Eight elementary school students within passing range (self-assessment) of the EIKEN Level 2 first test Developing English education for junior high school entrance examinations

Minimax International School (operated by Minimax Co., Ltd., Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo), an advanced bilingual education provider in Meguro-ku, presents a completely new alternative to the recent trend of "English-based entrance examinations" for junior high school entrance exams.

The school provides unique immersion education in which English is nurtured as an "environment" rather than a "subject" from an early age, and as a result, the average child in the second grade of elementary school has obtained the level 2 Eiken test. As a result, we have achieved an average of students in the second grade of elementary school obtaining Level 2 of the English Proficiency Test (EIKEN). In the most recent test in May 2026, more than 8 elementary school students passed the first round of the EIKEN Level 2 test (self-assessment), a preliminary result.

Many of our graduates have been accepted by the Gosanke, Toshimaoka, Komato, and other difficult-to-enter schools. This is attracting attention as a new educational strategy for today's students with limited time available to take entrance exams.

Background: Why "English first" before taking junior high school entrance exams?

Background: Why "English First" Before Taking Junior High School Entrance Exams?

The current junior high school entrance examinations have reached their peak as the curriculum of major cram schools has become more sophisticated and the competition for entrance examinations has intensified. Children, especially those in the upper grades, are overwhelmed with a huge amount of homework, especially in math and Japanese, and commuting to cram schools, and their disposable time has reached its limit.

Against this backdrop, some families, especially working families with high educational awareness, have adopted this approach, adopting the strategy of "completing English first, before studying for the entrance examination in earnest.

By completing English at a relatively early stage, these families are able to focus all of their learning resources on the four subjects of math, Japanese, science, and social studies from 5th grade onward, rather than taking the English entrance exam. As a result, this leads to the creation of an environment in which students can easily concentrate on learning the four subjects for the success rate at difficult-to-enter schools. This is not simply a matter of nurturing "children who are good at English," but has attracted strong interest from many educators and parents as "a new educational approach that changes the very strategy for junior high school entrance examinations.

Minimax's two "insane approaches to education

Minimax does not teach English skills only by spending time at a desk, as in a typical "tutoring" school.

1) Creating an environment where students "speak English like they breathe" (immersion education)

By creating an overwhelmingly English-speaking environment from early childhood, we do not use the step of translating into Japanese as much as possible, and instead nurture a "sense of thinking in English". As a result, many students reach the level of EIKEN Level 2 in their early elementary school years, naturally acquiring a sense of "using English" rather than "studying English.

2. "Liberal Arts" class for "beyond EIKEN Level 2

Students who have passed EIKEN Level 2 or Level 2 are not merely learning English, but are also learning about science, history, culture, and world affairs in English, and developing the ability to hold their own opinions and debate in English. As a result, our students acquire the essential English skills to read long passages, write, and interview at the EIKEN Level 2, not by "solving them as a study" but by "using them naturally as a dialogue.

Amazing results of success and advancement to higher education (most recent and preliminary figures for FY2026)

Preliminary results of the 1st (May) Eiken test in FY2026: More than 8 elementary school students passed the 1st test of Eiken Level 2 (self-assessment).

School average: Achieved the trend of students obtaining EIKEN Level 2 at a young age (2nd grade elementary school students).

Academic Year 2025 Results: 6 students passed EIKEN Level 2 and 22 students passed EIKEN Level 2 Plus.

Results of students entering difficult junior high schools in Japan: The number of students who have been accepted to top-class difficult schools in Japan, such as Kaisei, Sakurain, Azabu, Toshimaoka Girls' School, Musashi, and SFC, and the periods for which they were accepted, are clearly indicated.

Excellent support for students going on to higher education abroad: In the past 2-3 years, more than 12 students have gone on to boarding schools in Switzerland, one of the world's best educational environments.

Liberal Arts class

Plastic Surgery whiteboard

School Overview

Minimax International School is a bilingual school that provides immersion education from an early age, enabling students to prepare for entrance exams to difficult-to-enter junior high schools in Japan and to receive a global education at the same time.

School Name ： Minimax International School

Operating company: Minimax Co.

Location ： 3F Shirogane Building, 1-2-12 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Official website : https://www.minimax-int.com/