Calendar
Menu

School Life

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions you might have for us regarding general school life at MBIS.

How many students attend MBIS?

MBIS has over 520 students from pre-kinder through to Grade 12, with a student teacher ratio of 9:1

MBIS follows the IB PYP, MYP and DP curriculum frameworks supported by the California State Standards and Benchmarks for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Graduates who meet MBIS graduation requirements are awarded the MBIS Diploma, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Additionally, students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme may earn an IB Diploma, a Bilingual IB Diploma, or an IB Course Completion Certificate, depending on their results, alongside the MBIS Diploma.

Yes, our graduates are accepted into universities both in Japan and internationally. Typically, 95% of our graduating class pursue tertiary education immediately after graduating from MBIS. For a list of universities our latest alumni have been accepted into, visit our Guidance & Counselling page.

Go to Guidance and Counselling
MBIS grade levels align with the US school system, with Grade 12 being the final year of schooling. They also correspond to Japanese grade levels. However, due to the different academic calendar (August–July), students transferring from Japanese schools after graduating in March will join MBIS at their graduating grade level.

The school gates open at 8:10 am, allowing students to enter the school unsupervised. The school day commences at 8:30 am. School ends at 3:25 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at which time students may leave to go home. There is a shortened school day on Wednesdays, when classes end at 2:40 pm, but buses will depart at the regular time of 3:35 pm. 

Grades Early Years to Grade 2: Must be supervised by a parent or guardian if they remain on campus after dismissal.
Grades 3-5: May remain unsupervised until 4:00 pm, as long as they adhere to school behavior expectations.
Library: All students may remain in the library until 4:30 pm. Early Years to Grade 2 students must be accompanied by an adult.

All students and parents should leave the campus field and playgrounds by no later than 4:00 pm unless participating in a school-organized after-school activity or official student organization activities. 

The purpose of the shortened school day is to provide teachers and students with additional time for meetings, mentoring, supervision, and collaborative meetings. Students in various grade levels may have meetings from 2:40 pm – 3:25 pm on Wednesdays, which will be communicated in advance.

Yes, after-school activities and clubs are offered for students from Grades 1–12, with options varying based on availability and demand.

For students in Grades 6–12, interscholastic sports include Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball/Softball. As a member of the Western Japan Athletics Association, MBIS regularly competes against international schools throughout the region. The teams also participate in larger tournaments within Japan and overseas as an Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) school.

Yes, students are required to wear a school uniform from Grade 1 to 12. Early Years students are required to wear the school PE uniform on PE-days and during field trips. Uniforms are adjusted seasonally.
Go to Uniforms
No, we do not have boarding facilities and students are expected to live with their parents or guardians.
Yes, we have two school bus services – one going to the east, the Ashiya Route and another to the west, the Shioya Route. The buses arrive at school before 8:30AM in the morning, while the afternoon bus service leaves school at 3:20PM. For further details on bus routes, stops, and availability, visit our bus timetable page.
Go to Bus Service
Parents are warmly encouraged to participate in school events and activities. Joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) provides opportunities to engage in the planning and organization of various PTA events held throughout the year.
Inquire
Tour
Apply