Press Release
Rising Stars Program: A New Path for English Beginners to Take on Junior High School Entrance Exams
Kikokushijo Academy, Japan’s leading provider of education for returnee students, launches a new program to help beginners build strong English skills
Sep 30, 2025
As more junior high schools in Japan adopt English-based entrance exams, families are seeking effective programs that go beyond conversation skills and help students think and express themselves in English. According to a recent survey by Shuto-Ken Moshi Center, nearly half of all private junior high schools,142 out of approximately 300, now offer entrance exams that include English.
In response to this growing trend, Kikokushijo Academy (KA), part of the Global KA Holdings education group, will launch Rising Stars, a new program designed to help English beginners build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in junior high school entrance exams. Starting in December 2025, the program draws on nearly two decades of KA’s expertise and proven results in supporting students through English-based admissions at top-tier schools.
Background: The Expansion of English Entrance Exams
Kikokushijo Academy has long supported returnee and bilingual students aiming for competitive junior high schools. In 2025, KA students made up more than 75% of successful applicants in the English/returnee exam tracks at leading schools including Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Shibuya, Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Makuhari, Hiroo Gakuen, and Keio Shonan Fujisawa.
In recent years, however, demand has grown among families without overseas experience who are still eager to access high-quality English instruction. To meet this need, KA partnered with Global Step Academy, which officially joined the group in May 2025, to co-develop this new program that makes returnee-level education accessible to motivated domestic learners.
Program Overview: Two Courses Based on Proficiency
Rising Stars is designed for elementary school students (Grades 1–6), with the first year focusing on Grades 3–5. Placement is determined by an English proficiency assessment conducted before enrollment.
Course | Target Students | Learning Focus | Goal by End of Grade 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Course | Elementary students with some English foundation | Develop higher-level skills required for exams. Writing instruction gradually progresses to more complex tasks. | Eiken Pre-2 to Grade 3 |
Foundations Course | Elementary students new to English | Build core sentence and paragraph skills, aiming to transition into Advanced | Eiken Grades 3–4 |
Learning Environment
Course | Class Format | Locations | Launch Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Course | 2-hour onsite class / 50-minute online group class | Mita Campus, Shibuya Campus (opening in December 2025) | Pilot launch in December 2025 → Full launch in March 2026 |
Foundations Course | 2-hour onsite class / 25-minute online one-on-one class | Fukasawa Campus (with additional sites to follow) | Full launch in March 2026 |
Additional program details will be available on the KA website in late October.
Key features: A Structured Pathway from Beginner to Exam-Ready
Step-by-step progression from beginner to exam level
The Rising Stars program is designed so that students can move from Foundations to Advanced, steadily building the skills needed for junior high school entrance exams. This framework builds on KA’s long experience not only in maintaining but also advancing the English abilities of returnee students.
Experienced instructors building thinking and expression skills
Classes are led by experienced instructors who specialize in helping students think, discuss, and express ideas in English. Lessons develop the higher-order thinking and written communication skills that entrance exams demand.
At-Home Learning Support
The program includes access to online learning tools and homework support, helping students continue their English development outside the classroom and establishing consistent learning routines at home.
Executive Comment Charles Knudsen, CEO, Global KA Holdings
"With the launch of Rising Stars, we are bringing the expertise that has helped returnee students succeed for decades to a new generation of learners in Japan. By combining the strengths of Kikokushijo Academy and Global Step Academy, we can help motivated beginners build strong foundations, grow in confidence, and gain the advantage they need to pursue the best opportunities at home and abroad."
About Global KA Holdings
Global KA Holdings is an education group committed to developing independent, globally minded learners prepared for success in the modern world.
Our brands include:
Kikokushijo Academy (KA) – Academic and entrance exam support for returnee and bilingual students
Global Step Academy (GSA) – Online, inquiry-based English learning
KA International School (KAIS) – A small-scale international school in central Tokyo
Global Step Academy International School (GSAIS) – International preschool program
Soltio GSA International School (SGSA) – Sports-integrated international preschool
The International School Times – Online media focused on global education
International Education Fair – Japan’s leading event for global school admissions
Media Contact
Global KA Holdings, PR Department
Email: media@globalka.com