Japan's Education System - About Children's Schools

For families coming to Japan from abroad, choosing a school for their children is very important.

This article introduces about Japanese schools as a basis for the Japanese educational system and some common concerns about it.

About Japanese Schools

School in Japan begins at Elementary School. Students then move on to Junior High School and Senior High School.
Elementary School (6 school years) starting at the age of 6 and Junior High School (3 school years) starting at the age of 12 are mandatory education.
Therefore, all children must attend school.

After graduating from Junior High School, many children enroll also in High School (3 years) or Technical Vocational School (5 years), although advancement to these schools is optional.

小学校 - Elementary School 

Elementary School is where children acquire basic academic and social skills.
Students study a variety of subjects, including Japanese language*, Arithmetic, Social Studies, Science, Music, and Physical Education.

*It is a little different from what a learner of Japanese would learn. Students will learn not only kanji and grammar, but also Japanese literature and reading comprehension etc.

By the time they enter Elementary School, children from other countries are required to study the Japanese language.
This is because all classes are conducted in Japanese, and if you do not understand Japanese, you will not be able to fully comprehend the lessons.
 
Recently, Japanese language classes have begun to be offered in some Elementary Schools for children who need to learn Japanese.
If your child still has concerns about his or her Japanese language ability, talk to the local government about schools that offer Japanese language classes and support.

中学校 - Junior High School

Junior High School is a 3-year program for children between the ages of 12 and 15.

In Junior High School, students study a wider range of subjects compared to Elementary School.

For example, "Arithmetic" becomes "Mathematics". It is not only about calculation methods, but also about studying how to solve complex problems, which can be applied in other studies, such as science.

高等学校 - High School

It is commonly referred to as a "高校(Koukou)" - an abbreviation for the official Japanese nomenclature of High School.

High Schools are attended by students between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, after graduation from Junior High School.
There is normaly an examination for admission into the school.

In addition to the regular course of study, there are various specialized courses such as Foreign Languages, Science and Mathematics, Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, and others.

After graduation, students either go on to universities or vocational schools, or start working.

高等専門学校 - Technical Colleges

It is generally referred to as a "高専(Kousen)"  - an abbreviation for the official Japanese nomenclature of Technical College.

Technical Colleges are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills.
For admission, there is an examination.

The program provides five years of specialized education in specific fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information Technology, and others. Along with practical skills, students can deepen their academic knowledge and develop the ability to become an immediate worker in a company.
 
For more information:出入国在留管理庁「生活・就労ガイドブック第５章」P49-59

Differences between public and private schools in Japan

Japan has both public and private schools.
This applies to all schools from Elementary School to University.
 
Public schools are operated by prefectural or municipal governments and often have free or low tuition.
For Elementary and Junior High School, many children attend public schools located near their homes.
 
Private schools, on the other hand, are run by organizations and have their own educational curriculum.
Because they often have better facilities and more content to study, tuition is often higher than in public schools.

Important factors in choosing a schools

When choosing a school, there are important points to consider for each type of school.
Here are some places to consider for each Elementary School, Junior High School, High School, and University.
 
*For public Elementary and Junior High Schools, the school is basically determined by the location where you live. Depending on the municipality and school, you may be able to choose freely.

Elementary and Junior High Schools

Access
Find out the distance from your home to the school. In Japan, children often travel to and from school alone, so the closer to home the safer it is and the shorter the commute, the less of a burden it is for the child.
 
Environment
The school should have a bright atmosphere and a place where children feel safe and comfortable.
 
Japanese language support
If your child is not yet proficient in speaking, reading, and writing Japanese, check to see if there is support for children who need to learn Japanese.

High Schools and Technical Colleges

Regular or Specialized course?
If your child is interested in or good at a particular field of study, you may want to choose a specialized course. (such as Science, Math, Foreign Languages, Arts, etc.)
 
Academic Support
If your child is considering going on to college after graduating from High School, is the school well prepared and supportive? Also, check to see if the school has a good track record of students going on to college.
 
Scholarships
Some private schools have their own scholarship programs.

Frequently asked questions about schools

Is there an exam when I enter the school?

Elementary and Junior High Schools
Some public Elementary and Junior High Schools may or may not have exams, but private schools and certain programs have admission exams.
 
High Schools and Technical Colleges
Generally, an admission examination is conducted.

How can foreign parents support their children?

It is important for parents to study Japanese as well
If parents do not understand Japanese, it is difficult for them to support their children's schoolwork and participate in school events.
 
Teach your child about cultural differences
Many children are troubled by the cultural differences between Japan and their home countries.
Teaching your child about school life and the Japanese way of thinking will be very useful for his/her life in Japan.

Lastly

In Japan, all children attend school for nine years of compulsory Elementary and Junior High School education.
Of course, children of foreign nationals living in Japan are also subject to compulsory education.
Except for a few schools, all classes are basically conducted in Japanese.
If your Japanese speaking, reading, and writing skills are not good, consult with the local government to see if Japanese language support is available.