ADMISSION POLICIES
United School of Tokyo is committed to providing a challenging, holistic education based on the American Common Core curriculum to children aged 3-14YO. We welcome children of all nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Students may join UST at any time during the year, provided a place is available. Families applying for a new academic year must follow the Application Schedule and Deadlines. UST's annual application process opens in October of the year prior to the commencement of the next academic year.
We seek families who will be able to embrace the learning opportunities offered by the school and who are committed to our mission and vision. All applications are reviewed to determine whether the applicant can fully benefit from the opportunities offered. Candidates are accepted according to the following priorities:
Students may join UST at any time during the year, provided a place is available. Families applying for a new academic year must follow the Application Schedule and Deadlines. UST's annual application process opens in October of the year prior to the commencement of the next academic year.
We seek families who will be able to embrace the learning opportunities offered by the school and who are committed to our mission and vision. All applications are reviewed to determine whether the applicant can fully benefit from the opportunities offered. Candidates are accepted according to the following priorities:
- International families for whom there are no local educational alternatives.
- Japanese families that are relocating back to Japan from an English-speaking educational setting
- Internationally-minded local families that best identify with our school values and educational programs and demonstrate commitment to international education and high academic standards
ADMISSION PRIORITY
UST is a school that prioritizes diversity, English language proficiency, and overall academic excellence. While all successful candidates are expected to demonstrate age-appropriate fluency in both conversational and academic English, there are additional criteria that might influence admission priority:
- foreign nationals who are native speakers of English
- non-native English speakers who demonstrate grade-level proficiency in English
- siblings of current UST students
- students returning to UST after a period at another English-speaking school
- foreign nationals with a beginner level of English who demonstrate a strong need for international education
AGE ELIGIBILITY
Grade placement is done according to the child's age by August 31st of the year of entry. It is possible to request placement in a grade below if that follows the academic history or emotional needs of the child. Placements into a higher grade (i.e., promotions) are extremely rare and could only be considered upon thorough consideration and assessment by the school administration.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
As all classroom instruction is conducted in English, an admission priority is given to children who demonstrate age-appropriate fluency in English. To guarantee a high level of English language used amongst the students, each class maintains a 70 to 30 ratio of students with native or near-native fluency of English vs. students who require ESL support.
To ensure that English remains the primary language of communication even amongst ESL students, we select non-native English-speaking students from diverse nationalities. This dynamic prevents ESL students from speaking their native language in the classroom and encourages them to speak English.
To ensure that English remains the primary language of communication even amongst ESL students, we select non-native English-speaking students from diverse nationalities. This dynamic prevents ESL students from speaking their native language in the classroom and encourages them to speak English.
ACADEMIC PREPAREDNESS
To maintain a high level of academic standards amongst our students, we prioritize students who meet our academic requirements at the entry level or, at the very least, demonstrate a high level of ability and academic potential.
APPROACH TO LEARNING
A positive approach to learning, including effort and behavior, is crucial. We also look for involvement in various activities, including the Arts, service, sports, outdoor pursuits, and student leadership.
OVERALL BALANCE
Every class at UST must have a good balance with regards to nationalities, genders and academic levels of students.
Commitment to international education
UST seeks families that see value in and manage to demonstrate a long-term commitment to international education.
Parents' language proficiency
To ensure that our students receive sufficient support with their schoolwork at home, as well as to facilitate fluid communication between the School and students' families, UST requires that at least one parent/guardian is able to communicate effectively in English.
Academic profile
Applicants into Kindergarten through Grade 8 must have school reports that indicate they can progress well and with confidence in our curriculum.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING NEEDS
Due to lack of special resources, UST does not offer specialist support programs for students with learning difficulties and behavioral differences. Exceptional admission may, however, be granted to students whose individual requirements can be met within the mainstream classroom without significant additional intervention.
Please note that any learning needs or social/emotional, physical or behavioral issues must be fully disclosed and described in the admission application. These include, but are not limited to, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, learning support or resource room attendance, gifted and talented education, English as an Additional Language (EAL), English as a Second Language (ESL), counseling, and behavior modification. Any reports, assessments, or details of additional support must be submitted to the school before UST can provide an admission decision. These include, but are not limited to, educational-psychological testing, speech and language assessments, Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), behavior plans, or counseling reports. Please note that reports for services your child has received at any grade level should be submitted.
Failure to fully disclose such information at the time of the application may result in revocation of admission or, if discovered after enrollment, require withdrawal from school.
Should significant social/ emotional/ behavioral issues or learning differences become apparent following enrollment in the school, parents may be asked or required to seek additional support or testing for their child. The school will offer suggestions of specialists to work with, however, this must be arranged and paid for by parents. In some cases, the school might have to ask the family to transfer their child into a school that is better suited to address their child's learning needs. However, this is a situation that we would like to avoid at all costs as it may have a negative impact on the child’s self-esteem and future learning.
Please note that any learning needs or social/emotional, physical or behavioral issues must be fully disclosed and described in the admission application. These include, but are not limited to, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, learning support or resource room attendance, gifted and talented education, English as an Additional Language (EAL), English as a Second Language (ESL), counseling, and behavior modification. Any reports, assessments, or details of additional support must be submitted to the school before UST can provide an admission decision. These include, but are not limited to, educational-psychological testing, speech and language assessments, Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), behavior plans, or counseling reports. Please note that reports for services your child has received at any grade level should be submitted.
Failure to fully disclose such information at the time of the application may result in revocation of admission or, if discovered after enrollment, require withdrawal from school.
Should significant social/ emotional/ behavioral issues or learning differences become apparent following enrollment in the school, parents may be asked or required to seek additional support or testing for their child. The school will offer suggestions of specialists to work with, however, this must be arranged and paid for by parents. In some cases, the school might have to ask the family to transfer their child into a school that is better suited to address their child's learning needs. However, this is a situation that we would like to avoid at all costs as it may have a negative impact on the child’s self-esteem and future learning.
SIBLINGS AND RETURNING STUDENTS
Siblings of current students or students returning to the school after a period away are generally given a priority, however, they are subject to the same entry deadlines as new applicants.
PRESCHOOL ELIGIBILITY
Children entering our preschool must be fully toilet trained and accustomed to lasting through the day without a long nap.
