Open Day
Saturday 31st January, 10:00 – 12:00 JST
The Admissions Process
"Possibly the closest experience to a British prep school that you can get here in Tokyo"
Begin Your Journey
At Phoenix House International School, we are committed to a supportive, personal, and transparent admissions process. Our approach is designed to ensure a strong alignment between each pupil's academic ability and the provision offered by the School, with the aim of enabling every child to thrive.
We encourage families to take time to explore our British curriculum and prep school approach. A strong partnership begins with shared understanding. The best way to experience the warmth of Phoenix House is to submit an enquiry, so we can begin to share with you, personally, our campus, our community, and the experience of being part of our school.
The first step in your child's journey at Phoenix House is to submit a short enquiry. Scroll up to complete the Registration of Interest form.
Visit The School
We strongly encourage families to visit Phoenix House to experience the School in action. Seeing a typical school day offers the most authentic insight into our learning environment, community, and culture.
School Tours
Our most common point of entry is a school tour. Families visit during a regular school day, allowing you to observe lessons, see pupils engaged in their learning, and gain a true sense of daily life at Phoenix House.
Open Days
Held twice a year, our Open Days offer a more immersive experience. Families are invited to take part in classroom activities, meet pupils and staff, and experience the energy of the school community more fully.
Information Sessions
For families based overseas, we offer online information sessions to introduce the School and admissions process.
Submit An Application
Once you have decided to move forward, applications are submitted through our admissions portal. Please ensure that all three components are completed by the deadline indicated within the admissions timeline.
- Completed Application Form, including required documents
- Confidential Reference
- Registration Fee
Participate In Our Discovery Day
Our holistic, age appropriate assessment process is designed to build a full understanding of each child and their potential to thrive within the Phoenix House community.
Lower Prep applicants are invited to attend for a half day, during which they are informally assessed through age appropriate activities in phonics, reading, early maths, and spoken English. Throughout the session, our Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff observe how each child engages with tasks, follows instructions, and interacts with others, with particular attention to independence, pace of work, and social, emotional, and behavioural development in line with age expectations, while parents attend a meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team as part of the Discovery Day.
Upper Prep applicants are invited to attend for a full day, during which they join lessons and lunch with their prospective year group, allowing teachers to observe their engagement in an authentic classroom setting. Applicants also meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team for a short interview and complete an online assessment, while parents attend a meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss their child's education and their interest in Phoenix House as part of the Discovery Day.
Admission Decision
Following a careful and holistic review, admissions decisions are communicated on the decision date for the relevant admissions round. Please refer to the admissions timeline for details.
Offer of Admission
Phoenix House aims to offer places to applicants who demonstrate a strong fit with our curriculum and the potential to thrive within our international community.
Waiting Pool
Applicants who show potential to be a good fit but cannot be offered a place at this stage may be placed in the waiting pool. This may be due to limited availability or the strength of other candidates. Applicants in the waiting pool continue to be reviewed in each admissions round.
Decline
Applicants who are not considered a suitable fit for the School may receive a decline decision. Personalised feedback is available to parents upon request.
Year Group Placement
Phoenix House International School is a primary school for children aged between 5 and 11. Allocation to year groups is based on the applicant’s date of birth. Please refer to the Year Group Cut-Off Dates below.
2026-27 Admissions Year Group Cut-Off Dates
| School Section | Year Group | Date of Birth | Age (31 Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Prep | Prep 1 | 1 Sept 2020 – 31 Aug 2021 | 5 years old |
| Lower Prep | Prep 2 | 1 Sept 2019 – 31 Aug 2020 | 6 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 3 | 1 Sept 2018 – 31 Aug 2019 | 7 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 4 | 1 Sept 2017 – 31 Aug 2018 | 8 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 5 | 1 Sept 2016 – 31 Aug 2017 | 9 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 6 | 1 Sept 2015 – 31 Aug 2016 | 10 years old |
2027-28 Admissions Year Group Cut-Off Dates
| School Section | Year Group | Date of Birth | Age (31 Aug 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Prep | Prep 1 | 1 Sept 2021 – 31 Aug 2022 | 5 years old |
| Lower Prep | Prep 2 | 1 Sept 2020 – 31 Aug 2021 | 6 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 3 | 1 Sept 2019 – 31 Aug 2020 | 7 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 4 | 1 Sept 2018 – 31 Aug 2019 | 8 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 5 | 1 Sept 2017 – 31 Aug 2018 | 9 years old |
| Upper Prep | Prep 6 | 1 Sept 2016 – 31 Aug 2017 | 10 years old |
Admissions Schedule
Admissions decisions are made within seven defined rounds, each comprising a deadline for a complete application, a Discovery Day (assessment), and a decision announcement date. To be considered for a specific Discovery Day, a complete application must be submitted by the corresponding deadline. Applications that are incomplete at the deadline will be considered in the next round and reviewed only once the documentation is complete. If the documentation is not complete by the final deadline, applications will be deferred to the next application period.
2026-27 Admissions Rounds Schedule
| Round | Deadline for Complete Application* | Discovery Day (Assessment) | Decision Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| A0 (CIS and mid-year) | Fri 18 Sept 2026 | Tue 29 Sept 2026 | Fri 16 Oct 2026 |
| A1 (Open for mid-year and next year) | Fri 25 Sept 2026 | Tue 6 Oct 2026 | Fri 16 Oct 2026 |
| A2 (mid-year and next year) | Fri 20 Nov 2026 | Tue 1 Dec 2026 | Fri 11 Dec 2026 |
| S1 (mid-year and next year) | Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Tue 26 Jan 2027 | Fri 5 Feb 2027 |
| S2 (mid-year and next year) | Fri 5 Mar 2027 | Tue 16 Mar 2027 | Fri 16 Apr 2027 |
| Su1 (next year) | Fri 28 Apr 2027 | Tue 11 May 2027 | Fri 21 May 2027 |
| Su2 (Final; next year) | Fri 4 Jun 2027 | Tue 15 Jun 2027 | Fri 25 Jun 2027 |
* A complete application is defined as a complete document submission, receipt of a confidential reference, and a paid registration fee.
FAQ
Open Days are held twice a year and offer parents the chance to visit our campus, explore classrooms through a self-guided tour, and speak with members of staff. They are designed to help families get a feel for our curriculum, school culture, and learning environment.
Discovery Day, on the other hand, is part of the formal admissions assessment. It takes place after an application is submitted and all required documents are received. During Discovery Day, children participate in age-appropriate activities, lessons, and assessments while teachers observe how they engage, learn, and interact. Parents also take part in a scheduled meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
In principle, children are placed in a year group according to their date of birth. Placement outside the recommended age group is only considered in exceptional circumstances and requires assessment and recommendation by the Head of School. Any request can be discussed during the parent meeting on Discovery Day.
The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) is taken by Upper Prep applicants and assesses verbal, non-verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning. It helps us understand a child's learning profile and how best to support their potential.
There is no preparation required for Discovery Day or for CAT4. All assessments are designed to be age-appropriate and accessible. You will receive an email beforehand with full details of what your child should bring.
Yes. Families may apply for any of the published admissions rounds. However, offers are made on a rolling basis within each round, and places in some year groups may fill quickly. For this reason, we strongly recommend early application.
No. If your child is placed in the waiting pool, there is no need to submit a new application. Our Admissions Team will remain in touch, and if a place becomes available, your child will be invited for assessment or reconsidered based on the completed file. Waiting pool families are contacted directly should a place open up.
School Fees
Information about the school fees can be found here.
