Admissions Policy

General Admissions Policy

St. Michael's International School is dedicated to serving the foreign community in the Kobe and Osaka area, as well as others, pursuing an education based on the English National Curriculum. Admission applications are reviewed and decided on by the Head of School, at times in conjunction with the Deputy Head and ESOL Coordinator. The Head of School will make initial year placement decisions.

Children accepted to St. Michael’s International School are expected to show:

• The ability to function in an English Language and Learning environmentd.
• The appropriate level of educational aptitude and skills required at each year level.
• Most children are admitted in August, but if vacancies exist the school will admit children throughout the course of the year on the basis of age, previous school record, English language ability and an interview if vacancies do exist.  

Enrollment Procedure

• Parents will fill out the Application Form. This is either collected from the school or can be filled in on the school web site and then sent to the school together with a copy of Child’s passport/a copy of birth certificate. A fee of ¥20,000 is paid to the school when this initial application is made. An interview is arranged with the Deputy Head of School. Any records, references or test results should be brought along for this interview. This may be before or after the initial application is made.
• A subsequent interview/test is usually organised with the English for Speakers of Other Languages Co-ordinator that focuses in more detail on standards and attainment. This interview may be overlooked, if so decided by the Head of School.
• When deemed necessary a Trial Day may be organised in order to make clearer the child’s suitability for entering St. Michael’s International School.
• In almost all cases, a child will be placed in the relevant year class (dependent on their chronological age). However, if requested, or deemed necessary by the Head of School, class teacher and/or parents, a child may be accepted into a class either one year below their chronological age or one year above. In this situation, there will be a clear expectation that previous school records will be available, as well as evidence of previous tests undertaken and references from past schools.
• An offer of a place will either be made or not – in writing. Any decisions made by the Head of School are final. If a place is not offered, advice and further information will be supplied to the child’s parents.
• Registration and other Fees are payable on entry to the school. A child may leave the school for up to 3 months and a place will be held open for them, as long as tuition fees are paid for the period of absence. During the absence, the child is expected to attend an appropriate school, with documentation of such attendance required upon return to St. Michael's International School. (See Tuition Fees Policy for further information) Parents are requested to inform the school at least 30 days before the end of the period of leave of their intent to take up the place left open for their child in writing, in order for the School to be able to confirm a place for the child. Any period of longer than 3 months will be up to the discretion of the School Council.

St. Michael's International School will accept children with Learning Difficulties if we feel that we can support them and provide a meaningful education for them. Admission for students with Learning Difficulties is on a case-by-case basis.

Enrollment Priority

St. Michael’s is open to all children who can benefit from the international education offered regardless of gender, culture, nationality or religion. As a school with a distinct Christian ethos, we expect all parents to support its Christian identity, with tolerance and respect towards others of different religious backgrounds within the school community.

The school will aim to admit children in each school year up to, but not exceeding the school’s standard number of twenty five. If the number of requests exceeds the number of places available, the following criteria will apply in order of priority:

1. Children whose parents demonstrate active commitment as members of a local Christian church;
2. Children with brothers or sisters already in the school;
3. Children from an international background or who have completed at least two years of western style education overseas or in Japan.

NB. The following categories of children are automatically assigned a place at SMIS on application:

• Children of full-time teachers (class or specialist teachers)
• Children of representatives of the British Council

Role of Parents

St. Michael's International School, expects parents to:

• Pay tuition fees promptly in accordance with the Tuition Fees Policy.
• Take an active role in the life of the school
• Be able to communicate with the teachers and staff in English
• Be willing to work with the child at home in their native tongue (i.e. encourage reading, help with homework, etc.)

Scholarships may be available to missionary and other families, based on financial needs.

Parents who are considering sending their child to this school may visit, by making an appointment to see the Deputy Head of School.

Level Placement

Entry for 2008-2009

Entry for 2009-2010

Additional Information

Most children are admitted in September, but if vacancies exist the school will normally admit children throughout the course of the year.

Adopted February 2004 
Updated November2008