Frequently Asked Questions

No, we do not provide sponsorship for a visa to students and their families, and we are not able to enroll students on a tourist visa.

OCSI is not an English language school, but a school where all subjects are taught in English. Communication with teachers and classmates is conducted in English, so students need sufficient proficiency to keep up with the lessons. Additionally, all school notifications will be in English, so it is expected that parents can understand English as well.

Yes, you need to notify the local city office where you live that your child will be attending OCSI. The requirements of the City office vary with each family. Please coordinate with your local board of education and abide by what they require.

Please submit your application online through our admissions portal. Once your application and all required documents have been received, our Admissions Office will review your submission and contact you with the next steps.

No, they can provide an alternative official ID with the name and birthday of the child, such as a health insurance card, MyNumber card (Japan), etc.

There are specific application deadlines depending on the desired admission period:

• For a February interview (for admission in April of the same school year or August of the next school year), the application must be submitted by January 31.
• For a May interview (for admission in August of the next school year), the application must be submitted by April 30.

Due to limited class sizes, we recommend completing the application process as early as possible.

You will need to provide a sealed school record or transcript (for high school students), a health certificate, vaccination records, a passport, proof of residence, and other relevant documents. For a complete list of requirements, please refer to our website.

Age Readiness:

• Students entering Kindergarten must be five years old by September 1 of the admission year.
• Students entering 1st grade must be six years old by September 1 of the admission year.
• Students transferring from other schools will be placed in grades appropriate to their age and previously completed grades.

Please view the birthday cut-off chart on our website for further details found under the Admissions Policies.

Yes, students may begin in April through mid-year enrollment, subject to seat availability. Applications for the April intake are typically submitted by January 31 to allow sufficient time for review and placement.

If everything goes well, sometimes a week. The principal will let you know when the best time to start is.

It is difficult to know when or if space will become available. In general, we often have spaces open up in late June/July; however, we cannot guarantee a space will be available.

For families wanting to enroll before January: Submit your application as soon as possible. Your application will be received and processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission results will be based on interview and exam results, and in accordance with our admissions priorities.

For families wanting to enroll in April or August: There are 2 Admission Seasons for the next academic school year, starting in August:

• For Season 1, please submit your application no later than January 31. Your child will be considered for an interview and assessment in February, with a result by March 10. If you are not selected for an interview and assessment in Season 1, you may still be selected during Season 2.
• For Season 2, please submit your application no later than April 30; you will be considered for an interview and assessment in May, with a result by June 10. Applications received after May 1 will be received and processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission results will be based on interview and exam results, and in accordance with our admissions priorities. Please note that our acceptance is based on availability in August; however, students may begin in April if space is available.

• Apply by January 31. Interviews and assessments take place in February, and results are released by March 10. If your child is not selected for an interview or assessment during Season 1, they may still be considered in Season 2.
• Apply by April 30. Interviews and assessments are held in May, and results are announced by June 10.

Applications received after May 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis and processed first-come, first-served based on eligibility and availability.

While most students begin in August, mid-year enrollments may be possible if space is available, which enables students to join after the academic year has begun, depending on seat availability in the desired grade level.

Not every application is granted an interview. This decision may depend on several factors, including available space in the grade applied for, length of the waiting list, number of applicants, and an assessment of whether OCSI is a good fit for your child.

The decision is based on the individual’s attained school records from the previous school, their test score, and/or the outcome of the interview, etc.

The entrance examinations consist of two main tests: an English test and a MAP test, both of which are completed online. The English test aims to measure your child’s current proficiency in English (since the outcome depends on the individual’s proficiency, we cannot specify what the test will be like in advance). The MAP test is based on the US Common Core standards for both Reading and Math.

You might be able to retake the test; however, please understand that our screening process is pretty accurate. It might be best to study English hard for another year and to apply next year.

Yes, you will still be required to pay the Re-Enrollment Fee. The New Student Enrollment Fee is due at the time of initial enrollment and applies to the current school year (August – June). The Re-Enrollment Fee is due each spring to reserve your seat for the next school year (August – June).

We only charge the literacy fee if we accept them under the condition of being in a literacy support (ESL) class. If the need for literacy support comes up later, there will be no fees applicable. The literacy fee only starts next SY. It will apply to the new students who have been identified.

Yes, we offer a Summer Program (Summer Academy). Applications for the Summer Academy are accepted every year from April to May. For information regarding participation for external students, please check our website or follow our social media channels, such as Facebook, for updates.

We have approximately 580+ Students in total, 290+ students in the Elementary (kindergarten – 5th), and 280+ in the Secondary (6th – 12th).

About 20% – 17.5% to be exact – and it changes every year.

Just having ADD/ADHD is not in itself an automatic rejection from our school. Acceptance depends on what accommodations are needed. Being a private school that does not receive any government funding means that our resources are limited in what we are able to provide. We cannot provide IEPs or 504s. We do not have Special Education teachers who can work one-on-one with a student. Some accommodations that we can make include seating arrangements or possibly allowing extra time on a project.
Acceptance depends on how much the student has learned to manage their ADD/ADHD. If they require more support than we can offer, we would recommend a base school or a Da Vinci school, which has had success with students needing more individualized care.

No, OCSI does not offer a trial period to assess a student’s fit with the school.

Please email the school at [email protected], and we will send you a form to start the process for obtaining the school records. It is also available on our website under the Records Request section. For High School Official Transcripts (please register through Parchment on the OCSI Website under Alumni, then click Records Request.

To schedule a tour, click on the “Schedule a Tour” tab on the website. Select one of the available tour dates. Wait for an email for confirmation and sign-in procedures.

Financial Aid is strictly for currently enrolled families facing emergency hardship; new students are ineligible. Aid is limited and requires the submission of all financial documentation for consideration. Enrolled families with needs should contact [email protected].