• Define for prospective families, as well as all MBIS community members, the MBIS Admissions Policy and Procedures
• Outline the admissions process and procedures, including purpose, document procuration, evaluation, and information retention
• Ensure a clear link between the school’s Admissions Policy and its Guiding Statements
• Support a mutual-choice, mission-driven admissions process, designed to recruit and retain students eligible for admission
• Define an on-going review and evaluation of the admissions policy in the context of the school’s evolution and application of its Guiding Statements

This policy applies to all members of the MBIS community – all students, staff and parents, faculty and staff, alumni, and Board as well as all prospective and future members of the MBIS community.

MBIS Mission – We educate students in a nurturing environment based on Catholic values and the traditions of the Marist Brothers. We provide a rigorous program of study that prepares our students for higher education, internationally and in Japan. Our students will gain knowledge, communicate effectively, develop good character and become responsible citizens of a global society.

MBIS Vision – Marist Brothers International School will make students our utmost priority and encourage them to achieve their full potential by fostering spiritual growth, appreciating cultural diversity, and developing a life-long love of learning. We will provide the opportunity for all stakeholders to develop a sense of community, spirit and pride in our school.

The admissions process requires coordination across a number of departments in the school. The Academic Leadership Team will make recommendations to the Head of School regarding all admissions. The final decision on all applications rests with the Head of School. The Business Manager, the Admissions Team (Admissions, Communications and Marketing Executive and Administrative Assistants) and pedagogical and learning specialists support the admissions process.

MBIS is a private, college-preparatory school, catering to students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Since opening our doors in 1951, our graduates have consistently achieved placements in universities and colleges around the world. MBIS has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1972 and became an IB World School in 2017. We are committed to excellence in education but believe that excellence means more than a rigorous and stimulating curriculum. Our holistic approach includes a focused dedication to character – developing skills and attributes that prepare our students for their future. Character and community are at our heart – the foundation of the Marist ‘difference’.

Our primary language of instruction is English, but we also offer Japanese courses from Montessori to Grade 12, ranging from beginner to native level. Our curriculum is adapted from the California State Standards except in Social studies where Aero Standards are used and in Science where Next Generation Science Standards are used. Our Grade 11 and 12 students finish their high school studies by undertaking the world-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

MBIS seeks to actively recruit and retain students for whom an international education will address and provide growth for their unique learning profile. The school places a heavy emphasis on the importance of character development and the role of student well-being in embracing change and developing new tools and resources needed to live productively and sustainably. This is especially pertinent in community relations as well as in coordination with our local host city and country in Kobe, Japan.

The school’s Admissions Policy is driven by its Guiding Statements, which align with its program design for learning within a diverse and highly connected global world. It is the mission of the admissions department to support recruitment, enrollment, and retention in a professional manner, and to ensure that prospective and returning families understand the MBIS Mission, Vision and Guiding Statements for our global learning community.

• We strive to give each family a thorough initial understanding of the educational programs and to respond to individual enquiries for additional information. Visits to the school campus are scheduled on an individual appointment basis and are highly encouraged. These visits are available during school hours and in-session days and should be arranged as early as possible through our admissions department. We also offer virtual meetings with a member of the Admissions Team and this can be arranged upon request.
• All prospective families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the school through the school website, http://marist.ac.jp/ and the official IBO website, ibo.org, and social media.
• Prospective families are generally encouraged to apply as soon as possible to mitigate the possibility of classes filling up. All application details, as well as this admissions policy, can be accessed from the school website at http://marist.ac.jp/.
• Applicants for the MBIS Montessori program will be invited to a trial morning in the classroom.
• MBIS actively encourages applicants from a variety of educational, linguistic, cultural, and learning backgrounds. While inclusive and celebratory of differentiation throughout its programs, the school has chosen to offer a dynamic and rigorous academic college preparatory curriculum. Such programs demand a high level of enthusiasm, motivation, and perseverance from students. Depending on certain factors, but especially in later grades where a student may be changing from a different education model or language of instruction, the school reserves the right to refuse admission should it be determined that a student’s needs will not be adequately supported throughout their time at MBIS.
• MBIS is determined to offer a program of study which specifically emphasizes language learning, experiential and service learning, character development, problem solving, and creativity.
• The school is designed to serve the needs of an international community and offers an alternative education model to local families in the Kansai area.
• Admission to MBIS is through an application process and the submission of application documentation implies acceptance of the general terms and conditions of the school mission, vision, and admissions policy. When otherwise demand may outweigh space availability, resulting in some successful candidates being placed in a waiting pool, the school may take into consideration various factors, such as a family’s length of stay in Kobe, or the student’s background/experience in an international school setting, their linguistic profile or their learning support needs in attributing the spaces that may become available in the future.
• All other aspects of the admissions process being equal, siblings of students already enrolled at MBIS are given a priority in space attribution. To ensure that MBIS can meet a student’s learning needs, additional information may be requested, and an interview or language test may be a part of the admissions review process. When an in-person interview is not possible, a virtual interview may be arranged.
• For students seeking entry to Grades 9 – 12, an interview is arranged to ensure clear communication regarding school and family expectations, and to discuss the IB preparation for higher education.
• The individual learning needs of all students are taken into consideration when considering class placement. In addition, grade placement is based on the student age as of the school cut-off date of 1 September (please see Grade Placement Table in Appendix A).
• In the exceptional case that a student’s age, development, or previous school experience or performance supports compatibility with a grade outside of that determined by the school cut-off date, this decision is evaluated by the Academic Leadership Team and promptly communicated to the family.
• Students whose age exceeds 19 years old would not normally be enrolled in the school.
• Students applying for grades 9-12 are required to submit academic transcripts that clearly indicate completed courses and academic credits.
• Diploma pathways offered at Marist Brothers International School:
  • MBIS Diploma + IB Subject Certificate(s): the student takes 1-6 IB subjects of their own choice at either HL or SL.
  • MBIS Diploma + IB Diploma: the student takes 6 subjects, 3 at HL & 3 at SL, and fulfills the requirements of the core (TOK, EE, CAS)
  • MBIS Diploma + IB Bilingual Diploma: the student takes 6 subjects, 3 at HL & 3 at SL, and fulfills the requirements of the core (TOK, EE, CAS); the student takes 2 subjects from Group 1 (English A & Japanese A)
• The students are thoroughly informed of the options when they are in Grade 10 (or during the admissions process) and are advised on their course selections. The students are asked to carefully review the requirements for their target universities and make their selections accordingly. The student’s academic performance in the previous years and achievements on the standardized tests (WIDA, PSAT) will also be taken into consideration in the process.
• MBIS will make every effort to ensure that the students have all the opportunities to succeed in their selected paths. Depending on their performance in grade 11, students have the option to change their pathway at the end of the academic year; the school might also advise the student to change their pathway if another option is a better fit.
• Students applying to grade 11 will be provided with information about the pathways and course selections during the interview; they will be guided to make the best-fit choice.
• The MBIS IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course of study, beginning in Grade 11. As a result, we do not accept applications for entry into Grade 12. IB DP transfer students may be considered if their course selections match those available at MBIS.
• Applications to Grade 11 after the fourth week of the academic year will be reviewed by the Head of Upper School and the IB Coordinator. Acceptance at that time of the year is possible only if the student’s course selections match the courses available at MBIS; IB DP official online courses and/or Literature SSST courses may also be offered as options.
• Students who are candidates for the Early Years section (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten) will not be granted exceptions based on age or prior school experience. All Early Years candidates must be fully and reliably toilet trained before school begins, and able to feed and dress themselves reasonably independently.
• Proficiency in English is not a criterion for entry, except for candidates applying for Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12, in which cases a minimum level of English is required. The number of students with no prior exposure to English may be limited at any one grade level. To be successful, students should demonstrate a level of English proficiency to operate with limited support from the classroom teacher(s) at their grade level. To assess and support the language proficiency of students and determine individual strengths, MBIS uses the WIDA MODEL (World – Class Instructional Design and Assessment Measure of Developing English Language.) The assessment may be given to students during the admission process for students applying for Grade 3 through Grade 11.
• MBIS welcomes all applicants, however, parents/guardians should note that MBIS personnel and facilities cannot accommodate the entire range of student needs. Admissions and placement will therefore be determined on an individual basis. The Admissions Team will make recommendations to the Academic Leadership Team regarding any academic support required. The Head of School, in consultation with the Academic Leadership and Admissions Teams, makes all decisions regarding acceptance and additional support required. MBIS facilities do not include ramps or elevators, therefore limiting access to students with special access requirements. Any identified learning needs or related, relevant issues must be fully disclosed during the application process. Failure to do so may result in a denial or revocation of enrollment.

Re-enrolment at MBIS is an annual process, and families must inform the school during the re registration period (taking place in April each year) of their intention to re-enroll their child(ren) for the upcoming academic year. Re-enrolment requires submission of an Enrollment Contract.

Re-enrolment is contingent upon:

• the school being able to continue to adequately address a student’s needs
• student behavior in accordance with the school values and guidelines
• all financial accounts current and in good standing

Should a family not inform the school of their intention to re-enroll a student by the deadline for the re-registration period, the school reserves the right to offer the space to a prospective family seeking enrolment.

MBIS believes in a virtuous cycle of transparency, support and constructive collaboration amongst its faculty and staff, students, and parents. The admissions process is an opportunity to share accurate and meaningful information with our transition specialists to support student academic, social, and emotional well-being. On the rare occasion where key information is knowingly withheld or obscured, the school reserves the right to refuse admission or withdraw a place already offered. If student or parent behavior directly violates the values of the community as stated in our Handbooks, the school reserves the right to request the withdrawal of the individual(s) or family(ies) concerned. MBIS will review on an annual basis its Admissions Policy to ensure alignment and coherency with the school’s Guiding Statements, and reserves the right to modify the policy, as appropriate. Subject to internal governing bylaws, all modifications will be subject to review and approval by the MBIS Board of Directors and Trustees. The latest version of the Admissions Policy should be made available on the school website or through internal electronic archives.

MBIS adheres to Japanese best practice legislation and General Data Protection Regulation as it regards the protection of personal information. Through written request, a family or student may request removal of personal details from the school database or revoke photo permissions previously accorded during the registration process. All members, prospective or current, are encouraged to read our Privacy Policy on our website, and to contact the school with any questions or concerns about how MBIS processes and protects personal data.

Maximum class sizes at a glance:

*class sizes may be adjusted to accommodate faculty children and siblings of current / prospective students. Sibling shall mean natural child or child of a current marriage. Applications for a broader interpretation of the definition of sibling shall be referred to the Head of School.

Enrolment is subject to the availability of places within the School. If the School reserves a place for a student and offers enrolment, then, subject to payment of the Application Fee, Registration Fee and Development Fund, this Contract of Enrolment is binding as a contract on the School and the applicant/s.

Tuition fees are payable no later than three weeks prior to the commencement of class. Monthly payments are approved for special cases only. The School may cancel the enrolment of any student enrolled if tuition fees, course fees and other fees have not been paid by the dates specified.

If a student does not comply with the School rules, as amended from time to time, the School reserves the right to suspend or expel the student. No refund of fees will be made.

To the fullest extent permitted by law or in equity, the School shall under no circumstances be liable to the student or the applicant/s or any other person, for direct or indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind, arising out of, or attributable to any breach by the School of its obligations under the Contract of Enrolment, negligence on the part of the School, or any act or thing done or not done by the School. For the purpose of this Contract of Enrolment, consequential loss shall include (without limitation), loss of income or profit and loss or damage to persons or property.

The School undertakes to provide tuition as set down from time to time in the prospectus (website). The School may decline to offer a subject if there are insufficient students wishing to study it, or there is no staff member available to teach the course. In such cases, every effort will be made to find a replacement teacher or to offer other courses. At times, it may also be necessary to close the roll in a subject if it is deemed to be full by the Head of School.

The information collected by the School during the Admissions and Enrollment processes and during the period in which the student is enrolled at the School is intended for use in connection with the education and wellbeing of the student and may be used by any of the staff or faculty of the School or consultant to the School in connection with that purpose. Information may be retained to enable the School to contact former students. Students have the right of access to and correction of personal information collected by the School.