History & Mission

Keio Academy of New York was established in 1990 by Keio Gijuku (Keio Private School System), which also operates Keio University, one of Japan's most prestigious private universities, primarily to meet the needs of Japanese families living overseas.

Inheriting the traditions established by Keio Gijuku's founder, Yukichi Fukuzawa, Keio Academy of New York is a unique international private academic institution that endeavors to prepare its students to become global leaders of the 21st century, by providing a bilingual and bicultural curriculum.

Keio Academy of New York is registered by the New York State Board of Regents in the United States.

The Academy was first accredited by the New York State Association of Independent School (NYSAIS) in 2001.

This accreditation was renewed in 2011. The Academy also holds memberships with the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), College Board, and the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).

Mission Statement

Keio Academy of New York promotes trans-Pacific, trans-cultural and trans-disciplinary learning. The mission of Keio Academy of New York is to develop, foster and utilize “tri-cultural’ education by combining the best of Japanese, American and Keio cultures, to produce graduates who have a strong sense of “moral-independence” and “self-reliance” which has been a Keio tradition since Keio Gijuku’s establishment by Fukuzawa Yukichi in 1858.


This Mission Statement is conventionally used with the following description depending on the purposes of publications.

Keio Academy of New York aims to provide a bilingual and bicultural education in Japanese and English in a predominantly boarding setting for students aged 13 to 19 preparing for admission to Keio University in Tokyo or other universities around the world. Through innovating and disciplined teaching the Academy seeks to create a community of learning grounded in academic ambition, intellectual integrity and strong ethical principles. Our cocurricular programs of sport, music, debating, public speaking and community service cultivate in our students a lively collaborative social and cultural awareness, self-respect and self-discipline, fitting them to contribute energetically in their university studies and take their place as independentminded global leaders