レポート

REPORT

2025/01/01

  • 郁文館グローバル高等学校

2026 Introduction of Ikubunkan Global High School

▶For College Admissions Officers◀

▶IGHS School Profile 2026-2027 【Update 15 June】◀

Our Vision

Choosing your pathway from the world map.

Our Purpose

Ikubunkan helps the students to have, pursue, and accomplish their dreams.

Headmaster

Principal

Yoshio Kamakura has served as Headmaster of Ikubunkan Global High School (IGHS) since 2022, following his tenure as vice principal at a private junior and senior high school in Tokyo. Guided by the motto “Choosing your pathway from the world map,” he has led extensive reforms through the school’s signature Dream Education program, designed to help students gain admission to prestigious universities around the world.
Under his leadership, by the spring of 2025, approximately 40% of graduates advanced to overseas universities, with 28 students earning offers from institutions ranked in the Times Higher Education World Top 100—a category in which only the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University represent Japan. The education website Inter-edu.com recognized IGHS as the No. 1 school in Japan for the percentage of students entering overseas universities directly after graduation.
Principal Kamakura continues to expand global learning opportunities, including the establishment of the Honors Class in 2024, which prepares students for admission to the world’s leading universities, and the launch of the Honors Foundation Class for junior high school students, scheduled to begin in the coming years.

 

Yoshio Kamakura

MS in Education, Walden University
CSML, Harvard Graduate School of Education

2026 Academic Year: Major Curriculum Overhaul
Two Classes to Choose From

– Honors class –

A Dual Diploma Program Designed for Students Aspiring to the World’s Top Universities.
Students follow both the Japanese curriculum and the curriculum of Wayland Academy, a prestigious U.S. high school, through an interdisciplinary liberal arts education that integrates the humanities and sciences. Upon graduation, students aim to earn both Japanese and U.S. high school diplomas.
Homeroom and core academic subjects are conducted primarily in English (with a few exceptions), enabling students to develop advanced English proficiency alongside internationally recognized academic skills and global competencies.
From an early stage, students receive specialized university counseling geared toward admission to the world’s leading universities. Through opportunities such as the Capstone Project, they build a strong academic portfolio and prepare for admission to universities ranked among the Top 100 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

▶Aspirational Destinations
World-leading universities (overseas)
Designated high school-university integrated programs (domestic and overseas)

Policy Target
Curriculum Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts, Specialized English-Medium Courses, U.S. High School Diploma, AP®*¹ Courses (Optional) IELTS Score 7.0–8.0
Language of Instruction All English (except Japanese, Physical Education, and Home Economics) SAT®*² 1300–1500 (out of 1600)
Homeroom Teacher International Teacher AP® 3–5 Subjects (Target Score: 4 or Higher)
Entry English Level International School Students / Returnees, Eiken Pre-1 Level or Above Special Features Capstone Project, Early University Counseling, THE World Top 100 University Preparation

*¹ AP® (Advanced Placement®): College-level courses and examinations developed in the United States that allow high school students to study university-level subjects.
*² SAT®: A standardized college admission test widely used by universities in the United States.

– Liberal Arts class

The Liberal Arts Class is designed to help students develop CEFR B2-level English proficiency (equivalent to Eiken Pre-1) together with the broad knowledge, critical thinking skills, and global perspective needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Through an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum that integrates the humanities and sciences, students learn to view issues from multiple perspectives, identify challenges independently, and develop solutions to real-world problems.
Students also have opportunities to enhance their practical English skills and global outlook through a one-year study abroad program at a local high school (optional) and overseas study programs in destinations such as Silicon Valley in the United States, Rwanda, and Bangladesh.
By combining the expertise they develop through inquiry-based learning and individual research projects with strong academic foundations, students pursue their future goals through our “Global Dual Application Pathway,” applying to both overseas and Japanese universities.

▶Aspirational Destinations
Overseas Universities
Top-tier Domestic Private Universities
Designated High School-University Collaborative Programs (Domestic)

Policy Target
Curriculum Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts, Specialized English-Medium Courses, Global South Studies (New) IELTS Score 5.5–6.5
Language of Instruction Japanese-English Bilingual Extracurriculars Awards and Recognition in Domestic and International Research Competitions
Homeroom Teacher Japanese Teacher & International Teacher
Entry English Level Students with Eiken Pre-2 to Grade 2 Level English Proficiency
*Due to curriculum requirements, students are not permitted to transfer between classes after enrollment.

 

Honors class –
■Earn a U.S. high school diploma from the prestigious Wayland Academy. *Optional for students starting in the 2027 academic year
Wayland Academy is one of the top boarding schools in the United States and is renowned for its Liberal Arts education and College Prep (university preparation) programs. Of the 21 credits required for graduation, 15 credits are substituted with coursework at Ikubunkan Global High School, and the remaining 6 credits are completed via online courses. This enables students to obtain both the Japanese high school diploma and the Wayland Academy diploma simultaneously.Additionally, admission to at least one of Wayland Academy’s partner universities is guaranteed, along with exclusive scholarships. Partner universities include globally ranked institutions such as the University of Sydney, the University of Manchester, and the Australian National University.
Message from the Head of School
 

Welcome to Wayland Academy! Through our partnership with Ikubunkan Global High School, we offer the Dual Diploma Program to prepare students for future careers and experiences. We also work closely with students as they seek acceptance at the best universities in the US, and around the world. This inspiring program and partnership will undoubtedly leverage the talents and the character of our amazing students, the excellence and expertise of our two great academic institutions, and the complete commitment to each individual student as we make an important, positive impact on the world.

Jason Warnick / Head of School Wayland Academy

Unique Immersion Education*

Ikubunkan Global High School offers a range of specialized English-medium classes.
In the Liberal Arts Class, students take subjects such as Debate and Discussion and Integrated Science. In the Honors Class, students study core academic subjects—including Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—as well as arts-related subjects such as Music and Visual Arts in English.
Through a bilingual, discussion-based liberal arts learning environment, students develop not only practical English proficiency but also the global perspective, academic skills, and internationally minded outlook needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

*Immersion education is an approach where a foreign language is used as the medium of instruction for other subjects.

Immersion Courses

 L  Liberal Arts (LA):Debate and Discussion, Integrated Science, Essay Writing, etc.

 H Honors:All major subjects, except Japanese, Home economics, and P.E. are taught in English.

One Year of Intensive Overseas Study *Optional for students starting in the 2026 academic year)

At Ikubunkan Global High School, our overseas study program offers an immersive one-year experience at a different local school. In an environment where students have no familiar faces and cannot rely on Japanese, they learn to confront solitude and overcome numerous challenges. Through these demanding experiences, students achieve remarkable personal growth.

Three Features of the Study Abroad Program

・Study in the same classes as local students
・Full-time study abroad
・Graduate in three years thanks to our credit transfer system
Approximately 80% of students achieve an English proficiency level equivalent to Eiken Grade Pre-1 or higher 
※Spring 2025 graduating class

Canada 🇨🇦(LA)

In Canada, known as an immigrant nation, you can experience a wide variety of cultures and engage in numerous cross-cultural experiences. Canadian schools emphasize career education, offering a diverse range of practical courses such as business, programming, digital art, and more.

New Zealand 🇳🇿 (LA)

In New Zealand, surrounded by stunning natural beauty, you can enjoy a peaceful lifestyle in a lush environment. Moreover, the country boasts high educational standards, offering advanced educational programs on an international level.

English Proficiency (IELTS) of 138 Graduates (Class of 2025-26)
Score Students

(Total)

Approx.

Eiken Level

Reference Level
≥8 1 High Eiken 1 World’s Top University Application Level

For universities such as Harvard and MIT (among the U.S. Ivy League), the recommended IELTS score is 7.5, and the required score is 7.0.

≥7.5 7 Medium Eiken 1
≥7.0 9 Low Eiken 1
≥6.5 32 High Eiken Pre-1 Overseas University Application Level

(Equivalent to the level required for admission to highly competitive private universities in Japan)

For Canada’s “Big Three” (e.g., University of Toronto, University of British Columbia) and Australia’s “Group of Eight” (e.g., University of Sydney, University of Queensland), the application requirement is 6.5.

≥6.0 65 Medium Eiken Pre-1
≥5.5 103 Low Eiken Pre-1

*75% of the graduates have reached CEFR B2 (Eiken Pre-1) level or higher.

Connect with the World, Contribute to Social Change

At Ikubunkan Global High School, students lead inquiry-based projects and independent research aimed at contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. They set their own themes and goals, engaging with real-world issues through group work, fieldwork, and more. They also conduct on-site research, experiments, and other activities. Ultimately, each student chooses a specific topic to investigate in depth and compiles their findings into a research report or academic paper.

Through these SDG-focused explorations and individual research, students acquire a broad range of practical skills vital for success on the global stage. These include a proactive approach to problem-solving and social engagement, foundational research and investigation methods, and the ability to write reports and papers in English.

External Academists (2023–2024 Achievements)
Ecology Urban Development
Kyoto University Graduate School / Ecosystems (Biology) Hokkaido University Doctoral Program / Psychology 
Human Science Business
The University of Tokyo Doctoral Program / Cognitive Science  Red Arrow Therapeutics (Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo) / Nanomedicine (Medicine) 
STEAM Public Policy
Tokyo University of Science Doctoral Program / Electrochemical Next-Generation Batteries Josai International University School of Pharmacy & Former Harvard Medical School Researcher / Reproductive Medicine
Media Art  
Kyoto University Doctoral Program / Language Arts  

We have launched collaborations with external academists for SDGs-focused research activities and individual research projects. Top-level young researchers from institutions such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Hokkaido University provide direct guidance to students of Ikubunkan Global High School.

Ikubunkan’s SDGs Inquiry Cycle KEY POINTS

External academists (young researchers) are assigned to each seminar.

Five research lectures are offered:

  1. The fundamental significance of research and its social mission.
  2. Research implementation methods (the research cycle).
  3. How to formulate a research question.
  4. Methods for conducting literature reviews (references).
  5. Key points for data collection and analysis.

Ai GROW* is introduced to quantify students’ competencies (behavioral traits) through inquiry activities.

*Ai GROW is an evaluation tool that utilizes AI to objectively visualize students’ thinking skills, expressive ability, judgment, and proactivity.

First Grade Personal Research Poster Example (5 Pages)  

Third Grade Personal Research Report Example (15 Pages)

2025 Global High School Achievements
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Rising All-Star Award
2024 Global High School Achievements
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
 Rookie All Star Award

Participated in the FIRST Championship in Houston
2023 Global High School Achievements
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Grand Priz
Participated as a member of a team in Canada
2022 Global High School Achievements
International Students Symposium
Bronze Medal
“Predicting and Countering Power Failures Caused by Solar Flares”
Tokyo High School Cultural Exchange Contest, Natural Sciences Department
Special Prize in Biology
“Hemp for use in Biomass Fuel”
Techno Idea Contest
“Well Fought” Prize
“Maintaining the Crispiness of Cornflakes”
JAXA International Water Bottle Rocket Contest
4th Place in the World

Historical Accolades

Paths Chosen from the World Map

Graduates of Ikubunkan Global High School pursue higher education at a wide range of universities both in Japan and abroad. Every year, many students are admitted to top-ranked overseas institutions and prestigious domestic private universities. Among the 138 students graduating in Spring 2025-26, 86 were accepted by universities ranked in the Top 100 of THE World University Rankings. Some even go on to study medicine at international universities, expanding their fields of achievement across the globe.

▶View Detailed University Admission Results

 

THE World University Rankings 2026 – Top 100 Admission Results

TOP100🏆86

*Class of 2025-26: 138 students

 

Reference: THE World University Rankings 2026 – Japanese Universities:
University of Tokyo (26) Kyoto University (61) Tohoku University (103) Osaka University (151) Nagoya University (201–250) Kyushu University (301–350) Hokkaido University & Tsukuba University (351–400) Keio University (601–800) Waseda University (801–1000)

Our Accreditation

CEEB Code: 000035
UCAS Code: 43555

College Board

College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Each year, College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through tests and services in college readiness and college success, including the SAT® exams. The SAT® is designed to assess a student’s readiness for college. It measures skills that are considered essential for success in college, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Many colleges and universities in the United States require or recommend SAT® scores as part of the admissions process and the SAT® plays a significant role in the college admissions process for many students around the world.
Ikubunkan Global High School is registered with College Board. Our CEEB code is 000035.

SAT®, AP®, and College Board® are registered trademarks of College Board which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Ikubunkan Global High School.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is an organization that processes applications for undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the UK. UCAS is an intermediary between the students and the universities they are interested in. All the students have to do is create a single UCAS application form and apply with it for multiple courses and institutions, which generally have two main deadlines throughout the year. A unique, centralized process which includes everything from collecting documents, paying fees, and communicating with the university to finding out all the information and advice applicants need greatly simplifies things for students. In addition, UCAS is used for both UK nationals and international students.
Ikubunkan Global High School is registered on UCAS. You can set Ikubunkan Global High School (code: 43555) as your high school when you are applying to universities in UCAS.

Official Accreditations & Partners(A–Z)

 

FAQ

Ⓠ Demographics of Students
While these numbers fluctuate each year, this year we have seen approximately one in four of our first grade class come from households of mixed or non ethnically Japanese families. We celebrate and value the diverse backgrounds of our student body, and every member of each class is regarded as family.
Ⓠ Number of Honors Students in Each Class Year
The Honors program is set to begin year 2025-2026, and we anticipate having around 30 students in the inaugural class.
Ⓠ Entry Test Information
Past papers can be found on our website. Please visit the following link for access to the past papers: https://www.ikubunkan.ed.jp/ghs_examinee

Location

2-19-1, Mukogaoka, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 1130023 Ikubunkan Yume Gakuen

Careers

At Ikubunkan Global High School, we believe education is more than teaching—it is a mission to empower students to discover, pursue, and achieve their dreams on a global stage.
Guided by our vision, “Choosing your pathway from the world map,” we are committed to cultivating globally minded individuals who will contribute to society through innovation, leadership, and compassion.
We are seeking passionate and forward-thinking educators and professionals who are eager to challenge conventional education and create meaningful impact.

International Mathematics Teacher (Starting April 2027)

Contact Us

Email: info@ikubunkan.ed.jp
Tell: 03-3828-2206 (From foreign countries)+81-3-3828-2206