Kikokushijo Academy Releases Bluebook Select Guide on English and Returnee Entrance Exams

Kikokushijo Academy Releases Bluebook Select Guide on English and Returnee Entrance Exams

Comprehensive data and insights now available free to families preparing for junior high admissions

As global education continues to gain momentum in Japan, a variety of entrance examination methods, such as English entrance exam and exams for returnees, are becoming more common in junior high school entrance exams. In response to this growing trend, Kikokushijo Academy has published Bluebook Select: Junior High School Admissions for Returnee and Bilingual Students: A Guide to English and Returnee Entrance Exams, the first-ever guide in Japan to systematically organize this information for families.

The guide includes the most up-to-date information for the 2026 academic year and presents key data in a clear, accessible format to help families make informed decisions. The booklet is available for free download on a dedicated website.

Highlights of Bluebook Select

1. Comprehensive 2026 Admissions Data
The guide covers 98 schools nationwide, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area, selected based on whether they offer returnee quotas or have introduced English as a subject in their admissions. It offers a detailed list of entrance formats, exam subjects, application criteria, interview languages, and more, including Eiken/CEFR standards and grade guarantees.

2. Insights into Learning After Admission
To address the concerns of many families, the guide also visualizes each school’s approach to post-admission learning. It includes details on English curriculum options, Japanese language support, overseas study programs, and university matriculation results, allowing readers to understand the learning environment beyond entrance exams.

3. Expert Commentary
Osamu Inoue, Assistant Principal of Meikei Gakuen and a respected educational analyst, provides expert insights into current trends in English-based admissions and what families should consider when selecting a school.

All data is based on surveys conducted with schools in July and public information as of September 5, 2025.

A New Era for English-Proficient Students

According to the Shutoken Moshi Center, nearly half of the approximately 300 private junior high schools in the Tokyo area now offer English-based entrance formats,including replacing science or social studies with English, as well as English qualification and interview-style exams.

In response, Kikokushijo Academy has expanded its longstanding information services, once available only to enrolled students, into this public guide. The goal is to support not only returnee families but also those strong in English feel confident and informed as they choose a school.

Message from the Founder

“With the rise of English-based entrance exams, new opportunities are opening up not only for returnee students, but also for students in Japan who have worked hard to build their English skills.

For many years, Kikokushijo Academy has supported students with entrance exam guidance tailored to their goals. With Bluebook Select, we are sharing that knowledge more widely, giving all families the clarity and confidence to make the best decisions for their children and empowering more students to grow into globally minded learners ready for their next challenge.”

— Charles Knudsen, Founder, Kikokushijo Academy / CEO, Global KA Holdings

About Kikokushijo Academy

For over 21 years, Kikokushijo Academy has offered specialized English instruction for returnee and bilingual students. In the 2025 academic year, KA students accounted for more than 75 percent of the successful applicants in returnee and English-based entrance exams at top schools including Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Shibuya, Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Makuhari, Hiroo Gakuen, and Keio Shonan Fujisawa.

Through small, interactive classes that emphasize critical and expressive thinking, the academy helps each student develop the ability to learn, think, and communicate confidently in English.

New Program Launch: Rising Stars for Beginner Students

In response to the expanding number of schools offering English entrance exams, Kikokushijo Academy is launching a new program: Rising Stars, designed to meet the needs of students at different English proficiency levels. Building on KA’s proven returnee courses, this program offers two tailored learning paths:

• Rising Stars Advanced: For students with continuous English study who want to deepen their practical skills.
  Early launch: December 2025 | Full program begins March 2026 | Applications open: November 20

  
  

• Rising Stars Foundations: For students beginning formal English study, with a focus on foundational skills.
  Launches March 2026

Publication Information

Title: Bluebook Select: Junior High School Admissions for Returnee and Bilingual Students: A Guide to English and Returnee Entrance Exams
Pages: 77
Publisher: Kikokushijo Academy
Price: Free (available via download)
URL: https://www.kikokushijoacademy.com/bluebook_select


Contact Information

Public Relations, Global KA Holdings Co., Ltd.
Email: media@globalka.com