Location – S-1, 1 Chome-35-14 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan
Website – https://axisk.com/
Contact – +81 422-20-3626
Founded in 2004, Axis International School was established with a clear and purposeful goal: to provide Japanese children with access to a truly international education that could adapt to the realities of a globally mobile world. From its earliest days, the school has focused on continuity, flexibility, and individual student care—values that continue to shape its identity today.
In its formative years, Axis International School partnered with Home Study International, an American homeschool program with more than a century of educational experience. This decision allowed students to follow a consistent academic pathway regardless of where their families relocated, ensuring stability in learning even amid international moves. Over time, as the school community grew and needs evolved, Axis transitioned into a more conventional school model while preserving its commitment to small class sizes and individualized instruction.
A significant milestone came in 2017, when Axis International School joined Griggs International Academy as an affiliate school. This partnership enabled students to progress seamlessly from Preschool through to university within one unified educational system. It also marked a shift away from homeschooling toward a structured, classroom-based program, with class sizes carefully capped at a maximum of eight students per teacher to maintain high levels of personal attention.
A School Designed Around the Child
Axis International School’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help every child achieve their personal best. This philosophy is reflected in every aspect of school life, from lesson design to daily interactions between teachers and students. Small class sizes allow educators to address individual questions, learning styles, and challenges on a daily basis, creating an environment where students feel seen, supported, and confident.
Currently, the school operates across two locations in Tokyo. The Preschool campus is situated between Kichijoji and Mitaka, while students in Grades 1 through 12 attend classes at a second building in Kichijoji. While these facilities were not originally purpose-built, they are thoughtfully organized to support learning, and plans are already underway for a future move into a dedicated school campus that will better serve the growing community.
A Family-Like Environment That Sets the School Apart
What truly distinguishes Axis International School, particularly at the early childhood level, is its strong sense of family. Parents consistently describe the environment as caring, warm, and deeply personal—qualities that can be difficult to maintain as schools grow.
Teachers at Axis are not only highly experienced, with all staff bringing more than five years of professional experience and many having served the school for over five years, but they are also deeply invested in their students’ well-being. Relationships are built over time, creating continuity and trust for both children and families.
Practical support further strengthens this bond. The school’s door-to-door bus service is especially valued by parents, offering flexibility when family schedules change. In some cases, students are intentionally placed on later buses so they arrive home when parents return from work—small adjustments that reflect the school’s attentiveness to family needs.
To keep parents connected to daily school life, families receive weekly photo updates at no cost, allowing them to see exactly what their children have been learning and experiencing.
Safety and Care as Daily Priorities
Creating a safe and nurturing environment is a shared responsibility at Axis International School. Weekly staff meetings include regular safety reviews of both facilities and practices, ensuring potential concerns are identified and addressed promptly. All staff members receive annual training in child safety, reinforcing a culture of vigilance and care.
The school also uses internal cameras throughout most areas of its buildings. These recordings provide valuable insight when issues arise, helping staff better understand situations and respond thoughtfully and fairly.
For the youngest learners aged one to three, the presence of a nurse within the classroom adds an additional layer of care. Teachers in this age group are also mothers themselves, bringing firsthand parenting experience into the classroom—an asset that contributes significantly to the nurturing atmosphere parents value so highly.
Thoughtful Use of Technology in Learning
Technology at Axis International School is integrated with intention, supporting learning without replacing traditional methods. The school provides all required technology, ensuring consistency and equitable access for students.
Projectors are used by teachers to support instruction and by students to present projects. In Preschool and Grades 1–3, iPads are introduced gradually. At the Preschool level, they are primarily used by teachers to illustrate concepts visually. In the early elementary years, students learn how to search for information, access the school’s online reading program, and complete standardized assessments.
Reading plays a central role in the elementary program. All students are expected to read for 30 minutes daily using an online system that tracks progress and supports individual growth.
From Grade 4 onward, students use laptops for research, presentations, and selected assessments. Science and Mathematics textbooks are also available in digital format to reduce the physical load students carry, while still preserving printed books for families who prefer them. Online resources remain an option rather than a requirement, reflecting parental preferences for balanced learning.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls
Outdoor learning is a consistent part of life at Axis International School. Preschool students visit a nearby park every day, weather permitting, with appropriate clothing ensuring outdoor play continues throughout the year. These daily excursions provide physical activity, sensory exploration, and a strong connection to nature.
Students in Grades 1 through 12 also participate in outdoor physical activities. Younger elementary students walk to a nearby public park, while older students use the expansive Inogashira Park for exercise and sports. Science classes occasionally take advantage of these green spaces as living laboratories, offering hands-on opportunities to study plants, insects, and natural ecosystems.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
Axis International School reflects the diversity of the world its students are preparing to enter. The staff represents a wide range of nationalities, including American, British, Filipino, Finnish, Japanese, and South African educators. The student body is equally diverse, with children from 13 different nationalities learning together.
The school places strong value on exposing students to a variety of beliefs, cultures, and perspectives. Students from different faiths learn side by side, developing respect and understanding through daily interaction. While the school currently supports two high-functioning students with special needs and does not yet have dedicated special education teachers, inclusion remains an important part of its ethos.
Strong Parent Partnerships
Parents are active partners in their children’s education at Axis International School. Families are expected to monitor daily homework, reinforcing consistency between home and school. At the start of each semester, Parent Meetings provide opportunities to align expectations and share goals.
A highlight of the school year is the compulsory Family Camp for students aged five and above. With approximately 90 percent parent participation, the camp allows families—particularly fathers who may not regularly visit the school—to experience their child’s learning environment firsthand.
Communication remains frequent and transparent. Parents receive regular updates on programs and events, weekly photo links showcasing classroom activities, and direct access to teachers via email. Preschool families also use daily communication notebooks, ensuring ongoing dialogue and support.
Enrichment Beyond the Curriculum
In response to parent feedback, Axis International School introduced a daily afternoon dance class for students from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., offered free of charge. Additionally, children aged five and above can participate in optional swimming lessons at an external facility, with transportation provided by the school bus.
Looking Ahead
As enrollment approaches building capacity, Axis International School is actively planning a move to a larger facility in the future. The school also intends to introduce new community events, including a School Picnic and Sports Day, further strengthening connections among students, families, and staff.
With its emphasis on care, continuity, and close relationships, Axis International School continues to offer an educational experience where students are supported academically, emotionally, and socially—preparing them for a global future while remaining grounded in a strong sense of community.