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International schools in Japan place children by age, not by the Japanese national grade system. British curriculum schools use UK year group names Reception through Year 13, with the 31 August cut-off. American curriculum schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. This guide gives you the exact age-to-year-group mapping used by international schools in Japan in 2026.
What year group is my child in at an international school in Japan?
British international schools in Japan place students according to their age on 31 August. Match your child's age on 31 August to find their year group.
| Age on 31 Aug | UK Year Group | US Grade | Key Stage | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nursery | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 4 | Reception | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 5 | Year 1 | Kindergarten | KS1 | |
| 6 | Year 2 | Grade 1 | KS1 | |
| 7 | Year 3 | Grade 2 | KS2 | |
| 8 | Year 4 | Grade 3 | KS2 | |
| 9 | Year 5 | Grade 4 | KS2 | |
| 10 | Year 6 | Grade 5 | KS2 | |
| 11 | Year 7 | Grade 6 | KS3 | Secondary starts |
| 12 | Year 8 | Grade 7 | KS3 | |
| 13 | Year 9 | Grade 8 | KS3 | |
| 14 | Year 10 | Grade 9 | KS4 | IGCSE begins |
| 15 | Year 11 | Grade 10 | KS4 | IGCSE exams |
| 16 | Year 12 | Grade 11 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB begins |
| 17 | Year 13 | Grade 12 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB exams |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
How international schools in Japan assign year groups
The 31 August cut-off is standard at British curriculum schools. A child arriving from a UK school enters the same year group in Tokyo or Osaka without adjustment.
There are around 40 international schools in Japan, concentrated in Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya. Japan's international school market is smaller than Singapore or Hong Kong, which means waiting lists at the most popular schools in Tokyo move slowly. Starting the application process six months ahead is realistic for most year groups; twelve months is advisable for Nursery, Reception and Year 7. One practical consideration unique to Japan: school bus routes in Tokyo can be long, and many families choose their neighbourhood based on proximity to their chosen school rather than the other way around. The doris Tokyo international school fees and neighbourhoods guide covers this in detail. Most follow British or American curricula and run an August to June academic year, which differs from the Japanese national year running April to March. This calendar gap is one of the biggest practical considerations for families moving between the national system and an international school mid-year.
What age does my child start each school stage at an international school in Japan?
Early Years (EYFS): Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4. The Japanese national system begins elementary school at age 6, two years later than British international schools.
Primary: Year 1 at age 5. Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11.
Secondary: Year 7 at age 11. Cambridge IGCSE begins at Year 10, and A-Levels or the IB Diploma begin at Year 12.
IGCSE and Sixth Form: Year 10 at age 14 begins Cambridge IGCSE. Year 12 at age 16 begins A-Levels or the IB Diploma.
What year group is a 10 year old in at an international school in Japan?
A child who is 10 on 31 August enters Year 6 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 5 at an American curriculum school. Year 6 is the final year of primary and Key Stage 2.
What is Reception class equivalent to in Japan?
Reception is for children aged 4 turning 5 at British international schools. The Japanese national system begins elementary school at age 6. A child entering Reception at a British international school is two years ahead of a child starting the national system.
Understanding the Japanese national system: a quick reference for international families
Japan's national system uses Grades 1 to 6 for elementary school (ages 6 to 12), Grades 7 to 9 for junior high school (ages 12 to 15), and Grades 10 to 12 for senior high school (ages 15 to 18). The national year runs April to March, a significant difference from international schools. Nine years of schooling (Grades 1 to 9) are compulsory.
| Japanese National Stage | Age | UK Year Group | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (Elementary) | 6–7 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| Grade 2 | 7–8 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| Grade 3 | 8–9 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| Grade 4 | 9–10 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| Grade 5 | 10–11 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| Grade 6 | 11–12 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| Grade 7 (Junior High) | 12–13 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| Grade 8 | 13–14 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| Grade 9 | 14–15 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| Grade 10 (Senior High) | 15–16 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| Grade 11 | 16–17 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| Grade 12 | 17–18 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
The national system starts at Grade 1 at age 6, one year later than British international schools. The April to March national calendar means a child transferring from a Japanese national school mid-year may not slot neatly into either the August or January intake at an international school. Schools will assess transfer students individually before confirming year group placement.
For families raising children between cultures, our third culture kids guide is a useful reference. For curriculum decisions, our IB vs British curriculum comparison covers the practical differences. For fee planning, see our Tokyo international school fees guide.
International schools in Japan: British, American and IB curricula
| School | Location | Curriculum | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rugby School Japan | Nasu, Tochigi | British, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels | 11–18 |
| NLCS Kobe | Kobe | British, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels | 3–18 |
| UWC ISAK Japan | Karuizawa | IB (DP) | 16–18 |
| The British School in Tokyo | Tokyo | British, Cambridge IGCSE, IB DP | 3–18 |
| Tokyo International School | Tokyo | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 5–16 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
Frequently asked questions
What year group is a 7 year old in at an international school in Japan? A child who is 7 on 31 August enters Year 3 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 2 at an American curriculum school. This is the start of Key Stage 2.
Do international schools in Japan use the Japanese Grade system? No. British international schools use Reception through Year 13. American schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Japanese Grade 1 to 12 naming is used only in the national school system.
My child is in Grade 6 at a Japanese school. What year group will they enter at an international school? Grade 6 is typically age 11 to 12, placing them in Year 7 or Year 8 at a British international school depending on their birthday and the 31 August cut-off. The April to March Japanese school calendar also means mid-year timing needs to be discussed directly with the admissions team.
What is the difference between the IB Diploma and the Japanese university entrance exam? The IB Diploma is studied in Years 12 and 13 at ages 16 to 18 and is recognised by universities worldwide. The Japanese university entrance exam (Daigaku Nyuushi Kyotsu Test) is taken at the end of Grade 12 and is primarily for entry into Japanese universities. Students from international schools in Japan typically apply to universities internationally using their IGCSE, A-Level or IB results.
doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.
This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: Plaza Homes, school grades and age structures in Japan, Talk Education, Japan schooling system guide. Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.