admission can, at that time, be revoked.
6. All decisions of the Admissions Committee are final; students are welcome to apply again in the future.
7. If a student is admitted, parents should arrange for immediate payment of the first school bill, which will include the entrance fee (waived if enrolling before January 23, 2012). Upon payment, students may begin attending classes at HIS.
If you would like to plan a visit to the school or have further questions about applying to HIS Niseko, please email the Niseko Principal, Peggy Shibuya at pshibuya@his.ac.jp
Thank you!
Barry Ratzliff
Head of School
HIS Niseko Tuition and Fees
HIS tuition and fees are payable annually or on a quarterly basis. Payment is due on July 31 preceding the school year. Invoices will be mailed in July (January for the first year, which begins January 23, 2012). For students entering after opening day, payment is due prior to enrollment.
For founding families, Hokkaido International School, Niseko, is offering tuition incentives for the first six months (January 2012 - June 2012) and for the 2013 school year. Please contact the school for details.
| School Fees |
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| Application Fee (one time only) |
¥15,000 (payable at interview) |
| Entrance Fee (one time only) |
¥200,000 |
| Tuition |
Annual |
Quarterly |
| Preschool (half day) |
¥596,000 |
¥149,000 x 4 |
| Preschool-K (full day) |
¥868,000 |
¥217,000 x 4 |
| Grades 1-6 |
¥940,000 |
¥235,000 x 4 |
| Other Fees |
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| Facilities fees (all students) |
¥170,000 |
| Insurance (optional; recommended) |
¥3,000 |
Special Fees (not applicable to all students):
ELL Fee (annual): Students at HIS Niseko who are developing their English ability will be classified based on their need for additional instruction and attention by both the ELL teacher and their classroom teachers. ELL learners can have special instructional needs for five to seven years even after entering an immersion setting, depending on a variety of factors. All ELL students are supported in their classroom learning through strategies and tools designed to best meet their needs. In addition, Level I ELL learners who come to HIS with little or no English will receive additional structured support. ELL fees are assessed starting in first grade. Students are charged an annual ELL fee based on their level in August. The fee set in August applies to the entire school year and will be adjusted the following school year, depending on student progress.
| Level I |
¥200,000 |
| Level II |
¥100,000 |
| Level III |
¥50,000 |
| Level IV |
¥25,000 |
| Level V |
¥25,000 |
Tuition Fees Refund Policy
In the case of student withdrawal, tuition will be refunded on a quarterly basis. Tuition will be charged for every quarter in which a student attends school. In the event of nonpayment of fees, no school records shall be released until all fees are paid in full. Exceptions to quarterly payment must be reviewed by the Executive Board.
A Special "Thank You" from the Executive Board
The HIS Executive Board recognizes that our tuition and fees would be significantly higher were it not for the generous support of the town of Niseko, the Hokkaido government, and other individual donors. The Board would like to thank the community who have contributed so much to HIS in so many ways.
