AOBA’S HISTORY

As an international school, Aoba has, since the start, been a school where Japanese and foreign students learn in a mutually supportive environment. Indeed, a major objective is the facilitation of bilingual, internationally minded graduates.

AOBA’s 50TH ANNIVERSARY

AOBA'S TIMELINE

Founding

Aoba International School was founded by Regina Doi. The school initially offered nursery to pre-first grade classes. Mrs. Doi aimed to provide a four-year bilingual early childhood education primarily for Japanese children, helping them build English skills to thrive in either international or Japanese schools. Located near the American School and several Japanese kindergartens, Aoba quickly gained popularity among both international and local families. Due to its early success, parents encouraged Mrs. Doi to expand the school’s offerings.

Japan International School Established

With community support, Japan International School was opened, offering elementary and junior high school programs. Initially located near Daikanyama Station on the Toyoko Line, close to the original Aoba early childhood campus.

School Relocations and Growth

The school moved three times during this period to accommodate a growing student body: - Harajuku - Shibuya 1992 – Suginami Ward 1998 – The school was renamed Aoba-Japan International School, marking a new chapter in its development.

Move to Hikarigaoka Campus

In October 2012, Aoba moved to its current campus in Hikarigaoka, Tokyo. This move allowed Aoba to become a full-service school, offering: - A full-sized soccer pitch - Gymnasium - Pool - Playground Expanded facilities for students from K2 to Grade 12

2015

IB Accreditation

Aoba received accreditation from both NEASC and CIS.

Full IB World School Status

Aoba was officially authorized as a full IB World School, offering: - PYP (Primary Years Programme) - MYP (Middle Years Programme) - DP (Diploma Programme)

Bunkyo Campus Opened

Aoba expanded with the opening of a new Bunkyo Campus, broadening its reach and facilities.

2025

Online IB Diploma Programme Launch

Aoba is launching its IBDP Online Course, providing students with flexible, high-quality international education accessible from anywhere.

Present

A Vision for the Future

Aoba continues to foster a new generation of inspired international citizens, building on its legacy of bilingual, inquiry-based education rooted in global citizenship.

Regina Doi founded Aoba International School in 1976. The school’s offerings were initially from nursery school to pre-first grade. Mrs. Doi’s original purpose in establishing Aoba was to provide a four-year bilingual pre-first grade education, primarily for Japanese children. This would give them the foundation in English necessary to succeed in both international schools and Japanese schools, depending on the educational goals parents had for their children.

Aoba quickly became a popular choice for early childhood education within both the international and Japanese communities. It was originally located in close proximity to the American School and a cluster of Japanese kindergartens, and this addition to the educational community provided more options to parents when choosing a program that best suited their children’s needs. Aoba proved to be an extremely successful school and experienced rapid growth across its first four years. As a result of that success, parents began to ask Mrs. Doi to open an elementary and junior high school. With the help of a dedicated group of parents and friends, Japan International School was established in 1980.

Japan International School was originally located near Daikanyama Station on the Toyoko Line, not too far from the original Aoba International School early childhood education center. As its student population grew, the school moved three times to accommodate the expanding student body—first to Harajuku, then to Shibuya, and in 1992 to a location in Suginami Ward. In 1998 the school’s name changed to Aoba-Japan International School.

In October 2012, the school moved to its present location in Hikarigaoka in order to achieve another long-sought vision—the acquisition of a full services school facility and campus. Beyond the multi-level standard school building, the new campus provides a full soccer pitch, a gymnasium, a pool, playground, parking, and more. Aoba-Japan International School now has a mainstream school from K2 to grade 12 within an environment that will allow it to pursue a new set of goals and objectives that were, until only a short time ago, not possible.

The 2015–2016 school year began with exciting changes as a result of the everyone’s hard work. We are not only accredited by the NEASC and CIS, but also, as of June 2015, we became an IB World School. And in 2016, Aoba was officially granted MYP and full IB World School status (PYP, MYP, DP).