Updated: November 28, 2025
From the moment a child is born — and sometimes even before — parents begin to wonder about their future. What kind of education will best prepare them for a world that is likely to look vastly different than the day they entered kindergarten?
Many families share the same hopes and worries: How can we give our children the best start in life, and ensure they’ll have every opportunity to pursue their dreams when the time comes to graduate from high school and step into the wider world?
At NIS, we understand these questions and concerns deeply, because they’re at the heart of everything we do. Each year, as our graduates receive their university offers and prepare for their next adventure, we celebrate not only their accomplishments but also the thoughtful, intentional journey that brought them there — a journey built on curiosity, confidence, compassion, and the strong educational foundation they developed here at NIS.
Over the past five years, NIS graduates have received offers from colleges and universities across the globe, including top institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe, as well as an increasing number of universities here in Japan. This global spread of destinations reflects not only the academic strength of our students but also their diverse interests, passions, and goals.
A closer look at these choices reveals the many factors that shape each student’s decision. Some are drawn to the excitement and independence of studying in a different country. In contrast, others choose to stay closer to NIS in Japan — often inspired by the expanding range of English-language programs now offered by Japanese universities. These programs, part of a national effort to internationalize higher education, make it increasingly possible for students to pursue globally minded studies within Japan.
Other considerations — such as family circumstances, finances, or a university’s particular strengths in a chosen field — all play a role in shaping individual pathways. Whatever their motivations, our graduates leave NIS ready to take on whichever environment they choose, whether that be in North America, Europe, Asia, or right here in Japan.
These outcomes demonstrate how NIS prepares students to access a wide range of global opportunities while honoring their individual aspirations.
Regardless of where their next steps take them, NIS graduates share a common strength: they are well-prepared for life beyond high school. That readiness comes from more than strong academics — it comes from an approach to learning that encourages students not just to know, but to think.
Through the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, students learn to analyze complex ideas, ask meaningful questions, and apply their learning in real-world contexts. They also develop empathy, self-awareness, and a sense of global citizenship through service learning and collaboration. Every day, they engage in a truly international environment — learning alongside peers from around the world, exchanging perspectives, and building the intercultural understanding that today’s universities and employers value most.
In their final two years, NIS students can choose between two rigorous academic pathways: the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the NIS High School Diploma. Both routes include the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) program and emphasize deep, reflective learning. While IBDP students need to take externally-assessed IB exams, High School Diploma students follow a similarly challenging academic program.
This dual-track approach allows NIS to serve the needs of all learners while maintaining the same high standards of excellence. By the time they graduate, every NIS student — regardless of pathway — has developed the confidence, curiosity, and resilience to take on new challenges and succeed in the next stage of their journey.
While NIS students can and do attend Japanese universities, it’s important to understand that not all institutions in Japan offer degree programs in English. Because the NIS curriculum is delivered in English, our graduates are not eligible to take the national university entrance exams (nyūgakushiken) required for admission to most Japanese-language university programs. Therefore, they are not automatically eligible for all universities in Japan.
However, the landscape of higher education in Japan is changing. More and more universities are expanding their English-taught programs — not only for international students, but also for Japanese students seeking globally focused degrees taught in English. According to a recent Japan Times article (Nov. 3, 2025), this trend reflects a national effort to internationalize Japanese higher education and make it more accessible to a wider range of students.
For many NIS families, this means exciting new opportunities: the possibility of their child staying closer to Japan, reducing tuition and living costs, and still accessing a world-class education at some of Japan’s most respected universities.
At the same time, families with a child who is considering the traditional Japanese-language university pathway — one that involves taking the standard entrance exams — should speak with our Admissions and College Counseling teams early in their child’s NIS journey. These conversations can help ensure that your family’s long-term educational goals align with the NIS curriculum and graduation pathways.
NIS is one of only 20 schools in Japan accredited by WASC, CIS, or ACSI, recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT). Every graduate is equipped with a high school diploma equivalent to a U.S. diploma, with many also pursuing the IB Diploma, which is respected by universities around the world.
Ultimately, our goal is to nurture each child’s potential and support them in discovering their future—whether that future lies in Japan or abroad. See the infographic below to envision how your child may benefit from the quality education that NIS has to offer. Then contact our Admissions team to schedule a conversation or tour. This could be the start of realizing the potential you’ve held for your child from the beginning. We are waiting to hear from you!