Almost-International Schools, Part 1: Why Salesian International Primary School’s International Class Is Growing in Popularity

Original Japanese article published May 26, 2026.
日本語版はこちら.

What the High Competition for “Almost-International” Elementary Schools Reveals

In recent years, a notable trend has emerged in the elementary school admissions landscape.

Demand for schools that offer an international school-like learning environment in English (so-called “almost-international” schools) has surged dramatically.

Traditionally, families seeking an English-medium education for their children often chose international schools.

Today, however, a new kind of family is growing rapidly. These families want a single Japanese school to provide all three at once: an English-rich environment, inquiry-based learning that builds critical thinking in English, and the wider future pathways that come with it.

This rising demand is a key factor behind the growing popularity of the International Class at Salesian International Primary School. The author recently attended one of the school’s information sessions to report on it firsthand.

A Surge in Applications Marks a Turning Point in International Education

In 2026, international education in Japan appears to be entering a new phase.

Until recently, international schools were the primary option for families seeking an English-medium elementary education. Today, however, a new alternative is beginning to emerge: schools that are part of the Japanese education system while offering a learning experience similar to that of an international school.

One notable example is the International Class at Salesian International Primary School, which opened in April 2026.

Drawing on information presented at the school’s first information session, this article examines the educational direction the school represents and what its growing popularity may signify.

One of the most striking points presented during the session was the number of applicants.

For the 2026 admissions cycle, the school received 400 applications, an increase of 253 compared with the previous year. Such growth is particularly noteworthy in the highly competitive elementary school admissions market.

Equally significant was the geographic distribution of applicants. According to the school, support for the International Class came not only from families living nearby, but also from many families in central Tokyo areas such as the Josai and Jonan areas.

This trend suggests that a growing number of well-informed families interested in international education are exploring options beyond international schools. Increasingly, they are also considering international and globally focused programs within Japanese private elementary schools.

A New Pathway: From Zero English to an International Education

One of the most notable announcements at this information session was the introduction of the SG (Standard Group), a new track designed for students with little or no prior English experience.

Traditionally, international classes have primarily attracted returnee students, graduates of English-language preschools, and children who have grown up in English-speaking environments.

At Salesian International Primary School, however, a new pathway is being introduced for students entering in the next academic year. Children with little or no English experience will be able to enroll and gradually develop their English proficiency as they progress through the program.

The admissions process will be conducted in Japanese, and students will receive staged English-language support after enrollment. The program is designed to help them build confidence and proficiency over time, ultimately transitioning into an environment where learning takes place in English.

This new pathway offers an alternative for families who may have felt that traditional international classes, where students are expected to learn in English from the outset, present too high a barrier to entry.

The path from zero English to an international learning environment is uniquely achievable within a Japanese private elementary school. Unlike traditional international schools, this model creates a more gradual transition into English-medium education and may have a significant influence on the future direction of international education in Japan.

Principal Ohashi on the End of Traditional Success Models and the Changing Role of Education

One of the most memorable parts of the information session was the educational philosophy shared by Principal Kiyomichi Ohashi.

According to Principal Ohashi, the traditional models of success that guided previous generations are becoming less relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.

In the past, students could often chart their futures by following the examples of older generations or established elites. However, advances in AI and broader social changes are challenging the assumption that success can be achieved simply by imitating those who came before.

As a result, he argues, the focus of education is shifting away from the ability to memorize and reproduce information and toward the ability to formulate meaningful questions and solve complex problems.

A key element of this approach is engaging students with open-ended questions that do not have a single correct answer. The school places a strong emphasis on project-based learning (PBL), encouraging students to develop their own questions, discuss ideas, present their thinking, and evaluate one another’s work.

What distinguishes the program is that it goes beyond conventional active learning. Rather than simply introducing interactive classroom activities, the school is intentionally creating an environment in which having and expressing one’s own ideas becomes the norm. This educational vision is designed to develop progressively over a twelve-year learning journey.

Among the schools Principal Ohashi has helped reform, the International Class at Salesian International Primary School is the only elementary school program. The six years students spend there are viewed as a critical period for building the foundations of independent thinking and initiative.

The Learning Environment That Supports This Educational Vision, and Changing Admissions Expectations

The English-language program at the International Class of Salesian International Primary School is designed to be much more than a traditional English-focused curriculum.

While most classes are conducted in English and students are immersed in the language on a daily basis, the ultimate goal extends beyond language acquisition itself. The aim is to help students reach a point where they can naturally think and express their opinions in English.

English is used as a medium for learning, inquiry, and self-expression, enabling students to develop both language proficiency and critical thinking skills.

At the core of the school’s educational philosophy is a Catholic foundation, supported by a curriculum designed to cultivate four key competencies: language, thinking, numeracy and scientific literacy, and communication.

The program also incorporates STEAM education and inquiry-based learning, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration. As a result, the curriculum is designed not only to develop English proficiency, but also to nurture the broader abilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

A Shift Toward a “Third Option” in International Education

Changes are also evident in the admissions process. Applicants are evaluated holistically through parent-child interviews, written assessments, and group activities, with a particular emphasis on creativity.

The International Class seeks students who demonstrate both originality and strong thinking skills, reflecting the program’s distinctive educational philosophy. The school has also introduced new initiatives, including online interviews and revised eligibility requirements for returnee applicants. These changes reflect an evolving vision of the qualities and potential the school hopes to cultivate in its students.

What emerged from this information session was not simply the story of one school’s initiative, but evidence of a broader shift in the educational landscape.

Until recently, families seeking an elementary education were often faced with a choice between two paths: an international school or a traditional Japanese private school.

Today, however, a third option is beginning to emerge: private schools that offer an international school–like learning experience within the framework of the Japanese education system.

International Education in Japan Enters Its Next Phase

The developments at Salesian International Primary School represent more than the launch of a new program. They are part of a broader movement to rethink and redesign educational models in Japan.

In the years ahead, international education in Japan may be driven not only by international schools, but also by international and globally focused programs within private elementary schools. Viewed in this context, the school’s information session offered valuable insight into a significant turning point in the market.

It remains to be seen what results the school’s efforts will produce and how they will spread to other schools.

International School Times will continue to follow these developments and plans to report on the school’s second information session in June.

International Class: Second School Information Session

Date & Time: Saturday, June 6, 11:00 AM

Contact Information

Salesian International Primary School: International Class
Address: 4-2-14 Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8524, Japan
International Class Direct Line: +81-3-3906-0222
Email: primary@salesian.seibi.ac.jp
Official Website: https://www.el.seibi.ac.jp/international/