The Innovation Fellowship (TIF) International High School in Tokyo

The Study Abroad Program Empowering Students to Thrive in the Age of AI

The Innovation Fellowship (TIF) Study Abroad Program is a transformative one-semester experience in Tokyo where ambitious high school students discover what truly matters to them in life and transform those insights into projects that cultivate purpose and real-world skills.

Guided by seasoned educators and mentored by global industry experts, students dedicate the majority of their school day to building self-directed, mission-driven projects that connect personal interests to real-world applications.

Whether prototyping a product, writing and illustrating a book, designing a game, or leading an environmental initiative, students gain confidence, clarity, and direction while receiving personalized support to identify best-fit colleges and chart a thoughtful path forward for studies and work. Project- and inquiry-based learning is supported by a dynamic and academically rigorous curriculum that confers transferable credit toward an accredited American high school diploma and meets the entry requirements of the world’s most selective universities.

Living in one of the world’s safest and most dynamic cities, students stay with carefully selected host families, explore Japan through curated excursions, and engage in authentic cultural experiences, from language learning to community partnerships. They form deep relationships with peers, mentors, and local communities, and return home with a strong foundation to continue their learning, a network that spans cultures and industries, and a personalized roadmap for their future.

Seats are limited – only ten spots are available for our 2026–27 fall cohort. In an age of artificial intelligence, this is the high school experience that best prepares ambitious students to flourish and lead by developing their human competencies: compassion, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a collaborative, mission-driven mindset.

Hear Directly From Our Students

The best way to understand what we're all about is to hear directly from our students. Watch this video to see how our students talk about what differentiates TIF from other schools, how they are supported by our coaches and mentors, how they would describe their peers, some of their favorite TIF moments, and what advice they would give to prospective students.

Watch Our Students Present

Every year, our students present the culmination of their project journeys to a public audience at our annual Demo Day. Watch some of our student presentations to get a better idea of the kind of projects they work on. These presentations highlight how students discover their passions, turn them into projects with real-world impact, and share their work with confidence and clarity.

Kimaya is designing a home illuminated entirely by natural light

Andi is creating games that teach financial concepts

Koko is writing and illustrating a bilingual children's book

Noa is developing a therapeutic hugging cushion to relieve anxiety

Rintaro is making film to explore cultural spaces and stories

Ananya is prototyping artificial reefs to restore coral ecosystems

Shu is authoring a philosophical book on living a meaningful life

Meet Our Founding Faculty

At TIF, our students learn side-by-side with experienced entrepreneurs and educators who guide them at every step. Our faculty provide personalized support so that each student can grow with confidence and purpose. Meet our founding faculty below.

Scott Smoler, Founder &
Head of School

Scott is a veteran entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience creating innovative services and transformative educational programs.

Kai Childs, Co-Founder & Assistant Head of School

Kai is an experiential learning expert with a decade of experience in crafting and facilitating dynamic, student-centered learning experiences.

Jason Cody Douglass, Ph.D.,
Co-Founder & Head of Academics

Jason is a Yale-trained educator, certified coach, and award-winning researcher with over 10 years of experience in education and college admissions.

Observe Our Students Creating Value Beyond the Classroom

At TIF, our students take their projects beyond the classroom to create real-world impact. They connect with communities, organizations, and professionals to put their ideas into practice and see the difference their work can make. Along the way, they learn how to navigate challenges, build relationships, and refine their projects through authentic feedback. These experiences prepare them not only for college, but for a lifetime of meaningful contribution.

Kimaya completes her third internship with world-renowned KDa

Noa working in collaboration with a local manufacturer in Gunma

Mischa completes his internship with Chronus Capital Advisors

Ananya visiting Okinawa to work with PhD students at MISE Lab

Rintaro on set supporting a production startup in Tokyo

Read About Our Parent's Experience

"Two years later, I’ve watched Andi grow in ways that defy simple measurement. He is thriving academically and stepping into a new maturity. This year, he began designing games to teach financial literacy—projects now slated for use in two schools.

But more than that, he has been learning to translate academics into know-how, curiosity into projects, and projects into purpose. Around him, his peers are charting their own bold paths: writing bilingual children’s books, restoring coral reefs, filming cultural spaces, prototyping cushions to ease anxiety. Together, they are discovering what it means to build a life, not just a résumé."