NLCS Kobe: Bringing an exceptional education to Kansai
A transformative educational experience is set to arrive in the Kansai region with the opening of North London Collegiate School (NLCS) Kobe in August 2025. Located on Rokko Island, Kobe, the school is poised to offer an exceptional and ambitious international education within a welcoming and supportive community.
For prospective parents seeking a school that not only champions academic rigor but also nurtures future leaders, NLCS Kobe presents a compelling vision. The school's core promise is to provide pathways to the world's best universities while uniquely integrating comprehensive Japanese language and culture lessons.
Admissions are currently open for students entering Grades 1 to 6.
Prospective parents are encouraged to learn more about this exceptional educational offering. The admissions process involves an initial enquiry, followed by age-appropriate assessments designed to be as relaxed as possible for the child, and then the offer stage, leading to enrolment and a smooth transition into the NLCS Kobe community.
To begin your child's journey with NLCS Kobe, please visit the school website for comprehensive information (www.nlcskobe.jp). For specific enquiries or to start the admissions process, please contact the Admissions team directly via email at admissions@nlcskobe.jp or by phone at +81 (0) 70 6401 5025. The school warmly invites you to explore how NLCS Kobe can help your child discover their passion and make a meaningful impact globally.
Further Information about NLCS Kobe
NLCS Kobe builds upon a rich and distinguished history, originating from the North London Collegiate School founded in London in 1850 by the pioneering educator Frances Mary Buss. For over 175 years, the original NLCS has been a beacon of educational excellence and innovation, initially revolutionizing girls' education. Today, NLCS Kobe joins a prestigious and expanding global family of schools, with thriving campuses in the United Kingdom (NLCS), South Korea (NLCS Jeju), the United Arab Emirates (NLCS Dubai), and Singapore (NLCS Singapore).
This network is renowned for its high standards, with NLCS schools consistently ranked as "the highest performing in each country they are based in". Such a strong heritage provides immediate credibility and assurance for families considering NLCS Kobe, offering confidence that NLCS Kobe will benefit from established best practices
and uphold the same commitment to excellence.
Inside NLCS Kobe: An Ambitious, Supportive Education
At the core of NLCS Kobe's philosophy is a commitment to an "ambitious education" meticulously designed to challenge students and cultivate a genuine, lifelong love of learning. The curriculum is set to evolve into the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, encompassing the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in due course. This pathway ensures rigorous, internationally recognised standards, preparing students for global opportunities.
Several key features will define the learning experience at NLCS Kobe. The school is dedicated to recruiting the "best teachers from around the world," highly qualified professionals who inspire their students to explore subjects deeply. Small class sizes, with an average of 19 and a maximum of 22 students, allow for significant individual attention and a "personalised learning experience". This environment is designed to develop students into "curious, creative and flexible thinkers" and "independent and self-motivated scholars"
Crucially, this academic ambition is interwoven with an equally strong emphasis on individualised pastoral care. NLCS Kobe understands that "one size does not fit all," ensuring that every student is known, valued, respected, and supported emotionally and socially. A dedicated system of tutors and a vibrant House system will provide a "family within a family," fostering a sense of belonging essential for wellbeing and enabling students to thrive under academic challenges. This integrated approach, where robust support underpins high academic expectations, reflects a mature educational philosophy focused on sustainable achievement and personal growth. The long-term vision for the full IB continuum further assures parents of a consistent, globally recognized educational framework as their children progress through the school, enhancing international compatibility for future studies.
Bridging Cultures: International Perspectives, Japanese Foundations
NLCS Kobe offers a distinctive educational proposition by expertly blending a world-class international curriculum with a profound and authentic commitment to Japanese language and culture. While English will serve as the primary language of instruction across most subjects , the study of Japanese language and literature is not merely an addition but an integral component of the curriculum. The school aims for students to achieve fluency and literacy in Japanese, with a depth of understanding comparable to that provided in local Japanese schools. This includes engaging with Japan’s rich literary traditions, analyzing both classical and contemporary works.
This dual linguistic and cultural focus is designed to nurture well-rounded global citizens who possess a keen appreciation for diverse perspectives while retaining a strong and meaningful connection to Japanese heritage and values, such as the importance of community and personal growth. The school seeks to foster a "dynamic exchange of ideas and learning," where international educational excellence and Japanese tradition enrich one another. Graduates are envisioned to be culturally adept, internationally minded individuals, comfortable and competent in both Japanese and global contexts. This commitment to deep bilingualism and biculturalism represents a significant differentiator, appealing to Japanese families who wish for their children to receive an international education without losing their cultural identity, as well as to expatriate families desiring a meaningful immersion in their host country's culture.
Opening Doors: Pathways to the World's Leading Universities
A primary objective of NLCS Kobe is to guide its graduates towards successful admission into the most prestigious universities across the globe. While NLCS Kobe is a new school, the remarkable track record of the established NLCS network, particularly its sister school NLCS Jeju in South Korea, provides compelling evidence of this capability. NLCS schools aim to replicate their history of academic success in each new location.
The success of the NLCS network is vividly illustrated by the university destinations of its graduates. For instance, NLCS Jeju consistently places students in world-leading institutions. These include the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in the UK; Ivy League universities such as Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania in the US; alongside other top-tier US destinations like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California. Furthermore, graduates secure places at prestigious Asian universities including the University of Hong Kong, the National University of Singapore, Waseda University, and Keio University. NLCS Kobe is poised to build upon this outstanding track record, supported by dedicated University Guidance Counselling, a feature of NLCS international schools. The breadth of these university destinations—spanning the UK, US, Canada, Asia, and Australia —demonstrates the global recognition of the NLCS educational model and its effectiveness in preparing students for diverse higher education systems worldwide, offering families unparalleled choice and flexibility.
More Than Academics: Nurturing Well-Rounded Individuals
NLCS Kobe is committed to a holistic approach, recognising that true education extends far beyond the traditional classroom setting. The school will offer a broad and engaging range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and various clubs, designed to help students explore their passions, discover new interests, and develop their talents comprehensively. This emphasis on a rich co-curricular program is integral to fostering student wellbeing and developing well-rounded individuals.
The value placed on this holistic development is echoed in the experiences of parents within the NLCS family. One parent highlighted, "One of the things that particularly struck me is that although there are a lot of extracurricular activities and the kids are encouraged to do one every day, it's not done on a superficial level. There's a deep dive with extracurricular activities into what's being studied". Another parent shared, “What I love about NLCS is how they encourage our children to step out of their comfort zones and try things that they haven't tried. This is an extremely important quality in learning”. These testimonials underscore the school's supportive environment where "every child's personality is always valued" , creating a space where students feel empowered to grow academically, socially, and personally. Facilities such as a library, drama studio, dance studio, science labs, makerspaces, an indoor sports hall, and a nearby sports field will support these endeavors.